Category Archives: Printer Ribbons

ID Card Printers and Scratch-Off Ribbons

Similar to the scratch-off lottery tickets you can buy at a local convenience store, certain printers, like the Evolis Pebble and Dualys offer a scratch off ribbon that can produce the same effect. These ribbons are great for use with promotional offers or gift card programs. These specialized ribbons print scratch-off material over a pre-printed portion of the card and are typically used to cover a number, special code, or the value of the card.

Scratch-off ribbons produce a gray/silver effect that can be scratched off just like the lottery tickets mentioned above. Once you print your color cards, you need to change the ribbon and make a second pass for each card so the material covers the required area on the already printed card.  Using the printer driver set the ribbon to ‘K’ when you are ready to apply the scratch-off material to the cards.

Not all printers are compatible with scratch-off ribbons. Call an expert at Safe-Card ID Services  to check your specific model before purchasing a scratch-off ribbon.

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.

YMCKT Printer Ribbon

YMCKT Printer Ribbons

This is a print ribbon for single sided ID card printers. The YMCKT abbreviation is used by Datacard and stands for the following:

Y – Yellow
M – Magenta
C – Cyan
K- Monochrome Black
T – Topcoat

The yellow, magenta and cyan panels provide the color for printed card. Each panel provides a part of the specific color needed. Color from each panel is released as it passes under the printhead. The panel colors released combine to produce the desired result. The K panel produces the black color needed for bar codes, text and more. The T is a thin, protective overlay that covers all of the the YMCK colors printed on the card.

To find the correct print ribbon for your ID badge printer system, visit our online printer ribbon store or contact our ID experts at 888-485-4696.

YMCKO Printer Ribbons

YMCKO Printer Ribbons

This is a print ribbon for single sided ID card printers. The YMCKO stands for the following:

Y – Yellow
M – Magenta
C – Cyan
K- Monochrome Black
O – Overcoat

The primary color panels are the yellow, magenta and cyan. Each panel provides its portion of the specific color to be printed. The panel color combines with color from the other panels to produce the mixture needed for color on the plastic ID card. The K panel produces the black color needed for text, bar codes and more. The O is a thin, protective overlay that covers all of the the YMCK colors printed on the card.

To find the correct print ribbon for your ID badge printer system, visit our online printer ribbon store or contact our ID experts at 888-485-4696.