Monthly Archives: March 2012

Can I Pre-Punch My PVC ID Cards?

pvc cardsThe simple answer to that question is yes. All you need to do when ordering  your Image Grade PVC card stock is to ask to have them pre-punched. We will ensure the card expert that punches the cards on your behalf maintains the graphic intergrity of the cards by wearing gloves to ensure the oils from the skin do not touch the surface of the card.

If you would prefer to punch the cards yourself, Safe-Card ID Services offers a wide range of slot punches for all volumes of cards to all budgets. Remember no matter which slot punch you use, it can and will only punch one card at a time.

The catch about pre-punching you cards is that if you are using a direct to card printer you run the risk of damaging the print head causing a nce white line appear across your printed card. A print head will cost about $500-700 to replace.

One solution to this problem is to use a re-transfer card printer, such as the Fargo HDP5000. Re-transfer printers print onto the underside of a film that is heat rolled onto the card surface, so the print head never touches the card.

To learn more about pre-punched cards or a re-transfer printer give an expert at Safe-Card ID Services a call today.

 

Visual Security and Your ID Card Program

A number of visual security features can be added to your ID card program to decrease the likelihood of fraud or counterfeiting. While some of the features are specific to the brand and model printer you own, a few features can be implemented regardless of the type of printer. These include peel-and-stick holographic markers that can be applied by hand before printing or a holographic overlaminate. There are also whole card holographic stickers you can apply after you print a card. While most over-laminates require a laminating module in the printer you can laminate cards with a holographic ribbon on the Evolis line of printers as shown in the image to the left.

To learn more about how to incorporate these features into your ID card program give an expert at Safe-Card ID Services a call.

Important Steps in Extending the Life of Your ID Card Printer

The purchase of an ID Card Printer is an investment in the safety and security of your students or staff. Like any piece of equipment, your printer won’t last forever if it’s not cared for properly. Follow these important steps to extend the life and performance of your ID card printer;

1. Only use brand-approved printer supplies. These days there is a generic brand of everything, and while they can mean savings in the short run, in the end they can cause extensive damage to your printer. Each manufacturer has its’ own supplies and each might require a different ribbon and cleaning kit. Be sure to use the right supplies with your printer by calling an expert at Safe-Card ID Services.

2. Keep it clean. Your printers warranty will state how often you must clean your printer, typically every 700-1,000 prints. Safe-Card ID Services recommends cleaning the printer every time you change the ribbon.  Regular cleanings ensure your ID cards always come out looking beautiful.

3. Mandate proper training. The greater number of people you have using your printer, the more likely it is to be misused or damaged. Train individuals in your office or organization who will be using the printer to make sure it’s handled properly.

4. Store it in a Case. Protect your printer from dust and potential damage by storing it under a dust cover or in a case. A case is a must to protect your printer from the elements if you are transporting it between buildings or events.

For more information on extending the life of your ID Card Printer or for your printer supply and accessory needs contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services today.

What Does Card Printer Firmware Do?

Every ID card printer contains an embedded computer program called firmware. This program is the “brain” of the printer, and is responsible for receiving output (“print jobs”) from your computer, and then translating that information into the necessary commands and functions required for your printer to produce high-quality ID cards.

Printer firmware programs are routinely updated by manufacturers to improve print-speed and quality, to expand capabilities, and to correct for software bugs or printer faults. To obtain optimal performance from any ID card printer, we recommend that our clients always use the latest firmware version available. We find that printer errors or faults often can be resolved by ensuring the firmware is up-to-date, and that printers run more consistently and with fewer issues when this practice is maintained.

Updating the printer’s firmware is easy. First, go to the technical support section of your printer manufacturer’s website. Links are provided below:

motherboardCIM Printers
Datacard Printers
Evolis Printers
Fargo Printers
IDP/Smart Printers
Magicard Printers
Zebra Printers

On these linked pages, you will be able to locate and download the correct and latest firmware for your specific printer model. Each manufacturer also helpfully includes basic procedures for the installation of the firmware on their specific printers. Of course, if you should have any questions or doubts, our expert technicians are always glad to assist you!

