It is common for businesses and organizations to print badges authenticating members, employees and others as connected to the group in some way. Sometime the card is a simple card with card holder name and group logo to symbolize their membership. Results in having this card for the card holder, may be access to the organizations facility, financial discounts, authorization to access secure areas or networks.
Companies are concerned about the flexibility and security of these printed cards. Many organizations need excellent image quality while having a number of options with card outcomes including the methods of encoding available.
The retransfer technology allows cards to have the highest quality image on cards that can serve in multi functional capacities with various card encoding options. While other methods of printing, such as direct to card printing, remains popular for entry level card printers, the retransfer printing option provides advanced quality and applications that will spring its use into the future.
The retransfer printing process has two steps. The initial printing step is for the image to be transferred in the reverse on a clear transfer film. The image is printed to the film using the same process that direct to card printers use to print to a standard PVC card.
After the image is transferred to the film, the film is thermally bonded to the surface of the plastic card being used. The image transferred is located between the card surface at the transfer film. The pressure and heat provided by the printer allows the layers to bond together, providing a quality card output.
The image quality of this card is superior to those coming from a direct to card printer. Since the card used does not directly receive the ink from the printer ribbon, the superior image grade card quality required in a direct to card printer is not required in a retransfer card printer. This allows increased options in card materials for the best output in total card performance. This card also allows security measures that are not available with other types of card printing. It is difficult to tamper with the transfer film without visible results.
Another benefit of using a retransfer badge printer rather than a direct to card printer is in the increased lifespan of the print head. The print head, in direct to cards printers, is subject to wear and tear as it comes in contact with each card that passes through the printer. The retransfer printer’s print head does not contact the card. Instead, the print head prints to the transfer film which is a must more flexible and easier surface to print on. The result of using the retransfer printer is a longer durability of the print head which is one of the most costly parts to ID card printers.
When considering which badge printer type is best for you, it is a great idea to contact and ID card integrator who can explain the differences between ID card printers such as the Datacard printer and the Fargo printer.
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Sat, Jul 17, 2010
Fargo Printer