Evolis 15th Anniversary Limited Edition Primacy Black

Evolis Primacy Black

Evolis Primacy Black

Evolis has released a limited edition of their popular Primacy printer to celebrate their 15th anniversary. This black edition with carbon fiber style sides and red accents is available while supplies last, so make sure to get yours early! While it is not eligible for the trade-in/trade-up program, with an MSRP of $2190, this is a great discount on the Evolis Primacy, making it a perfect printer for those new to the ID card game.

For specific details regarding the printer, check it out on our webstore or call one of our printer experts at +1 888.485.4696.

Tech Alert: Apple Users of cardPresso ID Badge Design & Print Software

The Problem

elcapitanWe have recently become aware of a technical issue that occurs when users of the cardPresso ID Badge Design & Print software upgrade their Apple computers to the latest edition of OS X (10.11 “El Capitan”). In this latest operating system release, Apple has updated and enhanced system security, particularly as it applies to the use of USB-attached peripherals and mass-storage devices.

Users of cardPresso will know that use of and access to that software is secured through the use of a USB “dongle”, which is required to authenticate and authorize use of the product. The new release of OS X prevents cardPresso from “seeing” the USB dongle, and therefore prevents use of the software in anything other than demonstration mode.

The Fix

cardpressoWhile the El Capitan release also affected scores of other software developers, cardPresso’s software engineers worked quickly to develop, test, and release an update that will address this issue for affected users. The updated version is available for free download on the cardPresso website (www.cardpresso.com), and can be directly installed onto your Mac device with no loss of data of functionality.

As always, we encourage our clients to call on our in-house experts at +1 888.485.4696, should they need further information or support with this issue and resolution.

Tech Alert: Apple Users of cardPresso ID Badge Design & Print Software

The Problem

elcapitanWe have recently become aware of a technical issue that occurs when users of the cardPresso ID Badge Design & Print software upgrade their Apple computers to the latest edition of OS X (10.11 “El Capitan”). In this latest operating system release, Apple has updated and enhanced system security, particularly as it applies to the use of USB-attached peripherals and mass-storage devices.

Users of cardPresso will know that use of and access to that software is secured through the use of a USB “dongle”, which is required to authenticate and authorize use of the product. The new release of OS X prevents cardPresso from “seeing” the USB dongle, and therefore prevents use of the software in anything other than demonstration mode.

The Fix

cardpressoWhile the El Capitan release also affected scores of other software developers, cardPresso’s software engineers worked quickly to develop, test, and release an update that will address this issue for affected users. The updated version is available for free download on the cardPresso website (www.cardpresso.com), and can be directly installed onto your Mac device with no loss of data or functionality.

As always, we encourage our clients to call on our in-house experts at +1 888.485.4696, should they need further information or support with this issue and resolution.

How to Clear a Card Jam in a Zebra ZXP Series 7 Printer

Card jams are an occasional problem with any PVC card printer. The Zebra ZXP Series 7 printer is no exception. Zebra has made it easy to clear a jam from these 7 printers, as demonstrated in the short video below.

Instructions

  1.  If your printer stops, check Operator Control Panel and determine if the fault is a card jam.
  2. If so, open and close print cover (or options cover).
  3. This will cause the printer to initialize and move the jammed card to the reject bin (located to the right of OCP).

As always, if you have trouble clearing a jam or any other concerns with your Zebra ZXP Series 7 or any other card printer, call our experts at +1 888.485.4696.

For supplies for the Zebra ZXP Series 7, please browse our selection of ribbons, cards, and cleaning kits.

The 4 Items Your Business Needs to Get Started with Printed Cards

Printed PVC ID-cards are a great business asset in many industries. Identification cards add security or a professional touch to your business. These cards can be as simple as a name tag, or they can include complex security features such as holograms or smart chips. Gift or loyalty cards help to create and maintain brand recognition for customers. No matter what your goal is for your cards, you need to start with 4 basic supplies:

zxp-quikcard-bundle-medium__45323_zoom

Zebra ZXP Series 3 QuikCard Bundle

  1. Plastic-card printer. Available from multiple manufacturers, these specialized printers come in a variety of configurations, and are designed to meet most any need, from a few cards a month to hundreds of cards a day.
  2. Print Ribbon. Ribbons layer colors over a blank card to create the image and text you have designed. They come in a variety of monochrome colors, or full-color options.
  3. Blank Cards. PVC cards are available in myriad colors and security options including smart chip, magnetic stripe, or thin adhesive-backed stickers that can be applied to thick, non-printable proximity cards.
  4. Card Design & Printing Software. There are multiple brands of of software available from many developers, and that are specifically designed to simplify the design and production of printed PVC cards. Basic software versions all support creation and printing of photo-ID cards, whether single- or dual-sided, and features like simple bar-codes. The more advanced software versions support multi-user environments and shared databases, live-links to existing databases, and even the direct encoding of proximity access cards and RFID smart cards.

There are combinations of these four items to meet every budget and need, and is an investment that can pay off dividends for one’s business.

At Safe-Card ID Services we strive to help our customers find solution to address their expressed requirements. We offer many pre-configured bundles that include all of the above items in well-matched combinations. Our experts also specialize in creating custom bundles to meet the specific needs of our clients. For those with smaller scale needs or who do not want to invest in a printer system, our service bureau offers custom cards printed to order.

Let us answer your questions about getting started in card printing. Our experts are always available for a free consultation toll-free at +1 888.485.4696 (US & Canada). We look forward to hearing from you!

