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16 R110Xi/R170Xi User Guide 23063L-003 Rev. 1 12/6/04
Printer Setup
Ribbon
Ribbon
Ribbon is a thin film that is coated on one side with wax, resin, or wax resin, which is
transferred to the media during the thermal transfer process. The media determines whether
you need to use ribbon and how wide the ribbon must be.
When ribbon is used, it must be as wide as or wider than the media being used. If the ribbon is
narrower than the media, areas of the printhead are unprotected and subject to premature wear.
When to Use Ribbon
Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not.
To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scratch test.
To perform a label scratch test, complete these steps:
1. Scratch the print surface of the media rapidly with your fingernail.
2. Did a black mark appear on the media?
Coated Side of Ribbon
Ribbon can be wound with the coated side on the inside or outside (Figure 10). If you are
unsure which side of a particular roll of ribbon is coated, perform an adhesive test or a ribbon
scratch test to determine which side is coated.
Figure 10 • Ribbon Coated on Outside or Inside
Adhesive Test
If you have labels available, perform the adhesive test to determine which side of a ribbon is
coated. This method works well for ribbon that is already installed.
To perform an adhesive test, complete these steps:
1. Peel a label from its liner.
2. Press a corner of the sticky side of the label to the outer surface of the roll of ribbon.
3. Peel the label off of the ribbon.
If a black mark... Then the media is...
Does not appear on the media Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required.
Appears on the media Direct thermal. No ribbon is required.
Outside Inside