Notes On Paper Handling - Epson TM-L90 Technical Reference Manual

Notes on Paper Handling

Thermal paper handling
Substances such as chemicals on thermal paper may cause color development or faded printing;
therefore, pay attention to the following:
❏ Use water paste, starch paste, polyvinyl paste, or CMC paste when gluing thermal paper.
❏ Volatile organic solvents such as alcohol, ester, and ketone can cause discoloration.
❏ Some discoloration may occur, depending on adhesive materials. Printing may be faded,
depending on materials of tapes.
❏ If thermal paper touches anything that includes phthalic acid ester plasticizer for a long
time, it can reduce the image-formation ability of the paper and can cause the printed image
to fade. Therefore, when storing thermal paper in a card case or sample notebook, be sure to
use only products made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester.
❏ If thermal paper touches diazo copy paper immediately after copying, the printed surface
may be discolored.
❏ Thermal paper must not be stored with the printed surfaces against each other because the
printing may be transferred between surfaces.
❏ If the surface of thermal paper is scratched with a nail or hard metal object, the paper may
become discolored.
Notes on storage
Since discoloration begins at 70 °C {158 °F}, thermal paper should be protected from high
temperatures, humidity, and light, both before and after printing.
❏ Store paper away from high temperatures and humidity.
Do not store thermal paper near a heater or in enclosed places exposed to direct sunlight.
❏ Avoid direct light.
❏ Extended exposure to direct light (as with placement of the printer near windows) may
cause discoloration or faded printing.
❏ When the printer is not used for one week or more, it is recommended not to leave the
thermal paper between the platen and the print head.
164 Appendix