Printer Printhead
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US $22.99
All About Plastic Card Printer Ribbons
Whether you are purchasing a new ID printer or buying supplies for an existing machine, there are a variety of ribbon options available for your various applications. What type you decide to buy will depend first on what printer model you are using, and then on the specific job. If cost is a factor keep in mind that, in general, full color is more expensive than monochrome. For ID printing you will need the full spectrum, but for high volume marketing you may want to use a vibrant one-color logo to reduce your cost per unit. Finishing and specialty options are often made available incorporated into a single color cartridge but they can be also be purchased separately.
Dye Sublimation and Thermal Transfer
Full color printing in the ID card industry is usually done using dye sublimation ribbon. Dye is released by exposure to tiny, heated metal pins on the printhead and bonds chemically with the plastic surface being printed. Since the amount of dye used can be minutely controlled and each color blends easily into the next, this method of printing renders very high quality images.
Thermal transfer printing uses resin that is melted onto the plastic in small dots of color. Resin ink is usually the fourth panel on a color cartridge (the K in the YMCK designation stands for black). Resin is the perfect medium for printing crisp lines and is used for bar coding and most monochrome applications. Single color doesn't necessarily mean black – the full range of primary colors is available. Having the ability to pick a contrasting ribbon color and card color gives you a lot of variety to choose from for your final look. You might also select a metallic cartridge as the printing option for your next advertising campaign to set you apart from the competition.
Ink and resin printing can both be carried out in one of two ways. In "direct to card" applications the printhead releases dye or ink directly onto the surface of each card. "Retransfer" involves printing the image on the reverse side of a strip of plastic film and then fusing that film to the card. The dye/ink is layered between the card surface and the protective topcoat making it impervious to wear. The direct to card option is often standard in less expensive printer models while retransfer printing is available on many high-end units.
Specialty Applications and Finishing Options
Dye sublimation printing works best with a UV resistant topcoat to keep the image from fading. Look for an O or T in the ribbon description to find this finishing option. To save money and reduce waste, consider buying special "half panel" cartridges that are configured to print small areas (such as ID photos) in color. For added security, choose a specialty holographic overcoat to apply to each card. This easily visible marking makes your IDs tamper and forgery resistant. Flourescing ink (F) can also be used to add invisible markings for security or bar coding purposes. A second K in the description is a resin panel for printing black text on the reverse side of a card and is only for use in dual sided printers. Scratch off ribbon is a popular add-on for covering pin numbers.
Regular Maintenance
If you use your card printer on a regular basis, consider implementing an automatic reorder program to keep you from running out of supplies. Mark each cartridge with the date it was delivered so you will be sure to use the oldest ones first - they do expire after about a year. Remember to order any printer cleaning supplies also if they don't come pre-packaged with the ribbon. Keeping the printing path clear of debris and build up is an important part of keeping your equipment running.
Name Brand versus Off Brand
Card printers are specifically designed to work best with consumables provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) since supplies are an important part of their ongoing revenue stream. This doesn't mean you can't use a generic brand*, just be cautious. Since non-OEM ribbons may not give you the final print quality you are used to it is advisable to purchase a sample before placing any kind of bulk order. Generic supplies are often non-returnable and you don't want to get caught with a large stock of unusable supplies on your shelves.
*Note: Don't let a printer manufacturer void your warranty because you used off brand consumables - this is a violation of federal law per the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975.
About the Author
Visit ID Superstore for all your card printer ribbons, including Zebra card printer ribbons. Also check out our low prices on a plastic id card printer.
