This is the standard grade in the care label range, one step above the economy ribbon. Total thickness is 6.5±0.5 micron, print density 1.3-1.6, and it runs at both 2 and 4 ips, which is unusual for a care label ribbon.
What the step up buys
Ink type and substrate list are identical to the economy grade: resin based, for nylon, satin and plastic labels. Two things differ. Wash and petrol wipe resistance moves from strong to very strong, and the speed range adds 4 ips, which roughly doubles output for the same labour hours.
For a garment factory running high volumes of tags and care labels, that second speed is a real capacity difference.
Specifications
- Type: standard care label ribbon
- Ink type: resin
- Origin: domestic
- Colour: black
- Film thickness: 4.5±0.3 micron
- Ribbon thickness: 6.5±0.5 micron
- Print density: 1.3-1.6
- Print speed: 2 / 4 ips
- Substrates: nylon, satin, plastic labels
- Printer type: flat-head
Print quality in practice
The manufacturer test sheet covers 90 degree and 0 degree barcodes, small characters, 2D codes, wash resistance, dry clean resistance, ironing resistance and 1.9 ODR black density. Wash symbols and multi-line composition text are small character and fine graphics work, and edge definition on nylon is where this grade earns its place.
Ironing resistance deserves a mention on its own. A care label sits on the inside of the garment and takes heat directly during pressing, so the ink layer has to hold without bleeding.
Where it is used
Garment labels, price tags, garment tags, packaging labels and logistics. Womenswear and childrenswear labels usually demand more than menswear, with more washes and a higher share of dry cleaning, and those orders are safer on this grade.
Use and storage
Operate and store at -10 to 40 degrees C and 20 to 85 percent relative humidity. Keep rolls dry and out of light, and check wind direction before loading; the standard care label ribbon is normally ink-out. On nylon fabric, keep printhead pressure moderate, since too much pressure creases the cloth.
