ID Card Printer Ribbons, Film and Cleaning -
The Basic Overview
ID Card Printer Ribbons and Film - The Basics
Ribbons, Cleaning Supplies, Cases and Accessories by Printer
Manufacturer & Model -
This list may include Genuine and Generic Ribbons - Each
Type are Listed as such.
<--- Select your printer manufacturer
from the list on the left for a list of Genuine and Generic
Compatible ribbons and accessories.
Types of Printers - Supplies and
Overview
- Dye Sublimation (Dye Sub) Printerslike the CIM K300C or the Evolis Pebble require a single
ribbon to print on ID Cards - Dye-Sub printing prints
directly onto the surface of the card by laying down layers
of ink from panels on the roll that are pre-inked in the
primary colors (Yellow, Cyan, Magenta
and blacK) to create all of the colors in your
design. This method leaves a very small border around the
card so as to protect the print-head from damage.
Some Dye Sub Printers are single color only (Examples
- Eltron P-205, CIM K10, CIM K300C, Fargo M11, etc.)
These printers can only print a single color per pass.
Most ID Card printers on the market today are Dye
Sublimation Printers.
Some Dye Sub Printers are dual sided printers
(Examples - Eltron P420, Evolis Dualys, Evolis Quantum,
CIM K400C, etc.) These printers have the option of
using either a duplicate YMCK panel or a sequenced extra
K only panel for printing on the rear of the card in a
single pass. Ribbons with this extra sequenced
panel are denoted as being the YMCKK or YMCKOK variety.
Dual sided printing in a single pass is a nice feature,
but is substantially more expensive than printing the
card with a single sided printer on both sides.
This can be done quite easily.
Cleaning Rollers - Some Dye Sublimation ID Card
printers employ a cleaning roller that removes dirt,
dust and other foreign materials from a card surface
prior to the card entering the printing chamber.
Most notably the CIM K300C and 400C employ this
technology. Please remember to replace the rollers
every time you replace the ribbons. This ensures a
good quality print every time.
- Reverse Transfer (ReTransfer)
Printers like the Digital Imaging Systems XID440 require
both a film and ribbon to print on a card. Like
Dye-Sub this method of printing uses YMCK colors but instead
of printing on the card, the printing is reverse image
printed on a laminate that is then adhered to the card. This
method of printing provides "full bleed" (edge to edge)
printing capabilities. All ReTransfer Printers
sold by IDCardz.com have the capability for dual sided
printing.
ReTransfer Printing is an amazing technology that
allows you to print FULL PHOTO-REALISTIC COLOR, FULL
BLEED IMAGES in perfect color without the pitfalls of
traditional dye sublimation card printing. The
durability and longevity of your card is substantially
improved by bonding the substrate film with the card
material. The ReTransfer process encapsulates the
printed image within a bond of extremely durable
material and increases the card life substantially.
Additional security overlays may be adhered on top of
the bonding film to increase durability and improve
security. Custom secure holographic overlays are
available.
Cost savings are seen in the reduced wear and tear on
the print heads. Since the printer is printing on a
substrate material (film) that is very thin and strong
there is less wear on the print head because there is
very little variation in size or texture on the surface
area of the film. Since the film is a standard thickness
the print head does not have to move to accommodate
thickness variations in the cards.
Consistency of Printing is a result of the process
that prints directly on the transfer film. Each print is
extremely high quality and there is little variation in
the print quality because of the way that the film and
ribbons are loaded into the printing chamber. Once the
film has the reverse image embedded, it is then
laminated to the PVC material. In a traditional printer
there are several variables that affect the print
quality including card size variations, edge smoothness,
foreign material on the card surface, ribbon tightness
and as the ribbon is used there is a tendency of the
ribbons to stretch or move slightly out of alignment.
This is not the case with ReTransfer printing as this
process is very tightly controlled.
Y=yellow C=cyan M=magenta K=black O=overlay.
OEM Printers
- Some printer manufacturers make similar ID Card printers for other
companies to market and sell. This is known in the industry as
an OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer. A great example of
this is the Eltron/Zebra P310. This fabulous industry
benchmark setting product is also marketed by other companies but
still made by Zebra Technologies.
* Eltron and Zebra are registered
trademarks of the Zebra Technologies International, LLC. No
statement of claim to these marks is made by Artemis Solutions
Group, LLC.
Eltron
(Zebra) P310c is similar to CIM K300C is similar to
Polaroid 75
They all accept the same
ribbons and cleaning rollers. All produce the same
quality prints and use the same quality replacement
parts.
