Apply Topcoat; Non-Printing Areas - DataCard SD260 Installation And Administrator's Manual

Apply Topcoat

Full‐color and UV printing fades if it lacks topcoat protection. Topcoat protects the printed image
on the card. It is applied as an even, consistent film.
Make sure that all color printing is covered with topcoat (except for areas such as a magnetic
stripe, smart card chip, or signature panel).
When a ribbon with a topcoat (T) panel is installed, the printer
can apply topcoat to the card using the printhead. Most full‐
color ribbons include topcoat panels.
Topcoat must be requested by the application sending the card
to the printer. Most card production software requests topcoat
automatically.
Do not apply topcoat over the magnetic stripe, smart card chip, or signature panel
of a card. To prevent topcoat application, you must specify a non‐printing area.

Non-Printing Areas

The card design can have areas where printing is not allowed. Such areas include a magnetic
stripe, signature panel, or smart card chip. Card production software usually manages such non‐
printing areas automatically. If you do not use ID software, you can use the dimensions provided
in the following sections for magnetic stripe and smart card non‐printing areas to customize your
print and topcoat areas.
Blocking for non‐printing areas typically extends 0.1 inch beyond the edges of a

feature. The dimensions listed in the following sections include the extended
blocking region.
Print several cards using your card design and application to verify that printing

and topcoat are applied as you intend.
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