TIBA Ticket Specs for Parking Operators: Quick Reference
Before reordering TIBA thermal rolls, confirm these six attributes against your dispenser model: roll width (mm/inches), core inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD), roll length, paper thickness and coating, and sense-mark presence. Getting even one wrong means a roll that jams, misfires, or prints unreadable barcodes. The TIBA ticket specifications that matter most vary by machine family, so matching media to model is the real task.
Verify before every reorder:
- Width: typically 59.4–59.8 mm (approx. 2.34") for MP-30 and MP-60 formats
- Core ID: 1" (25.4 mm) for MP-30; 25 mm for generic 60×50 rolls
- Outer diameter (OD): up to 7.8" for MP-30; max 195 mm for 60×50 rolls
- Roll length: varies by format (229 m / 750 ft for MP-30; 254 m / 833 ft for 60×50)
- Coating/thickness: top-coated 5 mil (127 µm) or standard; confirm with your printer head
- Sense marks: required for entry ticket dispensers; not needed for receipt-only rolls
- Wound thermal side: confirm OUT vs. IN for your specific dispenser model
- Barcode type: QR, D1, or D2 depending on your TIBA station configuration
Pro Tip: Always confirm core ID and wound thermal side directly with your supplier before placing a bulk order. These two attributes cause the majority of mismatched returns.
Key Takeaways
Matching TIBA thermal rolls to your dispenser requires confirming width, core ID, OD, roll length, coating, and sense-mark presence before every reorder, not just the first one.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| MP-30 core dimensions | Width 2.34" (59.4 mm), 750 ft roll, 1" core, OD 7.8", top-coated 5 mil. |
| Generic 60×50 roll specs | 59.8 mm width, 833 ft / 254 m roll, 25 mm core ID, max OD 195 mm, 110 µm thickness, thermal side OUT. |
| Sense marks matter | Entry ticket rolls require sense marks; receipt rolls do not. Confirm before ordering. |
| Top-coated media for dynamic print | TIBA SPARK cloud workflows print rates and QR codes at entry; top-coated stock keeps them scannable at exit. |
| Caymil stock and custom options | Caymil supplies MP-30 and MP-60 rolls in 8, 18, and 50-roll cases with custom barcode, numbering, and preprint options. |
Table of Contents
- What are the standard TIBA ticket specs by format?
- Which TIBA models use which media, and why does it matter?
- How do you choose between top-coated and standard thermal media?
- What pack sizes and ordering details should you confirm?
- How do you verify barcode and QR code print quality?
- How should you store thermal rolls to protect print quality?
- What Caymil offers for TIBA-compatible ticket media
- Sources
- FAQ
What are the standard TIBA ticket specs by format?
The table below consolidates the most commonly referenced physical parameters for the three roll formats operators encounter most often. Use it to match a physical roll or product listing to your dispenser.
The MP-30 data sheet confirms the 2.34" width, 750 ft roll length, 5 mil top-coated option, 1" core, and 7.8" OD as the standard parameters for that format. The Graphic Controls PRM-2998601 listing documents the 60×50×254 mm roll at 110 µm thickness, 25 mm core ID, max 195 mm OD, and thermal side wound OUT.
Always verify wound thermal side and core ID on the product page or with your supplier before ordering.
Which TIBA models use which media, and why does it matter?
TIBA’s machine families do not all share the same roll format, and using the wrong media in the wrong dispenser is the most common source of jams and failed scans.
Model-to-media mapping:
- MP-30 dispensers use the 2.34" (59.4 mm) wide roll with a 1" core and OD up to 7.8". Top-coated 5 mil stock is the standard recommendation for this format.
- MP-60 dispensers use a similar 60 mm width roll. Core ID and OD should be confirmed directly with your supplier, as MP-60 configurations can vary by installation year and region.
- X-60 and VPS-60 family stations support thermal ticket printing with multiple barcode formats including QR, D2, and D1. The TIBA VPS-60 data sheet notes that certain station configurations can support roll capacities up to 10,000 tickets, which affects the OD and core size you should specify.
- Generic 60×50 rolls (such as the PRM-2998601) serve as a cross-compatible option for several TIBA station types, but always confirm sense-mark placement and wound side before substituting.
Why printer-head resolution and coating matter: High-density QR codes and 2D barcodes require a thermal coating that responds consistently across the full print width. A mismatched or uncoated roll produces faded modules at the edges, which causes scanner failures at the exit gate. Top-coated media also resists abrasion from the dispenser mechanism, keeping the barcode legible after the ticket has been handled.
