To print with a thermal transfer printer, you always need a thermal transfer ribbon. The type of ribbon you choose determines both the quality and durability of your print. In this blog, we'll explain what thermal transfer ribbons are, the different types available, and how to choose the right one for your application.
| Ribbon material | Melting temperature | Suitable printing materials | Print quality | Indoor use | Outdoor use | Scratch and abrasion resistance | Moisture resistance | Chemical resistance | Heat resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wax | 65 °C | Paper | ★☆☆ | ★★★ | ☆☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆ |
| Wax/resin | 70–80 °C | PE, PP, HDPE, Tyvek® | ★★☆ | ★★★ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ |
| Resin | 120 °C | PET, PVC, vinyl, HDPE, PP, Tyvek®, and film | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
A thermal transfer ribbon is essential for thermal transfer printing. The printer heats the ribbon, causing the ink coating to melt and transfer onto the label. This creates a sharp, clear print with good adhesion to the material. For the best results, it's important to use the correct heat setting for your ribbon.
Thermal transfer printers are often confused with direct thermal printers, but there's an important difference. Direct thermal printers use heat to create an image on heat-sensitive paper, without a ribbon. Thermal transfer printing, on the other hand, transfers ink from a ribbon onto the material. This generally produces a more durable print with better resistance to sunlight, water, chemicals, and higher temperatures.
Thermal transfer ribbons contain wax, resin, or a combination of both. Generally, the higher the resin content, the more durable the print. At CombiCraft, we offer thermal transfer ribbons made from wax/resin and resin. Wax ribbons are an affordable option for short-term labeling, but they offer less resistance to wear and are therefore not part of our assortment.
Wax/resin ribbons
Wax/resin ribbons produce durable prints and are a great choice for most applications. The combination of wax and resin ensures good adhesion to the printing material, making the print resistant to light abrasion, moisture, and common chemicals.
Our wax/resin ribbons are available in three variants and three quality grades: Standard, Plus, and X-Plus. The higher the resin content, the more durable the print.
Resin ribbons
For maximum durability and long-term use, resin ribbons are the best choice. Resin prints offer excellent resistance to scratches, chemicals, moisture, heat, and UV light. This makes them ideal for demanding applications such as safety labels, laundry care labels, and laboratory labels.
Our assortment includes the Power resin ribbon, specifically designed for demanding conditions.
Before purchasing a thermal transfer ribbon, it's important to consider:
What material you'll be printing on
How sharp and clear the print needs to be
What conditions the print needs to withstand
With this information, you can determine which thermal transfer ribbon best suits your needs. Each product page includes a description and specification table with all the information you need.
For everyday applications, our Standard wax/resin ribbon is often the best choice.
Still unsure which ribbon to choose, or would you like personalized advice? Our customer service team is happy to help by phone, email, or live chat.
