What should I pay attention to when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon?
It's been 40 years since the first thermal transfer printers were on the market. Currently, it is one of the most popular devices for printing markings such as barcodes in many branches (retail, logistics and industry).
Due to the parallel development of equipment and consumables, thermal transfer printers have such a wide range of applications.
The attainment of printing of higher quality and resolution did not take place only because of high-quality parts but also appropriately selected, high quality consumables dedicated for thermal transfer printing, ie paper, film and thermal transfer ribbon.
This article is devoted to a brief introduction to thermal transfer ribbons. It will point out important aspects worth considering when making a buying decision.
What should I pay attention to when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon?
In the case of thermal transfer ribbons, in addition to the ink itself, the ribbon has additional layers that constitute each manufacturer's proprietary technology and affect print quality and durability.
The structure of thermal transfer ribbon
Backcoat - A special layer that protects the printhead from abrasion. Make sure the ribbon slides under the print head
PET film - as a carrier for thermal transfer ribbons
Primer - facilitates application of ink to polyester carrier and transfer to label during printing
Inks - Available in wax, wax/resin and resin inks
To ensure an appropriate level of quality, the following three criteria must be met:
Label printers that must ensure the correct quality of ink is transferred to the label
The raw material for making the label needs to have a suitable surface layer
Thermal transfer ribbons should have the appropriate quality ink to ensure the desired durability of the printed image for the specific application
There are many possible combinations of these three elements, so the right solution can be selected based on the cost and durability needs of each branch. In order to choose the most suitable one, we thoroughly analyze the client's needs and their specific requirements. Then, based on our own experience and the tests we have conducted, we choose a solution that meets our customers' expectations.
How to Avoid Misunderstandings When Choosing Thermal Transfer Ribbons?
The "ink type" of the thermal transfer ribbon determines its type and deserves attention.
Wax Ribbon:
The ink is based on wax, which may contain a little resin additive. Wax tapes are primarily used to print labels made from uncoated paper. Printed images are characterized by low abrasion resistance; therefore, ribbons are designed to print short-term marks. Wax tapes are mainly used where price is a priority (retail and logistics, for printing collective packaging labels). It is the cheapest thermal transfer ribbon.
Wax/Resin Tape:
On this thermal transfer ribbon, the ink is a mixture of wax and resin. Ribbon is primarily used when markings are likely to be exposed to higher temperatures or wear. Wax/resin ribbons are primarily used to print labels made from coated paper and certain types of films. Heat resistance is very important if the labelled product is packaged in a plastic sleeve and then shrink wrapped. Ribbons are used to mark products and packaging during shipping and logistics.
Resin Ribbon:
Ribbons are designed for printing permanent markings and are primarily used in industry and where the printed image is exposed to a variety of factors such as heat and chemicals. Ink is made by adding some additives on the basis of resin. Sometimes inferior resin ribbons contain wax additives. Such a process will of course speed up and facilitate the transfer of ink to the label, but it will negatively affect the solvent and abrasion resistance of the printed image. It also affects the price.
Thermal Transfer Ribbon Types and Printheads
When choosing a thermal transfer ribbon, you should pay attention to the printhead of the printer that will be used in the process. There are flat-head printers and near-edge printers on the market. The type of printhead is an important factor in choosing the right ribbon.
Near-edge printers are characterized by higher print speeds and temperatures, which, for example, can lead to substandard application of wax ribbons.
Is there only black thermal transfer ribbon?
No... :), in addition to black ribbons which account for 90% of the market, there are also white, colored (primary) and metallic ribbons.
You can also see ribbons capable of printing images as holograms and visible only under UV light, used to ensure product authenticity.
