Here at ID Edge, our number one priority is finding the best ways to keep your organization secure. We certainly have many options when it comes to badge accessories and loyalty cards (we even offer customizable badge reels), but the security of our customers is always our #1 concern.
This is one of the reasons why we urge some of our clients to use UV ribbons when making ID cards for employees or patrons. It can add a fantastic layer of security, prevent fraud, keep your assets safe, and most importantly; keep other people safe on your premises.
Let’s take a closer look at how UV ribbons work and what they can accomplish for you.
What’s a UV Ribbon?
UV ribbons are an amazing piece of technology that allows you to print with “invisible” ink. Also referred to as “fluorescent” printing, this ink is only visible under UV light.
Think of it like a holographic image on the card, but no matter the angle at which you view it, you won’t be able to see the image unless you shine UV light on it.
What Can You Print with UV Ribbon?
The short answer is; pretty much anything. You can create custom invisible text that says “original,” print your logo on the cards with the UV ribbon, or even duplicate the cardholder’s photo with it!
Such versatility when printing cards with UV ribbon is exceptionally useful, because it allows you to custom-tailor the “invisible” information in any way you’d like. Not only does it make your cards more unique and allows your security personnel to easily verify the legitimacy of a card, it also makes it much harder for someone to duplicate.
UV Ribbon Security Considerations
There are several major ways in which a UV ribbon can keep your card protected.
- Hard to Duplicate: UV printed cards are difficult to duplicate because they require an investment on the part of the criminal. The individual would need to buy a UV-capable printer and would then need to expertly duplicate not only the visible but also the invisible information. This alone acts as a deterrent to criminals due to the time and financial investment.
- Difficult to See Pertinent Information: In one of our previous articles about bar code vs. magnetic stripe cards, we pointed out that one of the big benefits of magnetic cards is that the key information is not possible to see without a magnetic reader. When it comes to information printed with UV ribbons, such data is also hidden from view of potential fraudsters. It’s an absolutely indispensible aspect of such ID cards, as the criminal would need to get a hold of the actual card and shine a UV light on it in order to gather the data. They wouldn’t be able to simply take a glance at the card or take a photo of it with their phone. (We’ve had multiple clients tell us over the years that they’ve been able to catch forgers at events and recreation venues because the forged passes had no UV identifiers!)
- UV Photo Images: When it comes to organizational security, we’ve helped many clients set up their printing software to create a duplicate UV image of the cardholder’s photo. This can be even more valuable than a simple UV watermark because it’s impossible for a forger to overlay another individual’s photo onto the card. Even if they happen to steal an ID card, the actual card is basically worthless to them, because the photo printed with a UV ribbon will not match the visible photo.
The Equipment You’ll Need
The good news is that many ID printers today are capable of printing with a UV ribbon. If you’re not sure whether your printer has the capability, please give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.
- Browse UV Capable Printers Here
- Browse UV Ribbons Here
UV Ribbon Implementation
If you’d like to implement UV ribbon printing for your organization, we can help. The expert techs at ID Edge will help you figure out the best options (for example, whether to print text or images), will help you select the right ribbon, and will even guide you through the software options.
And as always, most phone support at ID Edge is absolutely free, even if you didn’t buy your printer from us. Just give us a call at (800) 798-3343 and we’ll be happy to help!