How to Enable AlphaGuard on a PRO 500

AlphaCard’s unique AlphaGuard feature comes free with all PRO 500 printers, allowing you to add a watermark-like image to your ID cards at no additional cost. This makes your cards easier to authenticate and harder to tamper with or illegally duplicate.

The process of enabling AlphaGuard will vary slightly depending on your computer – this page will guide you though the process on both a PC and a Mac.

How To: AlphaGuard on a PC

1. Go to your computer’s Devices and Printers folder.
2. Right-click on the PRO 500 printer.
3. Choose Printing Preferences from the pop up menu.
4. Click on the Card Front menu. Check the box next to AlphaGuard, and then click Apply.

How To: AlphaGuard on a Mac

1. Open the card design you want to print. Click Print, and then Advanced Options.
2. Choose Printer Features from the drop down menu.
3. Choose Card Front 1 in Feature Sets. then choose Print with AlphaGuard (HoloKote) Image.
4. Select to Save the Current Settings as Preset and click Ok. This will save your settings, so this design will print with an AlphaGuard image in the future.

You can also rotate your AlphaGuard image – for example to fit better on a vertical or horizontal card.

How To: Rotate the AlphaGuard Image

1. Go to your computer’s Devices and Printers folder.
2. Right-click on the PRO 500 printer.
3. Choose Printing Preferences from the pop up menu.
4. Click on the Card Front menu. Click on Security Options.
5. On the Rotation drop down menu, choose the degree of rotation you need.
6. Click OK to save this setting.

If you are using a AlphaGuard on both sides of a dual-sided card, follow these directions for the back side.

If you are using a Mac computer, you can rotate the AlphaGuard in the same menu where you enabled the AlphaGuard image.

Your PRO 500 printer’s AlphaGuard should now be enabled. You can then choose from the included AlphaGuard patterns in your printer’s drivers.

If you need to, you can also disable your printer’s AlphaGuard.

How To: Disable AlphaGuard

1. Go to your computer’s Devices and Printers folder.
2. Right-click on the PRO 500 printer.
3. Choose Printing Preferences from the pop up menu.
4. Click on the Card Front menu. Uncheck the box next to AlphaGuard.
5. Click Apply to save this setting.

If you continue to experience problems, please contact AlphaCard technical support.