Print Issues On Card Printer
The print is too light
Possible Causes:
- Low or inconsistent ribbon quality
- Dirty printhead
- Incorrect printer settings
- Low-quality cards or damaged cards
Troubleshooting:
- Clean the printhead: Dust, debris, or ink residue can affect print quality. Use a printer-specific cleaning kit or cleaning cards to clean the printhead.
- Check the ribbon: Make sure you’re using the correct ribbon type for your printer. A faulty or low-quality ribbon can cause poor print quality.
- Adjust printer settings: Check the print density and contrast settings in your printer driver. Ensure they are optimized for your current print job.
- Use quality cards: Ensure that you’re using high-quality cards suitable for your printer. Damaged or low-quality cards can cause print quality issues.
Spotty on barcode
Possible Causes:
- Printhead misalignment
- Ribbon wrinkles or damage
- Incorrect card thickness
- Faulty printhead
Troubleshooting:
- Check for ribbon damage: Make sure the ribbon is properly aligned and not wrinkled or torn.
- Re-align the printhead: Some card printers allow you to recalibrate the printhead for even prints.
- Inspect the cards: Ensure that you’re using the correct thickness of cards for your printer’s specifications. Cards that are too thick or too thin can cause uneven printing.
- Check the printhead: If the printhead is damaged or not making good contact with the card, it could cause lines or stripes. In some cases, you may need to replace the printhead.
White or colored spots on cards
1. Cards or print heads have contamination. Use cleaning cards.
2. Spots may be shown due to dirt on the transport roller. The transport roller may need cleaning.
Yellow spots
This may be caused by oil residue on the transport roller. Use a cleaning card to clean the transport roller.
Color Inaccuracy or Misprints (Wrong Colors)
Possible Causes:
- Incorrect ribbon installation (wrong color panels installed)
- Incorrect printer color settings
- Printhead damage
- Dirty or misaligned printhead
Troubleshooting:
- Check the ribbon cartridge: Ensure the ribbon is installed correctly, with the correct color panels in place. If the ribbon is reversed, it will cause color issues.
- Verify color settings: Ensure that the color profiles and settings in your printer driver match the desired output.
- Clean the printhead: A dirty printhead can cause misprints and color inaccuracies. Use a printer cleaning kit to clean the printhead.
White horizontal lines
1. Dust or particles are stuck to the printhead. Use a Cleaning Card to clean the printer or use a Cleaning Pen or Cleaning Swab to clean the printhead manually.
2. Printhead has damaged elements and needs to be replaced.
Blurry letters or images
The card may not be traveling properly due to dirty rollers. This disturbs the timing of when the color panels on the ribbon lay down on the card as it prints. Run a cleaning procedure.