Thermal transfer printing ribbon technology

Simply put, thermal transfer printing is the transfer of ink from ribbon media to paper or film using heat and pressure. When the label passes through the printer's print head and mandrel, the ink is transferred to the label.

Thermal transfer ribbon composition

A thermal transfer ribbon is a polyester or other high density film coated with a wax-based, resin-based, or mixed ink on one side. Lubricant is applied to the side without ink to prevent the print head from being worn or damaged. The pull handle and the leading guide are in front of the ribbon, and the trailing guide is in the end of one roll (there is no back guide).

LeadTape: The front lead is generally transparent or other colors. He has the following functions:

Easy to use: Convenient for ribbon feeding to the printer.

Product identification: Product names, company names and trademarks can be printed on the market for promotion and promotion.

Protective effect: used to protect the ribbon.

Imaging Components The original tape is generally composed of five layers, a top coat, an ink layer, an inner coat, a tape base, and a back coat.

The ink layer is the most important, used to print and determine the characteristics of the ribbon, such as chemical resistance and anti-friction.

The inner coating is mainly used to smooth the printed surface and to make the release of ink from the tape base uniform. The tape base is the carrier of the other layers and determines the thermal conduction properties.

The top coat is mainly used to improve the adhesion of the ink on the label and enhance the resistance of the environment.

The back coating is simply a special coating applied to the back of the ribbon. Its main function is to reduce print head wear; reduce static electricity generation and enhance heat conduction.

The Trailer Tape is generally used as a warning function, so that the printer senses the end of the ribbon, and the printer determines the different rear leads. There are three main types:

(1) Aluminizing (silver): mainly for reflective sensors, reflected light indicates the end of the ribbon.

(2) Transparent: Used for transmissive sensors, allowing light to pass through to indicate that the ribbon is used up.

(3) It is used for mechanical sensing. The change of sensor tension indicates that the ribbon is used up. Core The ribbon core is commonly available in paper and plastic. The main requirement is that it cannot be deformed and cannot slide during printing.