Media Training

1. What is a Thermal Transfer Ribbon?

A thermal transfer ribbon is a polyester film that is coated with carbon based inks. Formulations are available in wax, midrange (wax/resin), or resin formulations. Our thermal transfer ribbons contain a PRINTHEAD SAVER backcoating that provides heat protection, lubrication and static/stick resistance to lengthen printhead life. PRINTHEAD SAVER ribbons (Advent) are made with a high energy backcoating that lets you print at lower temperatures and therefore extend printhead life. This backcoating comes in direct contact with the printhead. The ribbon material (film) is wound around a fiber or plastic core and the ribbon melts on contact with energized matrix printhead wires. A printout on paper or synthetic materials results from the transfer of the melted ink coating.

2. How it Works?

Thermal transfer printing is a process that requires a thermal transfer printer, ribbons, software and a substrate (i.e. label or tag stock). Each printer uses a self-contained printhead. A printhead consists of up to 600 micro hot spots per inch. These hot spots are actually energized matrix print head wires. As the ribbon passes between the printhead and the substrate, the wires are turned on and off to melt the ink off of the polyester coating to transfer the image onto the substrate or media.

3. Why Thermal Transfer Printing?

• High Volume Printing Requirements
  Thermal transfer printers are designed to complete a full label printing job in one pass. They can print up to 60 linear feet of labels per minute. This aids operators in long labeling assignments.
• Reliability
  Thermal transfer printers have only one moving part-the media feed roller. Printers are very reliable and are designed to operate in harsh conditions, including both warehousing and manufacturing environments.
• Bar Code Legibility
  Thermal transfer printers create bar codes with good scan quality. Read rates (98-100%) are far better than those achieved by dot matrix printers.
• Durable Print Images
  Thermal transfer ribbons have the capability of printing images that can resist extreme temperatures. In addition, thermal transfer ribbons allow for varying degrees of smear, scratch and solvent resistance.
• On-demand printing Capability
  Thermal transfer printing gives the user printing flexibility. Users can print on demand and don't have to pay the extra costs associated with working with an outside supplier to create pre-printed labels or tags.

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