FAQ Topics

Glossaries

Q	ABS
A	An abbreviation for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a common plastic material used for the manufacture of moulded card bodies. The plastic used to make moulded (or injected) card bodies for certain cards (See PVC). Plastic material used to manufacture cards that are resistant to heat distortion.

Q	Artwork
A	Artwork includes images, text or original illustrative copy or layout ready for print reproduction at pre-press stage.

Q	ATM
A	ATM is an abbreviation for Automated Teller Machine (cash machine) is a device usually sited in a public place allowing cardholders to conduct basic banking operations including cash withdrawal.

Q	Authentication
A	Authentication is the process of determining the precise identity of someone who conducts an online transaction or who sends an online communication. Often used in conjunction wit Credit or Debit card transactions. This is a technique to confirm the identity of a card or a cguard system.

Q	Bar Code
A	An array of machine-readable rectangular bars and spaces arranged in a specific way defined in international standards to represent letters, numbers and other human-readable symbols

Q	Blank Cards
A	An array of machine-readable rectangular bars and spaces arranged in a specific way defined in international standards to represent letters, numbers and other human-readable symbols

Q	Blank Cards
A	Blank Cards are cards with no printing usually used in imaging machines.

Q

Calpso Standard

A

Calypso is the electronic ticketing standard which defines the secured dialogue between cards and terminal It was developed by a group of European partners from the cities of Brussels in Belgium, Lisbon in Portugal, Konstanz in Germany, Paris in France and Venice in Italy The 10 years development program, succeeded in creating the smartcard contactless technology adapted to the public transportation uses. Some functional choices have been taken into account to answer the transit operators' needs: - Contactless technology - Fast, safe transaction (decentralized security) - Communication within the transaction time - Flexible transport application to build system step-by-step - Targeted products to afford all users and new services - Upgradeable and respect for current standards - Microprocessor, dual interface - In accordance to ISO 7816-1, 2, 3, 4 and CEN 1545 Standards The technology was made accessible to all manufacturers on a fair and non-discriminatory basis, to ensure: - The birth of this new technology, suited to the urban public transport needs - A full products compatibility - A fair market competition

Q	Card Holder
A	Card holder is the person to whom a personal card was issued (not necessarily the person holding the card).

Q	Card inserting and mailing
A	Card inserting and mailing is the process of inserting and sealing the card into an envelope along with any attachments, letter (or carrier) and / or promotional material. See also match mailing.

Q	Character height
A	Character height is the maximum permitted height of embossed characters on an identification card. For ISO standard card this is 4.32mm (defined in ISO 7811.

Q	Character spacing
A	Character spacing is the nominal spacing of embossed characters on an identification card. For 150 standard cards this is 3.63mm with a minimum spacing between two consecutive characters of 3.48mm (defined in ISO 7811).

Q	Chip
A	Chip is an integrated circuit that carries card intelligence. Embedded in the plastic surface of a card and hidden by the communication contacts. It is a piece of silicon etched with an electronic circuit.

Q	Chromalin Proofs
A	Chromalin Proofs are the most common way of exchanging final artwork for printing. Cromalin is registered name for a printer’s proof manufactured by Dupont. See also Digital Cromalin.

Q

Coercivity

A

A technical term used to designate how strong a magnetic field must be to affect data encoded on a magnetic stripe. Coercivity, measured in Oersteds (Oe.), is very loosely defined as the magnetic field required to encode or erase a magnetic stripe. Ordinary low coercivity magnetic stripes (often called loco) are rated at 300 Oersteds; some others are in the range of 600-650 Oe. High coercivity stripes (often called hico or high energy) are generally in the range of 1250-4000 Oe. Bank and financial stripes average around 2750 Oe. High coercivity tapes are more resistant to accidental erasure.

Q	Color Matching
A	Several color matching options are included with Fargo Card Printer/Encoders. These options are built directly into the printer driver so they are easily selected. Colors print with more clarity, detail and accuracy.

Q	Combi Card
A	Combi Card is a smart card with both “contact” and “contactless” technology on one card.

