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Identification cards and postcards – Understanding Printing Technology
Nameplate and card are easy to use the devices, which compares well with consumer printers in its ability to be used directly from the box. However, like most card printers Working very different inkjet and laser printers, it is worth understanding a little about its technology.
Dye Sublimation
Sublimation Thermal dye or dye-sub, is the most common printing technology is used to place used.Thermal dye layer on the surface of nameplates. In dye-sublimation printing, colors are not set as individual points, as is done in inkjet printers. Thermal Sublimation dyes, in particular, makes photos look more realistic.
Within a dye-sublimation printer is a roll of transparent film that resembles the leaves of red, blue, yellow, and gray colored cellophane stuck together end to end. Included in this film are solid dyes corresponding to the four basic colors used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The print head is heated as it passes over the film, making dyes to vaporize and permeate the glossy surface of the card before they return to solid form. The vaporized colors permeate the surface of the card, creating a gentle gradation at the edges of each pixel, instead of the visible boundary between the dye and the card produced by inkjet printers. And because the color infuses the card is also less vulnerable to fading and distortion over time.
YMCKO
The printer creates the identification cards by placing dye layers the following order:
Yellow (Y)
Magenta (M)
Cyan (C)
Black: (K) or black resin
Sure: (O) or cape
The color image is a combination of the Y, M, C & layers also produce a form of black. K resin layer allows very sharp black text defined, barcodes, etc to be added. The overcoat layer acts as a protective film against wear and fading and also can carry a security image that can not be photocopied – for example, the watermark security Magicard Holokote.
Reverse Transfer
With reverse transfer, the printer prints on the back of a new transparent PVC film transfer, which is then rolled on badges and cards of the photo. This protects the image from handling damage and produces a brilliant edge-edge image. The quality and durability of the finished card is similar to that achieved through a process of offset printing, but with the advantage that every card can be different.
Because the new transfer film is laminated to the face card, you can print to the edge, unlike dye-sublimation printer that prints almost on the verge of leaving a small (less than 0.5 mm) white border.
Lamination
ID card and card lamination involves placing a transparent PVC layer on the surface of the card. Lamination is used to protect the image of the card, especially when the card is wiped regularly through a magnetic stripe reader, where the mill will 10,000 's of swipes before any wear visible image is produced.
ID Card Lamination is done at the same time as printing (reverse transfer printers) or separately with a dedicated mill. For added security, the security laminate film containing a logo or optical holograms are available.
Original Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?ID-Badges-and-Cards—Understanding-Printing-Technology&id=986148
About the Author
I work as a global marketing and communications manager for Ultra Electronics Manufacturing card systems. I’m French and have now been living in the UK for 10 years. I graduated in business communications from the University of Rennes in France and post-graduated in International Public Relations at the University of Hertforshire, UK. I very much enjoy the creative side of my job, and most of all, the writing bit.
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