Understand the role of the Ribbon for the economy
Many users of thermal printers are unaware of the role ribbon plays in the economy. Also known as TTR (Thermal Transfer Ribbon), this is one of the main components used in thermal transfer printing.
These devices were created to promote greater speed, economy, and quality in label and barcode printing. Therefore, the following will help you get a better understanding of the role played by ribbon in the economy, but first let’s explain when and how it emerged. Check it out!
Find out about how it came into existence and its importance
The history of the ribbon is linked to that of the thermal transfer printer. The first ever ink-jet printer was created in 1938 and the thermal transfer printer only appeared in 1981. This new version was faster, more economical and quieter, winning over the entire business market.
The pioneering devices printed up to 24 characters and, in order to work, required a thermal paper reel up to 58 mm wide. Since then, printers have evolved and reels have given way to ribbons.
This is a digital printing method for variable data, such as barcodes, expiry dates, and other applications. Since the early 2000s, thermal printing in up to two colours has been possible.
Printing with ribbons is used in almost every type of business. They are used, for example, in industries such as farming, commerce, the chemical industry, the food sector, textiles, and tech industry among others.
Thus, ribbon plays a very important role in the global economy. Next, you will learn about its benefits!
The benefits of ribbon for the economy
The use of ribbon brings a number of advantages to businesses and, consequently, to the economy. The first of these is its versatility, as it can be used in a variety of sectors and in various applications. This is because they can be used for printing materials such as:
- identification tags in plantations
- parcel tracking labels
- clothing composition labels
- industrialization processes
- shelf labels
- expiry dates
- barcodes
The role of the ribbon is important because without it we would not be able to produce labels and tags for certain products. The cost of producing them would make their development prohibitive. This is because, unlike other printers such as laser and inkjet, thermal transfer printing does not use cartridges and toners, but only ribbon. So it is more economical.
When ribbon is used, the print is more resistant than normal printing. This option also offers low maintenance, and silence and speed of printing. Therefore, it gives companies greater agility and automation in their business.
So we can see that the role of ribbon in the economy extends far beyond what we might imagine. These products are extremely strategic for several businesses, and if they did not exist several sectors would be adversely affected.
Some industry sectors even have rules regarding for packing and labelling, as in the case of the textile sector. To get a better understanding, check out the article about the Mercosur Technical Regulation and become familiar with the instructions.
