- Thermal paper is a specialty paper coated with chemicals that react to heat, allowing for fast, high-resolution printing used in receipts, tickets, labels, and tags. Its widespread application in POS systems, ATMs, barcode labeling, and transportation tickets makes it integral to both consumer-facing and backend operations
- The market’s expansion is primarily driven by the growth of organized retail, increasing digital transactions, and the global rise in logistics and parcel delivery services. Demand is further supported by the shift toward BPA-free and environmentally compliant thermal paper grades, addressing both regulatory standards and consumer health concerns
- U.S. dominated the thermal paper market with a share of 88.3% in 2024, due to the high penetration of POS systems across retail, banking, and hospitality sectors. The country’s advanced commercial infrastructure and widespread use of transaction-based systems, including ATMs, self-service kiosks, and cash registers, continue to sustain strong demand for thermal paper
- Canada is expected to be the fastest growing region in the thermal paper market during the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of digital payment systems, expanding retail chains, and greater focus on high-quality, durable thermal printing for logistics and healthcare applications
- Direct transfer segment dominated the market with a market share of 55.8% in 2024, due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and suitability for high-volume printing in retail and banking environments. It eliminates the need for ribbons or ink cartridges, reducing maintenance and operational costs for businesses. Its fast print speed and clear image quality have made it the preferred technology for POS receipts, tickets, and labels
