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ID Cards

The use of plastic card printer system

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Today, many card printing solutions, quality manufacturers have photo identification system. If you need to print a printed card and various types of photo identification are many systems to choose from.

The organization you want to get a plastic card printing systems, there are several reasons. For various reasons every day, plastic card printing. In fact, print the cards for each printing system via a leading manufacturer of more than 300 million people. Evolis, Zebra, Fargo and if the data card has a high quality printer is world famous.

Driver’s license is required of secular card. Private organizations and state government identity card driver’s license global flat. Specifically, this high capacity, has been designed to meet the high security card printer type.

Employee recognition has become common in many companies and organizations. Certain employees, contractors, visitors, custom ID cards, access control, payroll and other functions of other processes can be provided. Custom ID cards and key information can be integrated with print, offers safety and reporting requirements of the organization.

Membership card, many sports teams are known as health clubs and other groups. To set up your business cards, membership may be the perfect choice. Card printing at home, you can add safety and value of membership card for you. Photo options, updating may be part of your personal information and maps. The integrated bar code, may be used to record information and credit card data security, offers a quick analysis of the benefits of the card.

The card can be printed required field. Debit cards, credit cards, ATM cards, you can print, you can use.

Retailers benefit of membership card, and found it may be worthwhile. They are awarded for repeat business customers to enable companies to monitor the customer’s retail sales of the model.

It has been widely recognized by the government. Department, a staff ID card is required for simple or complex. The citizen card, medical benefits and group retirement benefits are available might receive.

Varied student ID card. In some schools, the students ensure that students use the ID card the card holder. By encoding various campus maps and other students, such as class libraries to access the card, debit card, access to dormitories, medical information can be accessed through the class registration information.

Students and teachers, in many cases identification, high school and college, I even had to use an elementary school. Students and the destination can be easily identified, is identified by the teacher. In many cases, ID settings, please wear a string of beads, such as professors and staff to easily confirmed.

Another type of card is a smart card. This card is used in a variety of business purposes, you can use it offers a very versatile and secure. Smart cards, transfer, access, can be used for other functions, and.

It is important to play your ID is what you need to know the cards. Good results using the mind to find the perfect solution for printers market.

How Custom Printed Plastic Cards Can Improve Your Business

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Plastic cards are all about business.  They are used for identification and access purposes by the government (from the DOT to your local library), healthcare, office, and industrial environments.  Debit and credit cards populate billfolds alongside phone cards and grocery store reward cards.  It is safe to say that anyone making a living in today’s fast paced world uses plastic cards of all types to make their lives more efficient.  You can help your customers out even more by making these an integral part of your own company model.

There are many reasons to choose plastic cards over paper to enhance your business appeal.  Plastic is very durable and with advanced printing technology cards can be turned into colorful works of art.  Even simple business cards can be printed on thin plastic stock since they don’t bend and crumple on their way into a wallet like paper cards do.  Magnetic stripe cards offer a high degree of versatility because they can be programmed to contain virtually any encoded information you choose.

Plastic is designed to last so it makes sense to create cards that can be used multiple times.  Re-loadable gift cards and preferred customer reward cards make sure your company information stays in circulation as long as possible.  Frequent customer programs appear much more professional (and therefore more valuable) when data is loaded onto a plastic card rather than hole-punched on a plain paper one.  Redeemable cards can easily be designed to feature your enticing offer on the front and a redemption code on the back.  You can create these promotional codes to be redeemable online to make it even more cost effective for your customers to choose you over a competitor.

If you have a mailing list of customers, you might print your logo (or your family Christmas portrait) on a card, slap a magnet on the back and send it out.  It will become an indispensable refrigerator accessory your clients will see every day.  At-a-glance calendars can also fit on a wallet sized plastic card with your company information and web address at the top.

You don’t have to settle for boring or cheap designs if you know where to look for help.  Even tiny gradations in blended color can be accurately captured with today’s lithographic printing equipment.  This means complex images such as photographs come out looking fantastic.  If you need bold and simple graphics in a smaller range of bright colors, thermal transfer printing offers some great options for logos and text.

If you don’t have the cash to invest in this printing equipment you can always have a custom job delivered by a professional plastic card printing company.  They can assist you with designing the perfect look for your business.  Make sure you are sending your job to a secure facility if you are having sensitive material like IDs printed.  Health benefits cards in particular may have high risk information on them if an individual’s social security ID is used as the member number.

