Ink or materials used in card printers vary and depend on the type of card printer and its intended use, including:
1. Ribbons for Direct-to-Card (DTC) Printers
- Color Ribbons (YMCKO): Used for color card printing, comprising Yellow (Y), Magenta (M), Cyan (C), Black (K), and a clear Overlay (O) for vibrant and sharp images.
- Monochrome Ribbons: Used for printing text, barcodes, or single-color patterns in black.
2. Retransfer Film for Retransfer Card Printers
- Retransfer card printers use film as a medium to print onto the card, offering higher print quality, edge-to-edge printing, and suitability for PVC cards with texture or embedded electronics.
3. Special Inks and Materials
- Holograms and Protective Overlays: Enhance card security and durability.
- Special Color Ribbons: Some printers support ribbons with special colors or effects, such as gold or silver.
4. Plastic Cards
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) cards are popular for their durability, but other materials like PET, ABS, or special materials for single-use or subsidiary cards are also used.
Selecting ink or materials for your card printer should consider your usage requirements, such as clarity, card durability, and security needs. It's recommended to purchase ink and materials from the manufacturer or authorized dealers for compatibility and optimal performance.
