How to make a realistic looking receipt
Here is the challenge: You need a realistic looking receipt for submitting your expense report. It cannot look like you used an online receipt maker. It needs to look PRO! It needs to look exactly like a receipt you were handed at a store or restaurant.
Characteristics of a real receipt
A real receipt has certain characteristics that make the recipient immediately authenticate the receipt as “real” and not fake. These characteristics are visual, tactile and even olfactory.
- Real receipt paper (thermal) is thinner than ordinary paper
- Real Receipts usually are 52mm or 80mm in size. These are standard thermal printer sizes.
- Real Receipts have imperfections from the thermal printing process and from the environment.
- Real Receipts have top and bottom edges that are not smooth. They are cut from a roll of thermal paper using a jagged-edge paper cutter.
Making a synthetic receipt look realistic
There are a few techniques that can be used to make your printed receipts look more realistic.
- Use a thermal printer to print your receipt. Bluetooth thermal printers can be used in conjunction with an app called Express Thermal Print. This creates the best looking receipts possible.
- If you can’t use a thermal receipt printer….here are other great options:
- Use a Saranwarp or aluminum foil cutting blade to cut the top and bottom edges of your printed receipt to give it realistic looked receipt edges.
- Make your generated receipt look photocopied or scanned using the website doc2scan.com
- Don’t submit the actual receipt….take a photo of the receipt. Then print or email this photo of the receipt. This allows you to not have to worry about the thickness or feel of printer paper.
- Treat your fake receipt like a real receipt. Fold it. Put it in your pocket or purse or wallet. Drop it on the ground. Spill a little coffee or Coke on it. Get creative!
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[…] is likely that after you make a receipt you want to make your receipts look realistic. There are many options available to improve the quality of the receipts you make. The most obvious […]