Application Guide

Passion – Results – Integrity
 “How do I compare ribbon costs?”
The best way to compare basic ribbon cost is to calculate the ribbon cost per square meter (m2). 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 meters).
M2 = the total square meter area of the ribbon.
For example, a 220 mm (8.66”) wide Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon and 625 meters long. Total area (0.220
wide x 625 meters) is equal to 137.50 m2.
Ribbon roll price/137.50 m2 = ribbon price per m2.
Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbons are longer (625 meters) than competitive ribbons, which length is 450 meters
 “How many labels per ribbon will the Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon yield?”
The Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon is 625 meters in length.
625 meters = 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.
T8000, T5000r/SL5000r, T4M printhead life is rated at 1,000,000 linear inches of direct thermal media and.
T8000, T5000r/SL5000r, T4M and T2N printhead life is rated at 2,000,000 linear inches thermal transfer printing.
Each Printronix Thermal Transfer ribbon prints 24,612 inches of media
THERMAL SUPPLIES
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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