What's the difference between thermal and regular paper?

--Thermal Paper: Thermal paper is coated with a special heat-sensitive chemical layer. When the paper comes into contact with the thermal print head, the heat causes the coating to change color, creating the printed image or text. This process does not require ink or toner.
--Regular Paper: Regular paper is plain paper that does not have any special coatings. It requires ink or toner to print images or text. This is typically done using inkjet or laser printers.

--Thermal Paper: Thermal paper can be less durable over time and more sensitive to moisture. The printed image may fade if exposed to heat, sunlight, or certain chemicals. And Some thermal papers contain bisphenol A (BPA) or bisphenol S (BPS), which can have environmental and health concerns. 

--Regular Paper: Regular paper is generally more durable and more resistant to sunlight and moisture. The printed image is less likely to fade or smudge, especially if high-quality ink or toner is used.

--Thermal Paper: It is commonly used in applications where quick and efficient printing is needed without the need for ink or toner. Examples include: Receipt printers in retail stores and restaurants, POS systems, ATMs, Fax machines and
Medical equipment (e.g., ECG machines)

--Regular Paper: It is used for a wide range of applications, including: Office printing, Home printing,  Books and magazines,
Labels and packaging.

--Thermal Paper: It consists of a base paper layer and a thermal coating. The coating contains chemicals like leuco dyes and developers that react to heat.
--Regular Paper: It is made from wood pulp or other fibrous materials. It may be treated for brightness, smoothness, or other qualities, but it does not have any special coatings for thermal printing.

--Thermal Paper: Thermal paper should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent premature fading or discoloration.
--Regular Paper: Regular paper is more forgiving in terms of storage conditions. It can be stored in a wider range of environments without significant degradation.

--Thermal Paper: Thermal paper is generally more expensive per sheet due to the special coating. However, the overall cost of printing can be lower because it eliminates the need for ink or toner.
--Regular Paper: Regular paper is usually less expensive per sheet. However, the cost of ink or toner for printing can add up over time.