Thermal transfer ribbons are required in addition to thermal transfer labels if you intend to print labels using a thermal transfer printer.
Here is all the information you require to choose the ideal thermal transfer ribbon for your printer and project.
There are two sorts of printer ribbons: coated side out (CSO) and coated side in (CSI), as you may have seen when buying.
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 coating on the outside (CSO)
Ribbons for printing that have the ink coating on the exterior are known as coated side out ribbons. Typically, this kind of ribbon is
used with Zebra® thermal transfer printers. You'll see that the ribbon roll has ink on the exterior and unrolls from the bottom before
coming into touch with the print-head and label.
Unroll the ribbon from the bottom and feed it underneath the printer to properly install it.
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.
Using the tape test, you may also establish your ribbon kind and wind direction: The outside of your ribbon roll should be taped.
Peel the tape off after a short period of time. If ink adheres to the tape, a CSO ribbon was being used. If no ink adheres to the tape,
a CSI ribbon was being used.
Ribbon Length
When choosing a thermal transfer ribbon size, there are a few factors to keep in mind. As follows:
Label Size
Choose the ribbon width that matches your most often used label the closest. For instance, you should buy a 3.27 inch ribbon rather
than a 4.33 inch one if you're printing a 2.5 inch wide label. Otherwise, any unused ink on the thermal transfer ribbon will be wasted.
Additionally, you ought to be careful to purchase a width that works with your printer.
Ribbon size
Typically, desktop thermal transfer printers use ribbons with shorter lengths, while industrial thermal transfer printers use ribbons with
greater lengths. Our ribbons have lengths between 243 and 1,476 feet.
Core Size
Larger ribbon cores can't fit as comfortably in smaller printers' available area. Smaller printers employ a 0.5 inch core instead of the
usual 1 inch core.
Is the label size you have chosen the ideal one for the job? For both 1 inch and 3 inch core sizes, we offer more than 75 different label
sizes in our range of thermal transfer roll labels.
Ribbon Substance
After choosing a size and identifying compatible ribbon options, it's time to decide which ribbon material is most appropriate for your
purpose. What you plan to do with the labels will influence how robust and long-lasting your thermal transfer ribbon needs to be.
Finding the ideal printing ribbon can be a crucial step in guaranteeing the reliability, readability, and scanability of your labels.
There are three primary categories: durable wax-resin (also known as wax-resin), complete resin (not presently offered at OnlineLabels.com),
and resin-enhanced wax (also known as full wax).
Resin-Enhanced Wax Ribbons
The most affordable option for thermal ribbons is resin-enhanced wax ribbons. They are perfect for common, everyday tasks like
shipping and retail labels. They require a lower melting temperature because to their entire wax composition, which produces a lighter print.
Although less expensive, it is also less enduring.
Durable Wax-Resin Ribbons
Thermal transfer ribbons boosted with wax-resin are more robust than ribbons enhanced only with wax or resin. They produce bright,
clear images on a variety of material types and offer exceptional resistance to scratching, abrasion, and contact with moisture.
These ribbons are ideal for applications that require heavy or regular handling as well as printing labels that will be exposed to harsh
environments like industrial refrigerators and freezers.
Full Resin Ribbons
Thermal transfer printer ribbons that are fully resin are constructed entirely of resin. They are extremely durable because they melt at
a considerably higher temperature and dissolve into the substance on which they are printed.
Full resin ribbons may be overkill in some circumstances, as opposed to others where having the best product is preferable to an economy one.
If your project doesn't require their durability, you should probably use one of the more affordable alternatives described above.
Hopefully, the information presented here will make the arduous task of choosing the right transfer ribbon a bit easier. Please feel free to
get advice from our customer service team if you need any more help selecting a ribbon.
