Especially for your thermal transfer printer, the barcode ribbon is an important element. This is especially important if your company is printing a variety of labels for your project, from shipping labels to jar labels. For those who use their thermal transfer printers, here is a quick guide to the barcode ribbon that is used to print a wide variety of labels daily and to get the most out of it. Different types of ribbons: Wax, wax/resin, and resin are three different types of ribbons. The three barcode printing materials you choose will depend on the material you are using. Here is a list of some common labels and the appropriate ribbons for them. Indoor Asset Labels: Depending on the type of environment you are using your indoor asset labels (Office Storage Area vs. Indoor Warehouse), you may choose to use paper or polypropylene label media. In that case, your labels should be made of wax (for paper) or wax/resin ribbon (for polypropylene). Outdoor asset labels: Outdoor asset labels require a strong, durable medium that is water or humidity resistant, semi-permanent or permanent, and chemically resistant. A polyester medium with a resin ribbon will ensure that your labels last longer in harsh environments. Product labels: Most product labels found on canned goods, bottles, plastic, and paper or cardboard packaging are printed on a simple, low-cost paper medium. To keep costs down, print on these types of labels with a wax ribbon. Product or Inventory Tags: Unlike labels, tags do not have a sticky base so they can be applied to a product or shelf. Instead, they are attached to a product, such as a clothing tag. They can be easily removed depending on how safe they are. Tags (such as clothing tags) that are removed after a sale are usually printed on a paper label, so stick to the wax ribbon. Inventory tags are printed on more durable materials such as polypropylene and should be attached with wax/resin ribbon. Carefully labeling the barcode ribbon or posting a chart of which ribbon to use for each print job can help ensure that your employees are printing from the appropriate ribbon stock.
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