The paper used for an industrial label or a traceability substrate falls into two families: thermal paper, printed directly with no ink or ribbon, and synthetic technical paper, chosen for its resistance in demanding environments. Since 2 January 2020, thermal paper sold in the European Union has had to meet a regulatory threshold on bisphenol A (BPA), common to the whole family. The choice between the two families therefore depends on the intended use, not on BPA compliance, which is now a baseline requirement.
Thermal paper or technical paper: which family for which use?
Thermal paper
Paper coated with a heat-sensitive resin: passing under the thermal print head brings out the text or barcode with no ribbon or ink. It suits variable data printed at the point of shipping or production (serial number, batch, barcode), for indoor use or short-term durability. Its formulation is governed by the REACH regulation on bisphenol A, regardless of supplier.
Synthetic technical paper (Polyart®-type)
A synthetic substrate based on a coated polyolefin film, built to last in demanding environments: outdoor exposure, humidity, contact with chemicals, temperature swings. It doesn’t print by direct thermal transfer but is chosen when durability matters more than unit cost: outdoor labeling, food and beverage, medical, or cleanroom use.
The specialty papers we die-cut
| Family | Nature | Service range | Resistance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal paper | Coated paper, direct thermal printing, BPA-free (0.02% by mass threshold since 2 January 2020) | 60°C to 120°C | Sensitive to plasticizers (PVC, phthalate esters) and organic solvents (alcohols, esters, ketones), which degrade the printed image; sensitive to prolonged light exposure. | Variable-data labeling, barcodes, short-term traceability |
| Synthetic technical paper (Polyart®-type) | Coated polyolefin film | -60°C to +60°C | Resistant to water and seawater, to oils, to ammonia, caustic soda and isopropyl alcohol; resistant to tearing in both directions | Outdoor labeling, food and beverage, medical, cleanroom |
Why paper die-cut to order rather than raw roll stock
A roll of thermal or technical paper supplied raw forces the user to cut it to their own dimensions, with a risk of offcuts and irregularities on the production line. Having it die-cut to order, at the dimensions and shape agreed in advance, gives a ready-to-use substrate compatible with the printing or application equipment already in place. ATE applies the same logic to paper as it does to technical films and foams: the material is processed to the customer’s dimensions, not sold as-is.
Delivery formats
- Slit rolls: at the width required.
- Sheets cut to size: matching the printing or application format.
- Die-cut shapes on demand: matching the intended application.
The ATE method
ATE die-cuts thermal and technical paper to the dimensions and shape agreed with the customer, from rolls or sheets supplied by the chosen manufacturer.
Your application deserves the right paper. Let's talk.
Send us your labeling or traceability need, your regulatory or use-case constraint: our teams validate the right family and deliver samples cut to your dimensions. Contact ATE, production sites in France and Germany.
Yes, from a regulatory standpoint. Since 2 January 2020, REACH regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 has banned the sale in the European Union of thermal paper with a bisphenol A concentration equal to or above 0.02% by mass. Thermal paper legally sold in Europe today must meet this threshold.
Thermal paper prints directly under heat, with no ink or ribbon, and suits variable data (serial number, batch, barcode) for indoor use or short-term durability. Synthetic technical paper, based on a coated polyolefin film, is chosen for its resistance over time: water, chemicals, temperature swings, outdoor use.
A Polyart®-type synthetic technical paper stays dimensionally stable from -60°C to +60°C and resists water, seawater and most common chemicals (ammonia, caustic soda, isopropyl alcohol). These properties are documented for this specific type of substrate; they are not generic to every paper described as “technical.”
