80mm x 80mm Thermal Paper Roll: GSM, Length, and Weight

Whether you are a converter, distributor, or procurement manager, you should know that the 80mm x 80mm thermal paper roll is the most popular among various POS paper roll sizes. But have you wondered about the specifications of this paper roll, such as GSM, length, or weight? These are more than just numbers; they are the DNA of thermal paper roll products. They are also the crucial factors that determine the cost of the rolls.

In this article, we’ll break down the specification terms for 80mm x 80mm thermal rolls and explain what they mean. Let’s get started.

80mm x 80mm Thermal paper roll illustration

1. GSM

GSM (grams per square meter), also known as grammage, indicates the weight, in grams, of one square meter of paper and is commonly expressed as g/m² or gsm. For example, 55 gsm thermal paper weighs 55 grams per square meter.

Nowadays, common GSM grades used for 80mm x 80mm thermal paper on the market include 48 gsm, 55 gsm, 60 gsm, 65 gsm, 70 gsm, 75 gsm, etc.

Another parameter you cannot ignore is paper thickness, or caliper, which is usually measured in microns (µm), where 1 µm = 0.001 mm. Higher-GSM thermal paper is generally thicker than lower-GSM paper, but this is not always true. In some cases, two papers with the same GSM can have huge differences in caliper; this is due to differences in the manufacturing process, such as base paper, coating formulation, calendering, and bulkness, across different thermal paper manufacturers.

The table below shows the typical GSM and thickness ranges for 80mm x 80mm thermal paper. We recommend always checking the paper manufacturer’s technical data sheet for the exact caliper and other specifications.

2. Length

The roll length tells you how much paper is actually on the roll. A thermal paper roll is actually a cylinder. The unrolled cylinder’s perimeter is actually the paper roll’s length. We have explained how to calculate the length of paper rolls in a previous article. To obtain the length of 80mm x 80mm thermal rolls, you can use the methods below:

• Ask your supplier. Your supplier should be able to provide the paper roll length.
• Measure it by yourself. You can ask for samples, unroll the paper roll yourself, and measure it with a tape (yes, that could be a little complicated!).
• Calculate it by yourself. It requires some math work to calculate the paper roll length. If you know the thickness of the paper, you can use our online Paper Roll Length Calculator tool, or simply download the Excel tool to get the length of the 80mm x 80mm paper roll.

→ Download the Excel Tool to Calculate Paper Roll Length

For the same 80mm x 80mm thermal paper size, a roll made from thin paper (such as 48 gsm) provides more meters on the roll, while a roll made from thick paper (such as 70 gsm) will have a shorter length.

3. Weight

Knowing the roll weight is essential, especially when calculating shipping costs for overseas shipment. From the above picture, we can see that a paper roll includes two parts: the paper and the core. The core usually weighs around 5 g- 7 g, which is relatively small. The roll weight comes mainly from the paper. We can calculate the weight of a paper roll using the formula below.

For example, for 80mm x 80mm 60 gsm thermal paper, the width is 0.08 m, the length is 58 m, and the grammage is 0.060 kg/m². Using this formula (0.08 x 58 x 0.06 = 0.278 kg), plus the core’s weight of 0.007 kg, we get a total weight of about 0.285 kg for an 80mm x 80mm 60 gsm thermal roll.

→ Use our Paper Roll Weight Calculator to quickly calculate the weight of paper rolls

80mm x 80mm Thermal Paper Roll Specifications Summary

Even with the same 80mm x 80mm roll size, paper length and weight can vary depending on the GSM and paper thickness. The table below provides a quick comparison.

Final Thoughts

So next time when you compare prices from multiple suppliers, don’t focus only on the price per roll alone. GSM, paper thickness, and roll length are all factors hidden under the water; they affect the real value you are paying for. Always confirm the full specifications with your supplier before placing an order.

At Panda Paper Roll, we manufacture thermal paper rolls in different GSMs, lengths, core sizes, and packaging options for global wholesale buyers. Contact us today if you need help choosing the right specification for your market or application, and we’d be happy to share more of our expertise with you.