Will the uPunch ribbon work in a Lathem clock?

No. The HNRG10 is built for uPunch HN and UB clocks, and the Lathem 7-2CN is built for Lathem 2000, 3000 and 4000 series clocks. Match the ribbon to your clock's brand and model.

Which ribbon lasts longer?

The Lathem 7-2CN has a reversing grommet, so the clock reuses the ribbon until the print fades. The uPunch cartridge has no reversing feature and is simply replaced when it runs out.

Do the colors mean anything?

Yes. The uPunch ribbon prints black and red, with red marking early and late punches. The Lathem ribbon prints red and blue.

Is the uPunch ribbon hard to install?

No. It snaps in and snaps out as a sealed cartridge, with no threading. That is its main advantage over a loose ribbon.

Will the Lathem ribbon fit an older Lathem 8000 series clock?

It fits, but ribbon life is shorter because the 8000 series has a longer ribbon path. Expect to change it more often.

uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon vs Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

These are not competing products. Each ribbon fits a different brand of time clock, so the choice is set by the clock you own, not by ribbon quality. The uPunch HNRG10 is an OEM snap-in cartridge for uPunch HN and UB clocks, and owners like that it drops in without threading. The Lathem 7-2CN is a heavy-duty nylon ribbon with a reversing grommet that lets the clock reuse the ribbon until print fades, and it fits Lathem 2000, 3000 and 4000 series clocks. Buy the one your clock takes; neither works in the other's machine.

Choose the uPunch HNRG10 if you own a uPunch HN1000, HN2000, HN3000, HN4000, HN5000SC, HN6000SC or UB1000 bundle and want the simple snap-in cartridge.
Choose the Lathem 7-2CN if you own a Lathem 2000, 3000 or 4000 series clock and want the reversing ribbon that lasts through repeated mechanical printing.

Prices

uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon: $9.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon: $10.95 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon is $0.96 cheaper than the Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 12)

	uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon	Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon
Clock compatibility	uPunch HN1000 through HN6000SC and UB1000 bundles only	Lathem 2000, 3000 and 4000 series, plus older 8000 series with shorter life
Installation	Snap-in, snap-out cartridge, no threading	Ribbon with reversing grommet that must seat on the clock's reversing mechanism
Ribbon material	Standard two-color ribbon in a sealed cartridge	Heavy-duty nylon built for repeated impact printing
Ribbon life	Replaced when the cartridge runs out	Reverses at the end and reprints until print fades
Print colors	Black and red, red marks early and late punches	Red and blue
Packaging	Individually sealed	Sealed plastic inner liner to stop drying out
Brand type	OEM part from uPunch	OEM part from Lathem, a time clock maker since 1919

Spec	uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon	Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon
Color	Black	Red
Color(s)	Black/Red	—
Device Types	Time Clock	—
For Use With	uPunch HN3000, UB1000	—
OEM/Compatible	OEM	—
Assembly Required	No	—
Country of Origin	CN	—
Compatible printers	uPunch HN1000, HN2000, HN3000, HN4000, HN5000SC…	—
Brand	uPunch	—
Category	Ink/Correction Ribbons	—
Global Product Type	Ink/Correction Ribbons	—
Total Recycled Content Percent	0%	—

Spec	uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon	Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon
Case Pack	Each	—
Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percent	0%	—
Pre-Consumer Recycled Content Percent	0%	—
Output Color	Black	—
Type	Replacement ribbon	—
count_per_pack	1	—
Fits Models	—	1221, 2121, 2126, all 2100 and

uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon vs Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

Prices

uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon vs Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

Prices

uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon

Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

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uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon

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uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon

Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

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uPunch HNRG10 Time Clock Ribbon

Lathem 7-2CN Time Clock Ribbon

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