Id Badges & Cards – Understanding Printing Technology
Plate and paper are easy to use devices, which compares favorably with the printers available to consumers in their ability to be used directly from the package. However, like most card printers work very different from inkjet and laser printers, it is worthwhile to understand a bit 'of its technology.
Sublimation
Thermal dye sublimation or dye-sub, is the most common technology used. Thermal printing is used to add layers of dye on the surface of the plates. In dye-sublimation printing, colors are not fixed as a single point, as in the inkjet ink. Thermal dye sublimation, in particular, makes the picture more realistic.
Within a dye-sublimation printer is a roll of transparent film-like sheets of red, blue, yellow and gray colored cellophane stuck on the ends. 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, causing the dyes to vaporize and permeate the glossy surface of the paper, before returning to the solid state. The vaporized colors permeate the surface of the paper, creating a shade lighter at the edges of each pixel, instead of visible boundaries between the dye and paper produced by inkjet printers. And because the color infuses the paper is also less vulnerable to fading and distortion over time.
YMCKO
The printer creates ID cards by putting layers of color in the following order:
Yellow (Y)
Magenta (M)
Cyan (C)
Black: (K) or in black resin
Sure: (O) or Cape
The color image is a combination of Y, M, C & layers also produce a kind of black. K resin layer allows very sharp black text defined, bar codes, etc. to add. Coat layer acts as a protective film against wear and discoloration and can also bring a security image that can not be photocopied – E. g. The watermark security Magicard HoloKote.
Reverse Transfer
With the reverse transfer, the printer prints on the back of a new transfer in transparent PVC film, which is then rolled on identity cards and card photos. 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 by a process of offset printing, but with the advantage that every card can be different.
Because of the new film transfer is laminated to the front of the card, you can print to the edge, unlike dye-sublimation printer that prints almost ready to leave a small (less than 0. 5 mm) white border.
Lamination
Card and ID card lamination involves placing a layer of transparent PVC on the surface of the paper. Lamination is used to protect the image of the card, especially when the card was regularly swept through a magnetic stripe reader, which allows rolling to 10,000 's of swipes before any wear visible image is produced.
Plasticizers identity card is performed at the same time the press (with the reverse transfer printers) or separately, with a dedicated mill. For added security, the security film laminate containing an optical hologram or logo available.
Original source: http://ezinearticles. com /? ID-Rings-e-Postcards Printing — Intesa-Technology & id = 986,148