How does wax based carbon ribbon work?

Wax based carbon ribbon plays a crucial role in thermal transfer printers, and its working principle is mainly based on thermal transfer technology. The following is a detailed explanation of the work of wax based carbon ribbon:

1、 Construction of wax based carbon ribbon

Wax based carbon ribbon is mainly composed of two parts: wax based coating and supporting material. Wax based coatings are usually made of heat sensitive wax containing pigments, while the supporting material is usually polyester film. This special structure enables wax based carbon ribbons to effectively transfer images or text onto paper or other media during the heat transfer process.

2、 Working principle

Heating the print head: When the printer starts working, the print head will be heated to a predetermined temperature. This temperature is usually adjusted based on the characteristics of the wax based carbon ribbon and the desired printing effect.

Wax based coating melting: When the heated print head comes into contact with the wax based carbon ribbon, the wax based coating will begin to melt. The melted wax contains pigments, which will be transferred to the printing medium as the wax flows.

Transfer image or text: As the print head moves, melted wax and pigments will be transferred to paper or other media according to the preset image or text pattern. During this process, the wax will quickly cool and solidify, forming a lasting image or text.

The supporting material remains intact: Throughout the entire process, the supporting material (such as polyester film) remains intact and will not transfer to the printing medium along with the wax based coating. This ensures the cleanliness and efficiency of the printing process.

3、 Application and advantages

Wax based carbon ribbon is widely used in commercial and industrial environments due to its economy and high-quality printing performance. It is particularly suitable for printing price labels, product name labels, clothing tags, and packaging labels. The main advantages of wax based carbon ribbon include:

Low cost: The price of wax based carbon ribbon is relatively low, making printing costs more economical.

High quality printing effect: Wax based carbon ribbon can provide clear and durable printing effect, meeting most commercial and industrial needs.

Wide applicability: Wax based carbon ribbon is suitable for various papers and media, providing a wide range of printing options.

However, wax based carbon ribbons also have their limitations. For example, it is not very resistant to scratches and chemicals, making it less suitable for applications that require high durability or chemical resistance. In these cases, it may be necessary to consider using more durable types of carbon ribbons, such as hybrid based carbon ribbons or all resin based carbon ribbons.

In summary, wax based carbon ribbons transfer images or text onto paper or other media through thermal transfer technology, which has the advantages of low cost, high-quality printing effect, and wide applicability. However, when choosing carbon ribbons, a balance needs to be made based on specific application requirements and budget.