What are the differences in resin composition of different brands of full resin carbon ribbons?

There are indeed differences in resin composition among different brands of all resin carbon ribbons, mainly due to their technical formulas, application scenario positioning, and cost control strategies. The following provides a detailed comparison from four dimensions: ingredient type, formulation strategy, performance orientation, and market strategy:

1、 Diversity of component types

Zebra

Main components: thermoplastic resins such as polyester and polycarbonate, emphasizing thermal stability and adhesion.

Application scenarios: Suitable for chemical product packaging, electrical labels, and other scenarios that require resistance to solvents and high temperatures.

Typical model: ZEBRA 4101BK improves scratch resistance and low-temperature printing clarity by adjusting the resin ratio, while protecting the print head.

Evolis

Patent formula:

Peel layer: Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA) combined with saturated fatty acid salts.

Base film layer: a mixture of various polymers such as polyamide, polypropylene, polycarbonate, etc., reflecting the complexity of the composition.

Special additives: conductive particles, expanded microspheres, etc., optimize electrostatic protection and print head protection.

Fargo

Basic components: thermoplastic resins such as polyester and polycarbonate, but the specific ratio has not been disclosed.

Performance focus: high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, suitable for industrial labeling, but with less disclosure of technical details.

2、 Differences in formula strategies

Functional Additives

Evolis： Adding special additives such as conductive particles and expanded microspheres to the resin substrate to improve printing accuracy and durability.

Zebra/Fargo： More dependent on the performance of the base resin, the use of additives is relatively conservative.

Structural layer design

Evolis： The patent defines a multi-layer structure (such as ink layer 15-17 μ m, peeling layer 16-18 μ m, fluorescent powder layer, etc.), suitable for high-end card printing.

Zebra/Fargo： Emphasis is placed on describing application scenarios, with less disclosure of structural details.

3、 Performance and application orientation

Zebra

Solvent resistant/high-temperature: Suitable for chemical packaging and electrical labels, some models support low-temperature printing.

Typical applications: Chemical product packaging, electrical heating component labeling.

Evolis

Advantages of multi-layer structure: The design of fluorescent powder layer, protective layer, etc. improves printing accuracy and durability.

Target market: High end card and PVC card printing, emphasizing image clarity and wear resistance.

Fargo

Universal solution: Provides basic weather resistance, suitable for industrial labeling, but formula details are kept confidential.

4、 Market strategy impact

Cost control

Some brands may replace high-performance resins with lower cost polyester to balance price and performance.

Technical confidentiality

Brands such as Fargo have not disclosed detailed formulas due to commercial protection; Evolis strengthens its market competitiveness by disclosing some technical details through patents.

Summary and selection suggestions

Selection suggestion:

Extreme environments (such as chemical corrosion, high temperatures): Priority should be given to high weather resistant models from Zebra or Fargo.

High precision card printing: Consider Evolis' multi-layer structured carbon ribbon.

Cost control: General industrial labels can use either Fargo or economical Zebra carbon tape.

The final selection needs to be comprehensively judged based on the printing medium, the severity of the environment, and the budget.