Q	Contact
A	A point of electrical connection between a smart card and its external interface device.

Q	CR-100 Cards
A	Often referred to as Oversize or Military sized cards, CR-100 cards are 3.88" x 2.63" (98.5mm x 67mm).

Q	CR-80 Cards
A	The standard card size is CR-80. CR-80 dimensions are 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6mm x 54mm).

Q	CR-90 Cards
A	Slightly larger than the standard CR-80, CR-90 cards are (3.63" x 2.37"/92mm x 60mm).

Q	Credit card
A	A universal payment method that allows the cardholder to make payments for goods and services and receive cash not only through the cardholder’s own account resources but also through credit from the card-issuing bank

Q	CVC and CVV
A	CVC and CVV is the abbreviation for the verification code from MasterCard and card verification code from Visa. Encrypted numeric value contained in the data on the magnetic stripe, which can be checked to ensure that the information has not been altered in any way.

Q	DDA
A	DDA is an abbreviation for Dynamic Data Authentication: authentication of a card using a challenge and response mechanism.

Q	DES
A	DES is an abbreviation for Data Encryption Standard: the name of the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), which describes the data encryption algorithm (DEA) or standard. When used for communication, both sender and receiver must know the same secret key, which can be used in encrypt or decrypt the message, or to generate and verify a message authentication code.

Q	Digital Imaging
A	Scanning or otherwise capturing images which may be subsequently edited, filed, displayed or printed on a plastic card.

Q	Direct-to-Card (DTC) Printing
A	The Direct-to-card printing process prints digital images directly onto any plastic card with a smooth, clean, glossy PVC surface.

Q

Docking Station

A

Fargo provides an optional e-card docking station on select models that can be ordered with encoders for one, two or three different types of e-cards. These printer/encoders allow application software to read and/or store information in the memory of e-cards. The optional encoders provide everything needed for an application program to communicate with a specific type e-card through a standard RS-232 interface. The Fargo e-card docking station comes standard with the read/write pins (as defined by ISO) needed to communicate with contact smart cards. The e-card docking station also can be ordered with a magnetic stripe encoder for either an ISO magnetic stripe that supports dual high/low coercivity tracks 1, 2 and 3 or a JIS II magnetic stripe.

Q

Dye Sublimation

A

Dye sublimation is the print process Fargo Card Printer/Encoders use to print smooth, continuous-tone, photo-quality images. This process uses a dye-based ribbon roll that is divided into a series of color panels. The color panels are grouped in a repeating series of three separate colors along the length of the ribbon: yellow, magenta and cyan (YMC). As the ribbon and card pass simultaneously beneath the printhead, hundreds of thermal elements heat the dyes on the ribbon. Once the dyes are heated, they vaporize and diffuse into the surface of the card. Varying the heat intensity of each thermal element within the printhead makes it possible for each transferred dot of color to vary saturation. This blends one color into the next. The result is continuous-tone, photo-realistic color images.

Q	Edge-to-Edge printing
A	Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/encoders with edge-to-edge printing capability can print just to the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with virtually no border.

Q	EEPROM
A	EEPROM means Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. This is a memory technology that can be electronically erased and rewritten.

Q

Electronic Signiture

A

A signature is a stylized script associated with a person. It is comparable to a seal. In commerce and the law, a signature on a document is an indication that the person adopts the intentions recorded in the document. An electronic signature is any legally recognised electronic means that indicates that a person adopts the contents of an electronic message. The U.S. Code defines an electronic signature as "an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record."[1] It may be an electronic transmission of the document which contains the signature, as in the case of facsimile transmissions, or it may be encoded message, such as telegraphy using morse code. Increasingly, encrypted digital signatures are used in e-commerce and in regulatory filings as digital signatures are more secure than a simple generic electronic signature.[2][3][4] The concept itself is not new, with common law jurisdictions having recognized telegraph signatures as far back as the mid-19th century and faxed signatures since the 1980s.

