Quick Answer
Deciding between Sony UPP-110S, UPP-110HG, and UPP-110HD? Standard (S) covers everyday clinical prints, high-gloss (HG) produces keepsake-quality images, and high-density (HD) delivers deeper grayscale for diagnostic review. Durico's ULSTAR 1100S, 1100HG, and 1100HD are drop-in compatible equivalents at 30–50% less — same 110mm format, same image quality, in stock and shipping now from Precision Imaging Supply.
Three Papers, One Printer Family — Why Sony Makes This Confusing
If you run a Sony medical-grade thermal printer — a UP-D898MD, UP-X898MD, UP-D898DC, or one of the older UP-D897MD or UP-D895 units — the printer accepts three different 110mm media types, and the box labels don't explain the difference well. Sony's own spec sheets classify them by print characteristic: UPP-110S is TYPE I (normal), UPP-110HD is TYPE II (high density), and UPP-110HG is TYPE V (high glossy).
That single letter suffix changes three things: the paper's surface finish, its thermal sensitivity curve, and — in one case — how much paper you actually get on the roll. Pick the wrong one and you either overpay for gloss your workflow doesn't need, or you print diagnostic studies on media that flattens the grayscale your radiologist reads.
This guide breaks down what each type is actually for, then shows the compatible Durico ULSTAR equivalent for each — because the fastest way to cut imaging supply costs is to stop paying the Sony OEM (original equipment manufacturer — Sony-branded paper) premium for media that a compatible roll matches spec-for-spec.
Compatibility Table: Sony Paper → Durico Equivalent
| Sony OEM paper | Type | Durico equivalent | Spec | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPP-110S (standard) | TYPE I — normal | Durico ULSTAR-1100S | 110mm × 20m | Durico 1100S at PIS |
| UPP-110HG (high-gloss) | TYPE V — high glossy | Durico ULSTAR-1100HG | 110mm × 18m | Durico 1100HG at PIS |
| UPP-110HD (high-density) | TYPE II — high density | Durico ULSTAR-1100HD | 110mm × 20m | Durico 1100HD at PIS |
All three Durico rolls fit the same Sony printers the OEM versions do, including the UP-D898MD, UP-X898MD, UP-D898DC, UP-D897MD, and UP-D895 families. For a printer-by-printer breakdown, see the Sony UP-D898MD compatibility guide.
UPP-110S (Standard): The Everyday Workhorse
Standard paper is what most clinics should run most of the time. It has a matte-to-satin finish, prints clean 256-level grayscale, and comes on the longest roll of the three — 20 meters, roughly 240 prints per roll depending on print length.
Choose standard when: the print goes in a patient chart, gets scanned into an EMR, or documents a routine study — general OB/GYN scans, abdominal ultrasound, vascular studies, veterinary imaging, and any high-volume workflow where cost per print matters more than presentation polish.
The compatible equivalent is the Durico ULSTAR-1100S, matched to the UPP-110S on width, roll length, core size, and thermal sensitivity. A deeper dive is in the UPP-110S replacement guide.
UPP-110HG (High-Gloss): The Keepsake Paper
High-gloss is the photo paper of the thermal world. The resin-coated glossy surface produces deeper blacks and a print that looks and feels like a photograph — which is exactly why 3D/4D ultrasound studios and OB/GYN practices hand it to expecting parents.
Two trade-offs come with the gloss. First, the roll is shorter: 18 meters versus 20 for standard, so you get fewer prints per roll. Second, it costs meaningfully more per roll from Sony. That's fine when the print is part of the patient experience; it's wasted money when the print goes in a folder.
Choose high-gloss when: prints go home with patients (keepsake baby images), get used in presentations or marketing, or when a referring physician expects presentation-grade hard copy.
The compatible equivalent is the Durico ULSTAR-1100HG — the same 110mm × 18m glossy format. The UPP-110HG replacement guide covers it roll-by-roll.
UPP-110HD (High-Density): The Diagnostic Specialist
High-density paper is built for one thing: maximum grayscale depth. TYPE II media reaches a higher maximum optical density than standard paper, which means darker blacks, smoother gradation in the midtones, and more visible detail in low-contrast regions of an image.
Choose high-density when: the print itself is being read — radiology and cardiology review workflows, echocardiography labs, or any setting where a clinician makes judgments from the hard copy rather than the monitor. If your sonographer has ever complained that printed images look "washed out" compared to the screen, HD paper is usually the fix.
The compatible equivalent is the Durico ULSTAR-1100HD, covered in detail in the ULSTAR-1100HD guide.
