Glossary
The Fargo DTC
Fargo’s tremendously successful line of DTC ID card printers includes the Fargo DTC300, Fargo DTC400, and Fargo DTC550. “DTC” stands for “Direct-to-Card”, which describes the process by which images stored digitally are printed directly onto identification cards.
DTC ID badge printers use dye-sublimation technology to transfer dye from cartridge ribbons to blank ID cards. Blank ID cards used in DTC ID card printers must have a surface that is clean and smooth, and glossy rather than matte.
Fargo’s DTC series of ID badge printers has acquired the reputation of being very easy to use. One reason for this is its all-in-one ribbon/card cleaning system. Both an ID card printer ribbon and a cleaning roller are combined into one cartridge, which simply snaps into the ID card machine.
Fargo’s DTC printing process is defined by its difference from HDP printing. HDP (“High Definition Printing”) ID card printers do not use dye sublimation technology. Instead they print images onto the underside of a clear piece of HDP film and then, using both heat and pressure, fuse this piece of film onto a blank identification badge.
