Card Printer Reviews - Which Printer is Right For
You?
Chances are you’ve been searching the web for the ideal card printer and you’ve noticed there are a lot of card printer reviews out there. Matica, Evolis, Datacard, Fargo, and Zebra all have their own versions of printers built for different types of card printing. From single-sided to reverse transfer it can be easy to get lost. So, here’s the ultimate question: Which card printer is the best?
Everyone has an opinion and we hope you’ll share yours! Use the comment section below to tell us about your printer and what you like or dislike about it. Here’s some important information to consider along with the consumer opinions below.
Card Printing Processes:
Thermal Transfer: Mainly used to personalize pre-printed plastic cards in monochrome. The color is “transferred” from the (monochrome) color ribbon onto the card.
Dye Sublimation: The card passes under the print head several times each time with the corresponding ribbon panel. Each color in turn is diffused (sublimated) directly onto the card. Thus it is possible to produce a high depth of color on the card.
Reverse Transfer: The standard for high-security card applications that use contact and contactless smart chip cards. The technology prints images onto the underside of a special film that fuses to the surface of a card through heat and pressure. Since this process transfers dyes and resins directly onto a smooth, flexible film, the print-head never comes in contact with the card surface itself. As such, card surface interruptions such as smart chips, ridges caused by internal RFID antennae and debris do not affect print quality.
The processes are all relatively simple but when it comes to time, card quality, and cost it’s important to know the differences. For example, if you need to print ID cards for hundreds of people on a yearly or monthly basis you want to make sure your cards will last. Having to re-print cards due to wear and tear will cost you in the long run!
Direct-to-Card Printing VS. Retransfer (Reverse Transfer)
One of the biggest differences between Direct-to-Card and Retransfer printers is quality. With Reverse Transfer printing you get better color quality and “over-the-edge” printing. Cards printed with Retransfer card printers are more durable and withstand normal wear longer than Direct-to-Card.