When it comes to
plastic ID cards, the level of quality should always be a top priority to consider. All direct-to-card ID card printers
require the use of a card with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) surface. The quality of the card used in card printing is directly related to the quality of the finished product.
We recommend using high-quality or graphic-quality cards for all of your card issuance applications. Graphic-quality cards have clean edges, flat surfaces, and no surface contaminates like fingerprints, oils, or dust. The high-quality PVC cards we carry here at ID Wholesaler are all vision inspected or optically scanned to verify their purity and cleanliness.
Two major benefits of using superior-grade, graphic-quality cards include:
- Minimal waste and optimal image quality – Consumables like card stock and ribbon – along with time – are wasted when you're forced to reprint cards because they didn’t turn out right the first time. By using graphic-quality cards, you're assuring the best image quality possible for your printer.
- Maximize printhead life – Printheads are one of the costliest parts to replace on a card printer. Poor quality cards are more likely to have ridges, burrs, or dust in or on the card's surface. These minor imperfections increase the chance of damaging the delicate ceramic surface of a printhead. Following the recommended cleaning schedule for your printer is also critical to printhead life.
Cards should be stored in the original packaging to help keep them clean. It's also a good idea to handle the cards strictly on the edges. In other words, do not touch the top or bottom surfaces that get printed. The oils from your fingers will interfere with the image quality printed on the cards and can damage your printer.
For help choosing the right
PVC cards for your credential program, you can always rely on the expertise of our ID Professionals. Give us a call today at (800) 321-4405; our job is making
your job easier!
