Card Quality Guidelines; Card Surface; Card Handling; Card Storage - DataCard Sp35 Installation Manual

• Applying DuraGard patch to pre-punched cards is not recommended, unless you punch the card after
laminating to remove the patch material.
New cards preferred
The SP Series printer is designed to print on new card stock. If you print on cards twice, be careful to avoid getting
dirt, fingerprints, or other contamination on cards before the second printing. Previous printing can interfere with
printing and result in cards that do not have the appearance you want. Printing on cards that have been issued
might introduce substances that interfere with card printing or damage the printer. See
to address card appearance problems with pre-printed cards.
If a previously printed card has been printed with topcoat, the card cannot be printed a second time.

Card quality guidelines

Your cards must meet the following card quality guidelines for the printer to print high quality graphics on them
successfully.

Card surface

• The card must be free of irregularities such as particles embedded in the surface.
• The card surface must be smooth and even. Surface irregularities can cause loss of contact, resulting in
printing (or laminating) voids.
• The printing surface must be glossy. It cannot have a matte finish (see
• Card edges must be free of raised burrs, which can cause unprinted (or unlaminated) areas on cards (printing
voids). This is especially true when printing edge-to-edge.

Card handling

These guidelines apply to unprinted cards. Any debris or particles on an unprinted card's surface can reduce print
quality and damage the printhead. Grease or oils, such as oils from your fingers, also reduce print quality.
• Keep cards completely clean.
• Do not touch the print surface of a card with your fingers or hands.
• Do not use a rubber band to bind blank cards together.
• If you drop a card on the floor, do not insert it into the printer.

Card storage

These guidelines apply to both printed and unprinted cards.
• Cards must be stacked so that they will not shift and rub against each other.
• When storing cards, make sure that no two cards contain images or blocks of color that will come in contact
with each other.
• Make sure that the magnetic stripe on one card does not come in contact with the magnetic stripe on another
card.
• Make sure that cards with magnetic stripes are stored away from magnets and other magnetic objects.

Card storage specifications

The cards should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Excessive light can cause yellowing of cards on exposed
edges. Keep cards in their original packaging.
Cards should be at room temperature when they are installed in the printer and used. If cards are stored in a cooler
environment than the printer, allow them to reach room temperature before using.
SP Series Supply e-Guide
Card appearance problems
"Card material" for more information).
6