Author Archives: Safe-Card ID Team

Fargo Printer – Printer Continues to Restart

DTC525

Following is a question received from our technical support response team:

Question:

We have a Fargo Printer. When we turn the printer on, in continues to restart rather than going to the main menu on our LCD screen. The printer booting sequence does not complete and continues to restart. We are unable to print at all.

Answer:

We would recommend to try to update the firmware for this printer from the Fargo website.

Update the print driver to the most current version from this site as well.

Run a test card from the LCD panel if the printer starts after your updates. If successful, run a test card from the print driver on the computer.

If the problem persists, contact your solutions provider for technical assistance or the Fargo Technical Support line at 800-459-5636 for specific repair information.

For additional information about the current Fargo printer models, let our id card experts provide you with a free consultation.

Evolis Dualys – Printing Front and Back Side on One Card

Following is a question and answer from our technical support response team:

Question:

When trying to print front and back of the card on my Evolis Dualys printer, the printer will send 2 separate cards through iand print the front on one card and the back on the other cards instead of printing front and back of the same card. Under printer properties, I do not have access to the back side of the card. I can not figure out if this is a printer or software issue.

Answer:

First, go to the print drivers and make sure that you have a dual sided ribbon selected (YMCKOK). Make sure you have the print driver set to print two sided cards

This should solve the printing error.

For more information about Evolis ID card printers, visit our Evolis Tattoo, Evolis Pebble, Evolis Dualys, Evolis Quantum or Evolis Securion product pages. For a free consultation regarding what printer would be the best fit for your application, contact us toll free at 888-485-4696.

Datacard SP35 printer – Printing Faintly

SP35Plus

Following is a question received from our technical support response team:

Question:

Our Datacard SP35 Plus printer is printing faintly. Any ideas?

Answer:

It sounds like the printhead temperature needs to be increased in the print driver. This will enhance the color and density of the ribbon transfer to the card.

For additional information about the current SP35 Plus or other Datacard printer models, let our id card experts provide you with a free consultation.

Fargo DTC525 – Card Not Fed Error

DTC525

Following is a question received from our technical support response team:

Question:

We have a Fargo DTC525 printer. The PVC cards we use do not feed off of the hopper. What steps do we take?

Answer:

Make sure that your hopper card thickness gauge (located on the right side of the hopper) is set to 30 ml or above if you are using standard 30 ml PVC cards.

It is also recommended that you clean the printer with a Fargo printer cleaning kit for this printer.

Also check to make sure to check your PVC cards. Sometimes they have too much static and can stick together not allowing them to feed. Fan the cards before placing them back in the hopper to make sure they are not sticking. In this process, try not to touch the printing surface of the cards as oils from skin will cause defective printing results.

If the problem persists, contact your solutions provider for technical assistance or the Fargo Technical Support line at 800-459-5636 for specific repair information.

For additional information about the current Fargo printer models, let our ID card experts provide you with a free consultation.

Fargo DTC400 Printer Jam

DTC400

Following is a question received from our technical support response team:

Question:

My Fargo DTC400 printer will jam frequently during print jobs. We need to know what to do to eliminate this error.

Answer:

The DTC400 has an O-ring that drives the card feed rollers. There has been frequent issues with older models of Fargo DTC400 printers where the o ring has stretched or broken. Issues with the O-ring cause irregular feed roller issues, ribbon breakage or misalignment of print registration.

The first step is to do a ribbon sensor calibration. This can be done through your print driver using the directions in our link.

If the problem persists, the DTC400 came with a two year manufacturer warranty that may still provide repair assistance. Contact your solutions provider for technical assistance or the Fargo Technical Support line at 800-459-5636 for specific repair information.

For additional information about the Fargo DTC400e, Persona C30e or other Fargo printers, let our id card experts provide you with a free consultation.

Evolis Quantum – Image is Printing in Reverse

Following is a question and answer from our technical support response team:

Question:

Infrequently, but enough to be a bother, my Evolis Quantum has flipped the image it was printing all by itself. Without doing anything technical to the printer, the image flips back by itself. The image flip seems to occur every 75 to 100 cards. What can we do to fix this problem.

Answer:

The first step we would recommend is to update your printer firmware and print driver for the proper operating system that you are using. Updated firmware and print drivers are available on the evolis website .

