Datacard® SD/CD™ Series Card Printers User’s Guide November 2012 Part No.
Notice Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training. Any use, operation, or repair you perform that is not in accordance with the information contained in this documentation is at your own risk. Proprietary Notice All drawings and information herein are the property of DataCard Corporation. All unauthorized use and reproduction is prohibited.
Compliance Statements Liability Statement The WARNING and CAUTION labels have been placed on the equipment for your safety. 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. Safety All Datacard® products are built to strict safety specifications in accordance with CSA/ UL60950‐1 requirements and the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC.
Regulatory Compliance Notice for USA (FCC notice) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A computing devices, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy.
Notice for Taiwan (Traditional Chinese) Notice for Japan Japanese Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) class A statement Korea Communications Commission (KCC) statement California Proposition 65 Compliance Warning Statement Wording: WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Revision Log SD/CD Series Card Printers User’s Guide Revision Date Description of Changes A June 2012 First release of manual. B Nov. 2012 Updates for XPS Card Printer Driver v. 4.
Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ____________________________________________________________ About this Manual______________________________________________________________ Intended Audience ____________________________________________________________ Technical Support ______________________________________________________________ 1 1 1 1 Chapter 2: About the Printer ________________________________________________________ About the SD and CD Series Card Printers________________________________________ P
Installation Problems __________________________________________________________ 32 USB Installation Troubleshooting ____________________________________________ 33 Network Installation Troubleshooting _______________________________________ 34 Driver Problems _______________________________________________________________ 34 The card printer driver does not detect the network-connected printer_______ 35 The card printer driver does not detect the USB-connected printer ___________ 35 Driver status or Window
122: Magstripe format problem ____________________________________________ 54 123: Insert new card side 1 up ______________________________________________ 54 124: Insert same card side 2 up _____________________________________________ 54 149: Option not installed ___________________________________________________ 55 152: Insert new card side 2 up ______________________________________________ 55 153: Insert same card side 2 up _____________________________________________ 55 170: Insert new card side 1 u
Cleaning Roller Spindle ____________________________________________________ 64 x
Chapter 1: Introduction About this Manual This manual provides user information for the SD and CD Series Card Printers. The manual includes: • An overview of printer components and options, and a description of the system label. • How to use the printer, including how to power the printer on and off, how to use the front panel and LCD menus, card processing basics, how to print a test card, and how to load and replace supplies. • How to perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.
2 Introduction
Chapter 2: About the Printer About the SD and CD Series Card Printers The card printer applies images, text, and encoded data to plastic cards. It can print full‐color and monochrome images, depending on the type of print ribbon installed. A busy issuance site might issue up to 10,000 cards a month. During these busy times, the site might use more than one printer to keep up with demand. The printer issues cards either one at a time or in batches — up to 100 cards at a time.
Printer Components Printhead: Transfers images to cards using the print ribbon. Configuration label: Shows location and date of manufacture, and options installed. Manual advance knob: Use the knob to move a card in the track. Security lock: Insert the security plate before attaching the lock. Configuration label Printhead Manual advance Security lock Printer connections: • Power receptacle • USB connection Printer connections • Network connection Printer ribbon cartridge: Holds ribbon for printing.
Printer With Input Hopper Cover: Open the cover to load print ribbon. Latch: Push to release the cover and open the printer. Ribbon cartridge handle: Holds the print ribbon and replaceable cleaning roller. Card input hopper: Loads cards to print. Holds up to 100 cards. Front panel: Includes the Ready button, the status lights, the power button, and the LCD panel with keys. Output hopper: Holds up to 25 completed cards. (The output hopper of a model SD260 with a manual feed holds 5 cards.
Printer With Duplex Option Cover: Open the cover to load the print ribbon. Latch: Push down and release latch to open the printer cover. Ribbon cartridge handle: Holds the print ribbon and replaceable cleaning roller. Card input hopper: Loads cards to print. Holds up to 100 cards (0.030-in or 0.762mm thickness). Front panel: Includes the User button, the status lights, the power button, and the LCD panel with navigation keys.
System Label The printer configuration label on the side of the cover arm shows the components installed. It provides information that is useful when requesting service. The label shows: • 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 via an Ethernet network.
8 About the Printer
Chapter 3: Using the System This section provides information on how a card travels through the printer, the printer as part of a card production system, printer controls, printing a test card, loading and replacing supplies, and cleaning the printer. How the Card Travels The card is verified and sent to print from the PC. The hopper pick mechanism picks a card and moves the card into the printer component for processing.
