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Thermal transfer ribbons
A thermal transfer ribbon melts its ink onto the label. Two things decide the right one: the label material and what it has to survive, and the printer it runs in. Allmark supplies the standard and premium wax, wax/resin and resin ribbons, and the near-edge and colour ribbons, described on this page; tell us your printer model and label and we will quote the right roll. Looking for a maker's grade? See our Zebra ribbon grades and part numbers, and the TSC, Ricoh and inkanto ribbon grades.
Barcode ribbon price in India: ask our team for today's competitive price. Share your requirement and budget, and we will help you choose the right ribbon and size and send a written quotation with current pricing and delivery time.
Ask us for label or ribbon samples for your printer; we tell you what we can send.
Ribbons by brand
When your printer maker or your customer names a ribbon brand, start from that maker's page: each lists the maker's grades with its own specifications. We supply the maker's ribbons on request, and our own grade of the same ribbon type as an alternative (see our grades below).
Zebra's 15 wax, wax/resin and resin grades for its desktop and industrial printers, from the 1600 economy wax to the 5100 premium resin, with Zebra's spec sheet for each grade; we confirm the India part number in your quotation.
TSC's standard and premium wax, wax/resin and resin grades, plus a high-speed wax/resin, for TSC and Printronix Auto ID printers: seven grades with TSC's own specifications.
19 Ricoh grades, 16 of them from Ricoh's Asia-Pacific list and three listed only in Europe or the USA: wax, wax/resin and resin for flat-head and near-edge printers, and textile resins for garment care labels.
ARMOR-IIMAK's ribbon brand: 26 grades from its India site in the Access, Club, Expert and Specials ranges, for flat-head and near-edge printers, textile resins included.
Which ribbon for which job
The label material and what the label has to survive decide the ribbon. Each job below names the grade we suggest.
Wax ribbon. Zebra pairs wax with paper labels that see little or no chemicals or rubbing, and with fast printing. Our grades: economical, standard and resin-enhanced wax.
Consider: Wax grades, Paper labels
Wax/resin ribbon. Zebra pairs it with top-coated paper and matte synthetic labels, for good resistance to scratching and to moderate chemicals.
Consider: Standard wax/resin, Paper and synthetic labels
Our premium wax/resin grade is made for high heat resistance, for labels that go through heat-shrink packaging or a reflow oven.
Consider: Premium wax/resin
Resin ribbon. Zebra pairs resin with synthetic labels such as polypropylene, polyester and polyimide, for harsh chemicals, high temperatures and outdoor exposure.
Consider: Resin grades, Synthetic labels
Our wash-care resin grade prints fabric labels that stand up to washing, with strong alcohol and scratch resistance.
Consider: Wash-care resin
Near-edge ribbon. Toshiba, a printer maker, notes that flat-head and near-edge printheads need different ribbons; our near-edge wax/resin grade suits flexible packaging. Tell us your printer model before ordering.
Consider: Near-edge wax/resin
Colour ribbons in wax, wax/resin and resin, for coated paper labels. Colour ribbons are supplied based on availability: tell us the colour you need, and we reply to your enquiry with the confirmed supply and lead time.
Consider: Colour ribbons
Our ribbon grades
All grades are on a polyester base film. Label materials are as listed by the ribbon maker; for labels that face chemicals, heat or outdoor use, follow the job guide above. Tell us your printer and label width, and we will quote the width and length the printer takes (see the table below).
