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In the realm of card printing technology, there are two primary options: direct-to-card and retransfer. Direct-to-card technology, the more prevalent method, entails printing images directly onto the surface of cards. Conversely, retransfer printing, also referred to as HDP printing, involves printing images onto a clear HDP film that is then heat-sealed onto the card surface. While both methods yield high-quality images, they differ significantly:
Direct-to-card printers are susceptible to card imperfections, resulting in: (1) Incomplete coverage of the card surface, leaving a thin white border around the edges of printed cards due to the printhead avoiding contact with card edges. (2) Challenges in printing on technology cards, as printing near raised areas like contact chips can risk printhead damage and cause inconsistent print quality due to the uneven card surface.
Retransfer printers, however, are less affected by card imperfections. Since the printhead does not directly contact the card, the risk of printhead damage is minimized. This technology enables full coverage of the card surface, allowing safe printing on various card types including proximity cards, smart cards, pre-punched cards, and key tags.
Dual-sided ID card printers with rewrite capability offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for card printing scenarios requiring frequent data updates, such as visitor ID cards.
In rewrite printing, no ribbon is needed, but special rewritable cards are required. This method utilizes heat to imprint information onto the heat-sensitive material within rewritable cards. Remarkably, this technology enables the erasure and reprinting of cards numerous times! Typically, rewritable cards feature a permanent full-color image on one side and a rewritable portion on the other, often with blue or black one-color printing.
Opt for a dual-sided Matica printer equipped with rewrite capability if your cards will be utilized by multiple individuals or if the printed data requires frequent updates.
If you remember the days of manually assembling ID cards, the concept of lamination might seem a bit puzzling. You might question its necessity when printing directly onto plastic. In plastic card printing, lamination serves as a transparent protective layer applied over printed cards by a printer equipped with lamination capability. It offers three key advantages to a plastic ID card:
Opt for a dual-sided laminating Maticacard printer if your cards will undergo swiping in a mag stripe reader or be exposed to harsh conditions like sunlight. Lamination shields your cards from fading, reducing the need for frequent reprints and saving you time and supply costs.
