When purchasing printer ribbons, you can discover that there are two categories: coated side out (CSO) and coated side in (CSI). This describes the location on the ribbons where the ink coating is applied. Since most printers only accept one or the other, it influences how they are twisted and fed through the machine.
Ribbons with a coated side out (CSO)
Printing ribbons with the ink coating on the outside are referred to as coated side out ribbons. This kind of ribbon is frequently used with Zebra® thermal transfer printers. You'll see that the ribbon unrolls from the bottom and has ink on the outside of it before coming into touch with the print-head and label.
Unroll this type of ribbon from the bottom so that it can be inserted into your printer properly.
Ribbons with Coated Side In (CSI)
Printing ribbons with the ink facing inside are referred to as coated side in ribbons. CSI ribbons are most frequently used with thermal transfer printers from Datamax® and Sato®. You'll see that the ribbon unrolls from the top and has ink on the inside before coming into touch with the print-head and label.
This ribbon type must be unrolled from the top and fed over into your printer appropriately.
