How to Select the Right Thermal Transfer Ribbon Type

How to Select the Right Thermal Transfer Ribbon Type

Thermal transfer ribbon printing is an efficient and cost-effective way to print labels on a variety of substrates. With the right label printer ribbon, these systems can print on paper, polyester, polypropylene, Tyvek, and other film substrates. However, to get the best quality prints, it’s important to match the transfer ribbon to the application. This process requires considering not only the substrate but also application requirements such as print longevity.

The team at Technicode, Inc. is happy to help evaluate these constraints and develop a custom printing solution for your application. As a leading North American provider of barcode labeling supplies, we offer a full range of thermal transfer ribbons to meet any printing challenge.

Why Choosing the Right Ribbon for Your Application Matters

Thermal transfer ribbons are not completely interchangeable. A ribbon may be able to print on a suboptimal substrate, but there will likely be noticeable quality problems. For instance, incompatibility between these components can cause strange gray shading or partial ink transfer. Similarly, using a ribbon on a too-rough surface can cause pinhole gaps in the final print. Choosing the right ribbon prevents these problems and ensures a smooth, durable print.

Thermal Transfer Ribbon Types

Thermal transfer ribbons can be coated with wax, resin, or some combination of wax and resin. In general, wax ribbons are more economical, while resin ribbons offer a more durable print.

Wax Ribbons

Wax ribbons print dark, crisp images at a range of energy and speed settings. They offer a versatile, cost-effective option for printing on tags and both coated and uncoated papers.

Resin-Enhanced Wax Ribbons

Resin-enhanced wax ribbons have a unique formulation that minimizes static and creates crisper edges than pure wax ribbons. They can also be used with a wider range of substrates, including coated and uncoated paper, synthetic paper, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

Wax / Resin Ribbons

Wax/resin ribbons are formulated with a higher proportion of resin. This composition helps dissipate static and create cleaner prints. They are especially useful for achieving sharp quality on low-end synthetics like polypropylene, top-coated vinyl, polyethylene, and polystyrene.

Full Resin Ribbons

Full-resin ribbons are the most versatile, capable of printing at high speed on almost any substrate. Resin prints are also far more durable than wax prints, withstanding both mechanical and chemical damage. These tough ribbons yield excellent results on substrates as diverse as paper, tags, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, vinyl, and polyester.

Within these broader categories, a variety of formulations are available, each with distinct benefits. Technicode’s printing experts can help you choose the best specific ribbon for your needs.

Thermal Transfer Ribbon Applications

Thermal transfer ribbons are typically used for retail labeling and product tracking. However, applications differ in several key ways:

• Print volume and speed
• Printed substrates
• Conditions labels face after printing
  • Environmental exposures
  • Chemical exposures
  • Handling frequency

These variables determine which transfer ribbons are most appropriate for an industry’s needs.

General Purpose Wax Thermal Transfer Ribbons

As described above, wax ribbons are best used for general-purpose applications such as:

• Retail labels
• Shipping and warehousing tags
• Product identification

Resin-Enhanced Wax Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Resin-enhanced wax transfer ribbons can be used in a wider variety of applications, including those that require a higher degree of durability or a higher printing speed. These include:

• Retail labels
• Shipping and warehousing tags
• Product identification
• Logistics labels
• Film labels
• Flexible packaging
• Lumber tags

Wax-Resin Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Wax-resin thermal transfer ribbons offer more durable prints and can accommodate a wider range of substrates. In addition to the shipping and product identification applications listed above, other uses include:

• Compliance labels
• Health care labels
• Textile tags
• Nursery and lumber labeling
• Flexible film printing

Full Resin

Full resin ribbons are used where quality and durability are a priority. They are also used when products are stored outdoors or exposed to harsh chemicals. Examples include:

• Chemical drum labels
• Medical and pharmaceutical labels
• Compliance labels
• Textile tags
• Nursery and lumber labeling
• Flexible film printing

High-Quality Thermal Transfer Ribbons from Technicode Labels Inc.

Technicode, Inc. specializes in custom printing and labeling solutions for clients from diverse industries. To learn more about our comprehensive thermal transfer ribbon offerings, contact us or request a quote to receive personalized guidance.