You can do a simple test to figure out whether your paper rolls are Thermal paper or Bond paper. Take about 6 inches of the paper roll you want to test. Try to draw a line by pressing your fingernail (or scratching) on one side of the roll. Your paper is Thermal if you were able to draw a line.

Repeat the test on the other side of the paper roll. You will need to do the test on both sides, because the Thermal coating could be applied to either side of the roll.

You may have heard the terms "Coated Side Out (CSO)" and "Coated Side IN (CSI)" for Thermal paper rolls. If you were able to draw a line with your fingernail on the outside (top side) of the roll, then your Thermal paper is CSO. If you were able to draw the line with your fingernail inside (bottom side) of the roll, your Thermal paper is CSI.

If you cannot make a mark with your fingernail on either side, then it is Bond Paper . If your paper roll has multiple layers (2-ply or 3-ply), it is Carbonless paper. You will need a Dot Matrix/Impact Printer and for printing on these types of paper.

You can do a simple test to figure out whether your paper rolls are Thermal paper or Bond paper. Take about 6 inches of the paper roll you want to test. Try to draw a line by pressing your fingernail (or scratching) on one side of the roll. Your paper is Thermal if you were able to draw a line.

Repeat the test on the other side of the paper roll. You will need to do the test on both sides, because the Thermal coating could be applied to either side of the roll.

You may have heard the terms "Coated Side Out (CSO)" and "Coated Side IN (CSI)" for Thermal paper rolls. If you were able to draw a line with your fingernail on the outside (top side) of the roll, then your Thermal paper is CSO. If you were able to draw the line with your fingernail inside (bottom side) of the roll, your Thermal paper is CSI.

Another way to test if its a legit thermal paper is to observe and feel the paper surface and compare it with bond paper and carbonless paper. The thermal paper stands out with its smoother , shinier surface.

However, in some cases, some bond paper also has a very smooth surface , so observing and feeling the paper surface isn't the best way to determine if it is thermal paper.

Test the Paper on Thermal Printer

If you insert a wood-free paper roll or carbonless paper roll into the thermal printer, it won’t produce anything on these types of papers because they don’t have a chemical coating on their surface. If the paper roll can feed out printed images and texts once you run it into the thermal printer, it passes the test.