Coated surfaces

Printing on materials that are coated, pre-printed, varnished, or metallized can be challenging when using thermal transfer ribbons. The determining factors are the physical and chemical properties of the surface, not the base material itself. Materials with low-energy surfaces, such as corona-treated ones, are usually well printable. Top-coat coatings, on the other hand, may be either suitable for printing or problematic. Films specifically coated for matrix printing can be particularly difficult. Coated and high-gloss papers as well as fully pre-printed labels may also cause issues, especially when UV-cured varnishes are used, as these can prevent proper printing. A quick test with a ballpoint pen can provide initial insights.

Due to the wide variety of colors and coatings, it is important to obtain detailed information from manufacturers and suppliers about suitable products. In critical cases, a preliminary test is recommended, which ribbon suppliers are often willing to conduct. Leaving out certain areas during UV varnishing can also help resolve the problem.

Papers and films with metallic surfaces are generally printable only in exceptional cases, as the metallic layer dissipates the heat impulse from the thermal head, preventing the ribbon from melting and transferring the ink.

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