The Art of Ribbonizing: A Step Towards Efficient Fiber Splicing    

Communication Data Center Fiber Optics Products & solutions
28.07.2025

In the world of fiber optics, efficiency and adaptability are key. 


What makes ribbonizing especially valuable is its ability to transform non-ribbon fiber cables into a format suitable for ribbon splicing. This transformation unlocks faster workflows, reduces labor, and leads to more compact fiber management, making it a game-changer for both legacy systems and new deployments.


What Is Ribbonizing?

Ribbonizing involves bonding individual optical fibers into a flat ribbon structure. This ribbon can then be spliced using a ribbon splice machine, allowing up to 12 fibers to be spliced at once. Compared to traditional single-fiber splicing, ribbonizing significantly reduces time and labor, especially in high-volume installations.  


The Ribbonizing Process

The ribbonizing workflow involves several key steps:


  • Cable stripping: The outer sheath is removed to expose the fibers.
  • Fiber sorting: Fibers are arranged according to a standardized color code, typically the TIA color code.
  • Adhesive application: A small amount of adhesive is applied to the sorted fibers, which are then held together using a ribbonizing clip.    
  • Curing: The adhesive cures rapidly—usually within 2–3 seconds—forming a stable ribbon.
  • Splicing preparation: Place ribbon in splice holder, then strip and cleave it before placing it into the splice machine.


Some suppliers offer glue-less ribbonizing tools, which further streamline the process. These tools are compatible with specific splice machines and enable dry ribbonizing without the need for adhesive.


Ribbonizing Non-Ribbon Fiber Cables

One of the most impactful advantages of ribbonizing is its ability to convert non-ribbon fiber cables into ribbon format. This means that even if a cable wasn’t manufactured with pre-bonded ribbons, technicians can still prepare it for ribbon splicing. The benefits include: 


•    Simultaneous splicing of multiple fibers, reducing repetitive tasks.

•    Fewer splice protectors required, saving space in cassettes and modules.

•    Improved fiber management in dense installations.


 This flexibility makes ribbonizing a powerful tool for both legacy systems and modern deployments.


Benefits of Ribbon Splicing

Ribbon splicing offers several operational advantages:

•    Speed: Splicing 12 fibers at once can be up to twice as fast as single-fiber splicing.

•    Space efficiency: Ribbon splice protectors reduce the number of protectors needed, optimizing storage.

•    Scalability: Ideal for large-scale fiber networks.

•    Versatility: Works with both ribbon and non-ribbon cables when ribbonizing is applied.


Watch the video to learn about the Ribbonizing process

Conclusion

Ribbonizing is more than a technical procedure—it’s a strategic enhancement for fiber optic networks. By enabling ribbon splicing on non-ribbon cables, it expands access to high efficiency splicing and simplifies fiber management. Whether you're working with legacy infrastructure or deploying new systems, ribbonizing offers a practical path to faster, cleaner, and more scalable fiber installations.