Meet the QuikCard ID Card Printing Package from Zebra

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This bundled ID card printing solution is geared toward small to mid-level companies. Organizations that need customization for employee access or personalization for customers can benefit from this type of one-stop shopping. Zebra (Eltron) announced this new packaged deal in early March 2009. The system features your choice of a P110i or P120i card printer. The combination also includes design software/templates, and a Logitech USB web cam (with a mini-tripod). A packet of 200 PVC cards and a printer ribbon round out the collection. This makes ordering an all-in-one ID system as easy as asking for the #4 combo meal at a drive through. All the customer has to decide on is whether to select single or dual sided printing and if magnetic stripe encoding should be included.This QuikCard ID Solution is ideal for businesses that need immediate enrollment capabilities without a large up-front investment. The software is compatible with Microsoft Excel and CSV files. This means information can be imported from existing databases to populate card fields. The included webcam negates the need to purchase a separate digital camera for ID photo capture. However, other images can be uploaded into the card template if desired.

Both the P110i and P120i printers offer full color and monochrome printing using dye sublimation and thermal resin ribbon. These simple Load-N-Go cartridges are designed for installation that takes just a few seconds. The iSeries ribbon detection software works to maximize printer performance and also indicates usage status. This feature notifies the operator when cartridges are running low and need to be reordered.

These printers can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Employee and student IDs, membership/loyalty cards, gift cards, and access devices are just a few examples. The unit is small enough to be taken over the road for event management or trade shows as well. With a printing speed of up to 120 full color cards per hour, keeping up with a busy ID enrollment schedule will be no problem.

Another Good Deal

Zebra isn’t the only manufacturer offering a great starter package. The Datacard SP35 or SP55 Plus Bundle is another option. This solution includes a single or dual sided printer, the ID Works Intro software, a 250 print ribbon and 500 PVC cards. These Datacard models are designed to be user friendly. They offer quick change supplies and an operator replaceable printhead. Both the input and output hoppers are on the front of the machine for easy access and space conservation.

This bundle does not include a camera so one must be purchased separately. However, the Datacard does offer edge-to-edge printing, which covers the entire card surface. This delivers a seamless look with no borders. The SP35/55 can also be used for contact and contactless smart card programming (the entry level Zebra printers offer only magnetic stripe encoding). These modules can be factory installed or field upgraded. Such flexibility makes these printers ideal for companies that are likely to transition to more advanced card technologies in the future.

Many business persons make money by photo ID

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As with just about anything done in-house, creating photo IDs on location will save money. This article will cover several different pieces of equipment and supplies required. Although a little overwhelming at first, once all the pieces are put together, creating a photo ID is very easy and requires little time. All ID card printers are compatible with PC systems running Windows XP and Vista and many are now compatible with Mac computers running Mac OSX or higher. Linux capable ID card printers are hit and miss.The first thing any business will need to create photo identification badges in-house is a photo ID card printer. There are several models available from manufacturers such as Fargo, Magicard, for more details visit to www.greateducationonline.com Polaroid and Evolis. These printers almost all print edge-to-edge ID cards in full high-resolution color. A few options that can be selected in a printer are the ability to print on both sides, encode smart cards and write to magnetic stripes. Printers also vary by printing speed, hopper capacity and other technical variables.

Almost all ID card printers manufactured today use a process called die sublimation, which uses a printer ribbon with four panels. These panels are yellow, for more details visit to www.greatindustrialguide.com magenta, cyan and black (YMCK). Many include a fifth panel called an overlay, which places a clear panel over the printed card to extend the life of the image and prevent scratches.

Die sublimation printers use a thermal print head to burn the image onto a plastic PVC ID card. If full color printing is out of your businesses budget, single color monochrome ribbons are available for most printers and are a fraction the cost of a full-color ribbon. Although not as common, there are a few inkjet ID printers available, which use high-resolution inkjet technology rather than die sublimation.

In order to layout, design and create a photo ID, you will need to buy some card creation software. Most ID card software, from brands such as Asure ID, EPISuite and Card 5, have an easy-to-use template that makes it easy to type text, paste pictures and create a base template for all your business’s ID cards.

Software is available in several different packages depending on the volume of ID cards to be printed and the size of the business involved. Additional options found in elite software packages, not found in entry-level packages, include advanced photo importing capabilities, database interfacing and batch printing.

Along with the printer, software and ribbons, you will also need to purchase cards. Most ID cards used are known as 30-mil CR-80, which are the same size and thickness of a standard credit card. The “80” in CR-80 is the size of the card. Thirty-mil is the thickness of the card. Although less common, some businesses use a thinner 10-mil thickness for cards.

Businesses that use proximity cards will often use a 10 mil CR-80 card with an adhesive back. Once printed, a backing is removed from the pressure-sensitive card where it is then stuck to the proximity card. Many CR-80 PVC cards are also available with smart chips (integrated circuit card) and magnetic stripes.