The Decision in 30 Seconds
- Chart documentation, high volume, routine studies → Standard (UPP-110S → Durico 1100S)
- Patient keepsakes, 3D/4D studios, presentation prints → High-Gloss (UPP-110HG → Durico 1100HG)
- Diagnostic reads from hard copy, radiology/cardiology → High-Density (UPP-110HD → Durico 1100HD)
Many practices stock two types: standard for the chart copy, gloss or HD for the copy that leaves the room. The Sony printers make this easy — you set the media type in the printer's menu when you swap rolls, and the printer adjusts its thermal head energy to match the paper's sensitivity curve.
One last practical note: whichever grade you standardize on, store rolls the same way — sealed in their original wrapper until loaded, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and solvents. Thermal media is heat-reactive by design, so a roll left on a windowsill or near a radiator can fog before it ever reaches the printer. Kept sealed at normal room conditions, all three grades hold their sensitivity well past a year on the shelf.
Why the Durico Equivalents Print the Same
Thermal printing is a controlled chemistry problem. The printer's thermal head heats microscopic points on the paper's coating; the coating darkens in proportion to the heat energy applied. For a compatible paper to print correctly, four things have to match the OEM roll:
Thermal sensitivity. Durico engineers each ULSTAR grade to the corresponding Sony TYPE profile — TYPE I for the 1100S, TYPE II for the 1100HD, TYPE V for the 1100HG — so the printer's existing media settings produce the same density curve without recalibration.
Surface finish. The 1100S carries the standard satin finish, the 1100HG a resin gloss layer, and the 1100HD the higher-density coating that enables deeper maximum blacks.
Roll geometry. Width (110mm), roll length (20m standard/HD, 18m gloss), core diameter, and outer diameter all match, so rolls load and feed exactly like OEM media — no adapter, no trimming, no feed errors.
Coating consistency. Durico manufactures in South Korea under ISO-certified process control, and the media is engineered specifically for medical thermal printers — consistent coating thickness protects the printer's thermal head, which is the most expensive component in the machine.
What the Switch Saves
Sony OEM 110mm media typically runs $125–$240 per 10-roll carton from medical resellers, depending on grade and vendor. Current Durico pricing at Precision Imaging Supply:
| Durico SKU | 5-roll box | 10-roll box | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULSTAR-1100S (standard) | $43.95 | $82.95 | In stock |
| ULSTAR-1100HG (high-gloss) | $64.95 | $129.95 | In stock |
| ULSTAR-1100HD (high-density) | $64.95 | $129.95 | In stock |
For a practice printing through a roll a week, moving the everyday standard paper alone from OEM to Durico typically saves several hundred dollars a year — more for multi-room imaging departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use all three paper types in the same Sony printer?
Yes. Sony's UP-D898MD, UP-X898MD, UP-D898DC, UP-D897MD, and UP-D895 printers all accept standard, high-gloss, and high-density 110mm media. Set the media type in the printer menu after loading so the thermal head energy matches the paper.
Is Durico paper really compatible, or "mostly compatible"?
Fully compatible. Each Durico ULSTAR grade is engineered to the same width, length, core size, surface class, and thermal sensitivity profile as the corresponding Sony type. Rolls load the same way and print on the printer's existing settings.
Will using compatible paper void my Sony printer warranty?
No. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents a manufacturer from voiding a warranty simply because you used third-party consumables. A warranty claim could only be denied if the consumable itself were proven to have caused the damage — and Durico media is engineered specifically to protect thermal heads.
Does the print quality really match?
For each grade, the density curve and finish are matched to the Sony equivalent. Practices switching from UPP-110S to ULSTAR-1100S (or HG to HG, HD to HD) see the same grayscale rendering on the same printer settings.
Where is Durico paper manufactured?
South Korea. Durico is an established medical-media manufacturer producing thermal paper under ISO-certified quality control — not a generic unbranded import.
How fast does Precision Imaging Supply ship?
Orders ship quickly from U.S. stock — most orders leave the warehouse within one business day.
Is there a minimum order?
No minimum. Order a single 5-roll box to validate print quality on your own printer before committing to volume — that's the recommended first step for any practice switching media.
Get the Right Roll
Match your workflow to the grade, then order the Durico equivalent directly:
- Everyday clinical printing: Durico ULSTAR-1100S — $43.95 (5 rolls)
- Keepsake and presentation prints: Durico ULSTAR-1100HG — $64.95 (5 rolls)
- Diagnostic-review printing: Durico ULSTAR-1100HD — $64.95 (5 rolls)
About Morgan Hayes
Morgan Hayes is the imaging supply specialist behind Precision Imaging Supply's resource center. With over a decade tracking the medical thermal printing market, Morgan helps imaging departments, OB/GYN clinics, veterinary practices, and independent ultrasound centers navigate the maze of printer-and-paper compatibility — including the Durico drop-in alternatives that save practices 30–50% versus OEM Sony media without compromising print quality.
