Professional machine paper

Plotters, tills and card terminals all need exactly the right paper roll. Lyreco offers plotter paper in common widths such as 610 and 914 mm, thermal rolls for tills and payment terminals, and rolls for printing calculators. That way, plans, receipts and till slips always stay legible.

Plotter paper and rolls for professionals

Architects, engineers, retailers and hospitality businesses all have one thing in common: they need plotter paper and rolls that match their device exactly. The right size and coating prevent paper jams, faded prints and unnecessary downtime.

Machine paper at a glance

• Plotter paper rolls: uncoated for line drawings and plans, coated for colour prints and posters
• 914 mm and 610 mm plotter paper: the most common widths for wide-format printers
• Thermal rolls: for tills, payment terminals and label printers, with no ribbon needed
• Till rolls: in a range of widths and diameters
• Printing calculator rolls: for desktop printing calculators

Finding the right roll

Width, core diameter, roll length and paper type are what matter. You'll find these details in your device manual or on the old roll. For thermal printers, the paper must be thermal-coated, otherwise the receipt stays blank.

How wide is plotter paper?

The most common widths are 610 mm (roughly A1) and 914 mm (for A0, which is 841 mm wide). Rolls are also available in 420 mm (A2) and 1,067 mm for very large formats.

Which paper suits which plotter?

For black-and-white CAD plans, uncoated plotter paper at 80 to 90 gsm is enough. For colour presentations and posters, choose coated paper, which absorbs ink better and delivers more vibrant colours.

How long do thermal receipts stay legible?

That depends on the thermal paper quality and how receipts are stored. Heat, light and plasticisers make the print fade faster. For receipts you need to keep for longer, choose long-life thermal rolls or keep a copy.

Plotter paper: paper types for wide-format printing

Wide-format printing uses different paper types, each suited to a specific purpose:

• Uncoated plotter paper (approx. 80 to 90 gsm): for CAD plans, line drawings and black-and-white drafts
• Coated paper (approx. 90 to 130 gsm): for colour prints, graphics and presentations with vivid colours
• Photo and poster paper: gloss or matt for posters, images and exhibitions
• Tracing paper: for plans that are overlaid or reproduced

Besides width, roll length and core diameter are key. Most plotters use a 2-inch (50 mm) core, while some larger models use 3 inches. You'll find these details in your plotter manual.

Choosing thermal rolls and till rolls

Tills, payment terminals and receipt printers usually use thermal paper, which has a heat-sensitive coating that changes colour when printed. Check these dimensions:

• Width: often 57 mm for card terminals and 80 mm for till printers
• Diameter: determines how much paper is on the roll and whether it fits the device
• Core diameter: must match the holder in the device

Impact or ribbon-based devices, on the other hand, need plain paper rolls, because they don't print with heat. Multi-ply rolls with a carbonless copy suit receipts that need to be kept in duplicate.

Storing thermal paper and plotter rolls

Thermal paper is sensitive to heat, light and moisture. Store rolls somewhere cool, dry and dark, ideally in their original packaging. Avoid contact with plastic sleeves, adhesives and oils, which can make the print fade. Plotter rolls should be stored lying flat and dust-free to protect the edges and ensure the paper feeds straight.

Order machine paper from Lyreco

Order plotter paper and rolls together with your ink and toner. Your Lyreco account manager will be happy to help you find the right size.