Thermal Transfer Ribbons Online Store
Thermal Transfer Ribbons
Thermal Transfer Ribbon for all makes of label printers
Spec Systems launches its new online Thermal Transfer Ribbon Store, where end users can purchase directly from the manufacturer.
Spec Systems is a barcode printer supplier with a vast experience in supplying thermal transfer ribbons, barcode and label solutions. We know label printing and we know the correct printer ribbon and label combination for your application. Spec Systems national footprint and technical expertise provides customers with the assurance that our recommendations will result in barcodes that scan and print will not scuff.
Select Wax ribbons for use in Zebra, Datamax, Argox, Citizen, Intermec, Sato thermal label printers. The wax formulation allows barcodes to be printed in picket fence or ladder orientation on coated paper material such as Semi-gloss, Transfer & Vellum.
Select Wax/Resin for improved scratch and smear resistance, as well as improved solvent and heat resistance over wax ribbons. Wax/resin ribbons can be used on a wide range of label stocks, but are particularly good matches for coated papers and coated synthetics such as Kimdura®. Typical applications include bin location labels, and labeling for horticultural and health care applications.
Select Resin ribbon for the highest degree of scratch resistance. They are also resistant to a wide range of solvents and can be used in applications in which very high temperatures are encountered. Resin ribbons are designed to adhere to pre-treated polyester, polyimide, polypropylene, and polyethylene labels. Typical applications include agency recognized labeling, circuit board labeling, and labeling of chemical drums.
THERMAL TRANSFER RIBBON INK IN VS INK OUT
Thermal transfer labels require TTR ribbons, they are either coated side in (csi) or coated side out (cso). This refers to the side of the PET carrier where the ink is present. In order to determine which side a ribbon is coated, unwind the roll past the leader. Once the printing area is reached apply and quickly remove a small section of adhesive label to a side, if there is ink residue on the label adhesive then this is the ink side. This side should face the labels when you put the thermal transfer ribbon in the barcode printer. Depending on the specific thermal transfer printer that you have, you will either use one or the other. The only difference between an ink-in ribbon and and ink-out ribbon is the direction that the thermal ribbon is wound.
COATED SIDE IN(CSI)
Some printers require a CSI ribbon. Examples are Sato and Datamax printers.If your printer requires ribbon with coated side in, you will have to set up your ribbon similarly to the diagram on the left. Since the ink is coated on the inside of the ribbon, configure the ribbon so that it unrolls from the top. When it feeds through the print head, the ink side should be facing the label.
If you load the ribbon upside down, the ink will be facing the print head instead of the substrate, and no ink will be transferred.
COATED SIDE OUT(CSO)
Other printers require a CSO ribbon. Examples are Intermec, Zebra and some Datamax printers. If your printer requires ribbon with coated side out, set up your ribbon like the diagram on the left. Since the ink is coated on the outside of the PET carrier, configure the ribbon so that it unrolls from the bottom. When it feeds through the print head, the coated side should face the label.
Thermal printing uses heat technology to print. It is one of the most popular printing methods on the market today. Thermal printing requires the correct combination of printer, printer ribbon matching the substrate that you printing onto.
