Lexmark 13L0034 Ribbon Review | Reliable Dot Matrix Printing
Review of the Lexmark 13L0034 dot matrix printer ribbon for Lexmark 4227 & 4227+ printers. Find out if it’s right for your legacy printing needs.
Introduction
In a world dominated by inkjet and laser technology, the dot matrix printer might seem like a relic of the past. However, certain applications – from point-of-sale systems to continuous form printing – continue to demand the unique capabilities of this older technology. The Lexmark 13L0034 printer ribbon addresses that enduring need, providing a dependable solution for users who require carbon copy printing, multipart forms, and compatibility with legacy equipment.
Frustration with high ink costs, paper jams, and the obsolescence of older systems can plague businesses and institutions still reliant on dot matrix printing. The Lexmark 13L0034 ribbon offers a straightforward, cost-effective way to maintain these essential workflows without the complexities of modern printing solutions.
Overview
The Lexmark 13L0034 is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ribbon designed specifically for Lexmark 4227 and 4227+ dot matrix printers. This ribbon provides exceptional character definition and long life, ensuring consistent performance and reliable results for all your legacy printing needs. Unlike some generic alternatives, the 13L0034 is engineered to meet Lexmark’s stringent quality standards, delivering dependable functionality and a consistent printing experience.
Designed for those maintaining or operating older printer fleets, this ribbon provides a crucial link to continued operation and data accessibility. It’s a simple, yet essential, component for businesses, retailers, and institutions needing to process multipart forms, receipts, or other documents requiring a ‘wet ink’ imprint. The ribbon’s compatibility and straightforward replacement procedure make it a low-maintenance solution.
Features
Long Life Design: Engineered for extended use, the Lexmark 13L0034 minimizes the frequency of ribbon replacements, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. This longer lifespan makes it a practical and economical choice for high-volume printing environments.
OEM Quality and Compatibility: As an OEM product, the ribbon is guaranteed to be fully compatible with Lexmark 4227 and 4227+ printers, ensuring optimal performance and preventing potential damage that might result from using non-genuine consumables.
Durable Fabric Construction: The ribbon’s fabric material provides durability and consistency, ensuring even ink distribution and minimizing the risk of tearing or smudging during operation.
Exceptional Character Definition: The ribbon’s fabric construction delivers sharp, clear character impressions, ensuring that text and graphics are easily legible on all copies. This is particularly important when producing carbon copies, where clarity is vital for accurate record-keeping.
Benefits
Consistent Print Quality: The ribbon’s fabric construction provides for exceptional clarity on carbon copies, critical for businesses needing legible documentation.
Preserves Legacy Systems: Extends the useful life of existing Lexmark 4227 and 4227+ printers, preventing costly and disruptive upgrades or replacements.
Reduced Downtime: The long life design and OEM compatibility minimize the risk of printer malfunctions and downtime associated with incompatible or low-quality ribbons, ensuring uninterrupted printing operations.
Simplified Maintenance: Easy to install and replace, the ribbon’s straightforward design reduces maintenance time and effort, allowing users to focus on their core business activities.
Cost-Effective Solution: While the technology is older, maintaining legacy systems becomes more cost-effective with original, reliable components like the Lexmark 13L0034 ribbon. Avoidance of printer repairs and replacement is significant.
Usages
Small Business Invoicing: Provides a dependable solution for generating invoices and other business documents, especially when multipart forms are required.
Financial Institutions: Used for printing bank statements, deposit slips, and other forms requiring a carbon copy imprint.
Government Agencies: Reliable for printing forms, permits, and other official documents.
Retail Point-of-Sale Systems: Essential for generating receipts and multipart transaction records in retail environments that utilize dot matrix printers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent character definition for clear impressions
- Long lifespan reduces replacement frequency
- OEM quality ensures compatibility and reliability
- Cost-effective solution for legacy printing needs
- Durable fabric construction
Cons
- Limited to use with specific Lexmark printer models (4227 and 4227+)
- Dot matrix printing is inherently slower than inkjet or laser
- Not suitable for high-resolution graphics or photo printing
- Ribbon technology represents a legacy printing solution.
FAQs
Is this ribbon compatible with other printer models?: This ribbon is specifically designed for use with Lexmark 4227 and 4227+ printers. Using it with other models may damage the printer or result in poor print quality.
What type of printing does this ribbon support?: The ribbon is designed for multipart forms, continuous forms, and applications requiring carbon copy printing.
What is the expected lifespan of the ribbon?: The expected lifespan of the Lexmark 13L0034 ribbon depends on usage volume and printing conditions, but it is designed for extended use, minimizing replacement frequency.
Where can I find replacement ribbons?: Lexmark 13L0034 ribbons are available from authorized Lexmark resellers and online retailers.
What should I do if I experience printing issues?: Ensure the ribbon is correctly installed and that the printer is clean. Refer to the printer’s user manual for troubleshooting tips.
Product Specifications
| Ink Type | Friction-Activated Ink |
| Print Technology | Dot Matrix |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | Lexmark International, Inc. |
| Dimensions | 19.12 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches |
| Material | Fabric |
| Compatibility | Lexmark 4227, 4227+ |
| Weight | 8 ounces |
Ratings
| Print Quality | 4.3 |
| Compatibility | 4.7 |
| Cost-Effectiveness | 4.6 |
| Reliability | 4.0 |
| Usability | 4.2 |
Recommendation
The Lexmark 13L0034 ribbon is ideally suited for businesses, retailers, and institutions that still rely on Lexmark 4227 and 4227+ printers for essential tasks such as point-of-sale transactions, multipart forms, or financial records. If your operation depends on continuous form printing and carbon copies, this ribbon provides a dependable and economical solution.
For organizations needing to maintain legacy systems without the cost and complexity of upgrades, this ribbon is an invaluable component. It ensures your printing infrastructure remains functional and your vital workflows uninterrupted. It’s particularly beneficial where strict regulatory requirements mandate specific printing methods or require carbon copies for legal record-keeping.
Conclusion
The Lexmark 13L0034 printer ribbon represents a crucial element in maintaining older dot matrix printing systems. While the technology may be less common than modern alternatives, the ribbon’s reliability, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional character definition ensure continued operation for businesses and institutions dependent on these legacy workflows.
Ultimately, the Lexmark 13L0034 offers a practical and dependable solution for those requiring the unique capabilities of dot matrix printing. Its straightforward operation and genuine Lexmark quality provide peace of mind, ensuring continued functionality and minimizing disruption to essential printing operations.
