Thermal Transfer Ribbon for Citizen Printers
Thermal transfer ribbon for Citizen printers such as the CL-S700, CL-S621 and CL-E321: size, core and winding by model. Ask us to confirm yours.
Citizen's CL-S700 takes ribbon up to 114mm wide, 450m on a 1 inch core, wound inside or outside and sensed automatically. The CL-S621 takes 360m and the CL-E321 and CL-E331 take 300m, all on 1 inch cores. The CL-E321 and CL-E331 need outside wound ribbon at least 35mm wide. Wax (CW-11) suits paper, wax-resin (CW-22) coated paper, resin (CW-28) polyester.
Supported models
Citizen printer models we supply ribbon for
Don't see your model? Ask us to confirm it. WhatsApp us your model number →
Ribbon selection guide
Recommended CW-series ribbons for Citizen printers
Wax Resin Premium
Coated paper, polyester and polypropylene labels (Citizen CL-S700)
View CW-22 specsResin
Polyester, polypropylene and film labels that meet chemicals or abrasion (Citizen CL-S700)
View CW-28 specsCitizen thermal transfer ribbon sizes by model
Citizen thermal transfer ribbon is sized by printer series. The CL-S700 industrial takes up to 450m on a 1 inch core, wound inside or outside. The CL-S621 and CL-S631 take 360m, either winding, set in the printer. The CL-E321 and CL-E331 take 300m, outside wound only, and from 35mm wide. Where Citizen's datasheet and manual differ, the table follows the manual and says so. Order a ribbon at least 5mm wider than your label.
| Model | Type | Ribbon | Core | Winding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen CL-S700 | Industrial | 110mm × 450m | 1" | Inside or outsideCitizen gives a ribbon width up to 114mm. |
| Citizen CL-E321 / CL-E331 | Desktop | 110mm × 300m | 1" | Outside (ink out)Citizen gives a minimum ribbon width of 35mm and says ribbon with the ink on the inside cannot be used. |
| Citizen CL-S621 / CL-S631 | Desktop | 110mm × 360m | 1" | Inside or outsideWinding is chosen in the printer's menu. Citizen gives a ribbon width up to 114mm. |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →
Which Citizen thermal transfer ribbon for which label
The label decides the grade, not the printer. Find your label material below, then open the grade for its specification. Wax suits paper labels, wax-resin suits coated paper and light synthetics, and resin suits polyester, polypropylene and other films.
| Label material | Ribbon family | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Uncoated paper | Wax | CW-11 |
| Coated paper labels | Wax | CW-12 |
| Coated paper | Wax-resin | CW-15, CW-20, CW-22; CW-25 (harsh); CW-30 (heavy duty) |
| Polyester (PET) labels | Wax-resin | CW-20, CW-22, CW-25, CW-30 |
| Polypropylene (PP) labels | Wax-resin | CW-22, CW-25, CW-30 |
| Polyester (PET) labels | Resin | CW-28, CW-33, CW-66 |
| Polypropylene (PP) labels | Resin | CW-28, CW-66 |
| Polyimide labels | Resin | CW-28, CW-33 |
| Metal-effect labels | Resin | CW-33 |
| Cleanroom-grade labels | Resin | CW-66 |
| Nylon satin ribbon labels | Wash care | CW-60 |
CW-30 works from -40°C to +80°C, CW-33 withstands sterilisation, CW-66 is chemical-free and suits cleanroom and food-contact labelling, and CW-15 is our eco, low-emission wax-resin. Test the full cycle on your own labels, and ask us to confirm your Citizen model.
Citizen S-series and E-series printers take different ribbon lengths
Citizen's three families here all use a 1 inch core (25.4mm), so the split is length and diameter. The CL-S700 is the industrial printer: ribbon up to 450m, with a roll diameter of up to 86.5mm. The CL-S621 and CL-S631 take up to 360m, with a roll diameter of up to 74mm. The CL-E321 and CL-E331 desktops take up to 300m, with a roll diameter of up to 68mm in Citizen's manual.
Width runs from 25.4mm to 114mm on the S-series. We slit from 25mm to 160mm, so ribbon up to 114mm is within our range for all of them.
Ink side: automatic on the CL-S700, a setting on the CL-S621, outside only on the CL-E321
Citizen handles the winding differently on each family. The CL-S700 datasheet says ink side in or out, automatically sensing, and the manual lists inside wound and outside wound ribbon, so there is no setting to change. The CL-S621 and CL-S631 also take either winding, but Citizen lists them as switch selectable: the manual has a section on selecting the ribbon winding direction, so set it to match the roll you load.
The CL-E321 and CL-E331 are the strict ones. Citizen's manual gives outer winding, ink surface facing outward, and says that ribbon with the ink on the inner side cannot be used. Order outside wound ribbon for them.
CL-E321 and CL-E331: a 35mm minimum width and a 68mm roll
Citizen's manual gives the CL-E321 and CL-E331 a minimum ribbon width of 35mm. That is above the 25mm we can slit, so for a narrow label on these two models order 35mm or wider. Citizen also advises a ribbon at least 5mm wider than the media, and for media 2 inches wide or less, a ribbon 60mm or wider.
On roll size, Citizen's datasheet gives a maximum diameter of 60mm and its manual 68mm. If your rolls sit between the two, send us the model and a photo of the roll and we confirm the size.
Send the model, label width, core, winding, roll length and number of rolls. Standard sizes have no minimum order, and a free sample lets you test on your own Citizen printer. Lengths run from 50m to 600m, and MSDS is available on request.
Technical notes
Citizen ribbon compatibility details
All the Citizen models here use a 1 inch core (25.4mm). Winding: the CL-S700 takes inside or outside wound ribbon and senses it automatically; the CL-S621 and CL-S631 take either, selected by switch or menu; the CL-E321 and CL-E331 take outside wound ribbon only, with the ink on the outer side. Give us your model when ordering, and ask us to confirm it.
Citizen Systems makes label printers alongside its other printer ranges. The models here are the ones whose ribbon size, core and winding we have confirmed from Citizen's own datasheets and manuals.
Citizen ribbon: common questions
What ribbon does a Citizen CL-S700 take?+
Ribbon 25.4mm to 114mm wide, up to 450m long, with a roll diameter of up to 86.5mm on a 1 inch core. Citizen's datasheet says it takes ink side in or out and senses the winding automatically, so choose the grade by label.
Do Citizen printers take inside or outside wound ribbon?+
It depends on the model. The CL-S700 takes either and senses it. The CL-S621 and CL-S631 take either, selected by switch or menu. The CL-E321 and CL-E331 take outside wound ribbon only, with the ink on the outer side.
What is the narrowest ribbon for a Citizen CL-E321 or CL-E331?+
Citizen's manual gives a minimum ribbon width of 35mm, a maximum of 114mm, and a 300m roll on a 1 inch core. We slit from 25mm, but for these two models 35mm is the narrowest width Citizen lists.
Can a Citizen CL-S621 use a 450m roll?+
Citizen lists up to 360m with a roll diameter of up to 74mm for the CL-S621 and CL-S631. The 450m roll, with a diameter of up to 86.5mm, is the CL-S700's. Send us your model and we match the roll.
Not sure which ribbon is right for your Citizen printer?
Tell us your printer model, label material, and application — we'll recommend the exact CW-series ribbon and send a free sample.