Due to the evolution of fax machines, from the traditional standalone to the Internet fax product, many believe that having to buy fax paper will become an obsolete activity. Whether one utilizes the original or electronic method of sending faxes, this is still an essential tool for business communication.

While many individuals and businesses use the advanced technique of transmitting faxes, there is still a big demand for the old, trustworthy fax machine. Since Canon introduced the first plain paper fax machine in 1987, buying facsimile paper for these machines has become much easier. A company can use the same type of paper for their computer printers, copier machines and facsimile machines.

Prior to the invention of the more convenient plain paper fax machine, owners exclusively relied upon thermal fax paper. The problem with thermal paper for fax machines was that the ink faded. A photocopy would have to be made of a fax received on thermal paper in order to preserve the image. A document received and printed on thermal fax paper is typically not admissible as evidence in a court of law, unless photocopied.

Many businesses use their fax machines to send and/or receive orders, quotes and important documents, so consider the following important hints so you will be able to send and receive faxes 24/7:

1. Consult the fax machine’s manual to see the manufacturer’s recommendation for paper thickness, quality and paper weight to be used prior to buying fax paper.
2. Learn the cost of the paper and if discounts are offered for buying in bulk.
3. Use more than one fax paper supplier. Buy from a local company that can deliver your paper for fax machines with same-day service in case you run out unexpectedly, and use a secondary online source that offers free shipping.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchasing rolls of thermal fax paper

The quality of thermal fax paper has greatly improved since first introduced, so finding a good suppllier is not difficult.

I recommend: the Office Depot brand of Thermabond fax paper which is available at Office Depot. It has the superior finish and advantages of plain copy paper. It is heavyweight so it won't curl and has an extra-high-sensitivity thermal coating, which produces dark, black images. For wholesale prices on thermal fax paper, check out POSpaper.com, an industry leader for point-of-sale paper.

Purchasing plain fax paper

The same paper used for printers and copiers can be used for plain paper fax machines.

I recommend: When purchasing paper for facsimile machines that are "plain paper faxes", purchase the least expensive paper that can still be used for the printers and copiers in your office. Sam’s Club offers great prices and selection through their membership club. The membership fee is $35/year for small businesses, which enables the member to shop in-store or online for fax machine paper as well as many other business essentials and supplies. Quill's website offers a good selection of multi-purpose papers suitable for plain paper fax machines and has free shipping on orders over $45.00.

Compare prices of paper for fax machines online

Paper is a commodity so find the best prices through comparison shopping.

I recommend: Nextag is a useful website for comparison-shopping for buying fax paper. Here you can find all of the major brands at the best prices. Another website to use when comparison-shopping is Pricegrabber, for the best source and prices for rolls of thermal fax paper.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are pros and cons to choosing between a plain paper fax machine and a machine that uses thermal fax paper. The plain paper machines require toner but do not require special paper; the thermal paper faxes require special paper but do not require toner cartridges. The differences in cost are negligible.
• •  There are different technologies available that are all considered to be plain paper fax machines. For instance, there is the inkjet or bubblejet fax machine, which uses plain fax paper. Then, there is a plain paper thermal fax machine,which uses plain paper. Finally, the laser fax machine uses plain paper. The difference is in the way the image is transferred onto the paper.