Test your print job again. If the problem persists, contact your solutions provider for support.

For more information about Evolis ID card printers, visit our Evolis Tattoo, Evolis Pebble, Evolis Dualys, Evolis Quantum or Evolis Securion product pages. For a free consultation regarding what printer would be the best fit for your application, contact us toll free at 888-485-4696.

Datacard Printer – SP35Plus – Ribbon Breakage

SP35Plus

Following is a question received from our technical support response team:

Question:

Our Datacard SP35 Plus printer provides us with constant ribbon breaks. We are printing with YMCKO print ribbon. The printer will only print about one in 50 cards correctly. The ribbon looks like it is stuck to the card when it breaks. Any ideas?

Answer:

Try the following steps:

1. Check the print head temperature to make sure that it is hot enough to transfer the ribbon to the card.

2. The surface of the PVC card may not be image compatible. Try another brand of card or opt to 60/40 composite cards for testing.

For additional information about the current Datacard printer models, let our id card experts provide you with a free consultation.

Connecting a Printer to the PC via a USB Cable

Fargo DTC400e

When installing a new id card printer, one of the first steps is to install the printer driver. The driver is located on the CD that is included with the printer.

When the driver is installed, an instructional window will advise you to connect the id card printer to the PC. To do this, locate the USB port on the printer. Connect the printer to the PC with the printer cable. Many printer models include a printer cable with the purchase of a printer.

To locate the USB port on the id card printer, look at the back of the printer. Some manufacturers place a piece of protective white tape over the USB port. The tape states that the ID card printer driver needs to be installed in the computer prior to plugging the printer cable into the port.

Once the printer and computer are connected correctly by the printer cable, communication can occur allowing the printer to begin printing the id badges needed.

For additional information about custom id cards and photo id card systems, contact our id card experts at 888-485-4696.

Smart Card Color Distortion

Proxcard II

When using smart cards in an ID card printer, there are times that the colors printed on the card do not turn out as expected. In a standard 30 ml card print, the colors are bright, crisp and consistent across the surface of the card. Sometimes smart cards show a variance in color leaving the printer operator wondering what happened during the printing of the card.

The occurrence is common. The variance produced is most likely due to microchip embedded in the card. The chip produces a bump in the card surface that prevents the color from printing evenly across the card surface. The composition of the microchip and accompanying antennas may affect the heat absorption as the printhead passes over the card during printing. The difference in heat may cause the resulting color difference.

Current Fargo printers that will allow encoding of proximity cards are the Fargo HDP5000, Fargo DTC550 and Fargo DTC400e. For information about cards that can be integrated with identification applications, visit our HID prox card page.

Need to select the right ID Card Printer?

Fargo Fargo DTC400e

Trying to figure out which of the many id card printer options is the best one for your current and future needs. Followin are tips for the right id card printer selection:

1. The design of the badge – Does the card require full color photos and logos? Does the card need to be printed only on the front of the badge or on both sides? Does the card require full color printing or will single color options work for your badging? Answers to these questions will guide you into certain models of printers and exclude others from available options.

2. The function of the badge – Is the card only for identification by humans or does it need to have the capabilies of being read by machine scanners and readers for access and enterance requirements. Some basic level printers do not have options for encoding.

3. The environment of the badge -Where will the badge be used? Will it endure harsh conditions? Will it be carried safely in a cardholder wallet? How many years is the expected lifespan before replacement is acceptable to the organization.

4. The number of badges printed – Some printers are made for light card production environments. Hand fed printers do not have the capabilities of production like high volume industrial printer models where thousands of cards may be needed daily.

5. Security requirements of the badge – Will the badge need to be highly secure and not able to be counterfeited? Is there a need for biometrics, access control features or holographic laminates on the badge.

6. Where is the information that will be printed on the badge – Will each badge be hand typed in? Is there information in an Access database or MySQL database that can be imported into the database? Will the printer system be on a network or be on a stand alone computer?

With the answers to the above questions, an id card expert can provide you with options that would perfectly fit the requirements of your organization. We provide and service Asure ID Software, ID Flow Software, EpiSuite, Fargo printer models, Evolis printer models, CIM printer models and Magicard printer models.