ID Card Color Ribbons

Printing ID Cards on blank card stock is accomplished using an ID Thermal Card Printer and a combination of color thermal ribbons. Four color printing uses translucent layers of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black ink. The same process is recreated inside a thermal Card Printer. Sections of CMYK color are placed next to each other and progressively transferred onto the blank card. Additional options like over laminates, holographic film and security watermarks can be purchased.

BarcodeFactory carries a complete line of color ribbons, color cartridges and blank card stock with magnetic strips or biometrics. We also carry major manufacturers of single and double-sided card printers.

ID Card Color Thermal Ribbons come in a combination of color panels to achieve a certain printing results. These ribbons come on plastic spools or spindles to meet their factory specification. A large variety of Monochromatic Ribbons are also available in the same format.

ID Card Color Cartridges come in a combination of color panels to achieve a certain printing results. These ribbons come inside plastic assemblies that meet their factory specification. A large variety of Monochromatic Ribbons are also available in the same format.

ID Specialty Ribbons in addition to multiple colors we offer a combination of cartridges and ribbons that provide security features and over laminate protection.

ID color ribbons are resin ribbons with consecutive color panels of color, the same size as ID cards (roughly 2"x 3.5"). The color layers are translucent and consecutively printing them over top of one another, create a full color image. These ribbons are sold on individual spools or mounted in plastic cartridges. You should always use the appropriate ribbon for your ID card printer. A large variety of color combinations are sold, from black only to multicolor with fluorescing, holographic and over lamination layers. Some solid opaque ribbon is also sold in one color. The color of this ribbon will match the color that will print on the card.

Single color ribbons are also available for printing in black, blue, red, green, white, scratch-off gray, metallic gold or metallic silver. These are standard opaque colors are referred to as Monochrome.

The ID color printer allows adjusting the balance between the cyan, magenta, yellow and black components of the image being printed. This adjustment takes time and requires a trial and error approach. If the original photographic images are dark, blurred or not color adjusted, they will not print any better using ID card ribbon. Also, color monitors vary widely in their color, the screen image may not match the printed output. Always adjust the screen image to a pleasing print.