Thermal ribbons in use today have the property of forming an image when heat is applied. During printing, heat is applied by a thermal print head to a thermal transfer ribbon that has a receiver media (usually paper) under the inked side of the ribbon. The heat supplied by the print head reduces the viscosity of the ink, and allows it to transfer to the receiving medium, where it cools and becomes permanently attached.
The most common type of thermal transfer ribbon is use today is composed of three layers, the base material, the heat melting ink, and coatings on the print head side of the base material.
For the printer cross reference guide and the standard ribbon price list contact our estimating department.