Thermal Transfer Ribbons
There are three types of ribbon material to select:
- Wax
- Wax/Resin
- Resin
Wax Ribbons
Wax ribbons work best for most applications. Ideal for use:
- With paper materials
- Where fast print speeds are required (Up to 12 ips)
- In environments with little to no exposure to chemicals and/or abrasion
| Ribbon Formulation | Printer Type | Key Features |
| 1600 Economy | Industrial and Desktop | Provides good print performance at the best price. Works best for most general-purpose, short-term labeling applications. |
| 6000 Standard | Industrial and Desktop | Offers excellent print quality at high speeds and superior abrasion resistance when compared with conventional wax ribbons. |
| 2000 High-Performance | Industrial and Desktop | Produces high-quality rotated barcodes at high print speeds. |
Wax/Resin Ribbons
Provides Good Abrasion and Chemical Resistance. Ideal for Use:
- With top-coated paper and matte synthetic materials
- In environments with moderate to harsh exposure to chemicals and/or abrasion
| Ribbon Formulation | Printer Type | Key Features |
| 6100 Standard | Industrial and Desktop | A cost-effective ribbon that can be used on a wide range of materials, reducing the need to stock multiple ribbons. |
| 3200 High-Performance | Industrial and Desktop | Offers very good resistance to scratches and smears, everyday chemicals and higher temperatures when compared with conventional wax/resin ribbons. |
Resin Ribbons
Unmatched print quality and durability. Ideal for use:
-
- With all synthetic materials and some topcoated labels and tags
- In environments with harsh to extreme exposure to chemicals
- When applications require strong resistance against ultra high temperatures and harsh outdoor environments
| Ribbon Formulation | Printer Type | Key Features |
| 6200 Standard | Industrial and Desktop | Exhibits high print quality when printing dense barcodes and high-resolution graphics, while performing exceptionally well in environments prone to harsh chemicals and excess abrasion. |
| 5095 High-Performance | Industrial and Desktop (includes cartridge) | Provides excellent chemical and temperature resistance, and features superb print quality, particularly when small fonts, graphics and rotated barcodes are desired. |
| 5100 Premium | Industrial and Desktop | Offers excellent print quality and durability in ultra high temperatures and harsh outdoor environments. |
| Image Lock | Industrial and Desktop (includes cartridge) | Formulated to provide superior image durability without the use of a laminate. Excellent for extreme environments. Compatible with Zebra’s Z-Extreme 5000T and 8000T Image Lock materials. |
