Thermal Till Rolls: How to Pick the Right Size for Your Card Machine

Running out of till rolls, or buying the wrong ones, is a frustrating way to hold up a queue. The good news is that working out the right roll for your card machine or receipt printer is simple once you know how sizes are described.

How till roll sizes work

Till rolls are usually described with two numbers in millimetres, for example 57x40:

• The first number is the width of the paper.
• The second number is the diameter of the full roll.

The width must match your machine exactly. The diameter tells you how much paper is on the roll, and it needs to fit inside your machine's paper compartment.

Common sizes you'll come across

• 57x40mm: a very common size for portable and countertop card machines.
• 57x30mm: a smaller-diameter roll used in some compact card terminals and handheld devices.
• 80x80mm: a wider roll typically used in EPOS receipt printers at tills in shops, cafés, bars and restaurants.

These are common examples, but machines vary, so always check what yours needs.

How to check which size you need

1. Check the manual or your provider's guidance. Most card machine providers state the supported roll size.
2. Look at the current roll. Sizes are often printed on the box or packaging.
3. Measure it. Measure the width of the paper and the diameter of a full roll in millimetres.

Thermal vs standard paper

Most card machines and modern receipt printers use thermal paper. It has a special coating that darkens with heat, so no ink or ribbon is needed. A quick way to check: scratch the paper firmly with a fingernail. If it leaves a dark mark, it's thermal.

Some older printers and kitchen printers use standard bond paper with an ink ribbon instead. Using the wrong type means nothing will print, so check before you buy.

Look at the core too

The core is the cardboard tube in the middle of the roll. Most machines aren't fussy, but some printers need a specific core size. If your rolls don't sit properly or feed smoothly, the core could be the reason.

Storing till rolls

Thermal paper reacts to heat and light, so store spare rolls somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Keep them in their packaging until needed to protect the coating and keep receipts printing clearly.

Never run out

For busy shops, cafés and market stalls, buying till rolls in multi-packs or boxes is a simple way to save money per roll and avoid a last-minute dash. Browse our till rolls or get in touch for bulk and trade pricing.