ID Card Printers - The Process

The principle for the printing of ID cards is the same for card printers: the plastic card is passed across a thermal print head at the same time as the printer feeds a suitable thermal transfer ink ribbon. The ink from the ribbon is transferred onto the card via heat emitted from the print head. The standard resolution for card printing is 300 dpi (300 dots per inch)

Dye Sublimation

The dye sublimation process uses four panels of color according to the ribbon. These are CMYK. The card travels under the print head and is constantly pushed and pulled forwards and backwards as each colour panel is imprinted. Each colour in turn is diffused or ‘sublimated’ directly onto the card. With the correct additional ‘O’ layer on the ribbon a transparent overlay (O) or topcoat (T) is placed over the card to protect it from physical wear and tear and to make the card resistant to ultra violet light and reduce fading.