Q	Embedding
A	Embedding is an operation to place a microchip module in the cavity of the card body. An electrical test is carried out and the embedded module is then encoded.

Q	Embossing
A	To emboss is to press a tool into the surface of a plastic card in order to form a raised character. This raised character may be read visually and may be used with an imprinter to record a copy of this embossed data. With electronic data capture today, embossing is becoming less important at the point of sale.

Q	Encoding
A	The process of electronically "writing" information on magnetic stripes or smart card chips.

Q	Encoding
A	Encoding is the process of electronically “writing” or recording information on magnetic stripes or smart card chips. Encoded information or machine-readable codes placed on the cards for use with automatic reading devices e.g. automatic tellers, cash dispensers, and point-of-sale terminals.

Q	EPROM
A	EPROM is an abbreviation for Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory. This is a memory technology that can be written only once before being erased using ultraviolet light, after which it may be written again.

Q	EPS File
A	EPS File is an abbreviation for Encapsulated PostScript file: a form of postscript used by a graphic designer to produce a company logo for a card. EPS files are generated from vector graphics originated in applications such as Illustrator, Freehand or Corel Draw.

Q	Fire Wire
A	High-speed external connection used for connecting peripherals, also referred to as "IEEE 1394".

Q	HiCo
A	Abbreviation for High Coercivity. HiCo magnetic stripes provide the highest level of immunity to damage by stray magnetic fields. They are more difficult to encode than LoCo magnetic stripes because the encoding requires more power. HiCo magnetic stripe cards are slightly more expensive for this reason.

Q	High Definition Printing™ (HDP™)
A	The high-definition printing process prints full-color images onto clear HDP transfer film. The HDP film is then fused to the card through heat and pressure via a heated roller. This revolutionary technology enhances card durability and consistently produces the best card color available - even on tough-to-print matte-finished cards, proximity cards and smart cards.

Q	Hologram
A	A unique photographic printing that provides a three-dimensional effect on a flat surface. Holograms cannot be easily copied and are used for security and aesthetic purposes on cards.

Q	Holographic Foil
A	Holographic Foil is the foil used to carry embossed holographic images.

Q	Hot (Foil) Stamping
A	The application of foil, a special film-backed material, to pvc cards where a heated die is stamped onto the foil, making it adhere to the surface leaving the design of the die on the paper. Foil stamping can be combined with embossing to create a more striking 3D image.

Q	ID card
A	A card that identifies its cardholder; Most often an ID card has the cardholder’s photograph, first name, middle name, last name, date of birth, the card’s expiration date, special numbers and other information

Q	Image Capturing System
A	A hardware and software system used to obtain and save personal data and cardholder photographic images.

Q	Indent printing
A	Indent printing this is the technique where characters and numbers are 'stamped' into the plastic and 'infilled' with a tape, typically black. Used for the CVV verification numbers often placed on the signature panel on the reverse of credit cards. Indenting can be placed either to the face or reverse of a card.

Q	Initialisation
A	Initialisation is the first stage of the card issuing process. The purpose of this process is to load all the data common to one application into the smart card’s EEPROM.

Q

ISO

A

ISO is the International Organization for Standardization (1 Rue deVarembe, 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland), a worldwide standards body that develops and maintains magnetic stripe card standards as well as many other standards. For more information on ISO standards contact the standards organization in your country. Details on the standards organization in your own country may be found at http://www.iso.ch/addresse/membodies.html

Q	ISO 7810
A	ISO 7810 is the recognised standard for all credit cards and debit cards. Most ID cards are the same shape and size as specified by this standard.

Q	ISO 7811
A	ISO 7811 is the ISO standard defining how information is recorded on ISO standard identification cards. It includes the following identification cards recording techniques: Part 1: Embossing Part 2: Magnetic stripe Part 3: Location of embossed characters on ID-1 cards Part 4: Location of read-only magnetic stripes – tracks 1 and 2 Part 5: Location of read – write magnetic track – track 3

Q	ISO 7816
A	ISO 7816 is the base standard for Smart cards.

