Printer Setup
Ribbon
Ribbon
Ribbon is a thin film that is coated on one side with wax or wax resin, which is transferred to the media during the thermal transfer process. The media determines whether you need to use ribbon and how wide the ribbon must be.
When to Use Ribbon
Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not. To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scratch test.
To perform a label scratch test, complete these steps:
1.Scratch the print surface of the media with your fingernail.
2.Did a black mark appear on the media?
If a black mark... | Then... |
Does not appear on the media | The media is thermal transfer. A ribbon is |
| required with this type of media. |
Appears on the media | The media is direct thermal. No ribbon is required |
| for this type of media, though ribbon may be used |
| to help protect the printhead from abrasion with the |
| media. |
Ribbon Width
When ribbon is used, it must be as wide as or wider than the media being used. If the ribbon is narrower than the media, areas of the printhead are unprotected and subject to premature wear.
Coated Side of Ribbon
Ribbon can be wound with the coated side on the inside or outside (see Figure 13), which affects how the ribbon will be loaded in the printer. If you are unsure which side of a particular roll of ribbon is coated, perform an adhesive test or a ribbon scratch test to determine which side is coated.
Figure 13 • Ribbon Coated on Outside or Inside
Outside | Inside |
13163L Rev. 3 5/20/2004 | Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide | 17 |