Generic
Ribbons - Similar Quality - Much Lower Cost
ID Card Printer manufacturers have adopted
the "razorblade" model for marketing their products.
This is where you develop a patentable component of how a
particular consumable part fits within or works with your
product. You can then prohibit others from selling
compatible products that violate your patent and thus charge
a higher price for your consumables and make substantial
profit margins. Gillette has been very successful with
this model in the razor industry - hence the models name.
The only problem with this model is that
patents only offer this protection for a limited time.
To get around this, the manufacturer must substantially
change either the look, feel, or other specifications of
their product to apply for a new patent. This is why
shaver manufacturers come out with a new model with more
blades, wider cutting surface, pivoting heads, etc... each
year or so. They can then discontinue their "old
models" and continue to reap substantially higher un-earned
profits from consumers pockets for the "new consumables".
The same principle applies in the card
printing industry. ID Card printer manufacturers are
constantly changing their product or "tweaking" the design
of the ribbon cartridges for the purposes of patent
protection of the most profitable part of their business.
With our proven generic printer ribbons - you can get the
same high quality result that you are used to and pay
substantially less.
When The IDCardz.com Generic Ribbons or Other
Generic "Replacement" Ribbons Marketed by Sony Chemicals
or other manufacturers Available are in Bold Type and represent Our
best value.
Our patented
high-density dyes produce the most vivid colors you'll see from
any photo ID ribbon. They deliver true-to-life flesh tones, more
accurately match Pantone? colors, and reduce dye migration by
33%.
The
high-sensitivity black resin dye in our photo ID ribbons prints
sharp, bold text and graphics. It also produces ANSI grade A bar
codes for superior reliability in scanning.
IDCardz.com Generic Ribbons are unconditionally
guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship and are
guaranteed to work flawlessly with your printer.
What about my
printer warranty? My manufacturer says that they will only
honor the warranty if I use their ribbon. (These types of
"Tie-In" sales provisions are specifically disallowed
within the United States by the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act - so the manufacturer cannot
enforce this provision of their warranty as such restrictions
are patently ILLEGAL. Laws in other countries may vary -
please check with your local legal authorities for their opinion)
Our
IDCardz.com Generic Ribbons
are NOT manufactured nor sold by the leading card printer manufacturers,
but are made as replacement components of the same high quality
materials. "Generic Ribbons" are not manufactured by the
original equipment manufacturer.
Cleaning my ID Card Printer -
Cleaning and proper care of your ID Card printer is
extremely important not just for improving the quality of
the cards you are printing but also for the longevity of
your investment. ID Card Printers are designed to give
years of trouble free service if maintained properly.
Refer to the manufacturers guidelines on how to clean your
printer and follow this regimen every time you replace the
ribbon in your printer. This will ensure years of
return on your investment.
Hazards to Avoid - ID Card
Printers are durable products when used properly. But
they have some fragile technology components that can be
seriously damaged if mishandled. Please be aware of
the following pitfalls when using, storing or maintaining
your ID Card Printer.
Avoid High Heat and
Humidity - this can seriously damage and shorten the
useable life of a printer and all printer consumables.
DO NOT WEAR JEWELRY WHEN
CHANGING RIBBONS, FILM, or CARDS in your printer.
Most ID Card Printers use ceramic print heads to
generate and dissipate the heat required to thermally
transfer the image and seal it to the card.
These print heads can be VERY easily damaged by a
diamond ring, necklace or other jewelry if it comes in
contact directly with the print head. This is a
very costly and frequent mistake. DON'T DO IT.
Electronic Components Don't
Like Water - You may be tempted to put your favorite
plant next to your printer to liven up your work area or
have a soda while printing a large print job - DON'T
even think about it. One mishap with the watering
can or a can of soda can completely and irrevocably
damage a $2000 printer.
Buy an Ionic Breeze or
similar room sized HEPA filtration system and place it
next to the printer. These products are great at
removing dust, dirt and other particles from the air
that can damage your print head or reduce the quality of
your printed cards. A small investment in a filter
now will save you many problems with foreign particles
in your printer.
- 
The only problem with this model is that
patents only offer this protection for a limited time.
To get around this, the manufacturer must substantially
change either the look, feel, or other specifications of
their product to apply for a new patent. This is why
shaver manufacturers come out with a new model with more
blades, wider cutting surface, pivoting heads, etc... each
year or so. They can then discontinue their "old
models" and continue to reap substantially higher un-earned
profits from consumers pockets for the "new consumables".