Once printed, many ID cards are slot punched in order to be used on a lanyard, badge reel or badge strap clip. Many businesses will also use a badge holder, horizontal or vertical, to hold the ID card where it can then be attached to a lanyard or strap clip. Using lanyards, badge reels or strap clips makes it easy to present and access identity cards.

Maintenance on ID card printers is easy. A wide assortment of cleaning cards and ribbons are available, which help keep the thermal print head clean and running at top efficiency. Many printers will let you know when they need to be cleaned. If an older printer is being used, symptoms of a needed cleaning may include blurred text or irregular colors. Regular maintenance will keep the ID card out of the shop and will allow you to print ID cards on a regular and uninterrupted basis.

Go Green with ID Card Printing

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There are a number of ways to keep the environment in mind when you are planning your ID supply and equipment purchases. A little research can turn up interesting details about advances in sustainability throughout this industry. We will start with a look at consumables for use with your existing card printer and finish up with a brief overview of what to look for when you are buying a new machine.The easiest way to make earth friendly upgrades is by changing what type of card stock you purchase. 100% recycled PVC is available in a standard 30 mil thickness and can be used for any application you would normally use virgin PVC for. Purchasing this type of item supports the recycling industry and makes it more affordable for recyclers to continue to provide these products. An even more popular option is eco-friendly corn based material. The particular variety of corn used is not diverted from our food chain and manufacturing requires up to 50% less fossil fuel than standard PVC production. These biodegradable cards offer the same high quality printing surface you are accustomed to, so you don’t have to “settle for less” to reduce your environmental impact.

More Tips: 1. Look for clear badge holders manufactured from recycled PVC and lanyards woven from bamboo fiber or post-consumer PET for your accessories.

2. Organizations like Earth911 can help you find a recycler for your obsolete plastic ID products, so make a point of collecting any badges that are no longer needed so the materials can be sent to a reclamation facility. Remember to cut up any items that have identifying information on them.

3. Laminate or apply a topcoat to all your cards to increase their longevity.

Industry Leaders: When it comes to environmental commitment, there are a couple of companies that stand out from the rest.

Evolis offers the Tattoo Rewrite printers, which allow you to reuse materials over and over again by erasing and reprinting the thermo-sensitive surface of specially designed cards. Their Pebble units incorporate “ribbon saver” technology, which conserves monochrome ribbon by using the minimum length necessary for each print job. This European company complies with strict guidelines regarding the use of hazardous substances in its products (RoHS compliance). They are also up to speed with the related Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE) for managing the safe disposal of used electronic devices. Evolis boasts solar energy and rainwater harvesting at its headquarters and daily selective waste sorting in both manufacturing and administrative departments.

Zebra (formerly Eltron) practices full disclosure with its 12 page Corporate Product Material Content Policy. End users will be glad to know that they can check to see the full list of hazardous substances excluded from use in the manufacturing process. Zebra holds suppliers of parts and raw materials to the same exacting standards in an effort to keep their supply chain free of pollutants such as ozone depleting substances and heavy metals. Packaging materials from this company are also marked with appropriate recycling symbols to make it easy for you to keep up the good work by reducing waste at your office. The corporation has its own recycling program in place to accept used Zebra cartridges at its Illinois facility if you are willing to pay the postage.

ID Badges & Cards: Understanding Printing Technology

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ID Badge and Card Printers are easy to use devices, which compare well with consumer printers in their ability to be used straight out of the box. However, as most card printers work quite differently from ink-jet and laser printers, it’s worth understanding a bit about their technology.

Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation or dye-sub, is the most common technology used.Thermal printing is used to place layers of dye into the ID badge surface. In dye sublimation printing, colors are not laid down as individual dots, as is done in inkjet printers. Dye sublimation makes photos in particular look more realistic.

Inside a dye sublimation printer is a roll of transparent film that resembles sheets of red, blue, yellow, and gray colored cellophane stuck together end to end. Embedded in this film are solid dyes corresponding to the four basic colors used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The print head heats up as it passes over the film, causing the dyes to vaporize and permeate the glossy surface of the card before they return to solid form. The vaporized colors permeate the surface of the card, creating a gentle gradation at the edges of each pixel, instead of the conspicuous border between dye and card produced by inkjets. And because the color infuses the card, it is also less vulnerable to fading and distortion over time.

