Datacard® XPS Card Printer Solution Guide October 2011 539956-001 Rev.
Notice See the notices in the XPS Card Printer Installation and User Guide. Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training. Any use, operation, or repair in contravention of this document is at your own risk. Datacard assumes no liability for incidental, special, or consequential damage of any kind. Proprietary Notice All drawings and information herein are the property of DataCard Corporation. All unauthorized use and reproduction is prohibited.
1. Welcome to Card Printer Solutions _________________________________ 1 New Printer Family ______________________________________________________ 1 Intended Audience _____________________________________________________ 2 2.
Magnetic Stripe Module ________________________________________________ 29 Magnetic Stripe Encoding ______________________________________________ 30 Magnetic Stripe Defaults _______________________________________________ 30 Magnetic Stripe Settings Used by the Printer _____________________________ 31 Magnetic Stripe Formats________________________________________________ 32 Three-Track Option _________________________________________________ 32 Single-Track Option__________________________________________
Chapter 1: Welcome to Card Printer Solutions This manual describes the XPS Card Printer and how to use it to meet your organization's needs for a card printer system. It provides site managers, integrators, and others responsible for an ID system with information to plan and set up a successful card program and to continue delivery of quality printed cards. The card printer is a compact printer that applies personalization to plastic cards.
Intended Audience This manual is intended for technical professionals who are implementing a cardbased solution. This guide provides information for setting up the advanced features of the printer such as magnetic stripe and smart card options, and provides detailed information on using the Printer Manager. It can also be useful for decision makers who will determine the features of a card-based solution.
Chapter 2: Card Printers and Solutions This chapter describes solutions that include features that a card printer can support. Solutions include all components an organization chooses to implement. For example, a solution can be as simple as a photo ID with name and ID number, or a comprehensive secure access and payment system. Payment Cards, e-Purse and Cashless Vending • A payment card can use a contacted or contactless chip.
Time and Attendance A card can interface with automated systems, such as time and attendance, using a magnetic stripe, a bar code, or smart card. Multiple Types of IDs for One Organization Many organizations plan to use more than one type of card, and need a solution that provides the correct card when needed. For example: • Schools might need faculty, staff, student, volunteer, and visitor cards. • Casinos might need loyalty cards and staff IDs.
Chapter 3: How the Printer Works The printer performs all actions through jobs. Jobs are submitted using an external source such as the printer driver or an internal source such as the Printer Manager or the Front Panel on the printer. The printer can send two different types of jobs—a card job or an exception job. A Card Job includes actions such as pick or print and add magnetic stripe data. A card job results in a card processing and being counted as successful or unsuccessful.
Outside of the Printer Inside the Printer 6 How the Printer Works
Printer Configuration Label The printer has a label on the side of the cover arm that shows the components installed. Find the label on the side of the cover arm: • Printer name, which also appears on the model label • Configuration, which includes options in the printer: • Date and country of assembly • The MAC address to use when the printer is connected using an Ethernet network The printer label provides information that is useful when requesting service.
Features Supported by Printer Model To determine whether your printer has an optional feature, see the configuration label on the printer. The following table lists some of the features available for card printers. For more information about the features of each printer, and options available, see the product data sheet.
Printer Throughput Throughput is a measure of how many personalized cards a printer produces within a period of time under ideal conditions. The specific throughput, sometimes called speed, is posted on the Web site for the printer and on the printer data sheet, which can be downloaded from the Web site. For the manual-feed printer, the speed is provided in seconds to print a card.
10 How the Printer Works
Chapter 4: Implementation Choices for Features Many features have more than one method or choice available for implementing them. This section describes the choices available for: • “Magnetic Stripe” • “Smart Card” Magnetic Stripe Magnetic stripe encoding requires two steps: • Settings in the printer to obtain the desired result • Formatted data to encode Setting Values The Printer Manager provides magnetic strip settings and the ability to customize formats.
for other printers. Escape codes provide a limited ability to customize magnetic stripe formats. • The printer can be used to encode the magnetic stripe without printing on a card. The Windows driver contains a setting to enable this feature. For more information on encoding magnetic stripe without printing, see the XPS Card Printer Installation and User Guide. • The default format for data depends on the type of magnetic stripe module installed: • A three-track module encodes IAT data by default.
card. Even dual interface readers (which can read contacted and contactless cards) are designed for specific card specifications. Contact Cards Contact cards have electrical contacts on the card. The actual chip is embedded in the card under the contacts. Physical features of the card are specified by the ISO 7816 standard. Contactless Cards Contactless cards contain one or more contactless integrated circuits within the card and an antenna. Some cards operate at 125 KHz. Newer 13.
