Adhesive Test
Adhesive Test

Adhesive Test

If you have labels available, perform the adhesive test to determine which side of a ribbon is coated. This method works well for ribbon that is already installed.
  1. Peel a label from its liner.
  2. Press a corner of the sticky side of the label to the outer surface of the roll of ribbon.
  3. Peel the label off of the ribbon.
  4. Observe the results. Did flakes or particles of ink from the ribbon adhere to the label?
    If ink from the ribbon...
    Then...
    Adhered to the label
    The ribbon is coated on the outside and can be used in this printer.
    Did not adhere to the label
    The ribbon is coated on the inside and cannot be used in this printer.
    To verify this, repeat the test on the other surface of the roll of ribbon.