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Zebra Printhead $360.99 Direct Thermal Not Applicable P1006741 P1006741 203 dpi Printhead Printhead Thermal Transfer Zebra Zebra 105SL Printer Zebra Technologies Corporation www.zebra.com |
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DATAMAX Printhead $279.99 203 dpi DATAMAX DPO20-2262-01 Datamax I-4206 Printer Datamax-O'Neil Direct Thermal Not Applicable Printhead Thermal Transfer www.datamaxcorp.com |
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Oki Printhead $195.99 1 1 Year 1 x Printhead 200000000 Character 50090301 OKI 3410 printer Dot Matrix Oki Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd Printhead Retail www.okidata.com |
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Canon BC1300 Printhead $513.99 1 8004A001AB BC-1300 BC1300 Printhead Canon Canon W2200 Printer Canon, Inc Inkjet Not Applicable Printhead www.usa.canon.com |
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Canon BC-1300 Printhead $484.99 8004A001 Canon W2200 Printer BC-1300 BC-1300 Printhead Canon Canon, Inc Inkjet Printhead www.usa.canon.com |
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Thermal Printer Cleaning Pen printhead cleaning pen $22.99 Wasp Thermal Printer Cleaning Pen - Printhead cleaning pen - for W 300 300Z 600 600Z |
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Canon BC-1350 Printhead $525.99 0586B001AA Canon imagePROGRAF W6400 Inkjet Printer Canon imagePROGRAF W8400 Inkjet Printer BC-1350 BC-1350 Printhead Canon Canon, Inc Inkjet Printhead www.usa.canon.com |
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Canon BC-1450 Printhead $484.99 8366A001 Canon W-8200P Large Format Printer Canon W-6200 Large Format Printer BC-1450 BC-1450 Printhead Canon Canon, Inc Inkjet Printhead www.usa.canon.com |
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HP No 12 Magenta Printhead for Business InkJet 3000 Series Printer C5025A $85.86 HP No 12 Magenta Printhead for Business InkJet 3000 Series Printer C5025A |
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Zebra 203dpi Standard Life Printhead For Zebra ZM600 Label Printer 79803M $438.4 Zebra 203dpi Standard Life Printhead For Zebra ZM600 Label Printer 79803M |
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14 - printhead $38.99 HP 14 - Printhead - 1 x cyan - for Color Inkjet cp1160 Digital Copier Printer 610 Officejet 71XX d125 d135 d145 d155 |
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Citizen Printhead $136.99 Citizen Citizen CLP-521 Printer Citizen Micro HumanTech Direct Thermal JM14703-0 Not Applicable Printhead Resolution: 200 dpi www.citizen-america.com |
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Canon BC 1350 Printhead $484.99 0586B001 1 x Printhead Canon imagePROGRAF W8400 Printer Canon imagePROGRAF W6400 Printer BC 1350 Printhead BC-1350 Canon Canon, Inc Inkjet Printhead www.usa.canon.com |
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Zebra Save a Printhead Cleaning Film $13.99 46902 Zebra Thermal 90XiIII Printer Printhead Zebra Thermal 90XiIII+ Printer Printhead Zebra Thermal 96XiIII Printer Printhead Zebra Thermal 96XiIII+ Printer Printhead 3 x 10" long strips of cleaning film Cleaning Film Save a Printhead Cleaning Film Zebra Zebra Technologies Corporation www.zebra.com |
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Zebra P1014112 Printhead $97.99 4 oz Direct Thermal Not Applicable P1014112 P1014112 Printhead Printhead Zebra Zebra TTP 2000 Printer Zebra Technologies Corporation www.zebra.com |
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DATAMAX IntelliSEAQ Printhead $252.99 1 DATAMAX Datamax M-4206 Printer Datamax-O'Neil Direct Thermal IntelliSEAQ Printhead Not Applicable PHD20-2261-01 Printhead Resolution: 203 dpi Thermal Transfer www.datamaxcorp.com |
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Printronix 300 dpi Thermal Printhead $591.99 251012-001 300 dpi Thermal Printhead Printronix T5304R Printer Printhead Printronix Printronix, Inc Thermal Transfer www.printronix.com |
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Canon printhead. Each $537.45 Manufacturer: Canon. Each. Consumable Type: Printhead Printing Technology: Ink-jet Included Qty: 1 Customers also search for: Discount Canon printhead, Buy Canon printhead, Wholesale Canon printhead, 013803111194, 3630B003, Inkjet Printer Cartridges |
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DATAMAX 203 dpi Thermal Printhead $302.99 203 dpi Thermal Printhead Datamax Prodigy+ Printer Datamax Max203 Printer Datamax DMX-400 Printer DATAMAX DPO220039 Datamax-O'Neil Direct Thermal Printhead Thermal Transfer www.datamaxcorp.com |
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Zebra 300 dpi Thermal Printhead $205.99 300 dpi Thermal Printhead Zebra Thermal Transfer Printer: TLP3842 TLP3844Z G105910-155 Printhead Thermal Transfer Zebra Zebra Technologies Corporation www.zebra.com |
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Zebra 203 dpi Thermal Printhead $419.99 203 dpi Thermal Printhead Zebra S600 Printer Black G44998-1M Printhead Thermal Transfer Zebra Zebra Technologies Corporation www.zebra.com |
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Wasp 203 dpi Thermal Printhead $150.99 1 x Printhead 203 dpi Thermal Printhead 633808402167 Resolution: 203 dpi Wasp WPL305 Desktop Thermal Printer Black Direct Thermal Printhead Thermal Transfer WPL305 Wasp Wasp Barcode Technologies www.waspbarcode.com |
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Printronix 203 dpi Thermal Printhead $471.99 1 x Printhead 203 dpi Thermal Printhead 251243-001 Print Speed: 10ips Printronix T5204E Printer Printhead Printronix Printronix, Inc RoHS Thermal Transfer Yes www.printronix.com |
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IBM 4" Printhead $517.99 1 Year 1 x Printhead 4" Printhead 57P2169 IBM 4400 Thermal Printer Box Estimated Average Life: 2 years with a usage of 4 ribbons per month. IBM IBM Corporation Printhead Thermal Transfer www.ibm.com |