Guide for Buying Thermal Ribbons for Your Label Printer

What to Look for When Buying Thermal Ribbon for Your Label Printer

When opposed to direct thermal printing, thermal transfer printing gives a longer-lasting print. The use of a thermal transfer ribbon during the printing process is why thermal transfer prints persist longer. To get a long-lasting print, you’ll need a thermal transfer ribbon. Choosing the right thermal transfer ribbon for your printer and application, on the other hand, can be tricky. It’s time to get some help choosing the right thermal transfer ribbon!

To determine the correct ribbon, follow the simple procedures below:

Step 1: Have a Thermal Transfer Printer.

Thermal Transfer printers are the only printers that employ ribbon. Direct Thermal printers do not have the internal mechanical components to hold or thread a ribbon, hence it cannot be used with them. The AirTrack DP-1 is one example of a commonly used thermal transfer printer.

Step 2: Select the appropriate ribbon size.

The width and length (WxL) of ribbons are calculated as follows:

• Print Width: Printers come in a variety of print widths. A ribbon with a width of 6 inches will not fit into a printer with a print width of 4 inches. Choose a ribbon width that is equal to or less than the print width of your printer.

• Length: The length of a ribbon determines how many inches one roll will print. For example, a 244-inch-long ribbon will print 244, 1-inch-long labels or 122, 2-inch-long labels. Select the appropriate length based on the number of inches required for your desired print.

Step 3: Select a ribbon type:

• Wax Ribbon — The most cost-effective ribbon. Printing shipping and packaging labels, retail tags, and retail labels is recommended. A wax ribbon print will outlast a direct thermal print by a long shot. It’s best to use with paper labels. The majority of ribbon will be printed in black. If you require a certain color print, however, go with a color ribbon.

• Wax/Resin Ribbon – A combination/hybrid of wax and resin in a ribbon provides excellent print quality as well as scratch resistance and smudge resistance. Asset tracking in remote places, warehouse signage, and medical device tracing are all suggested applications. It’s safe to use on a variety of paper and synthetic label stocks in the mid-range.

• Resin Ribbon – This is the most resilient and long-lasting form of ribbon. This option is typically used to track assets that are exposed to a variety of settings. Water, chemicals, abrasions, oil, and grease are all resistant to resin printing. It’s best to use with long-lasting synthetic labels.

The easy procedures outlined above will put you in the right route for selecting ribbon based on the application and desired results. You can also speak with one of our trained sales specialists, who are ready to assist you in selecting the right ribbon.