What You Should Know About the Types of Thermal Ribbons
For printing thermal labels, you need thermal ribbons. They can be either wax ribbons, wax resin ribbons or resin ribbons. All of them have different purposes and properties and when you choose your thermal label you need to be aware of their features so that you can produce quality printed finished results. Here is what you need to know about them.
Wax Ribbons
You should choose wax ribbon if you intend to use them on coated and uncoated paper label stocks. They produce good print quality when applications are printed at high speed. Keep in mind though, that they are used mainly for short-term labelling. You don’t have to worry about their resistance to scratches because they can withstand some outdoor usage.
It is best to use the wax thermal ribbons for general purposes such as general text and barcodes. They can be printed in various kinds of printers and can be manufactured in any size and colour you want.
Wax-Resin Ribbons
This type of ribbons is ideal for printing durable and long-lasting barcodes. They have a better high-quality formulation than the wax ribbons and better perform in outside conditions, They are excellent for both paper and synthetic stocks and can even be used in extreme temperatures. In addition, they are scratch-resistant. You can find thermal transfer colour ribbons in different sizes as well which will suit your business needs. All you need to do is to make a quote with your local supplier about the special size you need.
Resin Ribbons
The resin ribbons are best to use on synthetic labels especially intended for harsh environments where there is extreme temperature, chemical, moisture and abrasion. Due to the fact that these ribbons are very resistant, you should use them for goods sent on long-distance transportation so you can rest assured that the printed information will not scratch off even if there is rubbing against the products all the way.
These thermal transfer colour ribbons are also available in different sizes and are suitable to use in various kinds of printers.
Several Tips Regarding the Use of Thermal Ribbons
Always check which way the thermal ribbon needs to be wound in the printer – in its carbon side out or carbon side in. That way, you can make sure that you will produce quality thermal labels.
Regularly clean your thermal printhead before you change the thermal transfer ribbon. The ribbons leave a residue every time it is used and by continuously cleaning that residue you will preserve your printer from breaking and you will continue to receive consistent excellent printing results.
Make sure that the temperature in the thermal printhead is kept at low because high temperatures shorten its life. You should know that direct thermal labels require higher printhead temperatures, so it is better to use thermal transfer labels when possible.
Wax ribbons require lower printhead temperature than resin ribbons.
Finally, if you print with a high temperature, the quality and resolution of the printed result will be far better, but too high temperature will greatly shorten the printhead life, so be cautious and make smart decisions.