Beginner's Guide To Ribbon Printers

Beginner's Guide To Ribbon Printers: How To Use & Care For One

Using a ribbon printer is easy, especially if you’ve had prior experience operating a traditional printer on your own. Even if you’re entirely new to ribbon printing, this guide will go over all the basic steps on how to use a ribbon printer like a pro and how to care for one the right way.

Before we go into how to use a ribbon printer, let’s make sure you’re using the right type of ribbon.
Ribbons To Use With A Ribbon Printer
Ribbon printers are better suited for a certain category of ribbons, and using one at random, like pure acetate, may not provide the high-quality results you desire. Here’s a breakdown of the types of ribbons you can use with ribbon printers:

Satin Ribbons: This material offers prominent prints due to its smooth texture and glossy finish, making it ideal for gift decorations and products.

Polyester Ribbons: Known for their durability and smooth surface, printing on polyester ribbons ensures high-quality text and graphics that withstand external conditions.

Nylon Ribbons: Ideally, one of the best options for ribbon printing, nylon ribbons are chosen due to their flexibility and ability to retain ink effectively.

Wax Ribbons: Suitable for ribbon printing; however, they are typically used for short-term applications such as gift wraps and sale products.

Resin Ribbons: The most preferred choice for long-term applications, due to their durability to withstand long-term applications and provide high-resolution results that can endure harsh environmental factors.

Using quality printer ribbons can help ensure long-term applications and ensure quality prints that align with your expectations.

How To Use A Ribbon Printer: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you know the types of ribbons to use in your ribbon printer, here’s a step-by-step guide on using a ribbon printer on your own.

Step 1: Load The Ribbon

Open the top lid of the printer and lift up the internal ribbon holder. It should be a rod with two attachments, used to secure the ribbon roll in place. Insert the ribbon into the holder and place it back into its position.

Step 2: Ribbon Placement

After you’ve inserted the ribbon, gently lift the printhead and glide your ribbon across the bottom. The main aim is to position the ribbon so it flows directly across the bottom of the printer and through the ribbon guide at the bottom.

Step 3: Roll The Foil

The next step is to load the foil to print the text onto the ribbon. Place the foil onto the lower foil cartridge, wrapping it around the print head, and finally secure it onto the upper foil cartridge.

Step 4: Secure The Foil

The final step is to secure the foil by winding it to avoid creases in the cartridge. This will help ensure direct and seamless printing without any issues.

Now, you can just design your printing logo or text on the software that you are using, and freely print your ribbons in bulk.

How To Properly Care For Your Ribbon Printer

Failure to maintain your printer can lead to damaging your ribbon printer indefinitely, and ultimately, it may compromise the quality of your prints. Follow these basic tips and tricks to maintain the longevity of your ribbon printer:

Gentle Cleaning: Ribbon printers are generally durable devices, and with a little care and cleaning, you can extend their lifetime. Here’s how to clean a ribbon printer:

• Switch off the ribbon printer and remove existing ribbons and foils from inside.
• Dampen a lint-free cloth with either water or a mild detergent to clean the exterior surfaces. Make sure the water or any liquid does not slip into the inner section, as it may cause the printer to malfunction.
• For the inner sections, use a cleaning pen to gently swipe the foil cartridges and printhead to avoid dust and residue buildup. Make sure the inner compartments are dry before you close the lid.

Switch Off The Ribbon Printer: When not in use, make sure your ribbon printer is not plugged in and powered off to prevent it from overheating. When devices are plugged in, they are still drawing electricity, so plugging them out entirely is an easy maintenance tip one can implement.

Adjust Printhead Intensity: Make sure your printhead intensity settings are adjusted properly. Failure to do so can draw excessive heat and ultimately lead to premature printhead malfunctions, resulting in poor quality prints.

Like every other mechanical device, a ribbon printer can experience malfunctions and defaults, but there are ways to fix it.

How To Repair A Broken Ribbon Printer

If you notice your ribbon printer is unable to latch on properly to the ribbon or fails to operate per design, chances are you’re dealing with broken or misaligned ribbon, a dirty printhead, incorrect settings, or misaligned printhead pressure. Here’s what you can do to get it back to working condition:

Clean the printhead: Open the lid and remove the existing consumables, such as the ribbon and the foil. You’ll need to use a gentle, cleaning pen and remove dust or debris from the printhead.

Trim the ends: If your ribbon is torn or peeling at the ends, trim the ends evenly, or you can use tape to ensure the ends are properly aligned.

Attach the ribbon: Reattach the ribbon onto the internal holder along with the foil cartridges in their designated locations.

Continue Use: After re-adjusting the foils and cartridges, switch on your ribbon printer and it should print as designed. If your ribbon printer fails to operate or you notice faded prints, it’s better to take your device to a professional.

Print Long-Lasting Designs With LabelTac

The type of ribbon you insert in your ribbon printer will ultimately dictate the results, making it essential to invest in high-quality ribbons. At LabelTac, we offer a large inventory of printer ribbons, allowing you to choose one that best meets your needs. We also offer bundles of 4 printer ribbons, helping you make the most out of your investment.