Data reference

Reference · Nº 04

Thermal-transfer ribbon selection by facestock

Match the ribbon to the facestock: wax for paper, wax-resin for coated synthetic, full-resin for polyester and hard synthetic surfaces. Using a wax ribbon on a resin-requiring material is a classic cause of an image that rubs off. Synthetic films need a matched thermal-transfer ribbon — direct thermal (no ribbon) will not last on them.

Ribbon	Matched facestock	Durability
Wax	Paper	Economical, short-term
Wax-resin	Coated synthetic	Mid — resists smudge & moisture
Full-resin	Polyester (PET) & hard synthetics	Highest — UV, heat, chemical & abrasion resistant

Wax

Matched facestock: Paper
Durability: Economical, short-term

Wax-resin

Matched facestock: Coated synthetic
Durability: Mid — resists smudge & moisture

Full-resin

Matched facestock: Polyester (PET) & hard synthetics
Durability: Highest — UV, heat, chemical & abrasion resistant

General ribbon-to-facestock matching. The right ribbon also depends on your printhead and durability target — confirm with your printer and material supplier.

How to read it

→Synthetic films — PP synthetic, PET — require thermal-transfer with a matched ribbon; direct-thermal printing will not produce a lasting image on the non-absorbent surface.
→For durable variable print (dates, lot codes, UDI) on synthetic film, specify a full-resin ribbon so the image survives handling and sterilisation.
→Direct thermal needs no ribbon and suits short-cycle work, but the image fades under heat, UV and time — wrong for multi-year or outdoor labels.

Common questions

Which thermal ribbon should I use?

Wax for paper labels, wax-resin for coated synthetic, and full-resin for PET and hard synthetic surfaces. Matching the ribbon to the facestock is what stops the printed image from rubbing off.

Can I print synthetic film on a direct-thermal printer?

No — synthetic films need thermal-transfer with a matched ribbon (usually full-resin). Direct thermal will not produce a lasting image on a non-absorbent surface.

Your case is specific?

Tell us your surface, temperature and environment and we’ll match the exact material and adhesive — and ship a free sample.

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