 | |
 |
The most important element of the thermal transfer printer is the thermal print head, which contains many heating points, so-called dots in a row. The ink-carrier is the so-called thermal transfer ribbon.
It can be roughly compared to the carbon ribbon of a typewriter. The difference is that in thermal transfer printing the ink is not transferred mechanically, but thermally. When the individual dots on the thermal print head are heated the ink on the thermal transfer ribbon is melted and adheres to the label. While the thermal print head is still, the labelling material and the thermal transfer ribbon pass beneath the thermal print head in synchrony and the print head exercises a certain amount of pressure on the thermal transfer ribbon.
| |
 |
Three “qualities” of thermal transfer ribbons are distinguished: wax, wax/resin and resin. It is primarily always the application that determines the materials, adhesives and ink ribbons to be used. Hence individual solutions require individual advice.
The wax quality
Is not very resistant to scratches and smearing and is therefore suitable for inferior applications, such as pricing, short-lived labels.
The wax/resin quality
This is suitable for most applications owing to its average scratch and smear resistance; as a rule it provides a good printing quality on most materials.
The resin quality
Thanks to its high resistance to scratches and smearing this quality is used in the case of foils for sophisticated labels with high requirements. However, as a rule it is only suitable for plastic labels.
Coloured ink ribbons
All of the coloured ink ribbons are available in a variety of shades.