Q	ISO Magnetic Stripe Encoder
A	International Standards Organization specification for magnetic stripe encoding. The Fargo encoder supports dual high/low coercivity and tracks 1, 2 and 3.

Q	Issuer
A	An individual or organization that issues identification cards to individual or corporate cardholders.

Q	Java
A	Java is an object oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is a machine independent language and offers considerable protection between applications.

Q	Java Card
A	Java Card is a smart card that supports applications written in JAVA.

Q

Key

A

Key is a device used in conjunction with a cryptographic algorithm to determine: (i) The transformation of plaintext (unencrypted text) data into cipher (encrypted text) data. (ii) The transformation of cipher text data into plain text data. (iii) A digital signature. (iv) A message authentication code. A key can come in many different forms and be regarded as a string of meaningless bits until it is used to encode or decode a message. The algorithm is generally (assumed to be) known, and what is kept secret is the key.

Q	Key card
A	Key Card is a plastic card used to gain access to premises such as hotels room, usually associated with magnetic stripe and proximity cards.

Q	Laminate
A	Laminate is a transparent plastic coating applied through heat or pressure to protect paper or card and give it a matt or gloss surface. Its purpose is to protect the printing on the card from being scratched off.

Q	Lamination
A	The process of combining lamination material and core material using time, heat and pressure. Laminate patches used in card printers come on rolls, with and without carriers/liners.

Q	Lanyard
A	Material or beaded cord worn around the neck to carry something, such as ID cards, keys, whistles and cellphones.

Q	Laser Engraving
A	Laser Engraving is a personalisation technique whereby personal data and a facial image can be burned into a plastic ID card or passport data page using a laser beam. This can be a three dimensional image. Printing inks and consumables are not used in this technology. The finished document is virtually tamper and forgery proof. Best results are produced using polycarbonate cards.

Q	LCD Display (At a Card Printer)
A	The LCD - or Liquid Crystal Display - shows the current status of the printer and changes according to the printer's current mode of operation. LCD communicates an error with text, which is easier to interpret than LED lights.

Q	LoCo
A	Abbreviation for Low Coercivity. Easier to encode and slightly less expensive than HiCo magnetic stripe cards.

Q	Loyalty Card
A	Loyalty Card is typically a standard card that has off line accounting capabilities e.g. mileage recording or merchandise purchases and often used as a retail frequent user card offering promotional benefits.

Q

Magnetic (“Mag”) Stripe

A

Mag stripe refers to the black or brown magnetic stripe on a card. The stripe is made of magnetic particles of resin. The resin particle material determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher the coercivity, the harder it is to encode - and erase - information from the stripe. Magnetic stripes are often used in applications for access control, time and attendance, lunch programs, library cards and more.

Q	Membership Card
A	Membership Card is usually a club member card for ID purpose.

Q	Memory Card
A	A type of smart card. Also known as a synchronous card, it features 256 bit or 32 byte memory and is suitable for use as a token card or identification card.

Q	Monochrome Thermal Printer
A	Monochrome Thermal Printer is a transfer printer for paper and plastic card printing or badge personalisation for ID, security, membership, time attendance etc.

Q	Multi-application Card
A	Smart card that can handle a variety of applications.

Q	Network Printer
A	A printer available for use by workstations on a network. A network printer either has its own built-in network interface card, or it is connected to a printer on the network.

Q	OCR
A	OCR is an abbreviation for Optical Character Recognition: the technology that allows transforming paper documents into editable cguard files. This technology is often used with OCR, ICR, OMR, and barcode recognition technologies for automated data capture, document recognition.

Q	OEM
A	Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Q	Offset printing
A	Method of printing that transfers the paint from the printing platform under pressure onto an intermediate elastic rubber surface and then to the product surface.

Q

Offset Printing (Lithography)

A

Most common process for plastic card printing based on the concept that oil and water are not compatible. The ink represents the oil and the alkaline fountain solution represents the water. These are the two main components which must interact during the printing process, allowing the ink to adhere to the image area of a printing plate while the fountain solution repels the ink from the non-image area.

