What is Ribbon: How to Choose a Thermal Transfer Ribbon for Your Printer
Owning a thermal transfer printer will allow you to print any receipts and self-adhesive labels. This technology requires special consumables. When looking for ribbons, buyers do not always know that ribbons are special devices for transfer printers.
This is the name of a special ribbon-like polyester material. One side is coated with colorant, the other side with a special antistatic coating that allows the print head to move. It also protects the tape from scratches and wrinkles. Printing is done by direct thermal transfer, using a print head device to transfer a layer of dye to the surface. Special heating elements increase the temperature of the film.
1.Design features
The ribbon is a multi-layer tape with a polyester base material that has high thermal conductivity. One side is coated with dye, the other side with an antistatic protector.
There may be:
When winding, the inside of the roll is painted;
When winding AUT, the outside is painted.
Thermal transfer printing requires heating the tape in the area where coloring is required. The dye melts and leaves a mark on the surface. Russian ribbon manufacturers produce two types of heads. They work with various tapes:
Flat Head, that is, "flat head", designed so that the contact of the tape with the surface continues after application.
Near edge means "edge contact", i.e. the base only slightly touches the tape and immediately breaks contact.
Ribbon consumption usually corresponds to the print length, but some printers have a saving function.
2.Quality criteria
The ribbon must produce a good image, which is why thermal transfer ribbons are needed.
Features that influence the assessment of its quality include:
Image density;
Definition of barcode elements;
Use of various materials;
Winding the tape (from the side, from the edge);
Resistance to external influences;
Speed.
All these parameters affect the print quality.
3.Types of tapes
This is a simple process if you know what dyes are on ribbons.
A total of 3 dyes are used:
Wax is a coloring substance made of wax. It is characterized by a low heating temperature and a clear image. It is not blurry and does not fade in the sun.
Resin is a mixture of synthetic polymer resins. It requires high temperature printing, high-quality images, excellent resistance to light radiation, high humidity, mechanical stress and solvents.
Wax/resin is a combined coloring composition with excellent qualities and properties.
Dyes with the required properties are preferred.
--How to choose a ribbon
The materials have different costs and are classified as economical, standard and premium. The working principle of thermal transfer printers makes them very sensitive to the quality of the printed ribbon. To ensure the normal operation of the printer, you must ensure the following conditions when purchasing:
The tape should be wider than the printing area;
The Ø of the sleeve must correspond to the printing device of the printer - 1 or ½ inch;
The configuration and size can be standard or different;
Cardboard or plastic sleeve;
The tape wrapping area – in the center or along the edge.
The ribbon starts from the denser part, protecting the continuation from damage. The ending becomes transparent to indicate the end of the film. The total length varies from 100 m to 900 m.
--Where is thermal transfer tape suitable for
The application range of thermal transfer tape is very wide. It is used in all places where labels are needed:
Stores;
-Pharmacies;
-Restaurants;
-Warehouses;
Transportation services, etc.
These products are also used in the textile industry. When customers ask what to replace thermal transfer ribbons with, the answer they get is: nothing. This material is actually a polymer sheet that cannot be made at home.
---The correct way to use the ribbon
You can use the following rules to achieve long-term operation of the tape:
When loading the ribbon into the printer, you need to press the sleeve;
After installing the ribbon, you need to unroll the tape to the area with the ink layer;
By tightening the tape, you can avoid the formation of wrinkles on it.
Sometimes customers want to know whether the pattern will be erased from the transfer paper. It is very individual here. It depends on the quality of the paper, the type of dye and the type of ribbon. Premium products are always good quality, but resin dyes provide higher durability. By choosing the premium ribbon, you get a high-quality, long-lasting image. To print labels, you can use the standard product. The economy product is suitable for all situations where image storage time is not important.
