How to Choose the Best Thermal Transfer Ribbon for Your Printing Needs

Thermal transfer printing is a widely used printing technology in various industries. The quality of thermal transfer printing largely depends on the thermal transfer ribbon used. Choosing the right thermal transfer ribbon is crucial for achieving high-quality, durable, and long-lasting prints. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the best thermal transfer ribbon for your printing needs.

Understanding Thermal Transfer Ribbons
Before we dive into how to choose the best thermal transfer ribbon, it’s essential to understand what thermal transfer ribbons are. Thermal transfer ribbons are made up of several layers of material. The layers include a base film, a release agent, a base coating, an ink layer, and a protective layer.

When heated, the ink layer melts and transfers onto the print media, resulting in high-quality prints. The quality of the print depends on the type of ink used, the type of ribbon used, and the printing conditions.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Thermal Transfer Ribbons
Choosing the right thermal transfer ribbon can be a daunting task, considering the various options available. However, considering the following factors will help you make an informed decision.

1. Material and Applicable Environment
   The type of ribbon you choose should be compatible with the material you intend to print on. The most common materials include paper, polyester, polypropylene, and vinyl. Additionally, the printing environment, such as temperature and humidity, should be considered when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon.
2. Type of Product
   The type of product you intend to print on should also be considered when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon. Some products require special types of ribbons, such as those with high chemical resistance or high heat resistance.
3. Characteristics of the Product
   The characteristics of the product, such as its size, shape, and texture, should be considered when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon. Some products may require a specific ribbon size, while others may require a ribbon with a specific texture to achieve the desired print quality.
4. Audience and Product Application
   Consider the audience that will be using the product and the product application when choosing a thermal transfer ribbon. Some products may require high-quality prints for branding and marketing purposes, while others may require durable prints for industrial applications.

Types of Thermal Transfer Ribbons
There are three main types of thermal transfer ribbons: wax, wax-resin, and resin. Each type of ribbon has unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific applications.

Thermal printing is widely used in industrial environments such as manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce, logistics and retail.

The printers themselves tend to have fewer moving parts, don’t require liquid ink or powdered toner, and generally last longer and work more reliably than inkjet or other types of printers.

Thermal transfers offer less variety in color than other printing options, but thermal transfers are a solid choice for long-lasting items such as labels, signs, floor markings, specialty shelf labels, and wrap-around paper, as well as documents.

The durability of heat transfer signs and labels means they can withstand harsh and extreme environments. As industries increasingly use barcode labels and scanning technologies, IoT-based technologies such as RAIN RFID, robotics and other automated applications, clear, legible, durable printed labels become even more important.

So if you’re looking for the versatility, reliability and durability of thermal printing, the next step is to decide which type of thermal printing technology to use – and from there, choose the right ribbon for your specific application type. Your choice of wax, resin, and wax-resin combination each has its own best use case, so let’s take a closer look.

Direct thermal contrast. thermal transfer
Unlike thermal transfer printers, direct thermal (DT) printing relies on a chemically impregnated substrate (usually paper) combined with heat. Heat-sensitive chemicals added to the paper cause it to darken when heated, so direct thermal printers use small heating elements within the printhead to activate heat-sensitive pigments in the substrate and leave behind an image or design.

These labels are highly sensitive to abrasion, heat and UV exposure, so they are often used for short-term applications such as paper receipts, shipping labels, mobile printing and some other specific applications.

These printers require no ribbon, ink or toner, and are easy and convenient to use. But at the same time, these labels can be highly sensitive to abrasion, heat and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. When exposed to high temperatures, the substrate will darken.

Thermal transfer ribbons (TTR) provide longer lasting images on a wider range of substrates, but it is important to understand whether you need wax or resin ribbons, or a combination of the two.

What is thermal transfer ribbon and how does it work?
TTRs are made of clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film coated with a specific combination of wax-based and/or resin-based inks and pigments. As the label and ribbon move under the printhead, digital elements on the printhead rapidly heat and cool to transfer ink from the film to the label.

The thermal printing ribbon formulation you choose will depend on your specific application. There are many different combinations to choose from, many of which are specifically designed to print on specific media types and for specific applications.

It is important to choose the correct type of TTR to ensure the quality and durability you are looking for. In general, you can choose from three types available with most thermal transfer printers: wax ribbons, wax resin ribbons, and resin ribbons. Below is an introduction to each function.

Wax thermal transfer ribbon
Wax ribbons, sometimes called “full wax ribbons” or “resin-enhanced wax” ribbons, are the most common (and often least expensive) option for uncoated or matte-coated labels.

