PRINTRONIX


Printronix Media Selection Guide  

The proper selection of thermal ribbons and media
The demands of your bar code and labeling needs are unique to your applications. Your selection of the Printronix thermal transfer label printers, confirms your commitment and dedication to printing quality, system reliability and operational economy. However, the ultimate success of your bar code and graphic label production and usage goes far beyond selecting the correct printer. The ribbons and label media that you select will play a significant role in the success or failure of your application. We offer the following suggestions for choosing the total solution.

Identify and define the requirements of your application
Every bar code and label application has easily definable requirements that will contribute to its ultimate utility and success. Defining the operational, environmental and physical conditions that a label will encounter during its life is the first step in ensuring success. When your label is installed in its operating environment, it must not only have the highest possible printing quality but must also continue to function as intended for its entire lifetime.

Questions that need to be considered

  • How long must your label last?
  • What is the level of moisture or humidity that your label will experience?
  • What temperatures must be withstood during the application or use of the label?
  • What level of abrasion from handling or scanning is anticipated?
  • Is the label intended for indoor or outdoor use- or both?
  • Is high durability and tear resistance desired?
  • What are the surface characteristics of the product or item to be labeled?
  • Is the label intended to be permanent or removable?
  • Is a tamper-evident material necessary?
  • Is chemical, oil, blood or solvent resistance necessary?

Match the media and ribbon to your needs
Once your specific requirements are identified, you need only to select the thermal ribbon and media combination that will satisfy your needs. Printronix offers a wide selection of genuine Printronix ribbons and media that are designed to produce the highest possible print quality with the thermal transfer label printers for both general use and highly specialized label applications. To assist you in your selection, Printronix media specialists are familiar with the specifications and capabilities of all Printronix products and are always available to recommend the exact products to ensure total success of your applications.

Put your labels to the test
Before implementing the application, thorough testing under operational conditions of the ribbon and media that you have selected, is highly recommended. This precautionary procedure will not only confirm the validity of your ribbon and media selections, but also assist in identifying any unanticipated production, handling, and usage difficulties before they can affect the performance and effectiveness of your application. Testing of label adhesion, durability, and resistance to expected environmental conditions before implementation will ensure effective and economical system implementation.

Continue quality audit
Finally, it is highly advisable for you to establish an ongoing quality audit program. The purpose of the quality audit is to ensure that the quality, consistency, and performance of your label production continues to meet the demands and expectations of your critical applications. Label production should always be treated as a high quality manufacturing process and given the attention needed to prevent change and undesirable variations from affecting the printing operation.

Genuine Printronix ribbons
The best printing solution is achieved when the printer, ribbon, and media are matched to the application requirements. Use of genuine Printronix thermal transfer ribbons will ensure optimum print and bar code quality, consistent imaging performance, and extended life of the printhead.

Ribbon 8300: Wide Spectrum Wax
Provides superior print quality on coated and uncoated paper and tag stocks

Ribbon 8500: Wax Resin Blend
Provides excellent high speed print quality with premium durability performance on a wide range of thermal transfer receptive papers and films

Ribbon 8550: Premium Wax Resin Blend
Combines excellent high-speed print quality with premium durability and performance on flood-coated labels/tags

Ribbon 8600: Specialty Resin
A premium resin formula for excellent image scuff resistance while achieving premium print quality on a wide range of synthetic films and coated papers

Ribbon 8700: Harsh Environment Resin
Provides the highest heat, chemical, and abrasion resistance for use with high-end synthetic facestocks. When used with the proper polyester media, this ribbon meets UL regulatory requirements

Ribbon 8770: Harsh Chemical Resin
Provides excellent heat, chemical and abrasion resistance. Designed for synthetic label/tag stocks and qualified automatic labels; meets GM 6121M Suffix B requirements, listed for UL applications

Printronix Thermal Transfer
Paper

Media Description Typical Application Adhesion
Corru-
gated		 Metal/ Glass Plastic Paper
Label
105 Premium coated paper
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Compliance shipping, general warehouse, address, AIAG, LOGMARS, product ID, hardware parts supply 1 1 1 1
110 Premium coated paper
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Compliance shipping, general warehouse, address, AIAG, LOGMARS, product ID, hardware parts supply 1 1 1 1
120R Premium coated paper
Removable adhesive		 Temporary product ID, pricing, point of sale, shelf marking labels which can be cleanly removed 1 1 1 3
Tag
180T 7.0mil coated paper
tagstock		 Retail hangtag, warehouse bin and pouch inserts, inventory control, work in process, general purpose tag N/A N/A N/A N/A