Smart Card Processing This section presents information about how to set up a system if you are personalizing smart cards. Smart card processing is different from other types of personalization, because the “smart card” step of personalization is controlled by an application module, such as a smart card application plug-in that is different from the rest of card personalization.
• Smart card application module (which uses the SDK for the smart card and reader type). • Smart cards that work with the reader in the printer. Several smart card options are available, either as factory-installed options or as field upgradable options. All smart card options require a customized application to communicate with the smart card. An application plug-in or the customized application manages the communication with the driver.
16 Implementation Choices for Features
Chapter 5: Card Design Card design is the name given to the combined features of the printed cards. Cards are useful only when all cards contain the required information. Card design includes: • The card design includes the different types of data (name, ID number, and so on), images (logo, photo, and so on), and special features such as a bar code, magnetic stripe, or smart card on the card. • Card design also includes the way those components are arranged.
B. For the photo capture systems, set up lighting, distance, and backdrop to produce consistent quality images. Choose an area that has consistent lighting throughout the day. C. If photographs are already taken and will be retrieved from a database, some photos might be lower quality than others. Develop a plan for addressing photo quality problems. 2. Set up the card design using the ID software. Be sure the design includes all the data required, such as a logo, a photo, text, and a bar code.
• Contactless cards up to 0.037 in or 1.0 mm thick can be read in a card printer. • For best results, print on cards only once. Do not print over ink, solvents, or any chemicals. Damage to the printer can result. The cards you purchase have a substantial impact on the final appearance and performance of the cards you print. To produce printed cards with consistent, quality printing and personalization, compare several brands before you make a purchase decision.
Image Placement The following suggestions can help you locate important images, such as a photo, logo, or bar code. When placing images, avoid areas of high wear and avoid uneven areas which can result in inconsistent print quality. • Do not place an important image on the front of the card in the same area as a magnetic stripe or other machine-readable feature. Frequent use of a card in a reader can wear away the image on the opposite side of the card.
Margins Any unprinted area at the edge of the card is called the margin. Some card printers can print edge to edge, which is the same as a margin of zero (0) or no margin. • The card printer supports edge-to-edge printing, or printing without margins. The card on the left, below, shows a margin of white space at the outer edge of the card. The card on the right shows edge-to-edge printing. • Some contactless cards also support edge-to-edge printing.
Bar codes will print more successfully when you follow these guidelines: 22 • Maintain the required quiet zone around the actual bar code. • Locate bar codes at least 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) from other printing and from the edge of the card. This space is called a “quiet zone” and is required for reading bar codes. • Print bar codes with a monochrome ribbon or the monochrome (K) panel of a full-color print ribbon. Make sure the color used to print the bar code works in your bar code readers.
• Always test the readability of bar codes under production conditions. Factors to consider include: • If you will print cards one at a time, make your samples that way. If you will print cards in batches (many cards sent at the same time) use a production-sized batch and test cards from the beginning, middle and end of the batch. • Use exactly the same cardstock for testing that you will use for production. • Include other card design components, such as topcoat, that you will use in production.
Changing a Card Design If you make substantial changes to the way you produce cards, review setup tasks to make sure cards continue to have the quality you require. Substantial changes can include: • Change from batch processing to issuing single cards (or change from issuing single cards to batch processing). Check for differences in K printing and fullcolor printing.
• If using batch printing (where many cards are sent at a time and the printer operates continuously), test the first card of the batch and the 20th card, and later cards of the batch to verify they have a consistent appearance and functionality. Tips for Success • Handle cards carefully to protect the cards from damage and to ensure consistent printing quality. Do not scratch the cards when opening the package. For example, be very careful if using a knife to open the package.
