Thermal transfer ribbon

A ribbon is the inked tape used by thermal transfer printers. The printhead heats the ribbon dot by dot and the ink transfers to the label, so barcodes, text, batch numbers and images are printed sharply without depending on the paper being thermal. That is why it is the usual system when the label has to last: cold stores, long-distance transport, handling or extended storage.

What sets one ribbon apart from another is its composition. We supply three families: wax, wax/resin and resin. Usually, wax is used on paper and on short-life labels, where a clean, economical print is enough. Wax/resin stands up better to rubbing and is used on coated papers and some synthetics. Resin is the option for synthetic labels and for prints that have to resist abrasion, humidity or cleaning products. Over-specifying adds cost; under-specifying ends in blurred codes that the scanner cannot read.

The other decision is the printer. Our ribbons are compatible with flat-head and Near Edge thermal transfer printers. They are two different technologies and each needs its own ribbon, so tell us the make and model of the printer, as well as the label width and the winding direction, so the reference fits first time.

A good ribbon does more than print well. It allows high-speed printing with good performance on different materials and it protects the printhead, which is the expensive part of the printer: the back coating of the ribbon reduces friction and wear during printing. An unsuitable ribbon soon shows up as blank lines in the codes and printheads that need replacing before their time.

If you already use thermal labels, bear in mind that direct thermal paper does not need a ribbon, but its prints degrade with heat and light. At Fontanet Group, from Fraga (Huesca) and with a team that has more than 30 years in the sector, we help you choose the right combination of label and ribbon; widths, lengths and composition are confirmed with our sales team.