Compatibility checklist to confirm with your dispenser:
- Core ID (1" vs. 25 mm)
- Wound thermal side (OUT is most common, but verify)
- Sense-mark presence and spacing
- Maximum OD your dispenser accepts
- Barcode format your system prints (QR, D1, D2)
Pro Tip: Validate any new roll in five minutes: load it, print one ticket with a QR code, scan it immediately with your phone, then leave the ticket on a sunny dashboard for 30 minutes and scan again. If it fails the second scan, the media is not suitable for your environment.
How do you choose between top-coated and standard thermal media?
The coating decision comes down to exposure and dwell time. Standard thermal paper works for short-term applications where the ticket moves through the system within hours. Top-coated media is worth the added cost whenever tickets face sunlight, moisture, or abrasion.
Top-coated thermal adds a protective layer that slows UV-driven image fade and resists surface abrasion from handling. TIBA’s platform documentation notes the shift toward cloud-driven, dynamic print workflows (SPARK), where rates and QR codes are printed at the moment of entry. That dynamic data must stay scannable at the exit gate, sometimes hours later in a hot vehicle. Top-coated stock is the practical answer to that requirement.
Standard (untreated) thermal suits receipt printing, short-term validations, and indoor environments with no direct sun exposure. It costs less per roll and is adequate for many receipt-only applications.
Thickness guidance: The 5 mil (127 µm) top-coated option documented for MP-30 rolls sits in the mid-range for dispenser compatibility. Thinner stock (below 90 µm) can feed inconsistently in high-speed dispensers; thicker stock (above 130 µm) may exceed the OD limit before the roll is exhausted. The PRM-2998601 generic roll at 110 µm (±6 µm) represents a practical middle ground for most TIBA station types.
Use-case summary: Pay-and-display entry tickets need top-coated stock. Valet stubs handled by attendants benefit from the added durability. Long-term permit stock and receipts can often use standard thermal, provided storage conditions are controlled.
For California facilities, confirm whether your coated thermal stock requires a Proposition 65 warning on the product label before purchasing in volume.
What pack sizes and ordering details should you confirm?
Thermal rolls for TIBA dispensers are typically sold in 8-roll, 18-roll, and 50-roll cases. The pack size you choose affects per-roll cost, storage footprint, and reorder frequency. Bulk 50-roll cases lower unit cost but require dry, temperature-controlled storage to avoid degradation before use.
What to confirm on any product listing:
- MPN or SKU (example format: PRM-2998601 or similar vendor part numbers)
- Core ID (1" or 25 mm)
- Wound thermal side (OUT or IN)
- Roll OD (max your dispenser accepts)
- Tickets per roll or roll length in feet/meters
- Sense-mark presence (yes/no)
- Preprinted content (terms and conditions, disclaimer language, blank)
Vendor part number patterns, such as the PRM-2220000 series documented in supplier catalogs, are reliable cues for mapping a listing to the physical attributes your dispenser requires. If a spec sheet is not linked on the product page, ask the supplier for the MPN before ordering.
Ordering checklist to send your supplier:
- Your TIBA model number and installation year
- A photo of the current roll label (shows core ID, OD, wound side)
- Required barcode type (QR, D1, D2)
- Preprinted text requirements (parking disclaimer, terms, blank)
- Preferred pack size and annual volume estimate
Caymil’s TIBA-compatible thermal rolls are available in 8-roll, 18-roll, and 50-roll configurations for both MP-30 and MP-60 formats, which operators can order as stock items or use as a baseline for custom specifications.
How do you verify barcode and QR code print quality?
Print quality failures at the exit gate almost always trace back to one of three variables: printer darkness setting, media coating, and ambient exposure between entry and exit.
Printer settings that affect barcode readability:
- DPI: Most TIBA dispensers print at 200 DPI. Higher DPI improves module definition for dense QR codes.
- Darkness/heat setting: Too low produces faint modules; too high causes bleed that closes quiet zones. Start at the manufacturer’s default and adjust one step at a time.
- Print speed: Slower speeds allow more heat transfer per module, improving edge definition on QR codes.
Field test protocol:
- Load the new roll and print one entry ticket.
- Scan the barcode immediately with a handheld scanner or phone.
- Leave the ticket face-up in direct sunlight for 24–48 hours.
- Scan again. A passing result confirms the media is suitable for your exposure conditions.
For barcoded parking tickets, minimum quiet zones around QR and D2 codes should follow the barcode symbology standard for your scanner model. Confirm the minimum module size with your system integrator if you are switching media suppliers.
How should you store thermal rolls to protect print quality?
Thermal paper is sensitive to heat, light, and chemical exposure. A roll stored incorrectly for six months can arrive at the dispenser already partially imaged or faded, causing scanner failures from the first ticket.
