Ribbons come in various basic categorys of ink such as ;-
Wax, Wax Resin and Resin. A sub range of formulations is available in
each category catering for different physical requirements and applications.
Some are engineered for a very specific purpose. Making the right choice
will impact the level of print quality and application suitability.
There are ribbons for Desktop Label printers that use a smaller 12mm core
with a key slot and ones for industrial label printers that use a 25mm core.
Ribbons can be purchased in various standard lengths and widths.
Narrower widths can be Centre justified or left hand justified.
The ink side of the ribbon can be ordered wound on the inside or on the
outside often refered to as Wax in or Wax out.
Choosing the right ribbon can make all the difference when it comes to
print quality, durability and economy. Although most ribbon types will print
on most of the different media types, some just suit the application and do
it better than others. Each of the different formulations have characteristics
that can be taken advantage of and if used correctly will produce great
results.
Thermal Ribbons
Labels, Ribbons, Label printers, Barcode readers, Mobile HHC’s, Wifi, Services and more
Standard Wax
Wax Resin Blends
Premium Wax Blends
For general purpose printing on absorbent paper label materials.
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For general purpose printing on absorbent paper label materials. Where
better smudge and scuff resistance is required
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Resin Ribbons
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Extra long life High durability and specialised applications. Best for
applications on plastic type labels where High UV, Smudge,Scratch,Scuff,
Wash, Chemical and temperature resistance is required
Often refered to as a multi-purpose product, wax resin ribbon will print on
just about any label media type although is more suited to plastic type
labels. It is best for applications where medium/High Smudge, Scuff and
medium wash chemical resistance is required.
Thermal Transfer Ribbons
Pics supply a range of high quality ribbons
compatible with most
Popular brands of label printers. From Waxes to
Resins we have
the formulations you need to print on your typical
industry standard
label material types.
Give us a call and we will gladly help you select the
correct product for your printing needs.
Wax Ribbon: For general purpose paper type labels
Premium Wax: Smudge resistant general purpose paper type labels.
Wax Resin: Durable Multi-purpose paper and plastic type labels
Resin Ribbon: High Durablility harsh environment plastic type labels
Wash Care: For washable clothing labels.
Colour Ribbon: Red, Blue, Yellow, for mono colour label printing.
Hot Stamp Foil Ribbon: For industrial hot stamp labeling machines.
Ribbons are available on 12mm cores for desktop label machines and in
25mm core sizes for industrial label machines and some high performance
desktop label printers. The wax ink coating on the ribbon is applied either
facing outwards or wound facing inwards often refered to as WO,EXT, or
WI,INT.
Desktops use WO ribbon only. Some Industrial machines especially older
models can also be specific to either WO or WI so be careful. Today most
modern industrial machines can use both types of wound ribbon.
Ribbons are generally supplied in various mm widths and set M legnths.
For example:
Desktops will generally use common sizes such as.
12mm core W110mm X L70M or L91M wound out ribbon.
Industrial Label machines are a bit more flexible so depending on the ribbon
media specification of the machine one would be using typical sizes such as:-
25mm core W104mm or W110mm, L155M/300M/360M/450M wound out or in.
There are narrower widths available too
For more info on available ribbons please contact us and we will willingly
assist you.
Available Ribbon types:
Standard wax ribbon is formulated from soft waxes. These ribbons
require the lowest thermal energy to produce hi quality clear print and
will print on most surfaces with some consideration to bear in mind.
Waxes are soft, sensitive to heat and some cleaning agents so are
not considered to be very durable. They form the basis for economical
label printing. Print head replacement is generally the bigest
maintenance cost when running a label printer and this is were using
STD Wax has a benefit. The low print head temperature requirement
means the print heads last much longer so maintenance cost
averages are much better.
Wax Ribbons work best when used with label media that is absorbent
such a paper based labels. Paper labels allow the wax to penetrate
into the label rather than sit on the surface and this combination
produces relatively durable label print.
Wax is Not recommended to be used on some coated papers and
plastic labels even though the print quality may look good the print
can be more easily smudged or scuffed in the handling process.
Wax ribbons are very popular because they easily produce very good
quality print on just about any label media at an economical price and
this makes them ideal for general paper type label printing.
Standard Wax Ribbon
Premium Wax ribbon are formulated from a blend of waxes with a little
bit of resin to increase its print durability but still retaining much of the
Wax quality attributes while offering improved performance on a wider
range of intended paper label media types. These ribbons require low
thermal energy to produce hi quality defined and clear print.
Premium Wax is slightly less sensitive to heat and cleaning agents and
has a much improved smudge and scuff resistance to Standard wax
ribbon. They are generally suited for use with label media that is
absorbent such paper based labels however will print on just about
anything. Paper labels allow the wax resin to penetrate into the label
rather than sit on the surface and this combination produces an
affordable more durable long lasting high quality general purpose label.
Premium wax is formulated to perform well on paper labels and some
special coated papers producing excellent print quality with reasonable
handling and environmental durability however they can also
be used equally well with some polypropylene and plastic type labels
where handling durability is not such a problem.
Premium Wax ribbons are very popular, they easily produce good
quality print with reasonable handling and environmental durability at
an affordable and economic price and this makes them ideal for for a
wide range of general label printing.
Premium Wax Ribbons
Wax Resin ribbon are formulated from a blend of waxes and resins to
increase its print durability and performance in environments that are
a little more demanding. They are sometimes punted as multi-purpose
because they will print on almost any type of media. These ribbons
require medium thermal energy to produce Hi quality well defined and
clear print. Medium Durability in UV, Chemical, wash, Scratch and
Scuff resistance.
Wax Resin is much less sensitive to heat and cleaning agents and
has a better smudge and scuff resistance over Premium wax ribbon.
They can be used with label media that is absorbent however more
so with polypropylene or plastic based labels. Plastic labels do not
allow the wax and resin inks to be absorbed into the label materials.
The inks have to sit on top of the surface which demands
characteristics very different from Standard Wax ribbons. The inks
have to have good adhesion qualities and higher durability to match
the applications for which the label materials were designed. Wax
Resin Blends provide a multi purpose product that can be used on a
wide variety of label materials from papers to plastics that are durable
and resistant to water and general cleaning agents.
Wax Resin ribbons out perform Wax ribbons on plastic type label
materials. They produce high quality print with high handling and
environmental durability and this makes them ideal for for a wide
range of applications where extra durability and performance is
required.
Wax Resin Ribons
Resin ribbon is formulated from a blend of resins to increase its print
durability and performance in environments that have harsher
conditions demanding high temperature, UV tolerance and industrial
chemical resistance. These ribbons require high thermal energy to
produce Hi quality well defined and clear print. Resin Ribbon has far
superior Wash, Scratch and Scuff resistance over wax and wax resin
ribbon.
Resin Ribbon is specifically designed and suitable for use with label
media that is not absorbent such as polypropylene or plastic based
labels. Plastic labels do not allow the wax and resin inks to be
absorbed into the label materials. The inks have to sit on top of the
surface which demands characteristics very different from wax ribbons.
The inks have to have excellent adhesion qualities and higher
durability to match the applications for which the label materials were
designed. Resin ribbons provide a specialised purpose product for very
demanding conditions.
Resin Ribbons are the most expensive types of ribbon available and
are only economical if used for the conditions they were designed.
They require high thermal print energy and this usually shortens print
head life. They are not as easy to set up as wax ribbons and may even
require a combination of tweaking of the print speeds and Print head
temperature to obtain the desired high quality print. Once set up
correctly they produce very sharp precise highly defined near edge
printing that is Durable and long lasting.
Resin Ribons
