Thermal transfer ribbons are typically made with pigment-based colorants that are mixed within a coating applied to one side of the polyester based ribbon. Thermal transfer ink coatings usually contain one or more fusible substances (i.e. waxes and/or fusible synthetic materials), a coloring substance, color pigments, and varying additives. Carbon black is the most desirable pigment in black ribbons. Carbon black is a very light-stable pigment. images produced with carbon-black based colorant will not fade readily when exposed to either indoor or outdoor UV light.

With the advent of coloured ribbon use, more and more thermal transfer printed bar codes are being printed in color. This can potentially cause a problem due to the contrast ratio requirement of bar code scanners.

Types of Ribbons
There are three types of thermal transfer ribbons. Each type of ribbon has a range of grades providing different levels of suitability with substrates. These materials contribute to the melting point of ribbons that affect the amount of energy necessary to print. Confer with a Cognitive representative to determine the specific suitability of each particular ribbon available to you. It is crucial that the ribbon used is compatible with the properties, both chemical and physical, of the substrate surface. The following lists general guidelines about ribbon suitability and performance:

Wax Ribbons
Wax ribbons typically contain a high percentage of wax-based materials in the colorant substance. Since waxes generally have lower melting points than resins, printing with wax ribbons typically requires less energy than printing with wax/resin or resin ribbons. Since most waxes used tend to be softer than resins used, image durability is typically less with wax ribbons than wax/resign or resin ribbons. Most wax ribbons are made with only one colorant layer.

Wax ribbons are appropriate for general-purpose applications with uncoated substrates, matte coated substrates, and low-end films like polyethylene and polypropylene films. These ribbons are acceptable for applications where little physical contact with the printed image is likely to occur or where image life is short term (i.e. when durability isn't an issue). Generally wax ribbons have a print speed range of 8 to 12 inches per second. They are best considered for use in general purpose labeling, shipping labels, address labels, warehouse applications including shelf and bin labels, retail tag and label applications, compliance labeling, and textile/apparel applications. Wax ribbons are the least expensive of thermal transfer ribbons. The absorption capability of the substrate surface is a prerequisite for good ink anchorage with wax-based ribbons.

Wax/Resin Ribbons
Wax/resin combination ribbons usually have a higher percentage of resin materials. Resin content contributes to a higher melting point of the ribbons. Printing with these ribbons requires more energy than printing with wax ribbons. Since resins are harder than waxes, image durability and chemical resistance for wax/resin ribbons better than that of wax ribbons. Wax/resin ribbons are usually made up of two or more layers. These ribbons are most suitable with matte coated and gloss coated paper and synthetic including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester films. Wax/resin images will perform satisfactorily where moderate scratch, abrasion resistance, or mild chemical durability is required. Wax/resin combination ribbons have a print speed range of 8 to 12 inches per second. They should be considered for use in all of the applications in which wax ribbons are used as well as outdoor applications such as lumber and nursery tags. Wax/resin combination ribbons are midrange price ribbons.

Resin Ribbons
Resin ribbons contain the highest percentage of resin materials. Most resin ribbons are made of two or more layers. Printing with resin ribbons requires more energy than printing with other ribbons. Most resin ribbons work best within a maximum print speed of 6 inches per second. Since resins are harder than waxes, resin images have excellent abrasion, scuffing, heat, and chemical resistance. They provide the best performance in harsh environmental conditions. They are best suited for use with gloss-coated materials. Resin ribbons are best for retail applications, textile/apparel uses, tags and labels used outdoors (i.e. lumber and nursery applications), chemical exposure uses (i.e. drum labels), medical and pharmaceutical labeling, as well as industrial and automotive applications. Resin ribbons are the most expensive of thermal transfer ribbons.

Thermal transfer ribbons perform differently with true edge, corner edge, near edge and flat-type print heads due to different peel-off times. This can impact printing performance. Furthermore, different ribbons may perform at different print speeds. This can be a critical issue, particularly in high demand environments.