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Writer's pictureGeorge Bouton

How Do Thermal Transfer Ribbons Work?


barcodes printed with a thermal ribbon printer
Image courtesy of Anna Shvets

Ensure Your Products Are Clearly Labeled and Identified

Being able to identify products easily is essential for ensuring the safety of your customers, and it’s easier to do so when product packaging is clearly labeled. Finding high quality labels might seem challenging. However, thermal transfer ribbons are highly durable and they simplify the process of creating effective product coding.


Printing thermal transfer ribbons requires no warm-up or cooling time, and they dry immediately with no need for curing. The end product? Clear and error-free printed variable information labels and barcodes to make your product packaging stand out on the shelf!


barcode scanner thermal transfer printing coding
Image courtesy of RDNE


Improvements to Product Coding

Thermal transfer ribbons play a crucial role in product coding and labeling processes, bringing a whole host of fantastic benefits, no matter what industry your business is in. These ribbons significantly impact the printing quality and durability of codes and labels while offering a selection of formulation options to fit your product packaging needs, even in harsh environments!


Additionally, thermal transfer ribbons can help your business comply with regulatory requirements as well as offer opportunities for customization and branding. Ultimately, using these high quality ribbons can enhance various aspects of your business including inventory management, supply chain operations, and communication with customers.


The Science Behind the Ribbons

In order for the technology behind thermal transfer ribbons to work, a ribbon of heat-sensitive carbon must pass over a heated print head before melting onto the substrate. Using this method, text and graphics can be printed onto a label before being affixed to your product.


This process of infusing ink into the substrate is what differentiates thermal transfer labels from direct thermal labels, as the thermal transfer process requires a ribbon to transfer the ink. Thermal transfer ribbons are a more durable alternative, though, as they are durable in direct heat and are less prone to fading or scratches.



thermal ribbon for a printer

Types of Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Wax, resin, or wax resin can be used to create the ink that is utilized in the process of thermal transferring. As such, the print sensitivity of the various ribbon types varies because each kind needs a different amount of heat. Using improper heat settings to print thermal transfer ribbons could lead to faulty labels or ribbon breakage.


Thermal transfer ribbons with high print sensitivities don’t need as much heat to infuse the ink and are most frequently used for labels which will be subject to everyday use. These ribbons, which are most often made of wax, are not created with long-term durability in mind.


On the other hand, some ribbon types require high heat when printing to achieve a clear label. These ribbons are highly durable and are often composed of a mixture of wax and resin, or sometimes just resin.


With the intricacies of proper heat settings and ribbon types in mind, you can ensure that printing thermal transfer ribbons for your business is a piece of cake. With high-quality labels and packing for your products, you’re sure to stand out among competitors!


Looking to Elevate Your Product Packaging?

Whether you’re looking for medical device labeling or even if you just want to ensure your products are properly coded, GCB Solutions is here to help! To learn more, contact us today at (904) 263-2804 or schedule a free consultation.


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