What's the difference between a carbon strip and a label

Barcode Ribbon and label play different roles in barcode printing system, the difference between them can be summarized as follows:

Definition and use:

Barcode Ribbon: is a printer consumable, mainly used for thermal transfer printing. It is usually composed of a substrate, identification layer, ink layer and glue layer, and the ink coating is transferred to the label paper through thermal transfer technology to form a barcode pattern or text.

Label: A special paper material used to identify and carry information, usually affixed to goods or items. Labels can carry information such as bar codes, text, and patterns for easy identification and tracking.

Variety and selection:

Barcode Ribbon: Mainly divided into thermal Barcode Ribbon and resin Barcode Ribbon two types. Thermal Barcode Ribbon is suitable for applications where print quality is not required, while resin Barcode Ribbon offers better durability and clarity for applications where long-term storage and high definition printing are required.

Label: A wide variety of label paper, including coated paper, thermal paper, PET/PVC/ synthetic paper, etc., each material has its specific application scenarios and advantages, such as waterproof, oil proof, high temperature resistance.

How to use:

Barcode Ribbon: The ink color on Barcode Ribbon is transferred to the label using the thermal transfer technology of the printer.

Labels: Can be used alone, fixed to items by pasting or other means, in order to identify and record information.

Cost considerations:

Barcode Ribbon: As a printer consumable, it needs to be replaced regularly, and its cost will vary according to the frequency of use and printing volume.

Label: The cost of the label mainly depends on its material and production process, and the cost of different types of labels varies greatly.

In summary, Barcode Ribbon and label have obvious differences in definition, use, type selection, use mode and cost. In the bar code printing system, they each play an important role in ensuring the quality and readability of the bar code.