Common sense of thermal transfer ribbon
For barcode printers using thermal transfer printing, a special ribbon is needed to print information such as barcodes and text on labels. This kind of special ribbon (commonly known as carbon ribbon) is Thermal Transfer Ribbon, which is generally composed of three parts: base film, heat-resistant coating, and ink coating. The base film is the carrier of the ribbon. Generally 4.5μm thick polyester film is used. Its strength and thickness directly affect the elongation and application fields of the ribbon; the main function of the heat-resistant coating is to heat insulation, reduce friction, and reduce printing. The head is stained with dust, which can protect the print head and extend the life of the print head; the ink coating is composed of pigments, resins, waxes, additives and other components, which affect the transfer temperature, print quality, color of the ribbon, The main properties of the print, such as abrasion resistance, are the core of the ribbon. The commonly used black ribbon ink contains toner, which is why this ribbon is often called a ribbon.
Thermal transfer ribbon
When the ribbon is on the thermal transfer printer, the heat-resistant coating is in direct contact with the thermal transfer head, and the thermal transfer ink directly contacts the substrate (label). The thermal coating and base film are transferred to the thermal transfer ink coating, and the ink is melted and hot-stamped on the substrate to form characters and images. The high-quality ribbon has no residue of thermal transfer ink in the heated part after transfer.
The ribbon can be divided into inner carbon and outer carbon from the winding method. The inner carbon refers to the side with ink in contact with the shaft on the ribbon, and the outer carbon refers to the side without ink in contact with the shaft. Normal barcode printers can use both types of ribbons. Only individual printers can only use inner carbon and or outer carbon ribbons.
The ribbon is also divided into flat pressure type ribbon and side pressure type ribbon from the print head of the printer, which is suitable for flat pressure type printer and side pressure type printer respectively. The two types of ribbons cannot be mixed.
