Zebra Technologies Z6Mplus 用户手册

Ribbon

13163L Rev. 3 5/20/2004

Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide

17

Ribbon is a thin film that is coated on one side with wax 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.

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.

Scratch the print surface of the media with your fingernail.

Did a black mark appear on the media?

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.

Ribbon can be wound with the coated side on the inside or outside (see 

Figure 13

), which 

affects how the ribbon will be loaded in the printer. 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.

Does not appear on the media

The media is thermal transfer. A ribbon is 
required with this type of media.

Appears on the media

The media is direct thermal. No ribbon is required 
for this type of media, though ribbon may be used 
to help protect the printhead from abrasion with the 
media.