Table of Contents

Thermal paper rolls are used across ATMs, card terminals and self-service banking equipment to print transaction receipts and other records.

Different equipment uses different finished-roll formats. This article looks at the 79/80 mm rolls used in ATM applications and the 56/57 mm rolls used in card terminals, including their typical sizes, cores and printing requirements.

79/80 mm Thermal Paper Rolls for ATM Applications

• Where they’re used:
  • ATMs from global giants like NCR, Diebold Nixdorf, and Wincor Nixdorf.
  • Self-service banking kiosks.
  • Deposit and withdrawal machines requiring detailed transaction slips.

Examples covered in ATM applications include:

• Typical specifications:
  • Size: 80 × 180 mm (diameter × width).
  • Paper length: up to 300 m per roll for high-capacity machines.
  • Core: 25 mm (to handle heavy rolls without jamming).
• Why 79 mm is essential:
  • Wide enough for detailed account information, branding, and QR codes.
  • Reduces roll changes with large capacity, critical for 24/7 ATMs.
  • Durable, fade-resistant options ensure transaction records are preserved.

56/57 mm Thermal Paper Rolls for Card Terminals

• Where they’re used:
  • PIN pads and credit card terminals such as Verifone VX series or Ingenico iCT220/250.
  • Portable payment devices at retail counters, food delivery, and pop-up stores.
• Specifications:
  • Size: 57 × 40 mm or 57 × 50 mm, with ~12–25 m length.
  • Core: 12.7 mm or coreless, depending on terminal design.
• Why 56 mm is crucial:
  • Compact enough to fit into handheld devices.
  • Prints essential transaction slips for customers and merchants.
  • Supports logos, card authorization numbers, and compliance information.

Example: At a café checkout, a customer tapping their card will receive a 56 mm slip as legal proof of payment.

Different Banking Applications Require Different Roll Formats

ATM and card-terminal applications do not use the same finished thermal paper roll.

The examples above show differences in roll width, diameter, length and core format. Printing requirements can also vary when the finished roll needs branding, authorization information or other transaction details.

For a thermal paper converter, these finished-roll requirements should be confirmed before planning production.

Thermal Paper Grade Requirements

Thermal paper grade can also form part of the customer specification.

Where BPA-free, BPS-free, phenol-free or another thermal paper grade is required, the material specification should be confirmed with the thermal paper supplier before converting the jumbo roll into finished ATM or card-terminal rolls.

From Banking Roll Requirements to Production

If you are supplying thermal paper rolls for banking or payment applications, start with the finished roll required by the target equipment.

Confirm whether the product is an ATM roll or card-terminal roll, then define the required width, diameter or length, core format and printing requirement.

These finished-roll specifications provide the starting point for planning the thermal paper converting process.

Planning to Produce ATM or Card-Terminal Paper Rolls?

Share the finished thermal paper roll you intend to produce with JOTA Machinery.

Include the required roll width, diameter or length, core format and any printing requirements.

JOTA can use these product requirements to discuss a suitable thermal paper slitting, rewinding and inline printing configuration for your production.

At Jota Machinery, we provide slitter rewinder solutions designed to convert jumbo rolls into precise 79 mm ATM rolls and 56 mm card terminal rolls. Our machines ensure:

• Tight roll tolerances to prevent ATM jams.
• Core and coreless flexibility for different terminals.
• Inline printing options for branding and anti-fraud features.

👉 Ask us for the solution today — and secure your role in the banking supply chain.