What is a Retransfer Card Printer?

What is a Retransfer Card Printer?

3rd Jul 2024

In the realm of ID card printing, retransfer technology represents a significant advancement over traditional direct-to-card printing methods. Retransfer card printers, such as the Evolis Agilia, offer superior print quality, enhanced durability, and the ability to print on various card materials. Let’s delve into what makes a retransfer card printer unique and explore the capabilities of the Evolis Agilia in particular.

Understanding Retransfer Technology

Retransfer card printers operate differently from direct-to-card printers. Instead of printing directly onto the card’s surface, retransfer printers use a two-step process:

1.Printing on a Transfer Film: The card’s design is printed onto a clear transfer film using dye sublimation technology. This step ensures precise, high-resolution printing of intricate designs, photos, and text.

2.Heat Transfer to the Card: The printed design on the transfer film is then thermally bonded (or retransferred) onto the surface of the ID card. This process results in vibrant colors, sharp details, and consistent image quality across each card.

Benefits of Retransfer Card Printing

1. Enhanced Print Quality:

  • High Resolution: Retransfer technology allows for printing at higher resolutions (typically 300 dpi or more), resulting in crisp text, detailed images, and vibrant colors.
  • Edge-to-Edge Printing: Unlike direct-to-card printers, retransfer printers can print right to the edge of the card without leaving a white border, maximizing card design space.

2. Versatility in Card Materials:

  • Compatibility: Retransfer printers can handle a wide range of card materials, including PVC, PET, polycarbonate, and composite cards. This flexibility makes them suitable for various applications, from standard ID cards to access control badges and smart cards.

3. Durability and Security Features:

  • Long-Lasting Cards: The retransfer process ensures that printed images are sealed beneath a protective layer, enhancing durability and resistance to fading, scratching, and abrasion.
  • Security Options: Some retransfer printers, like the Evolis Agilia, offer optional encoding modules for magnetic stripe, contact, and contactless smart card technologies, enhancing security features on ID cards.

4. Ease of Use and Maintenance:

  • User-Friendly Design: Retransfer printers often feature intuitive interfaces and ergonomic designs, making them easy to operate and maintain.
  • Less Maintenance: With fewer moving parts directly contacting cards, retransfer printers typically require less frequent maintenance compared to direct-to-card printers.

Evolis Agilia Retransfer ID Card Printer Overview

In the realm of ID card printing, retransfer technology represents a significant advancement over traditional direct-to-card printing methods. Retransfer card printers, such as the Evolis Agilia, offer superior print quality, enhanced durability, and the ability to print on various card materials. Let’s delve into what makes a retransfer card printer unique and explore the capabilities of the Evolis Agilia in particular.

  • Print Technology: Utilizes retransfer dye sublimation for superior color fidelity and detail.
  • Print Resolution: Offers a high resolution of 600 dpi, ensuring sharp and clear printing.
  • Card Capacity: Supports up to 200 cards in the input hopper and 100 cards in the output hopper, ideal for batch printing.
  • Encoding Options: Optional encoding modules for magnetic stripe, contact chip, and contactless RFID cards.
  • Card Flexibility: Can print on various card materials and thicknesses, including standard PVC and composite cards.
  • Security Features: Offers advanced security options such as UV printing for covert security elements and watermarking.

Contact us today

Retransfer card printers like the Evolis Agilia represent a significant advancement in ID card printing technology, offering superior print quality, durability, and versatility across different card materials. Whether you need high-resolution printing for detailed images or enhanced durability for long-lasting cards, retransfer technology provides a reliable solution. At AnythingID, we specialize in providing cutting-edge card printing solutions like the Evolis Agilia to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Contact us today to learn more about how retransfer card printers can elevate your ID card printing capabilities and enhance security in your organization.