Category Archives: Datacard Printer

New Entrust Datacard Firmware

Entrust Datacard released new firmware for their SD, CD, and CE system printers today. In order to download this update, visit their support page.

The new firmware will provide your printers with a wide variety of enhancements. This summer, Entrust Datacard began sending out new RFID tags with enhanced encryption to ensure that you are receiving authentic Datacard® Certified Supplies that were designed specifically for optimum performance in their Datacard® system. This new firmware will enable the enhanced encryption to take place.

In addition to enabling the enhanced encryption, the new firmware will provide Datacard SD, CD, and CE systems with a wide variety of updates:

  • UV printing on all SD, CD and CE systems
  • Rewrite capability on SD260 and SD260s systems
  • Security enhancements to support PCI requirements
  • Mag stripe fix to help reduce errors when cards are not in position
  • Improved cleaning card on the multi-hopper
  • Other security and performance improvements

For more information about firmware and why it’s important to keep it updated, check out the post about it in our archives.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our experts at +1 888.485.4696.

Value of High-Quality Consumables for ID Card Printers

Always use high-quality consumables, purchased from authorized dealers in your ID card printer. These supplies provide the best life and results from your machine. Safe-Card ID Services is one such dealer, but there are lots out there; find a dealer you trust!

But I saw cheaper consumables online…

Less reputable dealers may offer cards and ribbons that are “compatible” with your printer but are not certified. While you may find that they offer these at a discount, these savings may be an illusion. Recently, a local client ruined multiple print-heads by using sub-standard cards. Not only was this an inconvenience that interrupted their card production, it was costly. Printer manufacturers’ warranties do not cover print-head damage from poor-quality or non-genuine consumables.

What problems might low-quality consumables have?

Poor-quality cards may have foreign objects (dirt, dust, hair, and plastic particles), irregular sizing and thickness, and jagged-cut edges. In the best-case scenario, using these cards will require more frequent printer cleaning (to remove those foreign objects!). The worst-case scenario results in physical damage to the printer, specifically the expensive print-head.

Poor-quality ribbons may not be compatible with RFID sensors or printer firmware updates, leading to “no ribbon” or “unknown ribbon” errors, thus preventing their use. Non-genuine ribbons are often made with sub-standard materials. Use of these materials can lead to low-quality images, rendering of colors inconsistently, and ribbons tearing and sticking to card surfaces, all of which can also cause damage to the print-head.

Why are high-quality consumables such a big deal?

All printer manufacturers stipulate that the use of non-branded or low-quality materials can void printer and print-head warranties. While great online deals can be tempting, it is important to make sure that the materials are of high quality–both to preserve your device warranty and to ensure the best possible output.

The bottom line: be sure to inspect materials before using them. A broken printer costs more to replace or repair than you could ever save with aftermarket or “gray-market” supplies. Find a trustworthy, authorized dealer for your printer consumables and rest assured that your printer investment will be protected.

ID Works Software – Connect to a SQL 2008 Database using the OLE DB Connection

Datacard Group has released a free training video demonstrating how to connect your SQL Database to their software by using the OLE DB connection. You will find steps needed to make this connection in their video below.

Safe-Card ID is an authorized distributor of Datacard Printers and supplies. We also supply many types of access cards and badge holders. We look forward to hearing from you when we can assist you with your needed supplies.

ID Works Software – Creating a Record and Printing the Card with ID Works Software

Datacard Group has released free training videos to show how to design an ID card, create a record and print the card using their ID Works software. Following is a free video demonstrating how to print a card through the software.

Safe-Card ID is an authorized distributor of Datacard SD printers and software. If we can assist you with a printer or supplies, we would love to hear from you.

ID Works Software – Creating an Database for Your ID Cards

After your ID card design is completed, you will want to create a database to store the custom information that will be printed on each identification card. The following video from Datacard provides instructions to create the database storing your unique card information.

If you need assistance in locating the best ID card printer, card design software or printing supplies for your photo id needs, contact our ID card experts at Safe-Card ID. They can be reached toll free at 888-485-4696.

ID Works Software – Add a Barcode Field to a Card Design

Datacard has provided a free training video to demonstrate how to add a barcode field to a id card design when using their ID Works software. Steps to add the barcode field can be seen in the video below:

Safe-Card ID is proud to offer Datacard printers and supplies for printing your custom card needs. Please contact our ID card experts toll free at 888-485-4696 for assistance with your Datacard product selection.

ID Works Software – How to Add Fields to a Production Template

Need to know how to add text fields and other fields to your card template in ID Works card printing software? Check out this video for step by step instructions.

Our ID card experts at Safe-Card ID can assist you with your ID card printer, ID card software and any supplies needed to complete your ID cards. Contact us toll free at 888-485-4696.

Datacard Printer – Card Jam Error

Datacard

After a clear card option has been installed in a Datacard card printer SP35 Plus or SP55 Plus, a card jam error my occur. The same error may occur when after replacing the main control board.

To clear this error the printer will need to determine the sensor type. For the printer to recycle through and make this determination, a power on test card is required using the appropriate clear or opaque card type to force the firmware to redetermine the sensor type. Each time the card is changed from clear or opaque to the other type, a power test card will be necessary to redetermine the sensor type.

For additional information about Datacard printers currently on the market, SP25 Plus, SP35 Plus, SP55 Plus and the SP75 Plus, contact our id card experts toll free at 888-485-4696.

Datacard Printer – Card is Stuck in the Print Area Error

Datacard

When printing ID cards and the PVC cards are placed in the correct position to input into the printer, occasionally a “card is stuck in the print area” error may be given by a Datacard SP series id card printer. When this error displays, the most probable cause for the error is due to dirty cleaning rollers.

The cleaning rollers must be sticky enough to grab the card and pull it into the printer. The card may not be grabbed securely enough to clear the card input photocell in time. The card lagging behind may cause the photocell to interpret the situation as a card stuck in the print area, thus displaying that indication. To correct this error, clean the upper and lower cleaning rollers.

If the rollers are not sticky after you have cleaned the rollers, then they will need to be replaced for best operation of the Datacard card printers.

For additional information about Datacard printers currently on the market, SP25 Plus, SP35 Plus, SP55 Plus and the SP75 Plus, contact our id card experts toll free at 888-485-4696.