Brother Fax-878 Ribbons
Your Brother Fax-878 uses the PC-401 / PC-402RF / PC-404RF / PC-501 thermal transfer ribbon series. Ink Depot has supplied reliable consumables for this plain paper fax printer since Sep 2014. The Brother Fax-878 is a compact thermal transfer fax printer designed for standard office document transmission. Our 4.8 Google rating reflects a long-standing track record of premium cartridge performance. Installing genuine PC-501 cartridge units provides a fresh assembly, while multipack refill rolls like the PC-404RF significantly lower operating costs during frequent message reception.
Expected page output and replacement cycles
Thermal transfer fax ribbons deplete evenly based on full page passes rather than text coverage, with a single PC-501 unit rated for 150 standard A4 pages under ISO testing standards.
| 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.
Selecting the right ribbon configuration for your business
If you receive occasional transmissions, standard single PC-501 cartridges offer hassle-free replacement. Busy office environments benefit from PC-404RF refill roll multi-packs, which utilise your existing cartridge cassette to lower ongoing expenditure. All orders are covered by our returns policy. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99, dispatched quickly from our Australian warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Explore our complete catalogue of Brother ribbons for all office requirements.
Pro Tip
Do not discard the plastic cartridge frame when replacing your ribbon for the first time. Retaining the original PC-501 housing allows you to load cost-effective PC-404RF refill rolls in the future rather than purchasing complete cartridge assemblies every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Brother PC-501 and PC-404RF thermal ribbons?
The PC-501 is a complete ribbon cartridge unit that includes both the black ribbon roll and the plastic frame. The PC-404RF is a multi-pack of refill rolls that fit into your existing PC-501 or PC-401 plastic cassette, saving plastic waste and reducing per-roll replacement costs.
How do thermal transfer ribbons measure page yield on the Fax-878?
Unlike laser toner or ink cartridges where page yields vary depending on text density, thermal fax ribbons advance a precise distance for every page processed through the printer. A 150-page ribbon roll will yield exactly 150 A4 pages regardless of whether each page contains one line of text or full text coverage.
Do thermal fax ribbons degrade if kept in storage for long periods?
Genuine Brother thermal transfer ribbons have an extended shelf life when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keeping spare PC-404RF refill rolls in office supply storage ensures incoming faxes are never missed due to an unexpected ribbon exhaustion.
