Direct Thermal Label Factory – Thermal Transfer Ribbon – TTR – Itech

Wax Ribbons

Transfer Wax Ribbons excellent when matched with paper based materials while achieving high readability.

Ideal for use:
● With paper substrates
● Where fast print speeds are required (up to 12 inches per second)
● In applications with minimal exposure to chemicals and/or abrasion

Wax/Resin Ribbons

Transfer Wax/Resin Ribbons offer a high level of substrate versatility while ensuring durable printing from the production line till customer purchase.

Ideal for use:
● With top-coated and matte synthetic substrates
● In applications with moderate exposure to chemicals and/or abrasion

Resin Ribbons

Transfer Resin Ribbons are intended for use in the most demanding applications that require uncompromising durability, no matter the environment.

Ideal for use:
● With all synthetic materials
● In applications with high exposure to solvents and/or abrasion, including ultra-high/low
● temperatures, extreme UV and other harsh conditions.

Below are some of the common problems and possible reasons for why they occur.

The printed image is patchy or faint
The printers heat and speed settings may need to be adjusted.
There may be dust on the label.
The label substrate may not be compatible with the ribbon grade.
The printhead may be dirty.

The ribbon is wrinkling
The printhead may be misaligned.
The printers heat setting may be too high.
The ribbon unwind tension on the printer may be too low.
The ribbon may be too wide for the label being used.

The ribbon snaps during printing
The printhead may be dirty causing heat build-up.
The heat setting on the printer may be too high.
The printhead pressure may be too high.
The ribbon may be incorrectly loaded on the printer.
The ribbon rewind tension may be too high on the printer.
The backcoating may be faulty on the ribbon.

The printer will not detect the ribbon
The ribbon sensor on the printer may be in the wrong setting.
The ribbon may be incorrectly loaded in the printer.

Excessive Sticking between ribbon and label
The heat setting on the printer may be too high.
The printhead pressure may be too high.
The angle at which the label exits the printer is too steep.

The printer will not stop at the end of a ribbon
The ribbon sensor may be dirty or obstructed.
The ribbon sensor may be out of position.
The ribbon trailer may be incorrect for the specific printer.

The printed image is scratching off
Make sure the correct grade of ribbon is being used.
Check compatibility between ribbon and label.

Premature printhead failure
Ribbon width is smaller than label width.
The heat setting on the printer may be too high.
The printhead pressure may be too high.
The label surface is uneven (e.g. Containing a hologram)
Insufficient printhead cleaning.