| Grade | Printhead | Label materials | What it is for | Film (base / total) and ink density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economical wax | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics | The lowest-cost grade, well suited to paper labels; clear print on a wide range of labels | 4.4 ± 0.5 µm / 6.9-7.4 µm; density ≥ 0.9 |
| Standard wax | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics | General-purpose reinforced wax for paper labels, with good abrasion resistance and very sharp print | 4.4 ± 0.5 µm / 6.9-7.4 µm; density ≥ 0.9 |
| Resin-enhanced wax | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics | A high-speed wax grade with a glossy print, for paper labels on a wide range of printers | 4.4 ± 0.5 µm / 6.9-7.4 µm; density ≥ 0.9 |
| Standard wax/resin | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics | An economical all-round labelling grade: strong adhesion, good smudge and scratch resistance, and a dark, glossy print | 4.4 ± 0.5 µm / 6.9-7.4 µm; density ≥ 0.9 |
| Premium wax/resin | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics; films | High heat resistance, for labels that pass through heat-shrink packaging or a reflow oven | 4.5 ± 0.5 µm / 5.7-6.1 µm; density ≥ 1.2 |
| Near-edge wax/resin | Near edge | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics; packaging materials | Flexible packaging, at print speeds up to 660 mm/s, with better scratch resistance than a standard near-edge wax/resin | About 4.5 µm base, 2.1 µm ink, 6.6 µm total |
| General-purpose resin | Flat head | Rough paper; coated paper and tags (matt or gloss); synthetics; films | A reinforced, versatile resin grade for demanding labels | 4.4 ± 0.5 µm / 6.1-6.5 µm; density ≥ 1.0 |
| Premium resin | Flat head | Synthetics; films | A high-performance grade for extreme conditions on synthetic and film labels | 4.5 ± 0.5 µm / 5.7-6.1 µm; density ≥ 1.2 |
| Wash-care resin | Flat head | Fabric | Garment wash-care labels: stands up to washing, with strong alcohol resistance and very high scratch resistance | 4.5 ± 0.5 µm / 6.5-6.9 µm; density ≥ 1.3 |
| Colour ribbons | Tell us your printer | Coated paper | Colour wax, wax/resin and resin ribbons. In the maker's tests the print stayed intact after 72 hours at 40 °C and at -20 °C, and a barcode still graded A after 15 rubs with a 200 g weight | - |
Source: the ribbon maker's own grade sheet for these grades, read 2026-10-09. Film, ink density, speed and test figures are the maker's, shown under our grade names. About our product information.
Will it fit my printer?
Choose a ribbon at least as wide as your label and no wider than the printer's maximum.
| Printer | Ribbon length, roll, core and width |
|---|---|
| Zebra ZD230 | 300 m (66 mm OD, 25.4 mm core, 1:4) or 74 m (34 mm OD, 12.7 mm core, 1:1); width 33.8-109.2 mm |
| Zebra ZD411 | 74 m, 34 mm OD, 12.7 mm core, 1:1 media-to-ribbon; width 33-58 mm |
| Zebra ZD421 | Ribbon (roll model): 300 m (66 mm OD, 25.4 mm core, 1:4 media-to-ribbon) or 74 m (34 mm OD, 12.7 mm core, 1:1); width 33.8-109.2 mm · Ribbon (cartridge model): 74 m cartridge, 109.2 mm wide |
| Zebra ZD611 | 74 m, 34 mm OD, 12.7 mm core, 1:1 media-to-ribbon; width 33-58 mm |
| Zebra ZD621 | Ribbon Standard Length: 984 ft. (300 m); 243 ft. (74 m) · Ribbon Outside Diameter: 2.6 in./66 mm (300 m); 1.34 in./34 mm (74 m) · Ribbon Core I.D.: 300 meter ribbon 1 in./25.4 mm; 74 meter ribbon 0.5 in./12.7 mm · Ribbon Width: 1.33 in./33.8 mm — 4.3 in./109.2 mm |
| Honeywell PC42E-T | Ribbon: Coated side out; 25.4 to 110 mm wide; maximum diameter 68 mm · Ribbon core and length: 1-inch core: up to 300 m; 0.5-inch core: up to 74 m |
| Godex G500 | Ribbon types: Wax, wax/resin, resin · Ribbon length: 300 m (984 ft) · Ribbon roll size: 68 mm (2.67 in) outer diameter; 25.4 mm (1 in) core · Ribbon width: 30 mm (1.18 in) min. to 110 mm (4.33 in) max. |
| Godex G530 | Ribbon types: Wax, wax/resin, resin · Ribbon length: 300 m (984 ft) · Ribbon roll size: 68 mm (2.67 in) outer diameter; 25.4 mm (1 in) core · Ribbon width: 30 mm (1.18 in) min. to 110 mm (4.33 in) max. |
