Here at ID Edge we’ve seen ID printers evolve tremendously over the last three decades. When we first launched our company in 1985, printing technology wasn’t even taking its first steps, it was still in its infancy, simply cooing to hint at the explosive technological innovation that was to come. In fact, when Polaroid ID printers came out and you could finally use instant Polaroid photos in ID cards, it was considered top of the line technology. The capabilities we have today would have seemed like science fiction back then.
Though much focus in the industry continues to remain on security innovation of security features, it’s also important to consider other aspects, like print quality and graphic capabilities. That’s why in this installment, we’d like to tell you all about retransfer ID card printers, and what this process can achieve for your business.
What is Retransfer ID Printing?
At the very core, the purpose of printing an ID card is to use pigment from the printer ribbon to create images and text on the surface of the card. But there are different methodologies for applying pigment to the card, resulting in different image quality, as well as other effects.
The more traditional approach to ID printing is the direct-to-card method. In this process, the print head delivers pigment directly onto the card surface. It’s very similar to an ink jet printer that prints on paper.
Retransfer printing uses an extra step in the process, which first places the image onto a thin, clear film, and then adheres that film to the card. Though it may seem like a small, simple step in the printing process, there are several major benefits to using this methodology:
- Decreased likelihood of print head damage
- Over-the-edge printing capability
- Graphics that are more vivid
- Increased card durability
Let’s take a look at these aspects in greater detail.
Print Head Wear and Tear
The print head arguably does the most work during the printing process. Hence, it’s the part that tends to be damaged most often, especially in direct-to-card printers, where the print head comes into direct contact with the card for each image it prints.
Because the card surface is hard, small irregularities in the shape or the surface of the card can physically damage the print head. Further, cards may accumulate dust and debris, which build up on the print head and degrade print quality (some printers, even have built-in rollers that use a sticky surface to remove debris from cards before the printing process).
The retransfer method, however, significantly reduces damage to the print head in two ways. Firstly, the print head never touches the surface of the ID card. Therefore, physical damage is less probable. Secondly, the clear retransfer film is significantly less likely to gather dust or debris, because it comes in a sealed package that is opened just before insertion into the printer.
Over-the-Edge Printing
To reduce potential for damage, direct-to-card printers do not allow the print head to reach the edge of the ID card. The retransfer method, however, doesn’t have this limitation. ID cards or loyalty cards printed with a retransfer printer can have full over-the-edge coverage this creates a cleaner appearance for the card (this is indispensable for brand building).
Vivid Graphics
PVC and composite ID cards have several important goals; to serve as durable ID cards, to carry encoded information, and to have the capability to retain ink pigment on the surface of the card.
Therefore, the surface of the cards isn’t the most optimal material for printing visually rich graphics – it is more of a compromise between the multiple purposes the card must serve at the same time. (After all, if PVC and composite cards were the perfect medium for printing images, then no one would use photo paper and our family albums would be filled with PVC rectangles bearing images of our loved ones.)
The retransfer printer methodology acts to remove image quality considerations from ID cards, instead placing this capability squarely into the realm of retransfer film. Because retransfer film isn’t tasked with card longevity or other capabilities, it can be manufactured with the singular goal of improving image quality. The result is higher quality printing, with ID cards that have crisper, photo-quality images.
Increased Card Durability
A positive side effect of retransfer printing is increased card durability. When pigment is applied to retransfer film, the images are actually printed in reverse. The film is then applied to the card, with the pigment coming into direct contact with the card surface, while the other side of the film acts as a protective barrier. This reduces wear and tear on the card and extends its lifespan.
Is Retransfer Printing Right for You?
Though retransfer printers have a wide range of benefits, they tend to be more expensive. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure that the additional investment is right for your organization. For example:
- Small organizations that print low volumes of cards and mostly issue cards to employees and contractors may be better served with a direct-to-card printer.
- Large organizations with many employees would do better with a retransfer printer. This reduces the probability of print head damage and extends card longevity.
- Resorts, hotels and other venues would do well with a retransfer printer, because the printer is less likely to sustain damage even with high volume printing and because higher quality images are better for branding purposes.
Questions? Ask Away!
If you have any questions about the benefits of retransfer printing and whether such an ID printer is right for you, just give us a call at (800) 798-3343 or email us thru the Contact Form, below!