Durability: Wax tape is not as durable as other types, but it also costs less. They provide an image that is less susceptible to fading than thermal labels, but the image is still susceptible to scratches and smudges. Wax ribbons also have limited chemical resistance compared to wax resin or resin options.

How the process works: All wax tapes also contain some resin in their formula. A combination of wax and resin ink is melted to coat the PET film. Backside coating is applied to the reverse side of the film, and rolls are cut to different widths and lengths to suit different printer models.

In a printer, printhead elements receive digital signals to heat and cool rapidly. When heated, they transfer the wax and resin ink from the ribbon to the label. Assuming you have the correct combination of label ribbon, the ink will stick to the label.

Uses: Wax ribbons are used for short-term and light-fast applications such as shipping labels, retail labels, storage locations, signage, and more. They are by far the most popular type of ribbon, accounting for over 70% of TTR sales.

Wax resin thermal printer ribbon
Wax-resin ribbons are made from a nearly half wax, half resin mixture. They are more expensive than wax ribbons, but offer excellent print quality and are durable and versatile on substrates. They can be printed on virtually all types of label and packaging films.

Durability: Waxed resins are more durable than full waxes in terms of scratch and stain resistance. Wax-resin blends are resistant to moderate to harsh chemicals and more extreme temperatures.

How the process works: The process is basically the same as the wax band process. The main difference is that the wax and resin in the ink layer of the ribbon is distributed more or less evenly.

Uses: Wax resin ribbons are used in applications requiring higher levels of abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, or harsh environments. Some common applications include lab labels, outdoor product or UL labels, cold chain labels or freezer applications where adding durability is a must if you do not want these printed barcodes to deteriorate.

thermal transfer resin tape
Many resin ribbons still have a small amount of wax in their formulation, but they are mostly pure ink resin, making them the most durable (and most expensive) TTR type. Resin ribbons are formulated for the most demanding applications, they are compatible with gloss coated paper labels, synthetic film labels like polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and even specialty substrates like polyimide, acrylic, and textiles .

Durability: These are by far the most durable and hardwearing of the three ribbon formulations. Extreme heat or cold, harsh chemicals and solvents, harsh abrasive or high-abrasion environments, and even outdoor environments are no match for the right choice of resin ribbon, printed on carefully selected label paper.

How the process works: The higher the percentage of resin in the formulation, the more energy is required to fuse the ink onto the ribbon substrate—the same logic applies to printers. It also takes more energy to transfer the ink to the substrate, so the printhead density and speed settings may need some adjustments to get the desired image.

Uses: The extreme durability of resin tape makes it a requirement for some harsh environment or mission critical applications. A wide range of typical uses include medical device labels, electrical component/printed circuit board (PCB) labels, garment care labels, plant stakes, chemical bucket labels and more.

special attention items
Confidently selecting label substrates, printing techniques and materials can be a challenge at times. That’s the difference an experienced partner can make. Our experts can help you evaluate your needs based on your application, environment, productivity goals and budget to select the right printer and materials.

Conclusion
Choosing the right thermal transfer ribbon is essential for achieving high-quality prints that are durable and long-lasting. When choosing a thermal transfer ribbon, consider factors such as the material and applicable environment, type of product, characteristics of the product, and audience and product application. By considering these factors, you can choose the best thermal transfer ribbon for your specific printing needs, whether you require general-purpose printing, durability, or resistance to chemicals and weathering.

FAQs
What is thermal transfer printing?
Thermal transfer printing is a printing technology that uses a thermal transfer ribbon to transfer ink onto the print media.

What are thermal transfer ribbons made of?
Thermal transfer ribbons are made of several layers of material, including a base film, a release agent, a base coating, an ink layer, and a protective layer.

What are the types of thermal transfer ribbons?
The types of thermal transfer ribbons include wax, wax-resin, and resin.

Which type of thermal transfer ribbon is suitable for printing on paper?
Wax ribbons are the most suitable for printing on paper.

Which type of thermal transfer ribbon is suitable for printing on synthetic materials?
Resin ribbons are the most suitable for printing on synthetic materials such as vinyl and polyester.

When choosing a thermal transfer ribbon, it’s crucial to select a reliable and reputable supplier to ensure that you get high-quality products that meet your printing needs. Hangzhou Sinoco Industry Co., Ltd is a leading thermal transfer ribbon supplier that provides a wide range of high-quality ribbons suitable for various applications. Contact us today to get the best thermal transfer ribbon for your printing needs.