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How to Best Color Prints

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The difference between a good color print and a mediocre one can be remarkable.  A full color, high-quality ID card shows clear and crisp images, text and graphics, while a print of less quality can have white lines from lack of color, and faded spots where there should be color.  A card with a great print, especially in applications where it's displayed constantly, is worn and displayed with more pride.  It doesn't take much to create great color prints.  Simple printer maintenance performed on a regular basis can go a long way towards keeping your printer producing great color cards for years to come.

  • Keep print heads clean: It's imperative to keep an ID card printer's print head spic and span at all times.  Dust and debris in the print head can cause marring or streaks on the card. Alcohol swabs (provided in cleaning kits) or a soft, lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol can be used to gently clean the print heads and remove any foreign debris.
  • Keep ribbons and card clean, too: If dust settles on your cards or the flat surface of a ribbon it can interfere with the printing process.
  • Use only manufacturer recommended ribbons and cleaning kits:  Buying discounted off-brand printer ribbons or cleaning kits can be tempting in the short run, but may end of hurting the printer down the road.  Using manufacturer specified products will help ensure that the ID card printer keeps producing high-quality cards.
  • Clean the printer regularly: It's essential that card printers are cleaned regularly. Cleaning the printer removes any excess debris and helps keep the inside of a card printer running smoothly.  Check the printer manual for specific recommendations on cleaning frequency.  A good rule of thumb is to use your printer's designated cleaning kit to clean the printer every time the ribbon is changed.  Additionally, you can use a can of compressed air to remove dust and debris to ensure cards will pass through the printer without causing a jam.
  • Perform printing tests: Printing a diagnostic "test" card before printing multiple cards can help diagnose any color and printing problems before they may occur.
  • Run recommended manufacturer utilities: ID card printers need the occasional calibration test or tune-up to keep them running in optimum order. Check with one of our friendly ID card specialists to see when and how these should be run. Often, printers can be calibrated using ID card software or a driver available from the manufacturer.
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52 Items

  1. Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Dual-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3300-0022-AS/2
    Price $2,543.85 MSRP $3,750.40
    You Save: $1,206.55
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  2. Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3300-0021-AS/2
    Price $2,119.73 MSRP $3,265.69
    You Save: $1,145.96
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  3. Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Single-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3300-0002-AS/2
    Price $2,119.73 MSRP $3,265.69
    You Save: $1,145.96
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  4. Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 300 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3300-0001-AS/2
    Price $1,695.62 MSRP $2,782.09
    You Save: $1,086.47
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  5. Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Dual-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5622-AS/2
    Price $2,967.96 MSRP $4,463.11
    You Save: $1,495.15
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  6. Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5621-AS/2
    Price $2,543.85 MSRP $3,992.69
    You Save: $1,448.84
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  7. Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Single-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5602-AS/2
    Price $2,543.85 MSRP $3,992.69
    You Save: $1,448.84
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  8. Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Best Seller
    Authentys Pro 600 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5601-AS/2
    Price $2,119.73 MSRP $3,522.28
    You Save: $1,402.55
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  9. Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56301 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56301 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: FAOE56301
    MSRP $7,346.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,262.00
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    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Mag Stripe Encoding, Standard Input Hopper, Single-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  10. Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56300 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56300 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: FAOE56300
    MSRP $6,726.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,272.00
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    Single-Sided ID Card Printer, Standard Input Hopper, Single-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  11. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89640
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $2,250.00
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  12. 3652-5024 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Duo ID Card Printer with Smart Card and Magnetic Stripe Encoders - Dual-sided
    Item#: 3652-5024
    Price $4,337.99 MSRP $5,653.99
    You Save: $1,316.00
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    Dual-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic and Smart Card Encoding.

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  13. 3652-5004 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Uno ID Card Printer with Smart Card and Magnetic Stripe Encoders - Single-sided
    Item#: 3652-5004
    Price $4,202.99 MSRP $5,174.99
    You Save: $972.00
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    Single-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic and Smart Card Encoding.

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  14. 3652-5023 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Duo ID Card Printer with Smart Card Encoder - Dual-sided
    Item#: 3652-5023
    Price $3,931.99 MSRP $5,204.99
    You Save: $1,273.00
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    Dual-Sided Printer with Smart Card Encoding

    Learn More
  15. 3652-5003 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Uno ID Card Printer with Smart Card Encoder - Single-sided
    Item#: 3652-5003
    Price $3,659.99 MSRP $4,725.99
    You Save: $1,066.00
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    Single-Sided ID Card Printer with Smart Card Encoding

    Learn More
  16. 3652-5022 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Duo ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5022
    Price $3,387.99 MSRP $4,545.99
    You Save: $1,158.00
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    Dual-Sided ID card printer with magnetic stripe encoding.

