Thermal Paper GSM Explained: 48, 55, 58, 65 and 80gsm

GSM means grams per square metre, and on thermal rolls it tells you how heavy and thick the paper is. Everyday receipt rolls are usually 48 to 58gsm. 65gsm feels noticeably stiffer and tears more cleanly. 80gsm and above is used for tickets and receipts that need to last. Heavier paper feels better, but less of it fits on a roll, so you get fewer metres per roll at the same size.

Here is what each weight is good for, and when paying for heavier paper makes sense.

In this guide

• What does gsm mean on a till roll?
• How do 48, 55, 58, 65 and 80gsm compare?
• Which gsm should I buy?
• Does heavier paper mean fewer receipts?
• What gsm are ticket rolls?
• FAQ

What does gsm mean on a till roll?

GSM is a standard paper measure: the weight in grams of one square metre of that paper. Higher gsm means thicker, heavier paper.

On a till roll the gsm tells you three practical things:

• How the receipt feels. Thin paper curls and feels flimsy. Heavier paper sits flat and feels more substantial in the hand.
• How cleanly it tears. Heavier paper tears straighter on the printer's cutter or tear bar.
• How much paper is on the roll. At the same roll diameter, thicker paper means fewer metres.

GSM is not the same as quality. A well-made 55gsm roll with a good thermal coating will print sharper than a cheap 65gsm roll with a poor one. Coating and consistency matter as much as weight.

How do 48, 55, 58, 65 and 80gsm compare?

Weight	Feel	Best for	Watch out for
48gsm	Light	Low-cost everyday receipts	Curls more, tears less cleanly
55gsm	Standard	Most counter receipts	Nothing much, the safe default
58gsm	Mid-weight	Busy EPOS printers	Slightly fewer metres than 48 to 55
65gsm	Stiff	High-volume counters, receipts customers handle	Fewer metres per roll
80gsm and up	Card-like	Tickets, long-life receipts, mobile printers	Needs a printer that accepts thicker paper

Most receipt printers handle anything from 48 to 65gsm without changing a setting. Thicker ticket paper (80gsm and above) is designed for printers built for it, such as ticketing and some mobile printers.

Which gsm should I buy?

• Standard shop, café or pub counter: a standard-weight 80x70mm roll. It is the best value per receipt.
• Busy counter where receipts are handed over constantly: 65gsm. It feels better, tears straight and stands up to handling.
• Clover Station: we stock both 58gsm and 65gsm rolls made for it.
• Event tickets, cloakroom and queue tickets: 80gsm or 105gsm ticket rolls, so the ticket survives a pocket.
• Records you must keep: go for a long-life grade, and store receipts away from heat and light. See why thermal paper fades.

Does heavier paper mean fewer receipts?

Yes. Paper thickness and roll diameter decide how many metres fit on a roll. If the diameter stays at 70mm and the paper gets thicker, the length goes down.

In practice the difference between 55 and 65gsm is noticeable but not dramatic. You change the roll a little more often, and in return each receipt feels better. For most businesses standard weight is the sensible choice, and 65gsm is worth it where the receipt is part of the customer experience.

For more on getting the most from each roll, see how many receipts you get from a till roll.

What gsm are ticket rolls?

Ticket rolls are much heavier than receipt rolls, usually 80gsm or more, so they feel like card and do not crumple. We stock 80mm ticket rolls in 80gsm and 105gsm on a 25mm core.

Check your printer's manual before ordering ticket paper. Standard receipt printers are not always designed for paper this thick.

Frequently asked questions

What does gsm mean on thermal paper?

Grams per square metre. It measures how heavy, and so how thick, the paper is.

What is the standard gsm for till rolls?

Most everyday receipt rolls are between 48 and 58gsm. 55gsm is a common standard weight.

Is 65gsm thermal paper better?

It is stiffer, feels better and tears more cleanly, which suits busy counters. You get a little less paper per roll than standard weight.

Can I use 80gsm paper in a receipt printer?

Only if the printer is designed for thicker paper. Most standard receipt printers are built for roughly 48 to 65gsm. Check the manual first.

Does higher gsm stop receipts fading?

Not on its own. Fading depends on the thermal coating and how receipts are stored. Long-life grades are made to resist fading for longer.