When shopping for an ID card printer, one choice you will need to make is direct-to-card or retransfer printing. If any of the following fit your situation, you should consider retransfer:
You want to print to the very edge of the card
The printhead of traditional direct-to-card printers comes in direct contact with the card and therefore cannot print to the very edge of card without tearing the ribbon and damaging the printhead. With this, direct-to-card printers leave behind a white border around the perimeter of the card. Retransfer printers, on the other hand, print to a retransfer film that is then applied to the card. Thus, the image can have an "over the edge” bleed and 100% card coverage.
You print on smart cards
Retransfer printers allow added flexibility to print on a variety of cards, such as pre-punched cards, key tag cards, contact smart cards, or any type of technology card that has an antenna or circuit embedded in the card.
You require great looking cards
If your employees will be wearing your ID badges or if your cards will be in your customer’s hands (such as a membership or rewards card), it is imperative that your cards speak to the quality of your brand. A retransfer printer produces the highest quality cards possible with its rich, vibrant images that cover the entire surface of the card.
You need a printer with a low cost of ownership
Retransfer printers offer great protection of your investment. There is less wear and tear on the printhead because the image is printed on transfer film rather than the card. Most retransfer printers also come with a lifetime printhead warranty. Plus, due to the superior print process, there is a low waste factor in card production, which is particularly important when printing to expensive technology cards.
To learn more, check out ID Wholesaler’s Reverse Transfer Printer page or call an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405.