Ribbon
Choosing the Right Ribbons for Thermal Printing
In the world of label printing, especially in industrial and commercial applications, ribbons play an essential role. These elements, used by thermal printers, are crucial to ensure high-quality label prints on a variety of substrates and materials.
What are Ribbons?
A ribbon, known in English as thermal transfer ribbon, is a roll of plastic film coated with a layer of ink. It is used in thermal transfer printers where the heat from the print head melts the ink from the ribbon, transferring it to the material being printed, such as labels, tickets, or barcodes.
Thermal ribbon printing makes the print more resistant and durable. There are different types of ribbons depending on how resistant you want the print to be to sunlight, rain, chemicals, extreme temperatures (heat or cold).
Types of Ribbons
There are three main types of ribbons, each suitable for different printing needs:
- Wax:
- These offer the best value for money.
- They offer adequate print quality for barcodes and shipping labels but are not scratch or chemical resistant.
- Resin:
- Resin ribbons are more durable and resistant to external factors such as chemicals, scratches, and high temperatures.
- They are ideal for applications that require greater durability, such as chemical or outdoor labels.
- Wax/Resin:
- These ribbons combine the properties of wax and resin, offering a versatile solution for a variety of applications.
- They provide greater durability than wax ribbons and are more economical than pure resin ribbons.
Applications
Ribbons are used in a wide range of industries including:
- Logistics and transportation: For shipping and tracking labels.
- Retail: For printing price tags and barcodes.
- Manufacturing: For product and component labels.
- Healthcare: For labeling medicines and samples.
Choosing the Right Ribbon
Choosing the right ribbon depends on several factors:
- Type of Material to be Printed: Different materials require different types of ribbons.
- Durability Required: Resistance to external factors will determine whether wax, resin, or a mixture of both is needed.
- Printer Type: Some very specialized ribbons are only compatible with certain types of printers.
Ribbons are an essential component in thermal printing, offering versatile and efficient solutions for a wide range of applications. Choosing the right type of ribbon is critical to ensure print quality, durability, and efficiency. In a commercial or industrial environment, understanding the differences between different types of ribbons can make a big difference to the end result of your printing projects.