Brother Fax-817 Ribbons
Shop ribbons for your Brother Fax-817, which uses the Brother PC-401, PC-402RF, and PC-404RF ribbon series. Ink Depot has been supplying genuine consumables for this plain paper thermal transfer fax printer since Jan 1998. Our 4.8 Google rating reflects a long-standing track record of premium cartridge performance. Opting for PC-404RF refill rolls lowers ongoing printing costs compared to replacing individual PC-501 complete cartridge units.
Expected page output and thermal ribbon replacement
Plain paper thermal fax ribbons transfer wax ink directly onto paper sheets under precise heat control. The genuine PC-501 ribbon roll provides a standard rating of 150 pages based on standard ISO/IEC test charts with standard text density coverage.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-501 | Standard | Black | 150 | $0.27 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing ribbon refills and fast dispatch
If you receive frequent multi-page incoming faxes, choosing PC-404RF refill rolls is the most cost-effective approach for replacing depleted thermal film without discarding the plastic cartridge frame. For low-volume fax setups, standard PC-501 single cartridge packs ensure fast, drop-in replacement.
Free delivery applies on all orders over $99. All orders are dispatched quickly from dispatch centres in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Review details on our returns policy or explore the broader range of Brother ribbons.
Thermal fax ribbon selection tip
When replacing thermal transfer film, retain the plastic cartridge structure from your PC-501 cartridge; purchasing PC-404RF refill rolls allows you to re-use that frame, drastically reducing consumable expense and plastic waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do PC-404RF refill rolls differ from a complete PC-501 cartridge?
The PC-501 includes both the thermal transfer ribbon and the plastic cartridge housing ready for direct insertion. The PC-404RF contains replacement ribbon rolls that install directly into your existing PC-501 plastic frame, delivering identical print quality at a significantly lower per-page expense.
What happens when the thermal fax ribbon runs out during an incoming transmission?
The Brother Fax-817 stores incoming document pages in its internal memory if thermal film runs out during print operations. Once you reload a fresh PC-501 cartridge or PC-404RF ribbon refill, the stored document automatically prints without losing fax data.
Why does standard plain paper faxing use thermal ribbon instead of liquid ink?
Thermal transfer ribbons use heat to bond solid black wax pigment directly onto standard plain paper sheets. Unlike liquid inkjet inks, ribbon printouts will not smudge, fade, or bleed, ensuring long-term document legibility for official records and business correspondence.