Handling PVC Cards for Best Results

Why Care in Handling PVC Cards is Important

Properly handling PVC cards will give you better results by preventing dirt, hair, and grease from adhering to the card. To get the best results from your PVC cards, be careful in handling and storing unused stock. If handled improperly, the card’s surface will attract dust and lint. Additionally, touching the printable surfaces will transfer residual oils from the user’s fingers. The printing process can trap or embed dust and lint on the print surface, and ribbons used in card printers does not adhere to oily surfaces, resulting in poor quality photo IDs.

For best results, we recommend handling cards only by the edges or wearing nitrile gloves (un-powdered). Our service bureau team has found that it is relatively simple to place a small stack of cards into an input hopper while keeping their fingers off the cards’ surfaces, as demonstrated below.

Handling PVC Cards CarefullyHowever, when we handle a number of individual cards, we often use medical-style nitrile gloves to protect the surface of the card.

Handling PVC Cards with gloves

For more tips browse our TechTips Blog, or call our ID experts at +1 888.485.4696.

Magicard Enduro 3E

Magicard Enduro 3E

Magicard Enduro 3E

Magicard has released the newest iteration of their popular Enduro line. The Magicard Enduro 3E offers numerous upgrades and refreshes to the Enduro+ model. We’re proud to announce that the printer is now available in our online store! For more information or to purchase, visit our online store or call one of our experts at +1 888.485.4696.

Evolis Primacy – How to Do a Routine Printer Cleaning

The following video provided by Evolis provides manufacturer instructions illustrating how to complete a routine printer cleaning with a cleaning card.

1. Open the printer lid on the top of the printer.
2. Remove the print ribbon.
3. Close the lid.
4. Open the card input hopper.
5. Remove all blank cards.
6. Shift the card thickness gauge to “MAX”.
7. Remove the adhesive strip from the cleaning card.
8. Place the cleaning card in the input hopper and leave the hopper door open.
9. Press the power button twice.
10. The card will be automatically cycled through the printer and ejected into the output hopper.
11. Remove the card from the output hopper and close the card output hopper.
12. Open the printer lid.
13. Replace the print ribbon and close the lid.
14. Return unused cards to the input hopper.
15. Return the thickness gauge to its correct setting and close the hopper door.

For information about the Evolis Primacy printer, please contact our ID card experts at +1 888.485.4696.

Updated Drivers Available from UltraMagicard

Magicard Rio ProUltraMagicard has updated their printer drivers. They are the first we’ve heard from to include updates for Windows 10. If you have a Magicard printer, we strongly recommend that you update your drivers and firmware to get peak performance out of your machine. As a reminder, we always encourage you to update your firmware at the same time that you update your driver–that way all of your printer’s support systems are up-to-date. If you have upgraded to Windows 10 or are considering doing so, this update is absolutely essential to ensure that your printer remains compatible with your computer’s operating system.

To update visit the UltraID printer support page here. Simply choose your printer, then choose “Drivers and Downloads” and download the most recent driver and firmware updates.

If you have any concerns, questions, or need assistance, please contact one of our experts at +1 704-535-5200–we would love help!

Thinking about upgrading to Windows 10? SLOW DOWN!

stoplooklistenIn the past few weeks, we have started to receive calls from clients whose ID-card printers do not work after updating their PCs to Windows 10. This is a very scary situation with a very simple explanation: Windows 10 is a new operating system, and Microsoft couldn’t have reasonably crafted it to support every printer, ever sold, by every manufacturer. Likewise, the manufacturers of these printers wouldn’t have had an inkling of Windows 10 while their printers were being designed and sold – often 3 or more years ago. The result is a number of perfectly good, well-functioning printers that have no current drivers to allow for their use under Windows 10.

What does this mean for you?

What it means in the short run is that users need to avoid the siren-call of the new, shiny OS from Microsoft unless and until they’re sure ALL of their critical printers, devices AND software are supported. At the time of writing, exactly NONE of our primary brands make mention of Windows 10 support. In speaking with one of our software vendors by phone last week, they told us their latest (June) release has been tested to work under Windows 10, and will be supported if users upgrade.

History repeats:

Going forward, we can take lessons from the past – not all software, and not all printers and devices will work now, or ever on Windows 10. Technology has a life-cycle. Manufacturers and software authors make money selling new stuff, not making their old stuff work with others’ new stuff. So what we’re likely to see is that old printers and devices – those no longer manufactured – will not get Windows 10 specific drivers or software updates. If current drivers happen to work, then you can squeeze more life out of these devices. If not, then you will either have to put-off upgrading Windows, or start budgeting for new printers. The same goes for your ID-badge software programs. None were initially written with Windows 10 in mind. They’ll minimally need to be tested, if not tweaked, by their developers. But some older products will just be left to die off over time as users ultimately, ploddingly, transition to the new Microsoft OS.

What can I do now?

Obviously, we do not recommend upgrading in this environment unless you are certain that your printer or software is supported under Windows 10. You should also know that there is no easy way to reverse a Windows 10 upgrade, once applied. Instead of jumping into the unknown, please contact one of our experts at +1 704.535.5200, for guidance. We will be happy to help you determine what is supported under Windows 10 currently, or if your items will be supported via a future driver or program release. As we become aware of Windows 10 support announcements, we’ll note them here on our blog – so keep an eye on this space.

Of course, we’d also be delighted to help you shop for a new device or software too!