Description

Thermal Transfer Ribbon (TTR) is the “ink” used in Thermal Transfer printing. Instead of the liquid ink we are used to in our desktop inkjet printers thermal transfer “ink” is melted plastic and wax on a thin foil backing. TTR is available in three basic configurations: wax, wax/resin, and resin. The labelstock, the application, and the durability requirements determine which type of TTR is needed (the cost of the TTR increases as the durability requirement increases). Wax ribbon is composed of a high percentage of wax based materials with a low melting point that requires less energy than printing with wax/resin or resin ribbon. The image durability and cost of wax ribbon is less than that of wax/resin or resin. Wax ribbon is used for general purpose labeling applications such as shipping, carton, retail, lot tracking, compliance and general ticketing. Recommended receivers for wax ribbon are coated and uncoated paper tag and label stocks and some low end films. Wax/Resin Ribbon Wax/Resin ribbon is composed of a mixture of both wax and resinous materials that contribute to a higher melting point thus requiring more energy than wax ribbon. The image durability is longer and the cost of wax/resin ribbon is more than wax ribbon. Wax/resin ribbon is used for premium labeling applications such as pharmaceutical, horticultural, direct packaging, ID tags, lumber, and licenses. Recommended receivers for wax/resin ribbon are gloss paper, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester films. Resin ribbon is composed of the highest percentages of resinous materials with the highest melting point and the most energy required to print. The image durability is the best with resin ribbon and it is the most expensive of the three types of ribbon. Resin ribbon is used in super premium labeling applications such as chemical drum, medical, outdoor, industrial, automotive, electronic component, and hazardous material.