Plastic ID Card Printers
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Modern plastic ID card printers all use much the same process to create the
images on their cards: a process called dye-sublimation. A plastic ribbon transports
a panel of the dye over a printhead that quickly heats the solid dye. This process
"injects" the dye into the top clear layer of PVC on a blank card making it a permanent
part of the card. A clear overlay panel is added to help protect the image surface
from fading from exposure. Another option for protection is placing a
thicker plastic "lamination" patch over the card surface.
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Nearly all the print heads used in this process come from one manufacturer in Japan, so
nearly all the print heads have the same resolution of 300dpi (dots per inch). While
this may sound small when modern printers have resolution of 800-1000dpi, those printers
use a process of applying 4 to 16 dots to make up one picture element (pixel). Since
dye-sub printers can create the full palate of colors in the same dot, ID cards have
resolution that can allow fine details to show.
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Another printing process used on ID cards for single color printing uses a "resin" ink
instead of a dye. The resin panel is still heated like a dye panel, but this time the
ink is fused to the surface of the card rather than injected into. The resin is not
subject to fade like the color dyes are. The resin also makes a great ink for printing
bar codes on cards. The resin absorbs infra-red light better than the color dyes,
allowing bar code readers a clearer image.
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We offer printers from four top-notch manufacturers here at Oak Tree Data. Fargo Electronics
offers a complete line of printers using new technology to reliably produce cards
to meet your business needs. Evolis has printers that combine
style and functionality at great value. MagiCard and Datacard have a proven track
record of reliable printers at great prices.
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