Q	Optical Card
A	Optical Card is a card with information recorded on an optical memory stripe, similar to compact disks

Q	Over-the-Edge printing
A	Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/encoders with over-the-edge printing capability can print past the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with absolutely no border.

Q	Overlaminate
A	Protective clear or holographic material designed to offer advanced card security and durability. Two types are available from Fargo: Thermal Transfer Overlaminate is a .25 mil thick material that enhances card security and durability. PolyGuard Overlaminate is available in a 1 mil and .6 mil thick material and provides extraordinary protection for applications that require highly durable cards.

Q	Overlay Panel
A	The clear overlay panel (O) is provided on dye sublimation print ribbons. This panel is automatically applied to printed cards and helps prevent images from premature wear or UV fading. All dye sublimation printed images must have either this overlay panel or an overlaminate applied to protect them.

Q	Oversized Cards
A	Oversized cards are used for more efficient visual identification and are available in many nonstandard sizes. The most popular oversized Cardss izes are CR-90 (3.63" x 2.37"/92 mm x 60 mm) and CR-100 (3.88" x 2.63"/98.5 mm x 67 mm).

Q	PAN
A	PAN is an abbreviation for Primary Account Number: the assigned number that identifies the card issuer and cardholder. This number is composed of an issuer identification number, individual account identification, and an accompanying check digit, as defined in ISO 7812.

Q

Pantone Matching System (PMS)

A

Pantone Matching System (PMS) is an international system and brand name of a colour matching system produced by Pantone, Inc of the USA used for colour standardisation. This is method of making sure that all specified colours used and specified in printing produce standard results across the industry. Colours are specified as numbers, i.e. PMS 032, PMS 300 etc., sometimes with a U (uncoated) or C (coated) suffix. This is used, as the colours often look totally different on each. Pantone inks provide a much greater range of colours than can be achieved by CMYK.

Q	Personalization
A	Printing, encoding and programming a card with data specific to an individual cardholder.

Q	Phone Card
A	Phone Card is a stored value card that allows the user to access telephone networks via a PIN number which is usually covered by a scratch-off panel for security.

Q	Photo ID card
A	Photo ID card is an identification card bearing a photographic image of the cardholder. The image can be an actual photograph or one captured wholly electronically.

Q	PIN
A	A Personal Identification Number for use with a card.

Q

Polycarbonate Cards

A

Polycarbonate Cards are cards produced from a particular group of thermoplastics. These have the properties of high-durability, light weight and flexibility because they are polymers linked together by carbonate groups. Polycarbonate cards are stronger than Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cards and thus more expensive. However, for applications where longevity and higher security is pre- requisite e.g. National ID, Passport and Driver’s Licence cards, Polycarbonate cards are ideal. These cards are utilised where the virtually tamper-proof personalisation technique of laser engraving is required.

Q	PolyGuard™
A	A card overlaminate available in 1 mil and .6 mil thicknesses that provides extraordinary card protection; ideal for harsh or more secure environments. Available as clear or with embedded holographic-type security images.

Q	POS terminal
A	POS (point of sale) terminals are magnetic card (and/or IC card) readers with accessory display, keypads and microprocessors. These terminals are used to charge and/or authorize retail merchant sales.

Q	Prepaid Card
A	A card paid for at point of sale permitting the holder to buy goods and services up to the prepaid value.

Q	Printer Driver
A	The software that enables your operating system to properly build and format commands and data bound for your printer; in effect, a printer driver tells your operating system all that it needs to know to successfully operate your printer.

Q	Process (4 Colours)
A	4-Colour Process is a printing term for full colour printing. It is the process of combining four primary printing colours to create a printed colour picture or colours composed from the basic four colours. See CMYK.

Q

PVC

A

PVC, polyvinyl chloride, is the most popular material for making bank and financial cards. Due to the development of IC cards, optical cards and other innovations other materials may be used in the future. Some cards are being produced in polyester, polycarbonate, and there is even a biodegradeable card made of starch. PVC is easy to emboss, and this has been an advantage. A disadvantage not shared by polyester is PVC's low melting temperature.

