Ribbon Overview; When To Use Ribbon; Coated Side Of Ribbon - Brady BBP81 User Manual

28 Printer Setup

Ribbon Overview

Ribbon Overview

Ribbon is a thin film that is coated on one side with wax, resin, 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 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.

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 media scratch test, complete these steps:
1.
2.

Coated Side of Ribbon

Ribbon is wound with the coated side on the outside. The ribbon used must match the Thermal
Transfer option installed. The standard Thermal Transfer option (black ribbon spindle) uses
ribbon coated on the outside. 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.
Adhesive Test
If you have labels available, perform the adhesive test to determine which side of a ribbon is
coated. This method works well for ribbon that is already installed.
To perform an adhesive test, complete these steps:
1.
2.
3.
Y882746
Scratch the print surface of the media rapidly with your fingernail.
Did a black mark appear on the media?
If a black mark...
Does not appear on the media
Appears on the media
Peel a label from its liner.
Press a corner of the sticky side of the label to the outer surface of the roll of ribbon.
Peel the label off of the ribbon.
Then the media is...
Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required.
Direct thermal. No ribbon is required.
BBP81 User Manual 5/13/08