How to Choose Thermal Printer Ribbon for Your Labels
Posted by barcodes.com.au on Mar 31, 2025
Selecting the right label and ribbon combination is important to avoid buying incompatible products for your printer. This guide explains the best materials for different labelling applications, helping you choose the most suitable option for your business.
Printing Labels for Shipping & Posting
Industry standard shipping labels typically use dimensions of 102mm by 150mm (4”x6”). To ensure labels don't fade or smudge in transit we recommend pairing Paper labels with Wax/Resin Ribbon:
Shipping Labels (Long term 1yr+)
Combination for Desktop Printers
Shipping Labels + Wax/Resin Thermal Ribbon TTRCW11074.
Combination for Industrial Printers
Shipping Labels + Wax/Resin Thermal Ribbon TTRPWR104300CSO.
Printing Labels for Outdoor Use
Labels for outdoor use need to be water and heat resistant to last. We’d recommend choosing a Synthetic label as they are waterproof - ideal for demanding outdoor environments. Pairing these with a Premium Resin Ribbon will provide maximum resistance to sunlight and heat in the long term.
Combination for Desktop Printers
Synthetic Labels + Premium Resin Ribbon TTRCR11070.
Combination for Industrial Printers
Synthetic Labels + Premium Resin Ribbon TTRR104300CSO.
Nutritional or Pharmaceutical Labels
Nutrition labels and medication labels require sharpness and clarity for fine text. When printing on small labels with fine text or images it is crucial to use a high resolution printer. We recommend either a 300dpi or 600dpi printer paired with paper labels and wax/resin ribbon. If you require the labels to be water resistant or to be placed in cold storage, we would recommend synthetic labels with premium resin ribbon.
Combination for Standard Fine Print
Paper Labels + Wax/Resin Ribbon TTRCW11074 for desktop printers.
Combination for Water Resistant Fine Print
Synthetic Labels + Premium Resin Ribbon TTRCW11074 for desktop printers.
Printing Labels for Asset Identification
Asset identification labels are used to keep track of tools, machinery and equipment. We recommend using synthetic labels as they are weather resistant and have excellent adhesion, ensuring they last for years without fading or wearing out.
Combination for Synthetic Labels
Synthetic Labels + Premium Resin Ribbon TTRCW11074 for desktop printers.
Combination for Metallised Synthetic Labels
Metallised Labels + Premium Resin Ribbon TTRCW11074 for desktop printers.
Printing Packages
For a no fuss solution with everything included, check out some of our printer bundles:
Shipping
For a cost effective solution to print short-term shipping labels, simply purchase our Shipping Label Package
Asset Identification
Create durable metallised labels for your assets and equipment with our Asset Identification Package.
Jewellery
For high quality jewellery labelling see our Jewellery Label Printer Package.
Our dedicated sales team has years of experience in label printing solutions. For help pairing labels and ribbon for your printing needs, contact us on 1300 800 999 to speak with one of our sales staff members.