When every print matters, the formula makes all the difference.
In industries like logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or food, there’s one thing that can’t fail: the barcode.
Every label must remain legible, resist friction and humidity, endure handling and storage, and often stay intact for weeks or months.
That’s where ink and Thermal Transfer Ribbon (TTR) formulations come into play. And while they often go unnoticed, one of the most critical raw materials behind their performance is: wax.
Why are waxes essential in TTR printing?
TTR ribbons are designed to transfer ink onto paper or other substrates through heat. They’re made up of multiple layers (PET base, release layer, ink layer, and back coating), and it’s the wax that ensures clean, consistent, and durable transfer.
Depending on the ribbon type (wax, wax/resin, or pure resin), waxes contribute by providing:
- Reliable printing performance
- Resistance to scratches, moisture, or abrasion
- Compatibility with a wide variety of substrates and printers
And most importantly: guaranteed legibility, every time.
What does Multiceras offer for this industry?
At Multiceras, we develop specialized blends based on Candelilla, Candeuba®, and Carnauba, which have proven essential for achieving efficient and stable formulations in the production of industrial inks and TTR ribbons.
Our product portfolio includes:
- Refined Candelilla Real® (codes 7834 and 7890)
- Carnauba Type IV and Beads T3 (codes 6004 and 6006) Candeuba® G – an exclusive blend that brings together the best of Candelilla and Carnauba waxes
About Candeuba® G
This proprietary blend offers a melting point of 84–90 °C, with medium acidity and a balanced content of hydrocarbons and esters. It’s ideal for achieving robust technical performance without compromising on stability or compatibility.
What benefits do these waxes provide?
Natural waxes like the ones developed at Multiceras serve specific technical roles within each formulation:
- Moisture protection and stability during variable storage conditions
- Greater scratch resistance – ideal for high-friction logistics environments
- High-definition printing, thanks to minimal contraction
- Effective pigment dispersion, especially for carbon black
- Prevents ink migration into the substrate, improving sharpness Compatibility with additives like resins and polyethylenes in multi-layer systems
Our waxes are also processed through extraction, refining, and standardization methods that ensure batch-to-batch consistency—a key factor for brands working with high volumes and strict quality standards.
Key properties of our most-used waxes
- Carnauba Type IV and Beads T3: With high melting points (80–86 °C) and rich in esters, these waxes provide hardness, gloss, and excellent abrasion resistance—ideal for long-lasting, durable prints.
- Refined Candelilla Real®: Melting between 69–73 °C and high in hydrocarbons, this wax enables excellent pigment dispersion and compatibility with complex technical formulations.
- Candeuba® G: A unique blend combining the strengths of Candelilla and Carnauba waxes, balancing flexibility, hardness, and technical performance in TTR printing applications.
Where are these waxes used?
TTR waxes are essential in industries where traceability, durability, and print clarity are non-negotiable. Common applications include:
- Logistics and warehouse traceability labels
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging
- Consumer goods labeling and barcode printing
- Industrial inks for packaging, boxes, or lot coding
Whether printing on paper, synthetic materials, or heat-resistant labels, our waxes deliver adaptable, reliable solutions.
Conclusion: when quality transfers, it shows.
Printing is not just another step in the process—it’s a critical touchpoint between your product and the world.
And when it’s done with a well-formulated wax, it shows in every scan, every clear label, and every order that arrives without error.
Looking to optimize your ink or TTR ribbon formulation?
Contact us. At Multiceras, our technical team is ready to help you create tailored, high-performance solutions.
