I posted on this topic last year, but it is one of the most important factors that influence the operation of your printer – Labels and ribbons. No different than the quality of the non-OEM ink cartridge you might install in an inkjet printer or the quality of the toner cartridge installed in a laser jet printer, Label printers will be affected by the quality of the ribbons and labels you use.
Ribbons have a polymer backing, which the coating, a wax and resin compound, are applied to. While the wax/resin compound is transferred to the label during the printing process, the polymer backing serves as both a transfer medium and a protective barrier from debris that can etch and scratch the printhead’s elements. Low quality ribbons, in many instances, have a polymer backing that actually breaks down during the printing process and collects on the printheads thermal elements, which in turn overheat and fail. Other times, the material may collect on the printhead preventing the transfer of heat causing print voids. The printer operator turns up the darkness to overcome these print voids to the point when the printhead elements fail. This material build up is not easy to clean off even with the cleaning pads and cleaning solution label, ribbon and printer manufacturers have to offer. It becomes a cycle of buildup and premature printhead failure.
Label quality is just as important. Poorly manufactured labels create excessive dust and adhesive buildup inside the print mechanism of the printer. Increased calibration issues and label jams occur more often and the increase amount of debris dragging across the printhead does not help either.
Lastly, it is most important the labels and ribbons in use are compatible with each other. It does not matter the ribbon and label quality in use if the ribbon does not transfer properly to the media in use. Printer operators will start adjusting the printer’s settings to achieve some kind of acceptable print quality (which will never happen). These over-adjustments will just damage the printer in one fashion or another.
Thunderbird Technical Services works with several suppliers and manufacturers to help them and their customers choose the right combination of labels and ribbons for their equipment. Thunderbird Technical Services also supplies ribbons and labels to its own customer.
Choose Thunderbird for your label printer needs!
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