2. Capture devices, such as: • A digital camera connected to the PC to take photos for ID badges and other cards. • A signature capture pad or fingerprint reader. 3. The printer with supplies and a facility power source. 4. A data connection between the printer and PC, which can be a USB connection or a network connection. (Do not use both with one printer.
LCD Panel Menus The LCD panel shows the printer’s menus and displays printer messages or conditions. Refer to “Responding to Messages” on page 45 for more information. The menu system has four major branches: • Use the Maintenance menu to run a cleaning card or a test card. • Use the Status menu to see settings and data about the printer. • Use the Configuration menu to change settings. • Use the Activate menu to enable or disable secure features of the printer.
User Button and Light The printer’s USER button displays with a border of light that indicates the system status. Use the USER button to: • Suspend printer activity – press the USER button when the LCD panel displays Ready. • Clear a message – press the USER button once. • Clear all messages – press the USER button for 2 seconds or more. • Clear all cards currently printing – press and hold the USER button again for two or more seconds. (Make sure that this action is allowed in your card system.
Ribbon Light The ribbon light glows green when the print ribbon is low. It glows amber when there is a problem with the ribbon. Indicators include the following: Off Ribbon is okay. Green Ribbon is low – less than 10% remains. Amber Ribbon is out. Blinking Amber The printer problem applies to the ribbon. Card Light The card light indicates the status of cards in the printer. Off Cards are okay. Green Ribbon is low – less than 10% remains. Blinking Green Insert cleaning card.
Retrieve the Printer IP Address The printer can display the network IP address it uses when connected to the network. It also displays the subnet mask, gateway address, and MAC address. Begin with the printer power connected, and the printer connected to the network. 1. Press the POWER button (if needed) to power on the printer. 2. Access the Network Status menu in the LCD menu: A. Press the USER button to suspend the printer. B. Press the E NTER key to enter the menu system. C.
a. Press the E NTER key to return to the Network menu. Gateway Addr displays on line 2. b. Press the E NTER key to display the gateway address (if any). 7. Press E NTER to return to the Network menu. 8. Press the down arrow key to scroll to Exit on line 2. 9. Press E NTER. Then, press the USER button to return the printer to Ready. The USER button glows green. Print a Test Card The printer includes a test card that runs without using a driver or other source of card data.
Load and Replace Supplies To prepare the printer to print cards, load blank card stock into the input hopper (optional), and load print ribbon and a cleaning sleeve into the print cartridge. Loading Cards Do one of the following: • If you are using a manual feed printer, skip this step and keep a supply of blank cards close to the printer. • For printers with an input hopper, continue with these steps: 1. Open the input hopper. 2. Fan cards before placing them into the input hopper (optional). 3.
Loading the Print Ribbon Load the print ribbon when you install the printer and when the ribbon runs out. 1. Open the printer’s top cover. 2. Remove the print ribbon cartridge. 3. Load a full roll of print ribbon onto the spindle closest to the cartridge handle. 4. Place the empty spool on the spindle with the black gear. 5. Wind the empty spool counter‐ clockwise one full turn.
Loading the Cleaning Sleeve Load a new cleaning sleeve with each new roll of print ribbon. The printer ships with the cleaning roller spindle installed on the print ribbon cartridge. 1. Remove the cleaning roller spindle from the ribbon cartridge and slide the continuous cleaning sleeve onto the spindle (a). 2. Snap the spindle with sleeve installed onto the ribbon cartridge (b). 3. Remove the protective wrapper from the cleaning sleeve (c).
Chapter 4: Printing Cards Before Starting to Print This section explains how to print a card to a printer. Make sure that: • Cards are available. • Ribbon is loaded in the printer. For the steps to follow, refer to “Loading the Print Ribbon” on page 17. • The card design is set up. If you need to set up or modify the design, refer to “Elements of Card Design” in your card printer’s Installation and Administrator’s Guide. HINTS & TIPS Make sure that magnetic stripe cards are inserted correctly.
Printing Cards Make sure that cards are available to insert. For the steps to follow, refer to “Loading Cards” on page 16. Printing from ID software 1. From the ID software, use the template or design for the card. 2. Select the printer if you use more than one printer. 3. Enter the data for the card. Follow the instructions for your software. 4. Capture the photo for the card, if necessary. 5. Click the Print button to send the card to the printer. 6. At the printer, insert a card in the single feed slot.
