Printer ribbon for workhorse dot matrix printers

Dot matrix printers have been around for at least a few decades and is a proven technology that serves an important niche market. A dot matrix printer prints in a manner that is very similar to a typewriter. Printing occurs when the print head of a dot matrix printer runs back and forth along a carriage and strikes a print ribbon located very close to the paper creating impressions with tiny little dots. Hence the name dot matrix. Small metal rods called pins, powered by tiny electromagnets hit the printer ribbon, creating the dots. The absorbent nylon and premium inks that are used in the making of ribbons ensure long print life.

Various kinds of print ribbons exist each of which have a specific purpose.

Wax ribbons: These ribbons come in handy for general printing. They however, perform best in normal and rotated bar codes and in small characters.

Wax/Resin print ribbons: Along with their remarkable printing speed of 12 IPS, these ribbons are highly effective in resisting smudging and scratching. They are best friends for today's high-speed dot matrix printers.

Resin ribbons: The special quality that distinguishes these printer ribbons from others is their resistance to heat and a host of other chemicals, to which thermal transfer printing may be exposed during industrial applications. It is worth mentioning that resin printer ribbons can withstand a temperature up to 300 degree Celsius.

Near edge print ribbons: They are a combination of resin printer ribbons, but meant to work on a near-edge printing system. They include basic black ribbons as well as process and spot color ribbons. Other than their superior printing quality, these printer ribbons offer superb resistance to scratching and smudging. They perform consistently well at high print speeds.

Color ribbons: These print ribbons are normally used in 2, 3 and 4 head printers. They are used more extensively in single-head or bar code printers for color-coding purposes or for adding flair to a label. They also come in four different color ribbon formulations and offer a range of as many as 20 different attractive shades of color.