Printronix Thermal Transfer Paper, continued

Media Temperature Environment Ribbon
Minimum
Application		 Operating
Range		 Indoor Outdoor UV Outdoor moisture Heat Chemical Abrasion T5000 Printers
Label
105 50°F -22°F to +125°F 1 2 5 5 6 5 8300
8550		 8500
8600
110 50°F -22°F to +125°F 1 2 5 5 6 5 8300
8550		 8500
8600
120R 40°F 0°F to +120°F 1 2 5 2 2 5 8300
8550		 8500
8600
Tag
180T N/A to +300°F 1 2 5 2 2 5 8300
8550		 8500
8600

Printronix Thermal Transfer Film

Media Description Typical Application Adhesion
      Corru-gated Metal/ Glass Plastic Paper

Label
510 4.0mil white polyolefin
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Durable satin finish for chemical pails and drums and general outdoor and industrial use 1 1 1 1
520 Smudgeproof white polyolefin
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Outdoor exposures especially chemical drums, etc.- provides a markable smudgeproof topcoat 1 1 1 1

Tag
580T 8.5mil smudgeproof
Poly tagstock		 Outdoor nursery, lumberyard, and industrial environment hangtag and insert tag N/A N/A N/A N/A
Label
700's 2.0mil polyester label stock
White, matte and silver		 UL/CSA compliant nameplate labels
Harsh environment and laboratory labels		 1 1 1 1

Printronix Thermal Transfer Film, continued

Media Temperature Environment Ribbon
  Minimum Application Operating Range Indoor Outdoor UV Outdoor Moisture Heat Chemical Abrasion T5000 Printers

Label
510 25°F -40°F to +175°F 1 1 1 2 1 2 8600
8700
520 25°F -40°F to +175°F 1 1 1 2 1 2 8500
8550 8600

Tag
580T N/A to +125°F 1 1 1 2 1 2 8500
8550 8600
Label
700's 25°F -40°F to +300°F 1 1 1 1 1 1 8300 8500
8550 8600

Printronix Direct Thermal
Paper  

Media Description Typical Application Adhesion
      Corru-gated Metal/ Glass Plastic Paper

Label
205 Economy direct thermal paper
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Short life, deli, grocery, shipping, work in progress 1 1 1 1
210 Premium direct thermal paper
Premium acrylic adhesive		 Compliance shipping, general warehouse, address, AIAG, LOGMARS, product ID 1 1 1 1

Tag
280T 7mil direct thermal paper tagstock Economical ticket and tag stock for general retail and industrial use N/A N/A N/A N/A

Direct Thermal Paper, continued

Media Temperature Environment Ribbon
  Minimum Application Operating Range Indoor Outdoor UV Outdoor Moisture Heat Chemical Abrasion T5000 Printers
Label
205 32°F -22°F to +120°F 1 4 5 6 6 6 Direct thermal
210 32°F -22°F to +120°F 1 4 5 6 6 6 Direct thermal
Tag
280T N/A to +120°F 1 4 5 6 6 6 Direct thermal

Direct Thermal Film

Media Description Typical Application Adhesion
      Corru-gated Metal/ Glass Plastic Paper
Label
410 3.3mil direct thermal film
Permanent acrylic adhesive		 Excellent moisture resistance and tear strength for applications such as baggage tags, etc. 1 1 1 1

Direct Thermal Film, continued

Media Temperature Environment Ribbon
  Minimum Application Operating Range Indoor Outdoor UV Outdoor Moisture Heat Chemical Abrasion T5000 Printers
Film 32°F -22°F to +120°F 1 4 1 6 2 2 Direct thermal

1 = Excellent, recommended
2 = Good for this category
3 = Test
4 = Background darkens
5 = Minimal exposure
6 = Not suitable

Call 800-446-1991 or 513-984-2101 for the RACO Discount Price!

Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.

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