Q	Rainbow Printing
A	Rainbow printing is infill printing using graded areas of colour that merge into one another.

Q	Reader
A	A reader is a device composed of a magnetic head, electronic circuitry and a case. It is used to read magnetic data from a stripe.

Q

Resin Thermal Transfer Printing

A

Resin thermal transfer is the process used to print sharp black text and crisp bar codes that can be read by both infrared and visible-light bar code scanners. It is also the process used to print ultra-fast, economical one-color cards. Like dye sublimation, this process uses a thermal printhead to transfer color from the ribbon roll to the card. The difference, however, is that solid dots of color are transferred in the form of a resin-based ink which fuses to the surface of the card when heated. This produces very durable, single-color images.

Q	Resolution
A	Dimension of the smallest element of an image that can be printed. Usually stated as dots per inch (dpi).

Q	Scratch-cards
A	Cards with a special opaque strip on the surface of the card and covered password, code or other type of information; It’s necessary to scratch the strip to retrieve the information underneath it; Widely used in activation of prepaid services such as Internet access, mobile connection and IP telephony

Q	Serial (Sequential) Numbering
A	The numbering of encoded cards in sequential order.

Q	Signature panel/strip
A	A special strip on a card for inputting a signature or other information; Can be with or without captions that prevent the signature to be rubbed off

Q	Silk Screen Printing
A	A method of printing on fabric where a mesh screen coated with an ink film that holds the image is pressed onto the material the image is to be printed onto.

Q	SIM Card
A	SIM card is an abbreviation for Subscriber Identification Module: a smart card that connects to a GSM phone and establishes the users identity.

Q	Skimming
A	Copying the magnetic stripe encoding from one card to another.

Q	Smart Card Operating System
A	Smart Card Operating System is the software on a smart card that controls the operation of a card: manages the applications and provides services, such as secure segregation, memory management, input/output and access to cryptographic primitives.

Q	SmartGuard™
A	SmartGuard is a printer security option that uses a custom access card and a built-in reader to restrict printer access. With this feature, only those with a valid access card can print cards. This makes both your printed cards and your overall system more secure.

Q	SmartShield™
A	This option allows the printer/encoder to print custom, reflective security images on the card that fluoresce under a black or UV light source.

Q	Standard Cards
A	The standard card size is CR-80. CR-80 dimensions are 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6 mm x 54 mm).

Q	Stored Value Card
A	A financial card that is loaded with a certain amount of money with each purchase amount deducted from the card, such as:aka cash card, electronic purse, prepaid card etc'.

Q	Stored Value Card
A	Stored Value Card is a financial card e.g. cash card, electronic purse, prepaid card that is loaded with a certain amount of money/value e.g. loyalty points or credit for canteen meals with each 'purchase' amount deducted from the card.

Q	Terminal
A	Terminal is any device that can communicate with a smart card e.g. a reader or a coupler. Certain terminals can operate in stand-alone mode, while others must be connected to a central information system to access an application.

Q	Terminal
A	Terminal is any device that can communicate with a smart card e.g. a reader or a coupler. Certain terminals can operate in stand-alone mode, while others must be connected to a central information system to access an application.

Q	Thermal Print Head
A	An electronic device, which uses heat to transfer a digitized image from a special ribbon to the flat surface of a plastic card.

Q	Thermal Printing
A	The process of creating an image on a plastic card using a heated printhead.

Q	Thermal Transfer Overlaminate
A	A card overlaminate available in a .25 mil thickness that increases card security and durability; often used for moderate durability applications or when additional security (such as holographic images) are needed.

