ID Card Printer Ribbons

More and more organizations are requiring their employees and members to carry or wear identification cards. There are many other uses for the small plastic cards that are so commonplace. Some organizations use the cards for debit cards, event passes or transit passes. An infinite number of ideas can spark a need for a card.

Depending on the number of cards needed, it is often wise to look into purchasing an id card printer system for the organization. When reviewing the systems, make sure that you take into account the costs of ongoing card and print ribbon costs to make sure that you are making a purchase that is cost effective and worthwhile for the situation.

When purchasing a printer system, you will need to know if you wish to print cards in full color or single color. If you wish to print the back side of the card, you will need a different printer model and print ribbon.

Once the requirements of the card are understood, it is simple to pick the ribbon type required.

If the card will be printed in monochrome black, the print ribbon most likely needed will be a K or a KO ribbon. The K ribbon prints only in black. The KO ribbon prints black and then covers the card with an overlay panel to protect the printing and increase card durability.

Full color printing is more complex. Depending on the printer, you may have one of the following ribbon types:

YMCK-Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black

YMCKK-Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black - Black

YMCKO-Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black - Overlay

YMCKT-Yellow - Magenta - Cyan - Black - Overlay