YMCKO

The printer creates the ID badges by placing layers of dye in the following order: Yellow: (Y) Magenta: (M) Cyan: (C) Black: (K) or Resin black Clear: (O) or Overcoat The colored image is a combination of the Y, M, & C layers which also produce a form of black. The K Resin layer allows very sharp defined black text, barcodes etc. to be added. The Overcoat layer acts as a protective film against wear and fading and can also carry a secure image, which cannot be photocopied – e.g. the Magicard Holokote security watermark.

Reverse Transfer With reverse transfer, the printer prints on the reverse of a transparent PVC re-transfer film, which is then laminated onto the ID Cards & Photo Badges. This protects the image from handling damage and produces a brilliant edge-to-edge image. The quality and durability of the finished card is similar to that achieved by an off-set printing process but with the advantage that every card can be different. Because the re-transfer film is laminated onto the face of the card, it is possible to print right to the edge, unlike dye sublimation printers which print almost to the edge leaving a small (less than 0.5mm) white border. Lamination ID badge and card lamination involves putting a clear layer of PVC over the card surface. Lamination is used to protect the card image, particularly where the card is regularly swiped through a magnetic stripe reader, where lamination will allow 10,000’s of swipes before any visible wear of the image occurs. ID card Lamination is either done at the same time as printing (with reverse transfer printers) or separately with a dedicated laminator. For added security, laminate films containing an optical security logo or hologram are available.

Secrets of the Plastic ID Card Industry

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We all carry around plastic ID cards of one type or another but most people don’t know a lot about them. If you like to find out how stuff works you may wonder what ID cards are made of and how the pictures are printed on them so they don’t rub off. Also, how does that black stripe on the back work? Here are some basic answers.Card Materials

The majority of plastic cards in circulation today are made of poly vinyl chloride. PVC is the second most commonly manufactured plastic worldwide and is very cost effective to produce. The substance is made by exposing vinyl chloride to a polymerization process that allows the molecules to create long networks or chains that are very strong. The resulting powdered PVC resin is heated and rolled into sheets which are then die punched into individual cards. Pigments can be added to the mix during the heating process to create different colored cards.

Card Varieties

Layers of Mylar, paper, or adhesive may be added as a final step for use in different applications. Cards can also feature either a matte or slick finish to suit different printing styles. Composite cards have a polyester core layered between PVC sheets to give them added strength. These are more expensive than regular cards but can withstand more abuse. Earth friendly cards made of recycled PVC are now available from environmentally conscious distributors. In addition to choosing this option you can also increase sustainability by collecting your company’s obsolete cards and turning them in for recycling. Just don’t mix them with other types of plastic since PVC needs to undergo a different reclamation process.

Thermal Printing

The most common type of ID card printing is simple thermal transfer using some type of resin based ink. The ink coated ribbons run through a card printer and are pressed against the surface of each card or transfer sheet. The print head is heated to release the ink from the ribbon onto the printable area where it bonds tightly with the surface creating a smudge proof result. Ribbons are typically formatted in a reel to reel design and the ink is laid out in repeating segments of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. These colors are applied in layers one after the other to create a high quality replica of a photograph or other complex image. Plain black ribbons are available for simple jobs that don’t require color.

Magnetic Stripe Encoding

The black or “HiCo” magnetic stripe on the back of many cards is made of plastic with an admixture of powdered iron oxide. A powerful electromagnet locks the particles of metal in opposing orientations and varying sequences within the plastic stripe. This creates a binary code – the same type that computers use to function. When the card is swiped through a reader these particles are briefly reactivated so that the encoded information can be retrieved. “LoCo” magnet stripes that don’t require a very strong magnetic field to program are also available, but this variety is more susceptible to being accidentally erased.

Printing Your Own Plastic Cards Will Save You Money

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Having your plastic identification cards made by a printing company can be very expensive. If you represent a company who is not concerned about saving money than please ignore this information. However, if you are representing a business and your success or failure depends on every dollar you can save, than hop aboard and hang on. Even if you are a student that only needs to make a few cards at a time for school, this is news you will want to hear. The bottom line is that by printing your own plastic cards you will save money.

Most of your commercial printing companies require bulk orders, sometimes up into the thousands. By printing your own cards, you have the option of printing only the amount of cards that you need. Once you learn how to make your own plastic cards, it will be easier, faster and without a doubt, less expensive. In addition, by making your own cards you avoid any penalties or fees for small orders. You will have the control over your own designs. You can change them anytime you wish with out any hassle. You will also eliminate the waiting period, which can be weeks with some companies.

You are immediately empowered with on the spot quality control when you are making your own cards. If a company makes a mistake, most of the time they will take care of the cost, but you still have to wait even longer to get your product. All of this stress can be avoided. You do not have to be tied down to other companies polices. You can control your own printing process. By making your own cards you will save an amazing amount of money on a per card basis. In addition to all of this you will not be paying shipping costs anymore.

