Receipt Paper: Why It Fades and How to Restore It? (2024)

Whether you’re a business or individual, keeping receipt paper is vital for some reasons: proof of purchase, warranty claims, contingency for returns and refund, legal compliance, tax documentation, etc. However, the paper can degrade over time, and the printed text on receipt paper may fade.

But why does receipt paper fade? Is it possible to restore faded receipt paper? In this article, we will explore these questions with you.

Why Receipt Paper Fade?

The receipt paper is actually made from thermal paper, which relies on a chemical coating on the paper surface that changes color when exposed to heat. The printing process involves a thermal print head selectively applying heat to the paper, causing the coated areas to darken and form the printed image or text. If you are in the mood to experiment, place a receipt that you don’t need under a hot iron or lighter for about 10 seconds. The heat will change the color of the paper to black.

However, the chemicals used in thermal paper are susceptible to some environmental factors.

Over time, exposure to light, heat, humidity, and other environmental conditions can contribute to the gradual fading of thermal paper. Ultraviolet (UV) light in the sunshine accelerates the degradation process. Additionally, poor storage conditions, such as prolonged exposure to sunlight or high temperatures, can expedite the deterioration of thermal paper.

Now, if you’re wondering why thermal paper is so widespread despite this massive disadvantage, it’s because thermal paper has a low printing cost, and the equipment used to print it requires low maintenance since it doesn’t need ink or ribbon cartridges.

How to Restore Faded Receipts?

Restoring faded thermal receipt paper can be challenging because once the paper has faded, it means that the thermal coating has already undergone a chemical reaction, and reversing this process is usually not possible. However, there are still a few ways you can try.

1. Scan and digitally restore it

If the paper’s surface is still white (not yellowish, brownish, or blackish), scan the receipt paper to be a colored photo. Open the image in a photo editing software, like Adobe Photoshop, and make a negative of it by adjusting certain image settings – brightness, contrast, and saturation. This might bring out some improvement in the image. You should find these options in the tools provided in the software.

Of course, you can also use mobile apps like LightX, PicsArt, or Tabscanner to adjust the contrast and brightness of the photo of the receipt. This can help make the faded text easier to read.

2. Apply heat to it

If you’re no Photoshop genius, you can try restoring it the old-fashioned way: by gently applying heat to the thermal paper.

Get your hairdryer and set it on medium, and blow hot air directly towards the receipt until the text becomes visible. You can also heat the receipt using a light bulb if you don’t own a hairdryer.

Regardless of the heat source, never try to apply heat on the front, as this will cause the whole thing to turn black. Keep the source of heat a few inches away from the BACK of the receipt, and make sure to pay close attention to whether the heat is reaching the faded paper or not. This might darken the paper slightly, but it’s not a guaranteed method and could potentially cause further damage.

3. Use UV light

Using ultraviolet (UV) light to try and restore faded thermal receipts is a method that some people suggest, but it’s important to note that there is no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach. The idea is that exposing the faded receipt to UV light might somehow reactivate or enhance the thermal coating. However, this is more of an anecdotal suggestion, and results may vary.

You can acquire a UV light source and find a dark or low-light environment. Place the faded thermal receipt under the UV light source for a few seconds (or several minutes). Be cautious not to expose the receipt to excessive heat, as this could further damage the paper. Then you can observe if the faded receipt paper has any improvement.

Conclusion

For important paper receipts, it’s always advisable to make copies or digitize them (take a photo or scan them) promptly after receiving them to ensure a reliable record. Prevention, such as storing thermal receipts in dry, cool environments and other optimal conditions, is often more effective than attempting to restore faded receipts.

Have you tried restoring old thermal receipt paper with these methods? What other methods do you know? Please share them in the comments. And if you want to get high-quality, long-life thermal paper products, Panda Paper Roll’s thermal paper roll products will always be your first choice.