What should be noted when using mixed carbon ribbon?

When using mixed carbon ribbon, the following key points should be noted to ensure printing quality and equipment lifespan:

1. Storage conditions

Temperature and humidity control: Store in a dry and cool place (recommended temperature 15-25 ℃, humidity 40% -60%) to avoid high temperature and high humidity causing carbon ribbon adhesion or performance degradation.

Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight may accelerate resin aging and affect printing results.

Flat placement: The carbon ribbon roll should be placed horizontally to prevent deformation or loosening.

2. Printing parameter settings

Temperature and pressure: Mixed carbon ribbon requires a higher printing temperature than wax based ribbon (usually 10-20 ℃ higher), but lower than pure resin based ribbon. Parameters need to be adjusted according to the printer model and label material to avoid poor adhesion caused by insufficient temperature or damage to the print head caused by excessive temperature.

Printing speed: If the speed is too fast, it may cause the carbon ribbon to break or the printing to be unclear. It is recommended to start testing at low speed and gradually optimize.

Density adjustment: Adjust the printing density (Darkness) according to the label material, and reduce the density of dark labels to prevent carbon ribbon breakage.

3. Environmental adaptability

Chemical contact: Short term exposure to mild chemicals (such as alcohol) is usually safe, but strong solvents (acetone, toluene) or long-term chemical corrosive environments should be avoided. If strong chemical resistance is required, it is recommended to test or use pure resin based carbon tape instead.

Extreme temperature: Low temperature may cause carbon ribbon to become brittle, while high temperature may lead to adhesion. Place the carbon ribbon and label in a room temperature environment to balance before printing.

4. Print head maintenance

Regular cleaning: Resin residue may clog the print head. It is recommended to clean it daily with an alcohol cloth to avoid scratching with hard tools.

Preventing static electricity: Carbon strips are prone to static electricity in dry environments, so it is advisable to increase the humidity or use anti-static equipment appropriately.

5. Label material matching

Material selection: Mixed based carbon tape is suitable for most synthetic materials (PET, polypropylene) and partially coated paper, but adhesion testing is required. Rough or low surface energy materials (such as matte film) may affect the printing effect.

Label thickness: For labels that are too thin or too thick, adjust the printing pressure to avoid carbon tape breakage or print head wear.

6. Shelf life and batch management

First in, first out: The performance of carbon ribbon may decrease with storage time. It is recommended to use it in order of production date to avoid expiration (usually with a shelf life of 1-2 years).

Batch testing: There may be performance differences between different batches of carbon ribbons. It is recommended to print them before changing batches.

7. Other precautions

Avoid frequent start stop: Frequent start stop of the printer may cause the ribbon to loosen or break. It is recommended to keep the device running stably during continuous printing.

Edge protection: The edge of the carbon ribbon should be flat to prevent scratching the label or print head during printing.

Recycling and disposal: Waste carbon ribbons must be disposed of in accordance with environmental protection requirements (some containing resin components cannot be discarded at will).

Summarize

Mixed carbon ribbon exhibits balanced performance in most industrial scenarios, but attention should be paid to environmental adaptability, parameter tuning, and equipment maintenance. If encountering special chemical exposure or extreme conditions, it is recommended to test or upgrade the carbon ribbon type in advance. Regularly checking and optimizing print settings can significantly improve usage effectiveness and device lifespan.