Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thermal Transfer Printing?
For most applications, thermal transfer printing provides the superior solution because the image produced is the highest quality and the most durable. In many cases it provides the only solution. Thermal transfer printing creates an image by fusing pigments to a label surface at high temperatures. Heating elements inside the print head selectively turn on and off in a pattern thereby forming the printed image (alpha-numeric, bar codes, and graphics). Thermal transfer printing uses ribbons coated with various formulations of pigments. These pigments are designed to work specifically with matched label stocks.
What is Direct Thermal Printing?
Direct thermal printing is acceptable for some applications, which do not require a long label life or are not exposed to environmental extremes. Because no ribbon is used, direct thermal printing eliminates ribbon considerations. However, you must choose labels that are specifically designed for direct thermal printing. Direct thermal printing creates an image by causing a chemical reaction on a specially coated paper that, when heated, turns black thus creating the image.
It should be noted that direct thermal printing generally requires slower printing speeds. Print head life is reduced as a result of abrasion caused by direct contact between the print head and the label material. Print head life is also shortened as a result of higher printing temperatures required by direct thermal printing. These elevated temperatures amplify thermal shock to the print head. Ziptape only manufactures Thermal Transfer printable labels due to their superior durability and high quality printing.
How Many Thermal Transfer Ribbons do I need?
You will need the same number of Linear Feet in both Ribbon and Labels.
To determine the number of feet in a roll of the Thermal Labels and how many ribbons are needed to print them.
QUANITITY OF LABELS (DIVIDED BY) THE LABELS PER ROW = # OF ROWS
# OF ROWS (TIMES) THE VERTICLE REPEAT= # OF INCHES
# OF INCHES (DIVIDED BY) 12 = # OF FEET OF MATERIAL.
# OF FEET OF MATERIAL (DIVIDED BY) RIBBON LENGTH = # OF RIBBONS NEEDED.
The VERTICLE REPEAT & LABELS PER ROW information can be found on the PDF drawings available in downloads section of our website.
(EXAMPLE) LABEL INFO: THS 202 (1.00 X 2.25) / 3 ACROSS/100,000 LABELS
• 100,000 (DIVIDED BY) 3 LABELS PER ROW= 33,333.
• 33,333 X 2.50 (VERT.REPEAT) = 83,333 INCHES
• 83,333 (DIVIDED BY) 12 = 6,944 FT
• 6944 (DIVIDED BY) 300FT RIBBON = 23.148
(23 ROLLS of 300Ft RIBBON NEEDED TO PRINT ON 100,000 THS 202 LABELS)
Which wire guages am I most likely to encounter?
Even though 44 different wire diameters are recognized within the AWG standard, they’re not all widely used, and most people are likely to encounter only a small range of them. Below are a few common cable types we use ever day, as well as the AWG sizes that correspond to them:
• Speaker Cable: 14 and 16 AWG
• Coaxial Cable (for cable TV and a few Ethernet applications): 18 and 20 AWG
• Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat 6 cables (for LANs and Ethernet): 24 AWG
• Telephone Cable: 22 – 28 AWG
Note that AWG standards apply to the actual wire, not the insulation. Some insulations are very thick so measuring the actual outer diameter is the best solution to determine the required label size.
What is Pressure Sensitive Adhesive or PSA?
PSA is a visco-elastic material that adheres to a surface with applied pressure.
The adhesion of any PSA will improve after 24 hours bonding time.
What type of sensor does my printer have?
Your printer manufacture specifications should list a Media Sensor type such as;
Transmissive = Die Cut Label Gap Sensor or “See Through” sensor.
Reflective = Black Mark Sensor for black striped liners.
What type of printer sensor works with your THS Labels?
Your thermal transfer printer needs to have a “see-through” sensor. This is also sometimes called a “notch” sensor. Either term is correct. The printer sensor must be in line with the passing liner notch in order to calibrate correctly. Due to the many printer designs, most labels we sell have multiple notches in the liner in order to work in as many printer brands as possible. The reason the liner is usually notched is that due to the assorted liner and film opacities found in various self-laminating label designs, nearly all manufacturers will place a notch or hole through the label liner. This allows the printer sensor to properly calibrate and accurately feed the labels under the print head.
A less common way for a printer to calibrate a self-laminating label is by using a printer with a “black line” sensor in combination with a label that is manufactured with a thin black line appearing on the reverse side of the paper liner. Each black line represents the top of the label on the front side. The thermal transfer printer sensor must have the “black line” feature enabled in order to use these type of labels. Not all thermal transfer printers are equipped with black line sensors so check your printer spec sheets before using “black line” labels.
Are Ziptape THS labels RoHS Compliant?
Please view our statement. RoHS PDF >>
Are Ziptape THS labels UL?
The only base film used in the THS-727 vinyl labels has UL recognition under UL 969 Marking Standards. PGGU2.MH10170. Underwriters Laboratories does not actually have a category for recognizing a label applied in a self-laminated fashion. Technically there in no such thing as a UL recognized self-laminating label if it is used in a wire-wrap application.
I need a material/adhesive with a service temperature higher than your 727 Film?
Ziptape offers two additional materials by quote our
729 Polyester Film offers a service Temp of -40F to +302F (-40C to +150C)
and our 728 Tedlar™ Film offers a service Temp of -40F to +225F (-40C to +106C). Visit our
Custom Quote Page to enter your application requirements and a Ziptape Customer Servicer person will contact you accordingly.
Core Size Options and Wind Options:
Depending on your printer and /or the software used to print the labels you will need to choose the size of the core and the orientation of the labels and they are dispensed off of the roll. Most small desktop printers use a 1” core and larger industrial printers use 3” cores. Also check to see if your printer prefers labels would face side out or face side in. As for the label orientation, most software is set up to dispense the label clear tail first and the print area last. These options can usually be changed easily in the printing software.
Ribbon/Media Combinations for best print.
There are three basic ribbon choices or categories; Wax, resin or wax/resin combination.
Wax ribbons are for paper or labels that have very porous surfaces. Durability is not a strong point of wax ribbons but paper labels are not intended for severe duty either.
Resin ribbons are used to print on synthetic labels and can be extremely durable and scratch resistant. Most synthetic labels have a glossy surface and resin ribbons are the best choice for detailed printing and small barcodes.
Wax/Resin combination ribbons are generally used for materials that are not glossy enough for a resin ribbon but still need more durability than a regular wax ribbon could provide.