Near Edge Ribbons for Markem-Imaje SmartDate TTO Printers
Markem-Imaje SmartDate is one of the most widely deployed thermal transfer overprinter (TTO) platforms in European packaging lines — used by food, pharma, beverage, and cosmetics manufacturers for date, batch and lot coding on flexible films. AG FOIL EUROPE manufactures near-edge ribbons for the entire SmartDate range, slit to your exact width and length at our facility in Slovakia.
Common widths
22, 33, 40, 53, 55 mm for standard SmartDate · 80-130 mm for SmartDate X65-128 wide format · custom 20-130 mm
Common lengths
500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1100, 1200 m (high-capacity rolls for continuous packaging lines)
Recommended ribbon types
AG15N standard near-edge for SmartDate 8018 and legacy SmartDate · AG16N for X40 / X45 medium duty · AG17N premium near-edge for X60 / X60s high-speed continuous · AG18N premium high-throughput for X65 and X65-128 wide format
AG FOIL ribbons for Markem-Imaje printers — compatibility table
Find the recommended AG FOIL SKU for your Markem-Imaje printer model. All listed combinations are tested and supplied to OEM partners across Europe.
| Markem-Imaje Model | Printer Type | AG FOIL SKU | Ribbon Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartDate 8018 | Entry-level intermittent TTO | AG15N | NEAR EDGE | 32 mm print head, ribbon up to 600 m |
| SmartDate X30 | Compact intermittent TTO | AG15N | NEAR EDGE | 32 mm print head, ribbon up to 500 m |
| SmartDate X40 (intermittent) | Medium-duty intermittent TTO | AG15N, AG16N | NEAR EDGE | 32 or 53 mm print head, ribbon up to 800 m |
| SmartDate X45 (continuous) | Medium-duty continuous TTO | AG16N, AG17N | NEAR EDGE | 32 or 53 mm print head, ribbon up to 1100 m, ribbon-save modes |
| SmartDate X60 / X60s | High-speed continuous TTO | AG17N, AG18N | NEAR EDGE Premium | 53 or 107 mm print head, ribbon up to 1200 m |
| SmartDate X65 | Premium continuous TTO | AG18N | NEAR EDGE Premium | 53 or 107 mm print head, ribbon up to 1100 m, ribbon-saving modes |
| SmartDate X65-128 (wide) | Wide-format premium TTO | AG18N | NEAR EDGE Premium | 128 mm print head, wide-format ribbon 80-130 mm |
| SmartDate III / 5 (legacy) | Legacy intermittent TTO | AG15N | NEAR EDGE | Still operating in many European packaging lines |
Compatibility table is provided as guidance. For final ribbon selection, we recommend a sample test on your specific printer and substrate.
Frequently asked questions
Are AG FOIL ribbons compatible with the Markem-Imaje SmartDate X40, X45, X60 and X65 series?
Yes. Our near-edge ribbons (AG15N, AG16N, AG17N, AG18N) are formulated for the near-edge printhead geometry used by all SmartDate X-series printers. We supply standard widths (22, 33, 40, 53, 55 mm) and custom widths from 20 mm to 130 mm to match every SmartDate variant — including the wide-format X65-128.
What ribbon lengths can you supply for high-speed Markem-Imaje continuous TTO?
For continuous models like SmartDate X45, X60 and X65 we manufacture ribbons up to 1200 m per roll, which matches and exceeds the OEM specifications. Long rolls reduce changeover frequency and downtime on high-speed packaging lines.
Are your near-edge ribbons suitable for ribbon-save modes (interlaced, radial) on SmartDate X-series?
Yes. Our AG17N and AG18N premium near-edge formulations are engineered for high-tension ribbon-save modes used by SmartDate X45, X60, X60s and X65. We work with integrators and packaging engineers across Europe to validate ribbon performance for specific substrates.
Do you supply ribbons for legacy Markem-Imaje SmartDate III, SmartDate 5 and 8018?
Yes. Many European packaging lines still operate legacy SmartDate III, SmartDate 5 and 8018 units. We continue to supply AG15N near-edge ribbons in the original specifications (22-55 mm width, up to 900 m length) for these printers.
Can I order Markem-Imaje compatible ribbons under our own brand (white or private label)?
Yes. As an OEM partner we supply near-edge ribbons under your brand — plain unbranded rolls for white-label resale, or fully branded with your label, EAN and SKU codes. See our OEM partnership page for details.