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Thermal Transfer Ribbon

How to Choose the Right Type of Thermal Transfer Ribbon


If you're planning to print labels with a thermal transfer printer, you're going to need thermal transfer ribbons in addition to thermal transfer labels. Here's everything you need to know about selecting the right thermal transfer ribbon for your printer and project.


Ribbon Type / Wind Direction



You may notice when shopping for printer ribbons that there are two categories: coated side out (CSO) and coated side in (CSI). This refers to where the ink coating is placed on the ribbons. It affects how they're wound and fed through the printer – most printers can only take one style or the other.


Coated Side Out (CSO) Ribbons

Coated side out ribbons are printing ribbons that have the ink coating facing outside. Zebra® thermal transfer printers typically use this type of ribbon. You'll notice that the ink is on the outside of the ribbon roll and that it unrolls from the bottom before making contact with the print-head and label.

To correctly insert this ribbon type into your printer, unroll it from the bottom and feed it underneath.


Coated Side In (CSI) Ribbons

Coated side in ribbons are printing ribbons that have the ink facing inside. Datamax® and Sato® thermal transfer printers most commonly use CSI ribbons. You'll notice that the ink is on the inside of the ribbon roll and that it unrolls from the top before making contact with the print-head and label.

To correctly insert this ribbon type into your printer, unroll it from the top and feed it over.


Ribbon Size

There are a couple of criteria to consider when selecting a thermal transfer ribbon size. They are:


Label width

Pick the ribbon width closest to that of your most commonly used label. For example, if you're printing a 2.5 inch wide label, you should purchase a 3.27 inch ribbon as opposed to a 4.33 inch one. Any unused ink on the thermal transfer ribbon will go to waste otherwise. You should also be conscious to buy a width that fits in your printer.


Ribbon length

Typically, ribbons with a shorter length are intended for desktop thermal transfer printers while the longer lengths are intended for industrial ones. Our ribbons range from 243 feet to 1,476 feet.


Core size

Smaller printers don't have as much space to accommodate larger ribbon cores. While a 1 inch core is standard, smaller printers use a 0.5 inch core.

Is your label size the best fit for your project? Our selection of thermal transfer roll labels includes more than 75 unique label sizes for both 1 inch and 3 inch core sizes.


Ribbon Material

Once you've identified compatible ribbon choices and selected a size, it's time to select the ribbon material best suited for your application. What you use the labels for will determine the strength and durability you need from your thermal transfer ribbon. Finding the right printing ribbon can be an important step in ensuring your labels are scannable, readable, and reliable.

There are three main categories: resin-enhanced wax (aka full wax), durable wax-resin (aka wax-resin), and full resin (not currently available at OnlineLabels.com).


Resin-Enhanced Wax Ribbons (aka Full Wax)

Resin-enhanced wax ribbons are the most economic choice of thermal ribbons. They are ideal for basic, general uses such as shipping and retail labels. Their full wax composition requires a lower melting temperature resulting in a lighter print. It's less durable but also less expensive.


Key Facts

  • Most common type of thermal transfer ribbon
  • Recommended for coated and uncoated paper stock
  • Softer image durability
  • Inexpensive
  • Good for shipping, shelf, bin, retail, and warehouse labels
  • Ideal for short-term/temporary use
  • Can hold up to indoor use


Durable Wax-Resin Ribbons (aka Wax-Resin)


Wax-resin thermal transfer ribbons are more durable than the full wax of resin-enhanced ribbons. They provide excellent resistance to scratching, abrasion, and contact with moisture and create sharp and clear images on a wide range of material types.


These ribbons are the perfect choice for printing labels that will be exposed to extreme conditions such as industrial refrigerators and freezers, as well as for applications that involve heavy or frequent handling.


Key Facts

  • Ideal for both standard and weatherproof thermal transfer labels
  • Harder printed area than full wax; more resistant to occasional heavy handling, moisture, and temperature changes
  • Intermediate price bracket
  • Good for barcode, shipping, prescription pharmaceutical, and shelf labels
  • Ideal for medium-term/standard use
  • Can withstand indoor use, moisture, handling, scratching, abrasion, sunlight, and moderate temperature changes


Ribbon Quantity

When you're printing large quantities or are on a tight timeline, we'd hate for you to run out of ribbon in the middle of your project. Use our thermal ribbon calculator to determine how many ribbons your project will require. Select the label product number, label material, the number of label rolls you have, and your ribbon product number, then let the calculator do the rest.


