subject: ID Printer Technologies - Retransfer Vs Direct to Card Printers [print this page] ID Printer Technologies - Retransfer Vs Direct to Card Printers
Direct to Card and Retransfer printers. So what are the differences? Is one better than the other? Read on and I'll explain.
How They Print
Direct to Card (DTC): Just as it's named, the DTC printers print directly from the print head onto the card as the card passes under the print head. Each panel (YMCK and a top/over coat) gets printed seperately one at a time Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black and if desired, a top coat or over coat is printed over the card.
Retransfer: This technology has the image printed onto a retransfer film first, then that film is heat pressed onto the card. Similar to DTC, the print ribbon is YMCK and prints one panel at a time. The differences end there. The print head engages the ribbon which prints on the retransfer film. The film is backed by a wheel so it doesn't move when the image is printed. When finished the entire completed image positions over the card and is rolled on with heat and pressed onto the card.
Advantages to Each Technology:
DTC: Lower up front cost, typically a lower ribbon cost, typically outputs more cards per hour
Retransfer: Better image quality, the ability to print full bleed over the edge cards, longer lasting more protected image (when compared with no lamination), lifetime printhead warranty, less ribbon breakage on prox and smart cards which can lead to cost savings since these cards average $3 to $9 each.
So Which One Do You Go With?
The answer is in the application.
Go with a DTC printer if: you want lower cost, do not care too much about image quality, and you don't swipe your card through a magnetic stripe or barcode reader (if you do I would recommend a printer with a lamination unit), a printer that's a little faster.
Go with a Retransfer Printer if: You want high quality card images, are using a higher cost prox or smart card with any volumes over 500 prox badges printed per year, you want a more protected image and less wear and tear on the card (again if you have heavy use from swiping, it's best to look into a lamination unit for your card printer), a lifetime printhead warranty, and full over the edge printing.
Tony Babicz
If interested in learning more please visit our website and contact mehttp://www.identisys.com
