Resistive ribbon for use in resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing process

摘要

The present invention relates to a resistive ribbon (10), for use in a resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing process, of the type which comprises a resistive layer (12) which produces localised heating to effect printing when an electric current is passed therethrough, a thermally fusible ink layer (18) capable of being melted when heated by the localised heating in the resistive layer, and a current return layer (16) of an electrically conductive material, located between the resistive layer (12) and the ink layer (18) and through which the electrical current passes.;A ribbon in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the resistive layer (12) includes a phase-separated surface region (14) located adjacent the current return layer (16) and imparting enhanced mechanical and thermal properties to the resistive layer (12).