Q	Tipping
A	Covering embossed symbols with a painted film to stand out from the background images of a plastic card; Most often uses gold, silver or other metallic colors; The needed brightness is achieved by adding black or white paint

Q

Track

A

A track is a location for linearly encoded data on a magnetic card. Track location is normally located a set distance from the top (closest long edge) edge of the card. ISO tracks are numbered 1, 2 and 3. Airline tickets have the same track locations as bank cards but also possess a track 4. There is also a proprietary track 0 between track 1 and the top of the card for Watermark Magnetics (registered trademark of Thorn-EMI). Other popular track locations is central track, midway between both long edges, on tickets such as British Rail. Centerlines for ISO tracks 1, 2 and 3 are approximately 7.06 mm, 10.36 mm and 13.92 mm respectively (0.278", 0.408" and 0.548"). Airline track 4 centerline is approximately 17.48 mm (0.688") from the top of the card.

Q	TWAIN Compliant
A	An industry wide standard that allows a cguard to communicate with a graphic device such as a scanner or digital camera. Nearly all scanners, digital cameras, and web cams are TWAIN compliant.

Q	Ultraviolet paint
A	Image that is invisible at usual daylight; Can be seen only under ultraviolet light; Well protects data from copying and imitation

Q

Universal Serial Bus (USB 1.0)

A

An input/output (I/O) bus capable of data transfer at 12 megabits (1.5 megabytes) used for connecting peripherals to a microprocessor. Typically, each device connected to a cguard uses its own port. USB can connect up to 127 peripherals through a single port by daisy-chaining the peripherals together. USB devices may be hot plugged, which means that power does not have to be turned off to connect or disconnect a peripheral. It is expected that USB will become a primary means of connection in IBM-compatible PCs. Most major hardware, software, and telecommunications providers support USB. Some printers do not yet support USB, however, most of these parallel interface printers will accomodate a parallel to USB conversion cable.

Q	Varnish Overlay Coating
A	A thin transparent layer applied (using the print head) to cards to resist scratching and fading from exposure to UV radiation.

Q	Weigand Wire
A	Weigand wire is magnetic media embedded in cards used for access control applications.

Q	YMC
A	Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print colors for cards. The three colors are combined in varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.

Q	YMCKO
A	Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print colors for cards. The three colors are combined in varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors plus black (K) and clear protective overcoat(O).

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FAQ

Q

How Do I Choose an ID Printer?

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the following questions will help determine what features you need in your ID Card Printer. Or, you can contact us for a recommendation based on your needs. What type of interface do you need? Most ID card printers now come standard with a USB interface. Some modules offer a parallel interface along with USB and others offer USB with an Ethernet interface. Ethernet is available on several printers. Our Specialists can help you select a printer that provides the interface you need. What type of driver do you need? With some exceptions, all of our card printers solely support Microsoft Windows (typically Windows 2000 and XP) drivers. Windows Vista support is also becoming more common. If you are using a MAC and don’t want to use an emulation program, please contact our specialists to suggest the right printer model for you, contact us. Do you need, or prefer to print color cards? Most printers will print a combination of color and monochrome (single color), but certain entry level models are capable of monochrome printing only. If you need to print full color logo or pictures, than you need color printer but if you only need to print data, such as serial numbers, names, etc\' a monochrome printer will do. Will your cards be printed on one or two sides? Some printers are \'single-sided\', which means they can only print on one side of the card. Two-sided card printing is called ‘dual-sided’ or ‘duplex’. If you would like to print color and/or monochrome on both sides of your cards, you will want to select a card printer that is dual-side capable or duplex.  Computer Guard Tip! A dual sided printer is more recommended if there are variable data on both side of the card if you need to print on both side but the variable data is only on one side, you might be settled for single sided printer and use it to print the fixed data on all of the cards and then turn the pack of cards to print the side with variable data. Will your cards include a magnetic stripe? Magnetic stripes are the dark stripe that you might find on the back of your credit card or employee card. These stripes store data and are often used in Time and Attendance or Access Control applications. All of our printers offer an optional magnetic stripe encoder. Computer Guard Tip! it is most recommended to find out if you need a magnetic encoder in your printer before purchasing it, as not all of the models are field upgradeable when it comes to adding this option in the future, so consider adding magnetic encoding up-front or select a printer that is upgradeable to magnetic encoding in the future.  Will you need to encode smart cards? Contact smart cards have a memory chip embedded on the card surface. This chip can hold more information more securely than a magnetic stripe. Virtually not all printer models offer smart card contact stations as an option. Since most smart card contact stations cannot be added after the printer has been built, we suggest ordering this option up-front.  Will you need to print high volumes of cards per session and/or per year?  If you plan to print thousands of cards per session or many thousands of cards per year, you’ll want to look for a printer that is built to sustain high volume printing. This printer should also include large input and output card hopper capacities (greater than 100 cards). Examples of such printers are the Fargo DTC550 and the Evolis Quantum.  How long do you need your cards to last? If your cards need to last longer, will be used outside, or will be subject to chemicals or abrasive contact, you will want to consider purchasing a printer that includes lamination capability. Lamination is generally a thick clear or holographic layer that covers the card surface, protecting the image and information that has been printed. If you select a lamination-capable printer, be sure to select composite PET/PVC cards rather than 100% PVC cards. Composite PET/PVC cards are designed to stand up to the heat generated by the lamination process. Don\'t Forget to Consider Your Future Needs Even if you plan to use badges only for visual identification now, consider possible future applications. You may not have the need or the budget for a card system that includes magnetic stripe or smart card encoding today, but you may in the next couple of years. Several printer models offer in-field upgrades to magnetic stripe encoding, smart card encoding, and card lamination. Our Specialists will help ensure the system you buy today will be able to handle your growing needs.  For a no-obligation consultation about selecting the right card printer, contact us.