26 • Keep out of direct sunlight, which can warp the card. Avoid physical damage to the card. Do not bend or twist the card. Do not use the card as a tool, such as for scraping. • Do not subject the card to physical impact. • Do not pound on the card or leave it in clothes which are put in a washing machine. • Do not punch holes in the card. If you need to attach the card to a clip, ask the card issuer to punch the card in an allowed area. (Some cards are not intended to be punched at all.
Chapter 6: Magnetic Stripe Magnetic stripe is an option available in most printers. Two options are available: Single-track and three track.
If you are encoding cards with data already on a particular track, the track can be turned off using the Printer Manager. See“WebAdmin Access Level” for more information. About the Data Format A magnetic stripe data format defines the data (characters) that can be encoded, the density of the data, the number of bits per character, and control codes. The data format also specifies the location of the track and the number of tracks.
About Coercivity Coercivity is a property of the magnetic stripe material on the card. It measures how difficult it is to change the polarity or alignment of magnetic media. (A higher coercivity requires more energy to encode and is more resistant to external magnetic fields.) The coercivity is a system-wide decision: The magnetic stripe readers which will read the cards encoded by the printer are likely to require a specific coercivity value. Card stock is purchased to match that coercivity value.
Magnetic Stripe Encoding The printer can receive magnetic stripe data in one of the following ways: • From a Windows application, such as ID software, that identifies and formats the data using the driver programming interface. • From a Windows or Linux application that uses magnetic stripe fonts to identify and format the data. • From a Windows application that uses escape codes to identify and format the data.
• If you set up customized formats, choose “Use Printer Settings” in Printing Preferences (so the driver does not send the format setting with each job). Some custom formats require an application customized using the Software Development Kit (SDK). • In the driver, HiCo and LoCo are the coercivity choices for a three-track head, and NTT 1 is the default for a single track head.
Magnetic Stripe Formats This section lists the default character sets for the printer. The IATA, ABA, and TTS character sets are the defaults for the three-track magnetic stripe module, and the JIS Type II character set is the default for the single-track module. Three-Track Option The default data formats for a three-track magnetic stripe option are: • Track 1 — IATA • Track 2 — ABA • Track 3 — TTS • This combination is often abbreviated IAT. This format is called ISO format.
Single-Track Option The default data encoding format for a single-track magnetic stripe module is the JIS Type II format. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) The maximum number of characters for the JIS format is 69 characters. These characters can include spaces, numeric characters, upper case alphabetic characters, lower case alphabetic characters, and the following special characters: !"#$%&'()*+,-.
34 Magnetic Stripe
Chapter 7: Smart Card Module Solutions that include a smart card (including contact cards and contactless cards) require software that can communicate with both the printer and the card reader. Some ID software applications include a smart card plug-in, design tool, or a similar module that can communicate with the card reader. Not all cards will be supported by a smart card plug-in.
card. Even dual interface readers (which can read contacted and contactless cards) are designed for specific card specifications. Card Feature Module Technical Details iCLASS by HID Above, plus write data to the card iCLASS by HID read/Write 13.
Chapter 8: System Tools This section describes the tools you use to implement a solution. It includes: • “The XPS Card Printer Driver” • “Windows Printing Preferences” • “Windows Printer Properties” • “Printer Front Panel” • “Printer Manager” • “How to Open the Printer Manager” • “Printer Manager Access Levels” • “Use the Printer Manager” The printer includes drivers, a Software Development Kit (SDK), and other tools to help you set up your card-delivery solution.
Windows Printing Preferences The Printing Preferences dialog contains settings that Windows uses to manage your card design. The Preferences dialog has the following tabs: Layout: Set duplex printing, number of copies, and card orientation. The Advanced button provides settings for rotating the card, encoding magnetic stripe without printing, and bar code detection. Print Area: Use the Print Area tab to define printing and nonprinting areas of your card design.
Printer Front Panel The front panel of the printer provides the controls you need to operate the printer. It includes the following: Power Switch Use this button to power the printer off and on. LCD Panel The LCD panel displays printer messages and provides a menu system for tasks and settings. User Button and Light The USER button is both a button and an indicator light. The light shows whether the printer is ready, busy printing, or not available.
