Everything You Need To Know About Plastic ID Card Printer Ribbons
Many businesses and organizations require plastic cards for uses such as: photo identification, membership cards, gift cards, student cards, event passes, phone cards and bank cards. If you do not regularly print very many cards, you can pay a company to print these plastic cards for you. If you need to print these cards in high volume or on a regular basis, you need to look into purchasing a plastic card printer. When calculating costs, ensure you factor in the price of the card printer ribbons. Over time, the card printer ribbon price could significantly increase your costs. Learn a little about card printer ribbons to ensure you make an informed decision for card printing.
Visit ID Superstore for a wide selection of card printer ribbon.
Visit ID Superstore for a wide selection of card printer ribbon.
Card Printer Ribbon Types
When purchasing card printer ribbons, you need to know what type of printer ribbon you need.
The most basic type is a monochrome card printer ribbon. This type of ribbon only has one color (usually black). These ribbons would only be used for very basic card printing that only requires one color.
For more advanced printing such as photo id cards, you would need color card printer ribbons. These ribbons have multiple panels with different colors. Color id printer ribbons have a color code that define which panels the ribbon has. Here are some of the more common color printer ribbon codes:
YMCK = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black
YMCKK = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - 2 Black Resin Panels
YMCKO = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black - Overlay
YMCKT = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black and Topcoat
YMCKT-KT = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black and Topcoat, Black and Topcoat Reverse
The most basic type is a monochrome card printer ribbon. This type of ribbon only has one color (usually black). These ribbons would only be used for very basic card printing that only requires one color.
For more advanced printing such as photo id cards, you would need color card printer ribbons. These ribbons have multiple panels with different colors. Color id printer ribbons have a color code that define which panels the ribbon has. Here are some of the more common color printer ribbon codes:
YMCK = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black
YMCKK = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - 2 Black Resin Panels
YMCKO = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black - Overlay
YMCKT = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black and Topcoat
YMCKT-KT = Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black and Topcoat, Black and Topcoat Reverse
Choosing a Card Printer Ribbon
When choosing a card printer ribbon, there are a couple of things to consider: printer brand and printing requirements.
Printer Brand - It is important to purchase a printer ribbon that is compatible with your specific card printer. Ribbons for different printers come in different sizes and shapes. So pick a card printer ribbon that is approved for use with your printer. If you stick with the ribbons manufactured by the same company as your printer, then your printer warranty will still be intact.
Here are card printer ribbons from some popular card printer manufacturers:
Datacard card printer ribbons
Evolis card printer ribbons
Fargo card printer ribbons
Magicard card printer ribbons
Nisca card printer ribbons
Polaroid card printer ribbons
Zebra card printer ribbons
Printing Requirements: You need to decide if you need to printer multiple colors on your plastic cards. If so, make sure you pick a color printer ribbon. For cards requiring just one color, a monochrome card printer ribbon can be used. You also need to decide if you need to protect your cards with overlay film or topcoat. Some cards may even require a security hologram layer.
Printer Brand - It is important to purchase a printer ribbon that is compatible with your specific card printer. Ribbons for different printers come in different sizes and shapes. So pick a card printer ribbon that is approved for use with your printer. If you stick with the ribbons manufactured by the same company as your printer, then your printer warranty will still be intact.
Here are card printer ribbons from some popular card printer manufacturers:
Datacard card printer ribbons
Evolis card printer ribbons
Fargo card printer ribbons
Magicard card printer ribbons
Nisca card printer ribbons
Polaroid card printer ribbons
Zebra card printer ribbons
Printing Requirements: You need to decide if you need to printer multiple colors on your plastic cards. If so, make sure you pick a color printer ribbon. For cards requiring just one color, a monochrome card printer ribbon can be used. You also need to decide if you need to protect your cards with overlay film or topcoat. Some cards may even require a security hologram layer.
Card Printer Brands
Loading poll. Please Wait...
New Guestbook
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
