Figuring out what ribbon to use

[yuntik]

I'm totally new to this. I'm trying to figure out what ribbon to buy, and I just learned that the material actually matters but , I don't even really know the difference between them lol.
Honestly, as long as the letters come out clear, I feel like it should be fine, but I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to ribbon types, brands, or thickness. Do some work better for certain machines, or is it mostly personal preference?
Looking forward to your advices
Thanks

 

[old century writer]

You're right, that the material does make a difference. The main types are wax, resin, and a mix of both. Wax ribbons are the most common and generally the most affordable. They're good for printing on paper labels and other matte surfaces where the label doesn't need to be very durable. Resin ribbons are much tougher though. Wax-resin ribbons are a nice middle ground but the right choice really comes down to what you're printing on and how long you need the print to last.

 

[TouchType]

If you're just starting out, grab a regular polyester ribbon. It's pretty useful and gets along with most machines. Brother and Ricoh are two brands that are known to be good. The thickness is usually around 1.5mm to 3.0mm. A good starting point is 2.0mm because it gives you clear prints but is still strong. Your machine might like a certain type best, so it's always good to peek at the manual just in case.

 

[wildlife54]

If you're just starting out, grab a regular polyester ribbon. It's pretty useful and gets along with most machines. Brother and Ricoh are two brands that are known to be good. The thickness is usually around 1.5mm to 3.0mm. A good starting point is 2.0mm because it gives you clear prints but is still strong. Your machine might like a certain type best, so it's always good to peek at the manual just in case.

Does the ribbon type affect how bold or light the letters look on paper? And do you usually go for single-color or dual-color ribbons for everyday use? Appreciate the help!

 

[phdezra]

@wildlife54 I'd say absolutely — ribbon type makes a big difference in how bold your imprint looks. The inked fabric is basically your machine's voice.

Most folks (myself included) run nylon for everyday use — it's durable, holds ink well, and gives a nice, even impression. Cotton can look a bit softer or BOLDER, and silk has this lovely crisp, dark impression but tends to wear through faster (and costs more). If you want to experiment,

http://www.ribbonsunlimited.com is a go-to for many of us — they've got a wide selection and are great about spools, eyelets, and odd sizes.

As for single-color vs. bicolor: I almost always go single-color (all black) unless I have a machine with a working color selector and feel like showing off the red half for underlining or the occasional dramatic "STOP" in crimson.

Ssome machines have really sensitive ribbon advance mechanisms that show these differences more dramatically than others. And if you want your typeface to shout rather than whisper, a fresh ribbon (any material) will usually do wonders.