SwissMicros Calculator Forum

I just purchased a very nice HP 82240B Printer. It was NOS in the original box the wall wart still had the original twist tie on the cord!
It came with one roll of thermal paper and prints like new.

Do any of you have a good source to purchase compatible thermal paper?


Thanks!

I got a box of something like 20 rolls on eBay a while ago.

Any thermal paper that's 58mm (2¼") wide should do the trick. The rolls that I bought are just a bit too fat to allow the door on the printer to swing shut when they're new but that's not really a problem. After a bit of use they slim down enough.

For original HP paper, on eBay, search using "HP calculator thermal paper" and you'll find listings for anywhere from single rolls to several boxes (6 rolls per box).

From experience, as long as the rolls did not get wet over the years, they generally still work fine. HP sold both blue and black print paper, and the black usually provides much clearer and better contrast results, but often you can't tell which type it is, as the seller typically doesn't know.

Also, I don't have exact dimensions available, but Staples does sell thermal paper in numerous sizes; bring your current roll to a Staples (or Office Depot, etc.) and match the width. Sometimes the roll is "too long" and a full roll may not fit in the paper bay, but you can always either transfer some paper to en empty roll (if you're cheap and really patient) or simply throw away the excess.

Finally, it is "normal" for output to fade considerably, even after only a couple months, if the listings are left out and exposed to light. To preserve them, keep them in a file, or book, etc. to preserve the printout.

rprosperi wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:19 pm

HP sold both blue and black print paper, and the black usually provides much clearer and better contrast results, but often you can't tell which type it is, as the seller typically doesn't know.

When in doubt, you can always try asking the seller to check. All it takes is to tear off a small scrap from one roll, and hold it near a flame, keeping it far enough away that it doesn't catch fire but close enough to get hot. It will turn black or blue very easily.

And, like Bob recommended, I agree, get the black-printing paper if you can. All thermal printing fades over time, but black is a lot better, both in terms of initial contrast, and in terms of how long it lasts.

rprosperi wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:19 pm

Finally, it is "normal" for output to fade considerably, even after only a couple months, if the listings are left out and exposed to light. To preserve them, keep them in a file, or book, etc. to preserve the printout.

I assume that you are preserving them so that you can look at them in the future. The process of getting them out to look at them will affect them. If you wish to preserve the listing for reference, then I'd suggest cutting them into strips, tape the strips to blank paper and then xerox them or scan them into the computer. I have xeroxed copies of listings that are over thirty years old that are still very readable. Although, I have now scanned those into the computer and created PDF's of them. Makes for great reference. And you don't have to store them in a file or book.

Bill
Smithville, NJ

Bill (Smithville NJ) wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 5:04 pm

rprosperi wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:19 pm

... keep them in a file, or book, etc. to preserve the printout.

... I have now scanned those into the computer and created PDF's of them. Makes for great reference. And you don't have to store them in a file or book.

I concur. Though you store them in a file anyway, don't you?

Walter wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 11:18 pm

I concur. Though you store them in a file anyway, don't you?

You forgot the ..

rprosperi wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:19 pm

Finally, it is "normal" for output to fade considerably, even after only a couple months, if the listings are left out and exposed to light. To preserve them, keep them in a file, or book, etc. to preserve the printout.

I copy them on my printer's copier. The print comes out nice and dark and the copies last indefinitely.

I started an experiment on 13th March 2018 (I think it was; I can double check on Monday). I printed something, then fastened it to my whiteboard at work where it is exposed to daylight and artificial lights all day long. I wanted to see for how long it was readable. It's still perfectly readable. I'll take a photo on Monday to show you.

(I need it to last two years; the length of a GCSE and an A Level course)

keithdalby wrote: ↑

Sat May 11, 2019 7:35 am

I started an experiment on 13th March 2018 (I think it was; I can double check on Monday). I printed something, then fastened it to my whiteboard at work where it is exposed to daylight and artificial lights all day long. I wanted to see for how long it was readable. It's still perfectly readable. I'll take a photo on Monday to show you.

(I need it to last two years; the length of a GCSE and an A Level course)

Nice! Thanks for doing this and sharing the results with us.

Is the paper you're using vintage HP paper, or modern paper, typically intended for POS printers?