Storage and handling guidelines:
- Store rolls at 65–77°F (18–25°C) and 45–65% relative humidity.
- Keep rolls in original packaging until loaded into the dispenser.
- Avoid direct sunlight and fluorescent light exposure during storage.
- Never store rolls near solvents, oils, or cleaning chemicals, which can activate the thermal coating.
- Do not stack heavy objects on top of roll cases; pressure can pre-image the paper.
- Rotate stock using first-in, first-out (FIFO) to use older rolls before newer ones.
Shelf life for properly stored thermal rolls is typically 1–2 years from the manufacturing date. Signs of degradation include a yellowish background tint, faint pre-imaging across the roll surface, or a coating that feels tacky. Caymil’s durability guidance for parking operators covers these handling steps in detail and is worth keeping on file in your storeroom.
What Caymil offers for TIBA-compatible ticket media
Caymil stocks both MP-30 and MP-60 format thermal rolls with the core dimensions, OD ranges, and coating options that TIBA dispensers require. Stock rolls ship in 8-roll, 18-roll, and 50-roll cases, so operators can match order volume to storage capacity without committing to a single large case.
Available customization options:
- Sequential numbering printed on each ticket
- Barcode symbology selection (QR, D1, D2, Code 39, Code 128)
- Topcoat specification (standard or top-coated)
- Preprinted terms and conditions or parking disclaimer text
- Logo and custom branding in the preprint area
- Core size confirmation (1" or 25 mm per your dispenser)
Pro Tip: When requesting a custom quote from Caymil, send your TIBA model number, a photo of your current roll label, and the barcode type your system uses. This eliminates back-and-forth and gets you an accurate sample faster.
For TIBA parking system compatibility details, Caymil’s technical resources map specific SKUs to dispenser models, which reduces the risk of a misorder on a large case quantity.
The one ordering mistake that costs operators the most
The most common and costly ordering error is specifying roll width correctly while getting the core ID wrong. A 1" core roll loaded into a 25 mm spindle will wobble and misfeed within the first few hundred tickets, causing jams that require a service call. The spec sheet may list the width clearly, but core ID is often buried in a secondary dimension field or absent entirely from a generic listing.
When a product page does not list the core ID explicitly, request a sample roll before committing to a case quantity. A single sample roll costs far less than a returned case plus a service call. If the supplier cannot provide a sample, ask for the MPN and cross-reference it against the manufacturer’s datasheet. Trusting a product title alone, without confirming the full dimension set, is where most misorders begin.
Caymil’s TIBA-compatible rolls: ready to order now
Caymil has stocked TIBA-compatible thermal rolls since 1937, and the ordering process is straightforward: send your model number, a photo of your current roll label, and the barcode type your system uses. Caymil’s team matches that information to the correct SKU and confirms core ID, wound side, and OD before the order ships.
Stock MP-30 and MP-60 rolls are available in 8-roll, 18-roll, and 50-roll cases for immediate shipment. Custom preprint options, including sequential numbering, barcode symbology, and preprinted disclaimer text, are available with no long lead times. Browse machine-issued ticket formats or visit Caymil’s parking forms catalog to find the right product for your dispenser and place an order today.
Sources
- TIBA Parking Systems
Verify the MPN and core ID on the product page before ordering, and keep the relevant datasheet on file in your storeroom.
FAQ
What width are TIBA parking ticket rolls?
Most TIBA dispensers use rolls in the 59.4–59.8 mm (approximately 2.34") width range, depending on the format. The MP-30 data sheet lists 2.34" as the standard width for that format.
Do TIBA entry ticket rolls require sense marks?
Yes. Entry ticket rolls for TIBA dispensers typically include sense marks (black timing marks) on the back so the dispenser can detect ticket length and positioning. Receipt-only rolls are usually plain thermal paper without sense marks.
Can I download the TIBA parking systems manual in PDF format?
TIBA publishes product documentation through its website at tibaparking.com, and model-specific data sheets such as the VPS-60 and MP-30 sheets are available through authorized distributor sites. Contact TIBA or your system integrator for the manual specific to your installed model.
What is a ticket machine in the context of parking?
A parking ticket machine (also called a dispenser or spitter) is an automated device at a garage entry lane that issues a thermal-printed ticket to each entering vehicle. The ticket records entry time and, in TIBA systems, carries a barcode or QR code that the exit terminal reads to calculate the parking fee.
How do I order TIBA-compatible rolls from Caymil?
Send Caymil your TIBA model number, a photo of your current roll label, and the barcode type your system uses. Caymil stocks MP-30 and MP-60 format rolls in 8-roll, 18-roll, and 50-roll cases and offers custom preprint, sequential numbering, and topcoat options for operators with specific requirements.