RESTRICTED USE ONLY Fargo Electronics, Inc.
DTC400 Card Printer/Encoder User Guide (Rev. 2.6)
2-15
Printer Components: Blank Cards
Type Description
Card Size The Card Printer accepts standard CR-80 sized cards (3.370"L x 2.125"W /
85.6mmL x 54mmW) with a thickness of 20 to 30 mil (.030"/.762mm).
Card
Design
The Printer will print onto any card with a clean, level and polished PVC
surface.
Although the Printer is equipped with card cleaning Rollers, it is very important
to always print onto cards specifically designed for direct-to-card dye-
sublimation printing.
Card
Surface
Suitable cards must have a polished PVC surface free of fingerprints, dust, or
any other types of embedded contaminants. In addition, cards must have a
completely smooth, level surface in order for the Printer to achieve consistent
color coverage.
Certain types of Proximity cards have an uneven surface that will inhibit
consistent color transfer.
• Certain types of smart card chips are raised slightly above the cards
surface which also results in poor color transfer.
UltraCard
Stock
Due to the importance of using high-quality blank cards, a factory-approved
card stock called UltraCard™ is available and recommended for best results.
• UltraCard stock has a glossy PVC laminate on top and bottom and is
optically inspected to provide the cleanest, most scratch and debris-
reduced cards possible.
• Two types of these cards are available: UltraCard and UltraCard III.
UltraCard stock has a PVC core and offers medium card durability.
UltraCard III stock has a 40% polyester core and offers high durability.
• Both types of UltraCards produce printed images with a glossy, photo-
quality finish.