What are the differences between
wax, wax/resin, and resin ribbons?
Wax ribbons typically contain a high percentage of wax-based materials. These
materials contribute to the melting point of the ribbon, which affects the
amount of energy necessary to print. Since the waxes we use, in general, have
lower melting points than the resins used, printing with wax ribbons typically
requires less energy than printing with wax/resin or resin ribbons. Since most
waxes used tend to be softer than the resins used, image durability for wax
ribbons is typically less than that of wax/resin and resin ribbons. Most wax
ribbons are made up of only one layer.
Wax/resin ribbons typically contain higher percentages of resinous materials.
These materials contribute to a higher melting point of the ribbons. Printing
with these ribbons typically requires more energy than printing with wax
ribbons. Since most resins used tend to be harder than the waxes used, image
durability (and some chemical resistance) for wax/resin ribbons is typically
greater than that of wax ribbons. Most wax/resin ribbons are made up of two or
more layers.
Resin ribbons typically contain the highest percentages of resinous
materials. Printing with these ribbons typically requires more energy than
printing with either wax or wax/resin ribbons. Since most resins used tend to be
harder than the waxes used, the higher levels of these resins contribute to the
excellent durability and chemical resistance for resin ribbons. Most resin
ribbons are made up of two or more layers.
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What are the basic classifications for thermal
transfer ribbons?
General Purpose - These are typically wax based ribbons that print well on a
variety of coated and some uncoated paper receivers, as well as some synthetics.
Image durability for these ribbons is acceptable for applications where little
physical contact with the printed image is likely to occur or where image life
is short term (e.g., shipping labels). These ribbons are usually the least
expensive.
Premium - These are typically wax/resin ribbons that print well on a variety
of coated and synthetic receivers. Image durability for these ribbons is
excellent for applications where physical contact with the printed image is
likely to occur repeatedly. Some resistance to mild chemicals and cleaners is
provided. Typical applications include pharmaceutical, "shelf talker," and
chemical drum labels. Ribbon pricing is mid-range.
Super Premium - These are typically resin ribbons that print well on a
variety of synthetic and specialty receivers. Image durability for these ribbons
is excellent for applications where harsh physical contact with the printed
image is likely to occur repeatedly. Excellent resistance to a variety of
chemicals and cleaners is provided. Typical uses include outdoor and long-life
applications like electrical box and integrated circuit board labeling. Ribbon
pricing is typically higher based on the materials used and the number of ribbon
layers needed.
Specialty - These are typically wax/resin or resin ribbons that are designed
to work in particular applications. Image durability for these ribbons is
excellent on their intended receiver. These ribbons typically focus on a
particular application like fabric printing where washability is required or on
tags and labels where steam resistance is critical. Ribbon pricing can vary
based the materials used and the number of ribbon layers needed.
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What level of Ultraviolet (UV) light resistance do IIMAK
ribbons offer?
Since all IIMAK ribbons use pigment-based colorants our products offer better
UV resistance than dye-based colorants typically used in ink-jet printing.
Carbon Black is the pigment used as the colorant for all of our black
ribbons, including wax, wax/resin, and resin products. Carbon Black is a very
light-stable pigment. Images produced with these ribbons will not fade readily
when exposed to either indoor or outdoor UV light. Images printed with these
ribbons will be readable and scannable over a period of years depending upon the
location (temperature and humidity) and angle of sun or light exposure.
Our color ribbons use a variety of different pigments as colorants. Some of
these pigments are more UV light-stable than others. Black, blue, and green
colors, in general, are more light-stable than yellow, red, and orange colors.
Our DC-300 line of color ribbons designed for outdoor sign printing
applications offers the best UV light resistance. Pigments selected for this
product line are "automotive grade." Depending upon the vinyl receiver selected,
printed images can last for 5-7 years.
Our DC-100, DC-200, and DC-400 and NET™ line of color ribbons claim no level
of UV light resistance.
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What is Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Recognition as it pertains to thermal transfer printing?
UL Recognized
Component can be any item which UL has investigated
and found suitable for use in a larger end product under specific Conditions of
Acceptability. Examples of Recognized Components may include products such as
switches, transformers, wire, plastics, and labels which bear specific required
safety related information such as warnings, cautionary markings, installation
instructions or electrical ratings. Recognized component label products,
therefore, will at some point contain information that is directly related to
the safety of the end product; information which needs
to remain legible and permanently affixed to the product.
Almost all products Recognized under the basic label categories PGDQ2, PGGU2,
and PGJI2 are tested in accordance with the test methods outlined in UL 969.
Each label product, if Recognized, will be considered suitable for use as a
Component of UL Listed or Recognized end products under specific Conditions of
Acceptability. Those Conditions would include the surfaces to which the label
may be applied, the temperature ratings and various exposure conditions. There
are differences, however, in the type of label products the three basic label
categories cover.
PGJI2 - Marking and Labeling Systems - Printing Materials
covers products which are intended to be printed by end product
manufacturers using thermal transfer, laser or hot stamp printing
equipment. Products in this category may be sold by major suppliers in blank
roll form or by converters as blank or preprinted labels in a smaller format.
Variable printing, unless otherwise stated in the Recognition, is not to be
applied over background inks.
More on IIMAK ribbon combinations
recognized on various stocks.
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What is an MSDS?
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is an identity document for a chemical or
chemical product. Federal regulations require that every hazardous chemical or
chemical product have an MSDS. The MSDS tells you everything you need to know
about the chemical. It names and describes the chemical, lists its physical and
health hazards, and describes how to handle the chemical safely, including in
emergencies.
The MSDSs are the cornerstone of your hazardous communications program. They
provide the information you need to train your workers to handle chemicals
safely. They tell you how to use, store, and dispose of each chemical. They tell
you about exposure limits, protective equipment, and about hazards, spills, and
first aid.
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Where do you get and MSDS?
Employers get MSDSs from the suppliers of the chemicals they buy.
The OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires
manufacturers and importers of chemicals to assess the hazards of the chemicals
they produce or import. If they determine that a chemical meets the government’s
definition of hazardous, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of the
chemical must provide MSDS documents to those who buy the chemicals.
The MSDS must be provided with the first shipment of a chemical or chemical
product. If the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of the chemical or
chemical product gets new and significant information about the product, it must
be added to the MSDS within three months. In such cases, the updated MSDS must
be sent with the next shipment of the chemical.
Unlike manufacturers, employers do not have to assess the hazards of the
chemicals they use. Instead, employers may rely on the MSDS information provided
by the supplier of the chemical.
Contact your IIMAK distributor or IIMAK directly for the most current MSDS.
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