Use the LCD Menu System The front panel of the printer includes an LCD display with keys. When the printer is not actively printing cards, the LCD menu is available. The LCD menu system contains Status, Configuration, and Maintenance choices. Each of these main menu items contains choices and settings for the printer.
Printer Manager The printer includes the Printer Manager, which displays information about the printer. Managers or service providers can use the Printer Manager to fine tune card appearance, set advanced options, and troubleshoot printing problems. The Printer Manager is accessed using an internet browser and the IP address of the printer. The Printer Manager includes Access Levels that control the type of information that can be viewed and the information that is displayed.
Open the Printer Manager 1. Obtain the printer Network IP Address or the USB IP Address and record it. 2. Open a Web Browser on the PC. 3. In the Address area of the browser, type the following: http://printer IP address For example: http://123.1.23.123 where 123.1.23.123 is replaced by the printer IP address. 4. Press the ENTER key. 5. Select the language in which to display the Printer Manager session from the left-hand column. 6.
Printer Manager Access Levels The Username field controls the level of access to information and settings. Choose the Access Level that matches your job responsibility: • WebUsers can view the following information from the Status menu: • Printer Status • Card Counts including Audit Data • Printer model, driver and firmware versions, and other information about the printer, called Vital Product Data (VPD) • The Supplies installed in the printer.
Print a Printer Manager Page To print the information from any Printer Manager page to a paper printer use your Internet browser Print feature. Choose the Print option from your Internet browser’s main menu. File > Print Tips for Success • If the printed page does not display all the information from the Printer Manager, use the Print Preview function of your Internet browser to scale the image to fit the paper.
About Printer Manager This page displays the versions and build dates of the Printer Manager. Printer Setting Menu From the Printer Setting menu, a WebUser can view all settings and make adjustments to the following menu choices: • Behavior — Set ribbon initialize to ON or OFF • Front Panel — Set LCD backlight, set the sensitivity of the keypad, and turn the printer’s speaker ON or OFF.
VitalProductData To view or print VPD, choose VPD from the Status menu and use the Internet browser print feature. File > Print. A WebService access level is required to change Vital Product Data settings. FrontPanel WebUser access level can make changes to the settings shown in the Front Panel entry. The following settings can be changed: Description Default Value Current Value (unit) 1) BacklightBrightness 10 10 2) KeySenseLevel 4 8 3) SpeakerEnabled Enabled Enabled 1.
Flipper Flipper settings are used to set values for the duplex module in duplex-option printers. Flipper settings are available for WebService access level only. Contact your service provider for information about changing the printer’s flipper settings. MagStripeGeneral Magnetic stripe settings are available for WebAdmin and WebService access levels only. Contact your system administrator for information about magnetic stripe settings.
Maintenance Menu The Maintenance menu provides the WebUser access level with the ability to run a cleaning card from the Printer Manager. To run a cleaning card: Description Default Value Current Value (unit) 1) Clean Printer Card Printer Card 1. Open the printer’s top cover and remove the ribbon cartridge. 2. Click the Cleaning entry from the Maintenance menu. 3. Click the Run button to start the cleaning process.
WebAdmin Access Level The WebAdmin access level provides settings and information used by a system administrator or advanced user. In a card production environment, typical responsibilities for the WebAdmin access level are setting up the card design, verifying communication with external data sources, and tracking printer activity and performance. The WebAdmin access level displays five menu selections: Status, Printer Setting, Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Log Out.
Communication The Communication menu provides the WebAdmin access level with settings to change the Ethernet address method from DHCP to Static. WebAdmin access level users can also enter IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway Address to match the settings of the network. Description Default Value Current Value (unit) EthAddressMethod DHCP DHCP EthGatewayAddress 0.0.0.0 EthIpAddress 0.0.0.0 EthSubnetMask 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 1. Select DHCP or Static from the Current Value dropdown list. 2.
FilterSystem Notice Off (Critical, Error, Warning, Notice, Information, Debug) InternalLog Enabled Enabled Example: Change the Filter Job States status in the Activity Log to help isolate a card production problem. To change the Filter Job States: 1. Log into the Printer Manager with WebAdmin access level. 2. Select Printer Setting> Activity Log. 3. In the FilterJobStates category, select Error from the dropdown list. 4. Click the Set Current button to apply your changes.
