User Manual

47
THERMAL SUPPLIES QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
www.printronix.com
“How do I compare ribbon costs?”
The best way to compare basic ribbon cost is to calculate the ribbon cost per square metre (m
2
).
This simple calculation allows a comparison of the basic ribbon cost using the area of the ribbon.
The area of the ribbon is equal to width (in mm) multiplied by length (in metres).
M
2
= the total square metre area of the ribbon.
For example, a 220 mm (8.66”) wide Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon and 625 metres long.
Total area (0.220 wide x 625 metres) is equal to 137.50 m
2
.
Ribbon roll price/137.50 m
2
= ribbon price per m
2
.
Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbons are longer (625 metres) than competitive ribbons, which length
is 450 metres.
“How many labels per ribbon will the Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon yield?”
The Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon is 625 metres in length.
625 metres = 625,000 mm or 24,612” in length.
For a typical 6” (152 mm) wide by 4” (102 mm) long label, a total of 5,966 labels can be printed.
4.00” long label plus 1/8” gap = 4.125” label length.
Labels per ribbon = ribbon length/label length = 24,612/4.125 = 5,966 labels.
(Labels per ribbon = ribbon length in mm/Label height in mm = Labels numbers)
“How do I compare the consumables cost of ownership?”
Consumables cost of ownership for thermal transfer printers is based on printhead and ribbon consumption.
T5000r
™
/SL5000r
™
printhead life is rated at 1,000,000 linear inches of direct thermal media and
2,000,000 linear inches thermal transfer printing. Each Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon prints
24,612 inches of media.
NEW A5 supplies ENG 2006 FINAL 3/11/06 16:54 Page 49