| Godex RT700i+ / RT730i+ | Ribbon types: Wax, wax/resin, resin · Ribbon length: 300 m (984 ft) · Ribbon core and roll: 25.4 mm (1 in) core; roll up to 68 mm (2.67 in) O.D. · Ribbon width: 30-110 mm (1.18-4.33 in) |
| Zebra ZT231 | Ribbon Standard Length: 1,476 ft./450 m · Maximum ribbon roll size: 3.2 in./81.3 mm O.D. (450 m) on a 1.0 in./25.4 mm I.D. core; ribbon wound ink-side out (thermal transfer models only) · Ribbon Core: 1.0 in./25.4 mm · Ribbon Width: 1.57 in./40 mm to 4.33 in./110 mm |
| Zebra ZT411 | Maximum Ribbon Length: 1476 ft. (450 m) · Maximum Ribbon Roll Size: 450 m: 3.2 in. (81.3 mm) O.D. on a 1.0 in. (25.4 mm) I.D. core · Ribbon Wound Ink-side Out: Ribbon wound ink-side in can be used with the optional ribbon spindle · Ribbon Width: 2.00 in. (51 mm) to 4.33 in. (110 mm) |
| Zebra ZT421 | Ribbon Standard Length: 1476 ft./450 M · Ribbon roll: 450 m: 3.2 in./81.3 mm O.D. on a 1.0 in./25.4 mm I.D. core; wound ink-side out · Ribbon Core I.D.: 1.0 in./25 mm · Ribbon Width: 2.00 in./51 mm to 6.85 in./174 mm |
| Zebra ZT610 | Ribbon Standard Length: 1476'/450 m · Ribbon roll: 3.2 in./81.3 mm O.D. maximum; coated side out (ink-side-in spindle optional); 3:1 media roll to ribbon ratio · Ribbon Core: 1.0"/25.4 mm I.D. · Ribbon Width: ZT610: 0.79"/20 mm to 4.33"/110 mm |
| Zebra ZT620 | Ribbon Standard Length: 1476'/450 m · Ribbon roll: 3.2 in./81.3 mm O.D. maximum; coated side out (ink-side-in spindle optional); 3:1 media roll to ribbon ratio · Ribbon Core: 1.0"/25.4 mm I.D · Ribbon Width: ZT620: 2.0"/51 mm to 6.7"/170 mm |
| TSC MB241 Series | Ribbon: 450 m, 1-inch core, ink coated outside or inside · Ribbon width: 40-110 mm (1.6-4.3 in) |
| TSC MH241 Series | Ribbon: 600 m long, max. 90 mm O.D., 1-inch core, ink coated outside or inside · Ribbon width: 25.4-114.3 mm (1-4.5 in) |
| TSC ML241P Series | Ribbon: 450 m, 1-inch core, ink coated outside or inside · Ribbon width: 40-110 mm (1.6-4.3 in) |
| Godex ZX1200i+ Series | Ribbon: Wax, wax/resin or resin; up to 450 m, 1-inch (25.4 mm) core, 76.2 mm roll diameter · Ribbon width: 30-110 mm (1.18-4.33 in) |
Figures are from each maker's own specification, as shown on the product pages.
How to choose
Ribbon already wrinkling, smudging or printing blank? See the ribbon wrinkle and smudge guide.
Zebra's guidance: wax for paper labels with little or no exposure to chemicals or rubbing; wax/resin for top-coated paper and matte synthetics, with good scratch and chemical resistance; resin for synthetic labels facing harsh chemicals, high heat or outdoor use. The more resin in the ribbon, the better it resists rubbing. The direct thermal vs thermal transfer guide pairs each ribbon with label materials.
At least as wide as the label: Zebra recommends this to protect the printhead from wear. It must also fit the printer, whose ribbon width range is in the table above.
Ribbons are wound with the ink coating on the outside or the inside, and most printers are built for one or the other. Zebra's ZT231, ZT411, ZT421, ZT610 and ZT620 and Honeywell's PC42E-T take ribbon coated on the outside; on the ZT411, ZT421, ZT610 and ZT620, Zebra offers an optional spindle for ink-side-in ribbon. The TSC MB241, MH241 and ML241P and the Godex ZX1200i+ take both. To check a roll, press the sticky corner of a label on the outside of the ribbon: if ink comes off on the label, the outside is coated.
Desktop printers take shorter ribbons: Zebra's ZD printers take 74 m on a 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) core or, on 4-inch roll models, 300 m on a 25.4 mm (1 inch) core. Industrial printers take 450 m or more on a 25.4 mm core. The table above lists each printer's figures.
Not for direct thermal labels, which darken under the printhead's heat. Zebra notes they are sensitive to heat and sunlight and suit shorter-life labels such as shipping labels; for labels that must last, print thermal transfer with a ribbon. See our label guide, and check which printers print thermal transfer.