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What is The 4 color Process of Dye Sublimation printing ?

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Dye sublimation is chosen for its high quality photographic results. The dye sublimation printing process involves the use of thermal transfer to transport varying amounts of colored dye pigments from a carrier ribbon or film, to the card surface to which the dyes bond chemically.  Inside a dye-sub card printer is a roll of film or ribbon consisting of a repeating series of yellow, magenta (red), cyan (blue), black and clear panels. The YMC (yellow, magenta and cyan) panels contain thermally sensitive dyes corresponding to the three basic colors used in subtractive printing. By combining varying amounts of these dyes, any color in the spectrum can be created, from white (no dye transferred) to black (full transfer of each of the three dyes). The black (K) and clear overlay (O) panels are also used in this thermal printing process, but they operate in a different way called “mass transfer” in which ALL of the material (in this case, a plastic resin rather than a dye) is transferred once the carrier ribbon reaches the required transfer temperature. The black resin is used to apply dense black text and barcodes on top of the YMC color image, and the clear panel is used to put a protective overcoat over the entire printed image. The thermal printing process uses a printhead with hundreds of individual heater elements (typically 300 per inch) which can each be separately controlled by software to transfer varying amounts of the YMC dyes and all or none of the black (K) and clear (O) panels as the appropriate panel passes under it. In the case of the YMC panels, the individual temperature of the elements causes varying amounts of dye to be vaporized and to permeate the glossy PVC card surface where they form bonds with the plastic molecules. This is the sublimation part. (Sublimation means to heat something and turn it into a vapor without going through the liquid phase.) Because the pigments go from solid, to gas and back to solid, there is little mess compared to inkjet printing which uses the liquid phase as part of the transfer process. Because of the way the vaporized dyes permeate the surface of the card, a gentle gradation at the edges of each pixel is created - not the conspicuous border between color and substrate produced by inkjets. Also, because the color infuses and bonds with the card material, it is less vulnerable to fading and distortion over time.  The printer creates the card image by placing dye pigment and layers of acrylic resin onto the card in the following order:  1.Yellow (Y)  2.Magenta (M)  3.Cyan (C)  4.Black (K)  5.Clear overcoat (O)  The colored image is formed from a combination of the Y, M, and C dye panels, which are printed sequentially. The K layer is used to form very sharply defined black text and barcodes and has the added advantage over YMC black that it is opaque to infrared - which is required by barcode scanners. However, YMC black is normally used in the portrait and graphics images on the card, because it looks more photo-realistic than the black resin. The O layer acts as a protective film against wear and UV fading.

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