As regulations continue to evolve, more businesses are searching for "phenol-free thermal paper" or "bps-free receipt paper." These products are becoming increasingly important for meeting compliance requirements in states such as California and Washington.

What Are Phenols In Receipt Paper?

In thermal paper, phenols – including BPA and BPS – have traditionally been used as heat-activated developers. These chemicals allow the paper to darken when exposed to the printer’s thermal head.

Because of growing safety and environmental concerns, many states and manufacturers are moving away from phenol-based developers.

Phenol-Free Thermal Paper Defined

POS Supply's Non-Phenol Thermal Paper Rolls are produced without BPA, BPS, or other bisphenols, and contain no intentionally added phenols. These rolls provide durable printed images with an image life of over 10 years (under proper storage conditions). In addition, our non-phenol paper rolls are recyclable, decompose cleanly, and each roll has a core made from recycled materials.

We use the following certified non-phenol thermal paper grades:

• Koehler KT 48 PF Non-Phenol Thermal
• Hansol Paper NTC PF 48 Non-Phenol Thermal
• Jujo P-KSND-48 Non-Phenol Thermal

Where Is Phenol-Free Paper Required?

• Washington State: Starting January 1, 2026, the sale and use of BPA and BPS in thermal receipt paper is prohibited. This makes non-phenol thermal paper a requirement for any business operating in the state.
• California: Proposition 65 includes BPS, causing many businesses to transition to non-phenol thermal paper to avoid compliance or labeling requirements.
• Other states and retailers are evaluating similar restrictions and may update their guidelines in the future.

Benefits of Phenol-Free Thermal Paper

• Supports compliance with evolving state regulations
• Reduces exposure to phenol-based chemicals
• Durable, long-lasting print images (10+ years)
• Recyclable and environmentally friendly
• Compatible with most thermal receipt printers

Does POS Supply Offer Phenol-Free Rolls?

Yes, we offer Non-Phenol Thermal Paper in our most popular sizes - including 2 1/4" x 50' Non-Phenol Rolls, 2 1/4" x 85' Non-Phenol Rolls, and 3 1/8" x 230' Non-Phenol Rolls in a variety of quantities. While all of our standard thermal rolls are BPA-free, non-phenol options are available for businesses that require alternatives to BPS-based products.

Learn more about non-phenol receipt paper in our video: Watch the video.

Key Takeaways

• POS Supply's Non-Phenol Thermal Receipt Paper is made without BPA, BPS, or other phenol-based developers while still delivering high-quality print performance.
• Helps businesses comply with Washington State and California Proposition 65 regulations.
• Environmentally friendly and fully recyclable.
• Compatible with most thermal receipt printers.
• Available alongside standard BPA-free rolls for regulated states or industries.

Contact our team for help choosing the right non-phenol or BPA-free Thermal Receipt Paper Rolls for your business!

Additional Resources:

Thermal Paper: What is it?

Thermal Paper: Selecting the Right One For Your Application

Thermal Paper: Three Places to Never Store Rolls

Thermal Paper: Is It Recyclable?

Thermal Paper: Is there BPA in Thermal Receipt Paper?

Thermal Paper: Why Are My Thermal Receipts Not Printing Clearly?

Thermal Paper: Is My Thermal Printer Working Properly?