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Glossary for Thermal Transfer Ribbon and Hot Stamp Coding Foil Products

glossary-for-thermal-transfer-ribbon-products

Thermal Transfer Ribbon for Label Printing

Thermal transfer printing is the most efficient digital printing method.  Thermal transfer printer uses thermal transfer ribbon that contains wax-based ink.  Heat is applied to the ribbon through a thermal printhead, which melts the ink and transfers it to the paper (or other medium). 

What is thermal transfer ribbon?  A thermal transfer ribbon normally consists of three layers.  While, thermal transfer ribbon is just a roll of polyester film coated on one side with ink or a colored pigment. The coating of the ribbon can be formulated using either wax, was mixed with resin or only resin. When the thermal transfer ribbon passes over the thermal print head, the heat produced by the print head causes the ink or colored pigment to transfer off the carrier film and bond to the label.  We suggest that the printhead should be cleaned everytime you put on a new ribbon.  The easy way to clean it is to use cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol.  

Wolfbarco carries wax ribbon, wax/resin ribbon, resin ribbon and hot stamp foil. 

Wax

The ink component of thermal transfer ribbon is formulated with wax. If you are looking to print on paper labels for indoor use, wax ribbon fits your need perfectly.  Only thing you should pay attention is that please keep wax ribbon in a dry environment, far from oil or chemicals, since these condition would dissolve the wax image.

Wax/resin

The ink component of thermal transfer ribbon is formulated with a mixture of wax and resin.  Wax-resin ribbons produce a finer image on smooth paper or coated paper labels. Wax-resin is much more durable than wax, but should still keep the ribbon away from water.

Resin

The ink component of thermal transfer ribbon is formulated with pure resin. Pure resin ribbons are designed to print on plastic labels such as polyester and vinyl.  The print image is much more durable comparing wax ribbon or wax/resin ribbon.

Hot Stamp Coding Foil

Hot stamping coding foil is a printing process of using heat and pressure to apply metallic foil to materials such as light papers, carton board, laminated board, plastics and corrugated board.

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Hot Stamping Foil
glossary
thermal transfer