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Bond Paper Rolls for Impact & Dot Matrix Printers — 76mm & Standard Sizes
Bond paper rolls are the paper used in impact (dot matrix) receipt and kitchen printers. Unlike thermal paper, bond paper has no heat-sensitive coating — it relies on physical impact from the printer's pins striking through an ink ribbon to create the print. POS Plaza stocks bond paper rolls in standard sizes compatible with Epson TM-U220, Star SP700, and all other impact receipt and kitchen printers used in Australian hospitality and retail.
What is bond paper and how is it different from thermal paper?
Thermal paper has a heat-sensitive coating that darkens when exposed to a thermal print head. It only works in thermal printers and cannot be used in impact or dot matrix printers.
Bond paper is plain, uncoated paper — similar in feel to standard office paper. It works with impact printers that use an ink ribbon to physically strike the paper. Bond paper is more resistant to heat, moisture, and UV than thermal paper, making it the correct choice for kitchen and outdoor printing environments.
If you have an impact or dot matrix printer (such as the Epson TM-U220 or Star SP700), you need bond paper rolls — not thermal rolls.
What size bond paper roll do I need?
- 76mm x 76mm single-ply — the standard size for most kitchen impact printers including the Epson TM-U220B/D and Star SP700. Standard choice for kitchen order dockets.
- 76mm x 76mm 2-ply — duplicate roll for the same printer family. Used when both a customer copy and kitchen/merchant copy are required.
- 76mm x 76mm 3-ply — triplicate roll producing three copies per print. Used in delivery, logistics, and some older cash register configurations where three parties each need a signed copy.
- 76mm x 50mm — shorter roll (50mm diameter) for printers with a smaller paper compartment depth. Available in single and 2-ply.
Always check your printer's manual for the exact paper specification. The width (76mm) must match exactly — using a wider or narrower roll will cause jams or misalignment.
Which printers use bond paper rolls?
- Epson TM-U220B / TM-U220D — 76mm bond paper, the most widely used kitchen printer in Australian restaurants.
- Star SP700 series — 76mm bond paper, common in café and hospitality kitchen setups.
- Epson TM-U295 — slip/receipt impact printer, specific paper format.
Not sure which rolls fit your printer? Contact us on 1300 115 808 with your model number and we'll confirm the correct size.
Single-ply, 2-ply, and 3-ply bond rolls — which do you need?
Single-ply rolls produce one copy of each printout. This is the standard choice for kitchen order printing — the kitchen team reads the docket and discards it once the order is fulfilled. Faster to print and the most economical option when a duplicate is not required.
2-ply (duplicate) rolls produce two copies simultaneously — the impact from the printer pins transfers the print through the top sheet onto the sheet beneath. The two layers are typically different colours (e.g. white on top, yellow beneath) to make them easy to separate and distinguish. Use 2-ply when a duplicate is needed, such as for delivery dockets (one copy with the driver, one left with the recipient), service job cards, or when both the customer and the business require a printed record.
3-ply (triplicate) rolls produce three copies simultaneously — top sheet plus two copy sheets, typically in three different colours (e.g. white, yellow, pink). Use 3-ply when three separate parties each need a physical copy: for example, a delivery business where the customer, the driver, and the depot all retain a signed copy; or in some older cash register setups that produce a customer receipt, a merchant copy, and a journal copy in one pass.
Frequently asked questions — bond paper rolls
Q: Can I use bond paper in a thermal printer?
A: No. Thermal printers require heat-sensitive thermal paper. Bond paper has no heat-sensitive coating and will produce a blank output in a thermal printer. Bond paper is only for use in impact (dot matrix) printers.
Q: Can I use thermal paper in an impact printer?
A: No. Impact printers physically strike the paper through an ink ribbon. Thermal paper used in an impact printer will produce very faint output and may be damaged by the printing pins. Always use bond paper in impact printers.
Q: How do I know when my bond roll is running out?
A: Most bond rolls have a coloured stripe (red or orange) near the core to indicate low paper — the same as thermal rolls. When the stripe appears on printed output, you have approximately one roll's worth of paper remaining. Keep a spare roll at the printer station at all times.
Q: Do you sell bond paper rolls in bulk?
A: Yes. Bulk quantities are available for high-volume kitchens and hospitality businesses. Contact us on 1300 115 808 to discuss pricing for larger orders.