Tag Archives: smart card

Smart Card Color Distortion

Proxcard II

When using smart cards in an ID card printer, there are times that the colors printed on the card do not turn out as expected. In a standard 30 ml card print, the colors are bright, crisp and consistent across the surface of the card. Sometimes smart cards show a variance in color leaving the printer operator wondering what happened during the printing of the card.

The occurrence is common. The variance produced is most likely due to microchip embedded in the card. The chip produces a bump in the card surface that prevents the color from printing evenly across the card surface. The composition of the microchip and accompanying antennas may affect the heat absorption as the printhead passes over the card during printing. The difference in heat may cause the resulting color difference.

Current Fargo printers that will allow encoding of proximity cards are the Fargo HDP5000, Fargo DTC550 and Fargo DTC400e. For information about cards that can be integrated with identification applications, visit our HID prox card page.

Smart Card Defined

A smart card is a card, usually the size of an id card, contains embedded integrated circuits. The circuts are able to process information and deliver output. The cards are able to store, process, communcate and encrypt data useful for organizational processes. The data transmission is made by contacting the card to an appropriate reader or holding the card close to a contactless interface.

The card technology, developed in the late 1960s has become increasingly common since the mid 1990s. The most common uses are in banking and mass transit. Increased use in personal identification is currently being seen.

The security and functionality of id cards has dramatically increased with the introduction of smart card technology to the identification card market. Combination cards are now commonplace in many organizations. Besides identification, the current id card can be used to obtain physical access control to secured buildings or areas. The cards can also be used to access secure networks or databases.

Popular uses for smart cards are: student identification, employee badging and access, vending, parking, tolls, electronic cash.

Various types of smart cards are available in the market. Additional specific information about the various options will be coming.

If you need additional information about photo id cards or id card systems, contact our experts toll free at 888-485-4696. We would be happy to provide information for your specific requirements.