When choosing a thermal transfer ribbon, don’t focus only on the ink formulation. In fact, the PET film thickness is another key factor which can significantly influence the TTR’s printing performance and efficiency. Thermal transfer ribbons are available with either a 4.0-micron or 4.5-micron PET film.
The 4.5-micron film is generally the standard choice, but 4.0-micron PET is being increasingly used. This type of ribbon is designed for Near-Edge printers, particularly for Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO) applications, where sharp, high-quality printing at high production speeds is required. A thinner PET film, combined with this printing technology, offers the following advantages:
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Fewer ribbon changeovers thanks to longer rolls (up to 1,400 meters).
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Less plastic film waste, with an estimated reduction of more than 10% compared to 4.5-micron film.
E.U.R.O. Srl offers a range of 4-micron PET wax-resin Near-Edge ribbons for TTO, including WRITE TX, WRITE T8+ and TTO HDX. These products are meant for inline printing on synthetic materials and flexible packaging.
Find out more about our Near-Edge ribbons for TTO on our product page, or contact our sales team to find the solution that best suits your application!