Any business must be cost effective. Everyone wants to save money. It does not matter if you are a student or a small business owner. Make your own cards and you will get better through trial and error. In the end you will reap the rewards. It is not as hard as you might think to make your own plastic cards. You can purchase a card printer and connect it to your computer just like a paper printer. Of course you will need a card ribbon instead of a paper ribbon to ensure absolute quality. Badge software and the correct attachments to wear or carry the badge are other items you may need to have a successful badge printing setup.

If you have an eye for detail and actually feel more comfortable when you have your fingers on the controls, then making your own plastic cards is the way to go. You will get that control and save a bundle of money as well.

For additional information about id badge makers or other products for making custom badges contact an id card company who specializes in PVC badge printing.

Plastic Card Printer Basics For Business Owners

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Whether it’s for employee ID cards, customer loyalty cards or a host of other customized plastic cards, using a card printer has become common in many UK businesses.

Benefits of Plastic Card Printers

Whether it’s for an employee or a customer, card printers make short work of creating any type of card, from a plastic credit card to a plastic security card. Because the information is stored in a computer, it’s easy to create replacements for lost cards. Because the cards are issued on site, the employee or customer doesn’t have to wait for their cards.

How Does A Plastic Card Printer Work?

There are 2 basic ways to print cards: thermal transfer and dye sublimation. In the thermal transfer method, heated ink goes directly onto the cards. In the dye sublimation method, heated ink converts to a gas that permeates the cards.

Card Printer Features

Be sure the card printer can interface with whatever computer operating system you’re using. It also should have a USB port and an optional Ethernet port, so it can be used as a standalone or on a network. Card design software should be included, so you can quickly easily design everything from plastic discount cards to plastic membership cards.

Benefits of Digitally Printed Cards

The main benefit of using plastic card printers is that you’re able to create cards that seamlessly integrate text, graphics, artwork, digital photos, logos and bar codes. If you have OCR or magnetic stripe requirements, a good card printer can handle those as well.

A plastic cards printer can be a valuable and cost effective tool for UK business owners who want to save money and have full control over both the look and security of printed plastic cards.

Zebra Id Card Printers Overview

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If you are looking for a printer that is “made in the USA”, Zebra has the solution for you.  This Illinois based corporation distributes its products in almost 100 countries but keeps its manufacturing base close to home.  The company’s dye sublimation ID card printers are part of a much larger product line including bar coding, labeling and RFID tagging technology.  This widely recognized brand is used by a stunning 90% of the companies featured on the Fortune 500 list and is a rapidly expanding supply chain innovator.

Each Zebra machine can print both monochrome and full color on PVC or composite card stock.  These units can be supplied with 3 track mag stripe encoders and they offer a two year warranty on all equipment.  Some models offer warranty upgrades which include an extended coverage period and a hot-swap program designed to keep your ID enrollment program rolling with minimum downtime in case of component failure.  The entire range of Zebra machines is priced to sell in a tough economic climate so you don’t have to wait for a market upturn to invest in a unit for your office.

P110i and P120i

These 10 pound desk top models can handle entry level and mid volume jobs for corporations, resorts, schools, and many other industries.  The 110i prints single sided cards and the 120i covers the front and back for more design options.  Both models can be equipped with automatic continuous feed hoppers or CardSense one-at-a-time feeders depending on your need to print bulk cards or single units.  Monochrome ribbons are available for purchase in black, blue, and white so you can print on a variety of card stock colors and still have text appear clearly.

Training is quick and easy on these intuitively designed systems and this will save you significant time during the learning process.  User friendly features include the LCD screen (which provides informational prompts), the drop-in ribbon cartridge design, and the blue touch points that let operators know which sections open up for access to the equipment’s interior.  Even printhead replacement is straightforward on the P120i since no tools are required.

P330i and P430i

The 330i is a high speed single sided printer that introduces an angled card hopper design specifically created to reduce mis-feeds.  The 430i dual sided unit also has a reject bin that automatically segregates any cards that failed to encode correctly – allowing you to catch errors before you distribute the final product to customers or employees.  Both of these models can be formatted to incorporate the latest in pass-through encoding options for contact and contactless smart chips.  The built in Ethernet also allows you to connect these printers to your existing computer network without a supplemental device.

Since the 330i and 430i can process a variety of card thicknesses, you have the unique opportunity to print your company business cards on durable 10 mil PVC to create long lasting advertising.  The print head is self aligning for maximum image clarity and Zebra’s dye sublimation ribbons are designed to give you brilliant color.  Making a visual impact with your card printer has never been easier.