Printing on Ribbon

Some ribbon printing methods are more suitable for some applications/products than others so we’ve created this table below to help explain what they are, how many colours can be printed, what technique is most suitable to what applications and the benefits to each technique.

If you have any questions at all please contact Customer Services.

Speak to one of our experts

print flat foil

Flat Foil

Uses a flat metal die plate to heat transfer the print design from a foil film to the ribbon.

  • Best for achieving very defined colours and also gives excellent results with metallics and prismatics.
  • Flat foil print has the flexibility to increase gap sizes between images.
print rotary ink

Rotary Ink

Rotary printing using Photopolymer Plates: The image to be printed is curved around a cylinder. The ink is placed in reservoirs and the image is then transferred on to the ribbon’s surface.

  • Best for small, intricate designs.
  • Good colour fastness.
  • Maximum repeat length 300mm.
  • Pantone match print colours on light ribbon colours.
  • Solid print colours & not tonal printing.
  • Design can bleed off the edge of the ribbon.
  • Good tone on tone.
  • For best results use a darker colour on a lighter colour ribbon.
print dye sublimation

Dye Sublimation

A design is pre-printed on to a special type of paper which then is printed on to ribbon.

  • Digital sublimation best for complex designs.
  • Full colour designs for short runs with unlimited repeat lengths.
  • Prints good quality vibrant designs.
  • Good for all-over print design.
  • Good print durability.
  • Digital min ribbon width: 7mm, maximum ribbon width: 200mm. 4 colour process.
  • Photgraphic images on to ribbon.
  • Cannot print on to dark colour ribbons.
print flat screen

Flat Screen

Ink is pressed through a fine mesh stencil containing the image. The image is then directly printed on to the ribbon (or other substrate).

  • Good definition when printing light colour inks on to darker ribbon colours, for example white ink on to black ribbon.
  • Limited metallic screen colours - Gold & Silver.
  • We can use 3 different ink types.
  • Adds texture and effects to the substrate.
  • Design cannot bleed off the edge of the ribbon.
  • Pantone match print colours.
  • Suitable for various ribbon surfaces.
  • Suitable for designs with longer repeats.
print puff screen

Puff Screen

Expandable ink is pressed through a mesh stencil containing the required image onto the ribbon which is then expanded through a heat process to create the raised effect.

  • Best for achieving a 3D effect on the print design.
print foil over adhesive

Foil Over Adhesive

Glue is pressed through a mesh stencil containing the required image onto the ribbon in the shape of the design. The secondary process is the foil is then applied over the glue, creating the raised effect.

  • Some metallic available.

Low minimum order quanitities

The minium order quantity for a 1 colour foil or rotary print on a standard ribbon is 500 metres. This varies for other printing methods, please contact customer services for more information.

Artwork

Any artwork supplied is subject to the guidelines below:

  • Artwork should be supplied as an editable illustrator file (.eps .ai), or editable .pdf.
  • Information should be supplied on any custom font required.
  • Origination costs vary dependent on number of printing plates required for the design.
  • Plates remain the property of the client, and are held by Cole Fabrics Plc unless otherwise agreed.