VitalProductData To view or print Vital Product Data, choose VPD from the Status menu and use the Internet browser print feature. File> Print. Vital Product Data settings are available for the WebService access level only.
Print The Print selections provide a WebAdmin access level with the ability to fine tune the card design by adjusting the print intensity, topcoat power, and K (black) power settings. Description Default Value Current Value (unit) Allowable Range 1) CardRegistration 0 0mm (-0.5 – 50.
• Selecting None from the ColorManagement dropdown list disables color management in the printer and color management will be handled by the application. 2. Card Registration and Trail Trim are valuable settings when fine tuning the card design. See “Fixing Ribbon Break Errors” for steps to follow. • • Card Registration is used to set the starting location of the printed area. • Increasing this value moves the printing closer to the leading edge of the card.
MagStripeGeneral Magnetic stripe settings are available for WebAdmin and WebService access levels only. WebAdmin access levels can use the following settings to setup basic magnetic stripe options.
MagStripeCustomTracks Custom magnetic stripe settings are available for WebAdmin and WebService access levels. WebAdmin access levels can use the following settings to setup custom magnetic stripe options.
4. Click the Set Current button to apply your changes. Update Password WebAdmin access level personnel can choose to password protect the Printer Manager and limit access to the advanced settings. Adding password protection is the preferred method of restricting access to the Printer Manager. Description Choose Username to Update WebAdmin (WebUser, SnmpRoCommunity, SnmpRwCommunity) Current Password New Password Confirm New Password 1.
Troubleshooting Menu The Troubleshooting menu for the WebAdmin access level contains settings and tools for isolating card production issues. WebAdmin access level for troubleshooting includes printing Test Cards, viewing and printing the Activity Log, Reset Log, Reset Counters, and Reset Printer features. Test Card The Test Card menu selection shows the items available to WebAdmin access levels. Printing test cards can be useful in troubleshooting card production issues.
• TestPattern4: This is a color step test card that uses all panels of the print ribbon and displays the steps of each color from darkest to lightest. • TestPattern5: This card is used to set up the card registration of the printer. Print this card to verify changes to the card registration settings. 3. Click the Run button to send the test card to print. Activity Log The Activity Log displays printer information in regards to its activity.
Maintenance Menu The Maintenance menu provides the WebAdmin access level with the ability to run a cleaning card from the Printer Manager and upload updates to the printer. Cleaning Card Description Default Value Current Value (unit) 1) Clean Printer Card Printer Card 1. Open the printer cover and remove the print ribbon cartridge. 2. Remove blank card stock from the input hopper, if equipped. 3. Open the cleaning card package and remove the cleaning card. 4.
Chapter 9: How Do I . . . Solutions to Common Print Production Issues WebAdmin and WebService access levels can use the following troubleshooting section to solve common print production issues. Fixing Ribbon Break Errors There are several reasons that could cause the print ribbon to break including changing the card stock or supplier of cards and registration settings that are too close or too far from the leading or trailing edge of the card.
Ribbon Break at Leading Edge If the ribbon breaks at the onset of printing, the likely cause is that the printhead has moved into position before the card was in position. Adjust the card registration settings to solve a ribbon break at the leading edge of the card. 1. Log into the Printer Manager at the WebAdmin access level. 2. Select Print from the Printer Setting menu. 3. Adjust the CardRegistration value in the Current Value column. Increase the value by 0.
Chapter 10: Related Publications This section lists publication about the card printers that might be useful to you. User Information The following user information is available: • The Quick Install Guide is packaged in the carton with the printer. • The XPS Card Printer Installation and User Guide is available from the Web site. It provides detailed information for installation and use of the printer.
Information for Integrators This Solution Guide provides detailed information about implementing solutions that use features of the printer. The Solution Guide can be downloaded from the service Web site. For integrators, a Software Development Kit (SDK) download includes the SDK Manual which explains the functions available and how to use them. Service Information Service Training CD-ROMs and Service CD-ROMs are available for each printer.
