If you’re planning to print labels using the thermal transfer method, you’ll need to get familiar with thermal transfer ribbons. During the printing process, the printhead will punch the desired print out of the ribbon, meaning the material it’s made of will determine how durable your print is. Your first thought may be to default to the most durable print, but depending on what your label is for, you may be able to choose a cheaper option without sacrificing efficiency.

Determining Your Print Needs

Before you start looking at thermal transfer ribbons, it’s important to know exactly what you’ll be exposing your label to. Different factors can cause the print to wear down faster, which means you’ll need more durable ribbon material. Here are a few things to consider:

Temperature: Different thermal ribbon materials have different melting points, which affects how well the resulting print holds up to heat. If your label is going to be exposed to constant high temperatures, make sure to plan accordingly.
Weather: Rain, snow and even sun can wear down your print over time, which is why you need to make sure your print will be able to handle it. For example, if your label will be used outdoors in an area with regular rain, you’ll need to choose a ribbon that produces water-resistant or waterproof print.
Handling: Some thermal print is more prone to scuffing, fading and wearing down over time. If you expect people to be constantly handling your labels, it may be better to go with a more durable ribbon material.
Contaminants: Things such as dirt, grease, oil and different chemicals can wear down your print. You might not be able to account for every potential contaminant, but a general knowledge of what to expect can go a long way.
Budget: The deciding factor in choosing your thermal transfer ribbon will always be your budget. Your ribbons will be used up over time, meaning you’ll need to purchase new ones as long as you use the thermal transfer print method. Will your budget allow for more expensive ribbon materials, or are you working with limited funds?

Types of Thermal Ribbons

Once you know what you need from your label print, you can start looking at thermal transfer ribbons. There are several different types, each with different pros and cons as well as different durability levels:

Wax

Wax ribbons are the most common type of thermal transfer ribbon. They have a very low resin content and are comprised mostly of wax. This gives them a low melting point, which makes the print lighter and less durable than other ribbon types. They are, however, the cheapest ribbon option.

Wax ribbons are usually printed on uncoated paper label stock, although they can be used on coated paper and some synthetic stocks as well. They are ideal for paper labels, including retail, shipping and warehouse labels.

Wax/Resin

Wax/resin ribbons, as the name implies, are made of a blend of wax and resin. They are significantly more durable than wax ribbons and are able to resist higher temperatures, exposure to chemicals and constant handling. They are, however, more expensive as well.

Wax/resin ribbons work well on a wide variety of label stock types, including coated and uncoated paper and synthetic label materials. They are ideal for barcode labels, shipping labels and pharmaceutical labels.

Resin

Resin ribbons are the most durable and most expensive of the thermal transfer ribbon types. They have a very high melting point, meaning that they can withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals, water and heavy handling.

Resin ribbons are printed on synthetic materials, such as polyester and polypropylene. They should only be used for jobs that require extreme durability, such as labeling for chemicals and sensitive medical applications.

Near-Edge

Most thermal transfer printing uses a method called flathead printing. With this, the printhead is held in a horizontal position against the label stock. With near-edge printing, the printhead meets the label at an angle. For this printing method, you need near-edge ribbons.

Near-edge ribbons allow for faster, edge-to-edge printing, as well as thicker label stock. They can be used on both paper and synthetic labels and are often used to timestamp food packaging.

Color

Colored ribbons technically aren’t their own separate ribbon type, as they can come in both wax and wax/resin variants. They are capable of printing in a variety of colors, including metallic colors. They can print on white or colored labels, and in some cases, white or light colors can be printed onto dark labels.

The durability of colored thermal transfer ribbons and the ideal label stock for them depends on whether the ribbon is wax or wax/resin. They are used for any label that requires color.

Thermal Transfer Ribbons from Barcode Factory

Selecting the proper thermal transfer ribbon is an important part of printing. But even if you know what type of ribbon you want, it’s important to know that you’ll be getting a quality product. Cheap thermal transfer ribbons that aren’t manufactured to OEM specifications can damage your printer, costing you time and money.

For quality thermal transfer ribbons, use Barcode Factory. We offer a variety of quality wax, wax/resin, and resin ribbons. Browse our selection of ribbons today, or contact one of our trained sales representatives to have them answer any questions you may have.

Choosing the Right Type of Thermal Transfer Ribbon