Ribbon for use in producing printer activatable indicators

A method of applying an environmental sensor to a media element with a media processing device, the method comprising:

• feeding a media element into an upstream end of a print head assembly of the media processing device, wherein the print head assembly comprises a thermal transfer ribbon comprising:
• a carrier layer;
• and
• a transfer layer operatively coupled to the carrier layer, the transfer layer comprising an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules, the plurality of microcapsules preventing the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition,
• wherein the environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured, and after the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect, the observable effect resulting from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition;
• printing a portion of the transfer layer onto the media element by thermal transfer printing with the print head assembly, wherein the portion of the transfer layer comprises a portion of the plurality of microcapsules, wherein the portion of the plurality of microcapsules form a second plurality of microcapsules on the media element, and wherein the second plurality of microcapsules form the environmental sensor on the media element;
• and
• feeding the media element out of a downstream end of the print head assembly.

A method of forming a thermal transfer ribbon, the method comprising:

• applying a release layer to a substrate;
• coating the release layer with a transfer layer, the transfer layer comprising an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules, the plurality of microcapsules preventing the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition,
• wherein the environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured, and after the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect, the observable effect resulting from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition;
• and
• attaching a first end of the substrate to a supply spool;
• attaching a second end of the substrate to a take-up spool;
• and
• winding the substrate around the supply spool.