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Id Card Printer Ribbons

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Whether you are purchasing a new ID printer or buying supplies for an existing machine, there are a variety of ribbon options available for your various applications. What type you decide to buy will depend first on what printer model you are using, and then on the specific job. If cost is a factor keep in mind that, in general, full color is more expensive than monochrome. For ID printing you will need the full spectrum, but for high volume marketing you may want to use a vibrant one-color logo to reduce your cost per unit. Finishing and specialty options are often made available incorporated into a single color cartridge but they can be also be purchased separately.

Dye Sublimation and Thermal Transfer

Full color printing in the ID card industry is usually done using dye sublimation ribbon. Dye is released by exposure to tiny, heated metal pins on the printhead and bonds chemically with the plastic surface being printed. Since the amount of dye used can be minutely controlled and each color blends easily into the next, this method of printing renders very high quality images.

Thermal transfer printing uses resin that is melted onto the plastic in small dots of color. Resin ink is usually the fourth panel on a color cartridge (the K in the YMCK designation stands for black). Resin is the perfect medium for printing crisp lines and is used for bar coding and most monochrome applications. Single color doesn't necessarily mean black ? the full range of primary colors is available. Having the ability to pick a contrasting ribbon color and card color gives you a lot of variety to choose from for your final look. You might also select a metallic cartridge as the printing option for your next advertising campaign to set you apart from the competition.

Ink and resin printing can both be carried out in one of two ways. In "direct to card" applications the printhead releases dye or ink directly onto the surface of each card. "Retransfer" involves printing the image on the reverse side of a strip of plastic film and then fusing that film to the card. The dye/ink is layered between the card surface and the protective topcoat making it impervious to wear. The direct to card option is often standard in less expensive printer models while retransfer printing is available on many high-end units.

Specialty Applications and Finishing Options

Dye sublimation printing works best with a UV resistant topcoat to keep the image from fading. Look for an O or T in the ribbon description to find this finishing option. To save money and reduce waste, consider buying special "half panel" cartridges that are configured to print small areas (such as ID photos) in color. For added security, choose a specialty holographic overcoat to apply to each card. This easily visible marking makes your IDs tamper and forgery resistant. Flourescing ink (F) can also be used to add invisible markings for security or bar coding purposes. A second K in the description is a resin panel for printing black text on the reverse side of a card and is only for use in dual sided printers. Scratch off ribbon is a popular add-on for covering pin numbers.

Regular Maintenance

If you use your card printer on a regular basis, consider implementing an automatic reorder program to keep you from running out of supplies. Mark each cartridge with the date it was delivered so you will be sure to use the oldest ones first - they do expire after about a year. Remember to order any printer cleaning supplies also if they don't come pre-packaged with the ribbon. Keeping the printing path clear of debris and build up is an important part of keeping your equipment running.

Name Brand versus Off Brand

Card printers are specifically designed to work best with consumables provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) since supplies are an important part of their ongoing revenue stream. This doesn't mean you can't use a generic brand*, just be cautious. Since non-OEM ribbons may not give you the final print quality you are used to it is advisable to purchase a sample before placing any kind of bulk order. Generic supplies are often non-returnable and you don't want to get caught with a large stock of unusable supplies on your shelves.

*Note: Don't let a printer manufacturer void your warranty because you used off brand consumables - this is a violation of federal law per the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975.

Id Card Printer Ribbons

Fargo equipment falls into two basic categories - direct to card (DTC) and high definition printing (HDP). All of the machines in their current line can print in full color or monochrome and are compatible with Windows 2000/XP. The Asure ID program is the preferred software for ID formatting but other options are available for some units. If you have any questions about compatibility with other programs, be sure to check with your sales rep before you buy.

Direct to Card Printers:

The Persona C30 boasts the lowest MSRP of all Fargo's products but it doesn't sacrifice quality to offer you a great price. This tiny 8 pound desktop model brings vivid card printing to small businesses and anyone who is working on a tight budget. The unit is designed to be simple for employees to use and each snap-in replacement ribbon comes with a card cleaning roller already incorporated for easy maintenance. You can choose the dual sided version of this model for applications that require lots of text, or the M30 if your card designs require only one color per job. The Persona C30 and DTC400 also have the ability to print on 10 mil and rewritable cards - something other Fargo models aren't equipped to do.

The DTC400 and DTC550 are similar in many of their capabilities, but each has its own advantages. The DTC550 is intended for higher volume use, so you will definitely want to invest a little extra and go with this larger model if you will be printing cards frequently or in bulk. The 550 can also have a lamination unit and card hopper lock added to enhance your card security. The advantage of the 400 model lies in the number of options that can be added in the field after purchase. If you wish to buy a printer now and add dual sided capabilities, mag stripe, or e-card encoding, you can do so at any time with the help of a technician when you pick this model. With the 550 series you will need to select your encoding options at the time you place your order. Both units have excellent warranties - just be sure to add a cleaning kit to your shopping cart to keep your machine in top condition.

High Definition Printers:

All of Fargo's HDP models use thermal retransfer printing to deliver a final product with crisp and clear images printed on just about any 30 mil or 50 mil card. This includes those manufactured from non-standard materials and featuring uneven surfaces (such as proximity cards with embedded antenna). In this type of print process the dye and resin are deposited on the underside of a strip of plastic film and then bonded to the card surface for an immaculate finish. Since Fargo supplies each HDP unit with a lifetime printhead warranty, your money is well spent on these machines.

The HDP5000 is a great buy for any corporation that places a high value on the image it presents to clients. This unit offers "over the edge" printing for a professional format that eliminates unsightly white borders. This machine is ideal for mid-sized marketing needs as well as access control. With its smart screen LCD control panel and simple operation, training is fast and efficient. Add lamination, dual sided printing, and encoding to ensure this equipment meets all your current and future needs.

The HDP600 is Fargo's highest quality printer and can be equipped with all the bells and whistles available across the industry. This FIPS compliant machine can incorporate the latest options including an external print server, e-card docking station, contact and contactless capabilities, proximity reader, and a 3 track mag stripe encoder. With a 200 card input hopper provided standard, this workhorse is the ideal printer for high volume jobs. Select the modules that allow you to print both sides of a card, encode, and laminate it in a single pass for ease of use.

Finally, the HDP600-CR100 occupies the top of the range price-wise and is specifically designed to create oversized photo ID cards. This specialty application is ideal for environments where crowd control and instant identification are essential. Lamination and holographic topcoats can provide even more security for these forgery resistant badges. Look for Fargo to add encoding options for this model soon.

About the Company: Fargo Electronics, Inc. was founded over 35 years ago and continues to expand today. Since being named to the Forbes Top 200 small business list in 2005, the company has gone on to experience even more success. Their reputation for producing high quality security solutions has garnered many lucrative government contracts. They have also made a name for themselves in other fields such as health care and R&D where privacy concerns are of paramount importance. If you are considering adding yourself to the company's distinguished client list, you are sure to find equipment that meets your needs and fits your budget. This Minnesota based corporation does business with the public through authorized distributors such as www.IDSuperstore.com who have trained security integration professionals on staff to answer your questions.

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Daisy Mccarty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Marketing and computers and the internet. Visit ID Superstore for all your , including. Daisy Mccarty's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.

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