ISO 2257:1980

Overview

ISO 2257:1980 specifies standard widths for fabric printing ribbons on spools intended for office machines and printing machines used in information processing. The standard applies to ribbons of 19 mm (0.75 in) width and less, and includes guidance for two‑coloured (bi‑colour) printing ribbons, defining how the colour band widths are to be arranged and measured. The aim is to reduce variety, lower costs and simplify stocking and compatibility across machines.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Principal widths to be retained for fabric printing ribbons on spools up to 19 mm (0.75 in). Ribbons wider than 19 mm are covered by ISO 3366.
• Principal widths: The standard selects a limited set of principal widths (nine in total) to cover most requirements and reduce SKU proliferation.
• Two‑colour ribbons: Specifies the arrangement and widths of individual colour bands on two‑coloured ribbons (illustrated in the standard).
• Measurement method:
  • Measure the ribbon when ready for use, kept flat and not stretched, on a flat support.
  • Perform measurements at a minimum of five random points distributed over the ribbon length.
  • For ribbons longer than 10 m, carry out measurements every 2 m.
  • Use the arithmetic mean of measurements as the final width result.
• Tolerances and details: The standard defines width tolerances and nominal dimensions for retained sizes (see ISO 2257 for exact figures).

Applications and who uses ISO 2257

ISO 2257 is practical for:

• Printing ribbon manufacturers - for product design, production control and labelling of spool widths.
• Office equipment and printer manufacturers - to ensure spool and ribbon compatibility across models.
• Procurement and stocking managers - to optimize inventories by standardizing on recommended widths.
• Quality assurance and test laboratories - for consistent width measurement and acceptance testing.
• Service and maintenance teams - to source correct replacement ribbons and maintain print quality, especially with two‑colour supplies.

Benefits include reduced manufacturing complexity, simplified logistics, improved interchangeability of ribbons across different office and data‑processing machines, and consistent print performance.

Related standards

• ISO 3366 - covers fabric printing ribbons wider than 19 mm.
• Consult ISO 2257 for diagrams, exact nominal widths and tolerance tables required for implementation and procurement.