Moving Beyond Black

Ribbons for spot color work can be matched to a custom or PMS color, says Printronix' Gallet, while process colors can be achieved through an additive color process, in which ribbons apply one color at a time to build the desired image, just as plate separations build images on-press.

For thermal transfer printers with one printhead, single ribbons can be purchased with multiple panels of color that are applied in succession as the ribbon moves through the printer, explains Sony's Jordan. On multiple printhead printers, an individual roll of color is used with each head. He says although multiple printhead hardware is more expensive, the accompanying ribbon is more cost-effective because the user buys only the colors he needs, versus paying for unneeded colors on a panel-style ribbon.