What is a DTC printer?

DTC stands for Direct-to-Card printing. It’s the most common technology used in desktop ID card printers to transfer images directly onto the surface of a plastic card.

Here is how a DTC printer works:

1. Ribbon and Printhead: A DTC printer uses a special ribbon that contains panels of different colored dyes (typically Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, and Black – YMCK). Beneath the ribbon is the blank plastic ID card. The printer has a thermal printhead containing hundreds of tiny heating elements.
2. Heating and Transfer: As the card and ribbon pass under the printhead, the heating elements selectively heat the dye on the ribbon. This heat causes the dye to vaporize and diffuse directly into the surface of the plastic card.
3. Color Combination: To create a full-color image, the card passes under each color panel of the ribbon sequentially. By varying the heat applied to each dye color, the printer can create a wide spectrum of colors (up to 16.7 million).
4. Resin Black Printing: For sharp black text, barcodes, and sometimes for adding a protective topcoat (K panel), a separate resin thermal transfer process is used within the same printing pass. This involves transferring solid dots of color rather than a combination of dyes.

Key Characteristics and Advantages of DTC Printers:

• Cost-Effective: Generally, DTC printers are more affordable to purchase than retransfer printers.
• Faster Printing Speed (for simpler designs): For basic designs and lower coverage printing, DTC printers can be faster.
• Suitable for Most Standard Cards: Works well with regular PVC and composite cards with a PVC top layer.
• Easy to Use and Maintain: Typically have a simpler mechanism, making them user-friendly.
• Compact Footprint: Often have a smaller design, suitable for desktop use in offices or smaller organizations in Lahore.

Limitations of DTC Printers:

• Print Quality on Uneven Surfaces: Because the printhead makes direct contact with the card, uneven surfaces caused by embedded electronics (like smart chips or contact pads) or textured cards can sometimes result in inconsistent print quality or damage to the printhead.
• Not Ideal for All Card Types: May not produce the best results on 100% polyester cards without a specific monochrome resin ribbon.
• Small Unprinted Border: Due to the printing process, DTC printers typically leave a very small, unprinted border around the edges of the card. This is usually minimal but noticeable upon close inspection.
• Durability: While lamination can be added to DTC-printed cards for increased durability, the direct printing method can be less resistant to wear and tear compared to retransfer printing.

Common Uses:

DTC printers are used to print id cards like:

• Employee ID badges
• Student IDs
• Membership cards
• Loyalty cards
• Visitor passes
• Basic access control cards (without complex embedded technology printed over)

To print a moderate volume of standard ID cards with good quality and at a reasonable cost, a DTC printer is likely a suitable option. However, if you require over-the-edge printing, very high print quality on all card surfaces (including those with embedded technology), or increased durability without lamination, a retransfer printer might be a better choice.

• Designed for

  • Government ID projects
  • Universities and colleges
  • K-12 schools
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Small-to-medium businesses
  • ID FARGO DTC1500 ID Dual Side Printer & Encoder

  Cost effective, Secure Card Printing and Versatile