TTR K 3921 - Thermal Transfer Printing for Complex GHS Labeling
Case Study
Challenge
An industrial customer needed a robust solution for GHS labeling on steel drums filled with hot liquids. The drums are labeled with PE labels immediately after being filled with a hot liquid. These labels must withstand high temperatures, friction, and mechanical stress.
Previous thermal transfer ribbons used by the customer could not guarantee the necessary durability and print quality for permanently legible hazardous material labels
Solution
After a series of tests, the customer opted for the K 3921 red ribbon from KURZ, combined with the black version for two-color GHS labels. This combination supports a clear display of the hazardous substance pictograms and text information.
The K 3921 series impressed with:
- Excellent surface durability
- Very high heat resistance, even on freshly filled, hot drums
- Excellent scratch and smudge resistance
- Printing characteristics like wax-resin, durability like resin
- Wide range of substrates, ideal for PE industrial labels
In the use case described, the labeling remained clearly legible even under demanding conditions.
Implementation
The K 3921 red and black ribbons could be easily integrated into the existing printing process.
Operators particularly praised the consistent, sharp-edged print quality and the ribbon’s excellent durability.
Results
Since the introduction, the customer has benefited from:
- Durable GHS labels
- Significantly reduced downtime due to label damage
- Improved readability and process reliability under harsh operating conditions
The customer is very satisfied with the performance of the K 3921 series ribbons and now uses these ribbons as standard for all hot steel drum labeling.
Conclusion
With its exceptional durability and reliable print quality, K 3921 offers an ideal solution for demanding GHS labeling. The K 3921 ribbon helps ensure long-term readability, especially in applications where labels are exposed to high temperatures and mechanical stress.
