How to Pick a Barcode Ribbon

Ribbons are an important aspect of thermal transfer printing because they contribute to the labels’ aesthetics. Choosing the right ribbon is crucial because they must be able to work in combination with the face stock and barcode printer required by the application. They also need to have the right properties, such as heat conductivity, heat resistance, tensile strength, smoothness and chemical resistance. The wrong ribbon can shorten the life of the print head, necessitating a costly replacement and downtime for repairs.

So, how do you know which ribbon to use? It all depends on three factors.

• What thermal transfer printer are you using to print your barcode labels?
• What material, or face stock, is the barcode label you are using?
• What is your application?

Ribbons are manufactured to work with specific thermal transfer barcode printers. The core size, whether it is wound in (ink on the inside of roll) or wound out (ink on the outside of roll), and length of the ribbon are all specific to the printer it will be used on.

There are three standard formulas of ribbon; wax, wax/resin, and resin.

• Wax ribbons have a lower melting temperature and can be used in high-speed printing. They are used on paper and low-end synthetic face stocks. General purpose wax ribbons are inexpensive, but less durable.
  • Typical applications:
    • Shipping & carton labels
    • Compliance labels
    • Textile tags & labels
    • Shelf & bin labels
    • Retail labels
    • Warehouse labels
• Wax/resin ribbons have a medium melting temperature and are used in average print speeds. Wax/resin ribbons can be used on a variety of face stocks, including paper, matte synthetic, and some gloss synthetic materials. These are moderately priced, are durable, and have a high chemical resistance.
  • Typical applications:
    • Lumber & nursery tags & labels
    • Shelf & bin labels
    • Pharmaceutical labels
    • Textile & apparel labels & tags
    • Compliance labeling
• Resin ribbons have the highest melting temperature and they require a smooth printing surface. These ribbons work well on high-end gloss and matte synthetic face stocks. Full resin ribbons are the most expensive of the bunch, but they are also the most durable, withstanding abrasion, and they are resistant to heat and chemicals.
  • Typical applications:
    • UL/CSA labeling
    • Shelf labels
    • Drum labels
    • Automotive labels
    • High-heat environments
    • Outdoor applicationsg