SolFree^® is a patented production process, the only one in the world which enables to make Thermal Transfer ribbons with absolutely no solvent, even for the backcoating.

Traditionally, TTR manufacturing uses solvents during the coating process. With the SolFree^® innovation, for the 1st time, a ribbon is coated without using solvents.

This major step forward for the industry in environmental preservation, also represents a guarantee of long term availability of TTR, should local and/or international regulations impose some drastic limitations on solvent consumption at any time in the future.

With one SolFree® ribbon, you save at least 365g of CO₂^* compared to other ribbons produced with a traditional process.

SolFree^® ribbons will also meet the requirements of the increasing number of end-users committed to sustainable development. SolFree^® ribbons are more environmental friendly and improve end-users’ carbon footprint.
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» SolFree^® improves printhead life.

SolFree^® is a 2 step manufacturing process (instead of 3, see “SolFree®, what is it?”), this is an additional guarantee for the quality of the product. The backcoat (ribbon surface in contact with the printhead) is improved, and the printhead more protected.

» SolFree^®: printing quality and printer settings unchanged

Applied to ribbons traditionally coated using solvents, the SolFree^® process does not impact on the initial printing characteristics: printing quality, resistances, sensitivity, there is absolutely no effect on the quality.

Changing a ribbon for its SolFree^® equivalent will not generate any modification on the printer settings: they work seamlessl!

» How does SolFree^® improve my carbon footprint?

This new production process enables to save the solvents used in any standard TT ribbon manufacturing process. For each SolFree^® roll used, it is at least 365g of CO₂ that are not rejected in the atmosphere. It is a tangible way to improve your carbon footprint.
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» Is SolFree^® the only solvent free process for manufacturing Thermal Transfer ribbons?

Yes, today solvents are used in the manufacturing of all TT ribbons in the world for at least one production stage. SolFree^® is the unique solution not using any solvent.

» In the traditional TT coating process, why are solvents always used?

Usually, solvents are used to mix some ingredients of the ink but also to ensure the fluidity of the ink up to the solidification stage.

» Does it mean that non SolFree^® ribbons still contain solvents when I use them?

No, the solvents are vehicles only used during the manufacturing process. They are not present in the final ribbon, or maybe at trace level (a few microns).

» In a traditional manufacturing process (not SolFree^®), are the solvents rejected in the atmoshpere?

The depositary of the SolFree^® patent as set an effective method for handling solvent waste for all TT products manufactured without the SolFree^® process. This is achieved by incinerating all reclaimed solvents and re-using the energy in other areas of the factory.

Today the SolFree^® process is used to manufacture the AWR^® 470 wax grade, which therefore becomes the very first TT ribbon in the world to be 100% solvent free, even for the backcoating.

More products of the ARMOR range will gradually benefit from the SolFree^® revolution.

Download the datasheet:

• SolFree presentation  

• AWR 470 SolFree