Ribbon/Printer Compatibility

Below, you can view a list of which printer brands and models are compatible with our selection of thermal transfer ribbons. Jump to: Zebra, Datamax, or Sato.


CSI Thermal Ribbons for Datamax® Printers

Printer ModelTR2624TR2625TR2626TR2631
Datamax® E-4204B
Datamax® E-4205A
Datamax® E-4206L
Datamax® E-4206P
Datamax® E-4304B
Datamax® E-4305A
Datamax® E-4305L
Datamax® H-4212
Datamax® H-4212X
Datamax® H-4310
Datamax® H-4310X
Datamax® H-4408
Datamax® H-4606
Datamax® H-4606X
Datamax® H-6210
Datamax® H-6212X
Datamax® H-6308
Datamax® H-6310X
Datamax® H-8308X
Datamax® I-4212e
Datamax® I-4310
Datamax® I-4606
Datamax® M-4206
Datamax® M-4210
Datamax® M-4308
Datamax® p1115
Datamax® p1115s
Datamax® p1125
Datamax® p1725

CSI Thermal Ribbons for Sato® Printers

Printer ModelTR2628TR2630
Sato® CL408e
Sato® CL412e
Sato® CL608e
Sato® CL612e
Sato® GL408e
Sato® GL412e
Sato® GT408e
Sato® GT412e
Sato® GT424e
Sato® LM408e
Sato® LM412e
Sato® M84Pro
Sato® X-2000V
Sato® X-2300ZE

Model: R2181
One year when stored at 23±2°C at 50±5% RH.STATEMENT F OF L PRACTICAL USEAs with all pressure sensitive materials, this product should be tested thoroughly under end-use conditions to ensure it meets the requirements of the specific application...
HK$80.00
Model: R2182
One year when stored at 23±2°C at 50±5% RH.STATEMENT F OF L PRACTICAL USEAs with all pressure sensitive materials, this product should be tested thoroughly under end-use conditions to ensure it meets the requirements of the specific application...
HK$50.00
Model: 3126
SEMIGLOSS PAPER/APProduct LinePrime PaperAdhesive FunctionalityPermanentApplication TypeFood, Home Personal Care, Industrial, Inventory Tracking, Other, Pharmaceutical, Price Marking, Product Identification, Promotional, Shelf MarkingEnvironment/Special ConditionsAmbient, Climate Controlled, Food In..
HK$100.00
Model: 3160
SEMIGLOSS PAPER/APProduct LineSelect solutionAdhesive FunctionalityPermanentApplication TypePiggybackEnvironment/Special ConditionsAmbient, Food Indirect, Low Surface EnergyPrint MethodFlexo - UV, Flexo - Water Based, Letter press - UV, Offset - Roll UV InkSubstrateFlat, Rigid, SmoothLinerPaper-Glas..
HK$100.00
Model: CP201
CP201 is the competitive wax-resin ribbon of the Cherson range. its advantage is outstanding durability, image withstand abrasion and occasional contact with common chemicals. Good performance outdoors with UV stability and scratch and smudge resistance, used for various labels. * COMPETITIVENE..
HK$100.00
Model: CR705G01
CR705G01 is a resin specially formulated to print on receiving textile materials with a very good printing definition with GREEN color and resistance to all washing and ironing process.  * EXCELLENT PRINTING QUALITY ON TEXTILE MATERIALS* EXCELLENT RESSTANCE TO WASHING AND DRY CLE..
HK$100.00
Model: CR801R01red
CR801R01 is a resin specially formulated to print on receiving textile materials with a very good printing definition with RED color on BLACK care labels and resistance to all washing and ironing process.  * EXCELLENT PRINTING QUALITY ON TEXTILE MATERIALS* EXCELLENT RESSTANCE TO ..
HK$100.00
Model: CW101
CW101 is is the most competitive wax thermal ribbon of the Cherson range. The very high sensitivity of the ink allows printing with low levels of energy with less stress on the printhead. It is therefore the ideal solution for applications particularly sensitive to the quality/price ratio. * CO..
HK$100.00
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