Barcode Ribbons      

The Barcode Rack has information on the latest in barcode ribbons. There are many products and services provided to businesses from many providers. Barcode ribbons are a critical component of the barcode printing system. The barcode ribbon applies the image to the thermal transfer label. There are a few key manufacturers of barcode ribbon and many converters, that convert the ribbon to size for use in barcode printers.

Barcode ribbons come in many different materials. Wax, Resin and a combination of Wax/Resin are the most common. Depending on the quality and durability of the image will dictate the type of barcode ribbon to use on a job. The cost of these barcode ribbons very based on this material. Wax barcode ribbon is usually the least expensive and is used in many shipping applications and warehouse application.

There are a lot of barcode ribbon manufacturers. A few in the US and many over seas. Sony, ITW and IIMAK are a few of the manufacuterers that hold a significant share in the market. Quality standards are about the same, but the claims are not always that easy to get a handle on. There are mainly 3 grades of ribbon and all manufacturers will use different variations of these grades.

Barcode ribbon slitters are converting large rolls of barcode ribbon to size for many different printers. These slitters will buy master rolls from manufacturers and slit the rolls down and flood the market from time to time with low cost ribbon for the most popular printers. Some of the most popular barcode ribbons are for the Zebra printers. The 4.33 inch wide ribbon being the most popular of all of the Zebra barcode ribbon. Thermal transfer barcode ribbon prices took a hit from these slitters, but in resent years, the prices have leveled out.

There are different ribbons for different printers. Most Zebra printers require a Coated Side Out (CSO) barcode ribbon. Sato Printers as well as Datamax use a Coated Side In (CSI) barcode ribbon. Matching the right ribbon to the right printer is critical. This is where a Value Added Reseller (VAR) can come in to help. The VAR can match different barcode ribbon brands with the correct barcode printers and help save the user money over the printer branded barcode ribbon. The main thing to remember is when you do change the barcode ribbon in the printer, always clean the print head on the printer. This will prolong the life of the print head. Some barcode ribbon manufacturers provide the print head cleaner with the ribbon.