    Learn More
  17. 3652-5002 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Uno ID Card Printer with Magnetic Stripe Encoding - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5002
    Price $3,252.99 MSRP $4,066.99
    You Save: $814.00
    + Wish List

    Single-Sided ID card printer with magnetic stripe encoding.

    Learn More
  18. 3652-5021 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Duo ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5021
    Price $2,494.99 MSRP $4,518.99
    You Save: $2,024.00
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    Dual-Sided ID card printer.

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  19. 3652-5001 Image 2
    Magicard 600 Uno ID Card Printer - Single-Sided
    Item#: 3652-5001
    Price $2,471.99 MSRP $3,986.99
    You Save: $1,515.00
    + Wish List

    Single-Sided ID card printer.

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  20. 89696 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89696
    Price $10,272.99 MSRP $13,452.40
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  21. 89695 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89695
    Price $9,663.99 MSRP $12,672.40
    You Save: $3,008.41
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  22. 89691 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89691
    Price $10,272.99 MSRP $13,452.40
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  23. 89689 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89689
    Price $9,663.99 MSRP $12,672.40
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  24. Fargo HDP5000 89681 Small Image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89681
    MSRP $8,495.00
    Price
    + Wish List

    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Mag Stripe Encoding, Double-Sided Lamination, USB

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  25. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89680
    MSRP $8,495.00
    Price
    + Wish List
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  26. 89676 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89676
    Price $9,254.99 MSRP $12,152.40
    You Save: $2,897.41
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  27. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89675
    Price $8,645.99 MSRP $11,372.40
    You Save: $2,726.41
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  28. 89671 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89671
    Price $9,254.99 MSRP $12,152.40
    You Save: $2,897.41
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  29. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89669
    Price $8,645.99 MSRP $11,372.40
    You Save: $2,726.41
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  30. 89661 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89661
    Price $8,238.99 MSRP $10,852.40
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  31. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89660
    MSRP $9,812.40
    Price
    You Save: $2,182.41
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  32. 89657 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89657
    Price $6,710.99 MSRP $8,902.40
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  33. 89655 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89655
    Price $6,101.99 MSRP $8,122.40
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  34. 89651 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89651
    Price $5,794.99 MSRP $8,902.40
    You Save: $3,107.41
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  35. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89649
    Price $6,101.99 MSRP $8,122.40
    You Save: $2,020.41
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  36. Fargo HDP5000 89641 Small Image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89641
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $1,117.01
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  37. 89630 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89630
    Price $8,237.99 MSRP $10,784.80
    You Save: $2,546.81
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  38. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89629
    Price $7,627.99 MSRP $10,004.80
    You Save: $2,376.81
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  39. 89625 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89625
    Price $8,237.99 MSRP $10,784.80
    You Save: $2,546.81
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  40. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89623
    Price $7,627.99 MSRP $10,004.80
    You Save: $2,376.81
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  41. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89621
    MSRP $9,484.80
    Price
    You Save: $2,263.81
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  42. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89620
    MSRP $8,444.80
    Price
    You Save: $1,832.81
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  43. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89610
    Price $5,692.99 MSRP $7,534.80
    You Save: $1,841.81
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  44. 89609 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89609
    Price $5,083.99 MSRP $6,754.80
    You Save: $1,670.81
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  45. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89605
    Price $5,692.99 MSRP $7,534.80
    You Save: $1,841.81
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  46. 89603 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89603
    Price $5,083.99 MSRP $6,754.80
    You Save: $1,670.81
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  47. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89601
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $1,068.01
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  48. Fargo HDP5000 Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89600-Model
    Price $3,495.00
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    High-volume, photo-quality ID card printer

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  49. 3652-5001-Model Image 2
    Magicard 600 ID Card Printer
    Item#: 3652-5001-Model
    Price $2,471.99
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    The new Magicard 600 ID card printer combines advanced security features and high quality printing with more vibrant colors.

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  50. Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 56305-Model
    Price
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    Powerful and efficient ID card printer with lamination

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  51. Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 56305
    MSRP $9,413.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,539.00
    Out of stock
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    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Standard Input Hopper, Double-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  52. Fargo HDP5000 Single-Side ID Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 Single-Side ID Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89600
    MSRP $5,745.00
    You Save: $3,045.00
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52 Items

Not sure how to choose
an ID card printer?

  1. Approximately how many cards will you
    print per year?
  1. Do you need to automatically print on
    both sides of the card?
  1. Do you need a magnetic stripe?

The Complete Card
Printer Buyer's Guide

With such a wide range of ID printers, evaluating the options can be overwhelming. This FREE 7-step guide will walk you through choosing the perfect card printer.

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