Types of Printer Ribbons: Printer ribbons utilize the technology first utilized by typewriters.

Types of printer ribbons: Printer ribbons utilize the technology first utilized by typewriters. They use a scrolling ribbon, coated in ink, to print on paper using thermal or dot-matrix technology.
Thermal transfer printer ribbon: These printer ribbons come in three different types: wax, wax-resin and pure resin. Each will printer on a different medium. Wax will print on regular paper, wax-resin is used for regular paper and coated paper, and pure resin is used to print on plastic and other glossy mediums. Thermal printer ribbons utilize heat to transfer the ink to the medium, and are of better quality than dot matrix ribbons.
Dot matrix printer ribbons: Dot matrix printers were some of the first printers used with personal computers, but are still used today. Dot matrix printers run a print head back and forth punching "dots" against an ink covered printer ribbon which scrolls progressively. Although it is based on typewriter technology, the dots can be put in any format, allowing for a variety of images and fonts.