An ID card maker isn’t like a regular printer. Certainly, its purpose is to take pigment and arrange it on a surface in the form of letters and images, but the final result brings significantly more value than a regular printer. Firstly, an ID card maker keeps your organization secure. By providing a clear picture of the user, security personnel have a much easier time properly identifying individuals without errors. Secondly, the ability to encode information via magnetic stripes and smart chips can be used in a myriad of ways; from restricting access to parts of a building, to making gift card usage a simple as a card swipe.
But how do you keep your ID card maker in good working order so that it can serve your organization for years to come? In this educational installment we take a closer look at some of the best practices to extend the useful life of your ID card maker.
Proper Employee Training
It is absolutely vital to train every employee who will be using the ID card maker regarding the proper techniques. This includes how to change the ribbon, retransfer film and other supplies. Comprehensive training will help avoid ribbon breakage and unnecessary wear and tear on other parts.
Just as importantly, the employees must be trained on how to deal with card jams, and other proper procedures. The last thing you want is an untrained employee to become inventive when dislodging a card jam. We once encountered a situation where one of our customers had an intern working in their facilities department, and this bright young individual decided to use the sharp end of a letter opener to try and dislodge a stuck ID card…Sadly, the card remained stuck and the printer now had “stab wounds” that had to be repaired.
Therefore, we can’t overemphasize the importance of training in eliminating some of the damage that can come with improper use.
Using a Dust Cover
One of the biggest culprits in ID printer wear is the buildup of dust and debris. It’s amazing how tiny particles can affect things like print quality, the number of card jams, and the entire life cycle of the ID card maker.
We highly encourage all of our customers to place a cover on the printer whenever it’s not in use. It may not seem like much initially, but it can prevent a lot of problems, especially if you live in an arid, dusty area or if there is construction taking place in or near your building.
Storage Temperature
Another important aspect of keeping your printer in good shape is the storage temperature. It’s an intricate machine that has lots of moving parts. Temperatures that are too high or too low can cause damage to the mechanisms and the electronics. Therefore, keep the temperature regulated between 65 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with no humidity.
Blank Card Quality
The quality of the cards you use will also play a big role in how long the ID card maker will last.
For example, low quality cards can cause recurring jams. Further, rough texture and bumps on cheap ID cards can cause the print head in direct-to-card printers to break. Saving a few bucks can cause hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage.
Keep Blank Cards Wrapped
Every time you put a blank card through the printer, it brings a small amount of dust inside. This is inevitable, and some printers try to mitigate the problem by using sticky rollers that gather such debris.
However, you can directly reduce the problem by keeping the cards wrapped until you’re ready to use them. This way, less dust will accumulate on the cards or make it inside the ID card maker.
Avoiding Oil Residue
Oil from fingers can also get inside the printer, carried in via blank cards or while changing the ribbon or other components. It’s a good idea to use clean pair of gloves when working with the printer, to avoid this issue.
Never Force Anything
If a card is stuck and cannot be easily removed, don’t try to force it because you can easily do a ton of damage. Instead, call our Tech Department right away at (800) 798-3343. In many cases we’ll be able to guide you through the process by phone. If we can’t and the printer needs to be sent in for repairs, we can help you figure out what your warranty covers and whether you’re eligible for a loaner device.
Regular In-House and Professional Cleaning
Of course, no discussion of ID card maker maintenance would be complete without touching on regularly-scheduled cleaning. Make sure to use a cleaning kit after every ribbon change, and send it in for a professional cleaning at least once a year.
If you have any issues with your ID card maker, please call us at (800) 798-3343, or send us an email through the Contact Form!