As a reminder, we always recommend that you update to the newest available printer driver when you update your firmware. To learn more about printer drivers, click here.

For specific card system information, contact our ID card experts toll free at +1 888.485.4696.

Evolis Zenius ID Card Printer – Remove and Replace the Cover

Evolis, a French manufacturer of ID card printers, has provied the following video about their newest printer model release, the Evolis Zenius ID card printer. This video demonstrates how to remove and replace the cover on the printer.

If you need assistance in obtaining an Evolis printer or in purchasing card printing supplies, please contact our ID card experts at 888-485-4696.

Increase Card Security with Fluorescing Printing

A great way to increase card security of your program’s ID cards is to print parts of the card design with “fluorescing” ink. This special ink is only becomes visible when viewed under a UV light source, such as a black-light. Organizations and agencies often use fluorescing ink to print special codes or images to prevent counterfeiting. This common security practice is used with government issued cards and other high security card programs.

Safe-Card ID Services carries several card printers that are capable of using fluorescing ink , including the high-definition Fargo HDP5000, the reliable Datacard 360  and the direct-to-card Fargo DTC4500e printer.

To learn more about incorporating flurescing printing into your program’s cards give an expert at Safe-Card ID Services a call today!

Mylar Backed Vs Paper Backed Adhesive Cards

There are multiple types and brands of adhesive backed cards. One popular use of these cards is to attach a ID card to an access card so that one card can be used. This helps employees and other card holders from having to keep track of multiple cards.

You may want to know what the similarites and differences are between mylar backed cards and paper backed cards. Following is a brief explanation:

Similaries between the mylar backed and paper backed adhesive cards include the actual end result. The outcome of printing on either cardstock is a printed 10 ml card with an adhesive on the back that can be adhered to any type of card, including an access card. Both cards come in either a CR-79 or CR-80 size.

Differences between the cards relate to the thickness of the card and the ease of printing. A paper backed card has a thin layer of paper attached to the back to hold the adhesive in the correct place and away from other cards until it is needed. This paper layer is very thin and these cards often will flex or jam in an badge printer as they go through printing. This will cause printing quality issues or will cause the printer to jam.

The Mylar card may still have the printing issues of the paper card, but it is less likely. The mylar is thicker and more rigid. This allows them to pass through the typical 30 ml printer easier than the paper counterpart.

To view these two products, visit our webstore at these links:

Paper backed 10 ml adhesive backed cards
Mylar backed 10 ml adhesive backed cards

Tips for Effective Use of an ID Card Slot Punch

An ID card slot punch offers an affordable and effective way to create an attachment point on your ID cards for use with badge accessories, such as badge clips, badge reels or lanyards. Before you use a slot punch, it’s important to know how and when to use it.

Tip #1: A few test cards go a long way

It would be a waste to print hundreds of cards and then realize that the slot punch will interfere with the design of the card. Instead, print a few test cards and test location of the punch against your design. There are a number of models and prices of slot punches available with volume being the deciding factor in which to select.

Tip #2: Take extra precaution with access cards

Access cards have an antenna embedded into the card, so you will need to be sure to punch the slot in the correct spot on the card so as not to damage the antenna or chip. If the antenna is damaged, your access card will not work. Since these cards can cost anywhere from $3.00 to $6.00 or more per card, it would be a costly mistake to punch these cards in the wrong location.

Tip #: Slot punch already printed cards only

Slot punching makes the surface area of an ID card uneven and dangerous for your card printer’s sensitive printhead. If you slot punch an ID card and then feed it through your ID card printer, you may leave a small sliver of plastic behind that could possibly puncture a hole in one of the heat elements on the printhead. Damaged printheads result in distorted and poor quality images on your cards and can be $400.00 or more to replace. Slot punching the photo ID cards after they have been printed will not only ensure the quality of the card, but also the longevity of your ID card printer.

To determine which type of slot punch best meets your needs contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services today. They carry a full line of quality slot punches that can hanle a few cards to those that can handle hundreds of thousands.