All About Id Card Printer Ribbons

By Author: Daisy McCarty
Total Articles: 138
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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.

Visit ID Superstore for all your id card printer ribbons, including Fargo printer ribbons. Also check out our low prices on photo id supplies.