Proper printer and card maintenance is important to ensure printers are consistently printing high quality ID Cards. Below are best practices to follow to ensure high quality ID cards.

Adjust the Card Gauge

1. Open the input hopper cover

2. Move the lever on the left side of the input hopper up or down to match the thickness of the cards

Default value on the input hopper 0.8

If the incorrect thickness is selected, an error will occur during card printing. Ensure to adjust the control level to the correct card thickness before moving on.

Cleaning Rollers

Ensure rollers are regularly cleaned and free of any contaminants. By cleaning rollers, you are preventing the roller from being contaminated, losing grip and any timing issues relating to the timing belt. 

Cleaning Printer every 1000 prints

Every 1000 prints, you should run cleaning on your printer.

Click here to learn more about cleaning your printer.

Proper Handling of Cards

Ensure your hand is always holding new cards on the side and never directly on the surface of the card. Improper card handling can result in poor print quality and create mechanical printer issues

Protect ID Cards

RFID cards can be physically or magnetically damaged if not properly protected. For best practices, avoid crushing, bending, or puncturing holes in cards because it will damage the RFID chip antenna in the cards. In addition, avoid placing cards near high magnetic areas like microwaves and speakers because it will demagnetize the RFID chip antennas.

It is recommended to use card holders to properly secure cards from any physical and magnetic damages. The ID cards can withstand more physical and magnetic pressure by having another layer of protection.

Printhead and Ribbon Cartridge

When handling the ribbon cartridges, be mindful of the delicate printhead. Any damage on the printhead and ribbon cartridge will result in failure to print. The process to replace printheads and ribbon cartridges will cause a delay in printing IDs.