7. At the printer, insert a card in the single feed slot. A. Orient all cards the same way. B. Do not touch the card surface to be printed. Handle cards by their edges or wear gloves. C. Push in the card until the printer moves it. HINTS & TIPS The printer can receive card jobs from more than one PC. It prints cards in the order they are received.
22 Printing Cards
Chapter 5: System Maintenance Clean the Printer The printer performs best when it is cleaned on a regular basis. Follow the cleaning guidelines for your site to keep the printer in good working condition. Clean the printer when: • The printer displays a message for which cleaning is a solution. • There is debris on completed cards. • A new roll of print ribbon was installed.
Clean the Printhead Clean the printhead when: • The printhead is replaced. • There are unprinted lines on the finished card. This usually indicates dirt or contamination on the printhead. • The printhead is touched accidentally. Oils from hands can affect print quality and damage the printhead. Do the following to clean the printhead: 1. Power off the printer. 2. Open the printer cover and remove the print ribbon cartridge. 3. Open the cleaning pen. 4.
6. Power on the printer. 7. Print a sample card to verify the quality of printing. Refer to “Print a Test Card” on page 15 for more information. HINTS & TIPS • Avoid touching the printhead edge with your fingers. Contamination due to skin oils eventually can damage the printhead. • Avoid touching the printing edge of the printhead cartridge with any sharp objects that can permanently damage the printhead. • Use only the cleaning pen to clean the printhead.
Run a Cleaning Card Run a printer cleaning card to clean debris from the inside of the printer. The cleaning card can remove most contaminants from the printer. 1. Prepare the printer. A. Power on the printer. B. Open the printer cover and remove the print ribbon cartridge. C. Close the cover. D. If necessary, open the input hopper and remove unprinted cards. 2. Access the LCD menu. A. Begin when the printer displays Ready and the USER button shows steady green. B.
3. Insert the cleaning card. A. Open the cleaning card package and remove the cleaning card. B. Place the cleaning card in the input hopper or in the manual feed. C. Press the USER button to resume or click Retry (or Resume the card) in the Message box to start the cleaning cycle. The printer moves the card through the printer several times and ejects it in the output stacker. 4. Remove the used cleaning card. Wait a few minutes for the rollers to dry. 5. Prepare the printer for use. A.
28 System Maintenance
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting This section is designed to help you identify and fix basic issues that can occur when printing. Also refer to the documentation for the Card Printer Driver, CardWizard, or OpenCard for additional troubleshooting information.
Locating a Problem Within the Card Production System For typical components of the system, refer to “Card Printer System Overview” on page 9. If any one of the following components does not work properly, printing cards can be affected. • The XPS Card Printer Driver Should you need to re‐install the driver to fix a problem, we recommend you download the latest version of the driver from http://www.datacard.com. Select Support & Drivers > Drivers & Download from the menu.
Locating a Problem with Basic Printer Functions If the system is not working as expected, follow these steps in the order listed to isolate the source of the problem before contacting your service provider. 1. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in and the printer is powered on. 2. Does the printer power on and display Ready on the front panel within 1 minute? • If yes, continue to step 3. • If the printer powers on but does not display Ready, the printer is not working properly.
Does the sample card print? • If yes, the printer and driver are working correctly. Continue to step 7. • If no, the printer and driver have a communication problem. Troubleshoot communication problems. If you are not using the driver, ask your service provider or software provider for assistance. 7. Print a card using your card production software. Does the card print? • If yes, the driver is working successfully with the card production software. Troubleshoot the card design.
USB Installation Troubleshooting Problem Solution The cable is loose. Reconnect the USB cable to the ports on the PC and the printer. Power the printer OFF, and then back ON. If the PC and printer still do not communicate, restart the PC. The data cable is damaged or frayed. Power off the printer. Replace the cable if you have a spare. Contact your service provider to order a new data cable. The system has a temporary communication problem.
Network Installation Troubleshooting Problem Solution The network cable is loose. Reconnect the data cable to the network port and the printer. Restart the printer. The Status page of Printer Properties shows the printer is not available, but the printer shows “Ready” on the LCD panel. Follow your network troubleshooting procedures to isolate and test each component of the computerto-printer communication link.
The card printer driver does not detect the networkconnected printer Problem Solution The Printer Properties > Status tab shows the printer is not available. Make sure that you are using the same type of data cables – USB or network – that were used when installing the printer. You cannot switch the type of data cables after installing. Make sure that the current printer IP Address is the same as the IP Address on the Printer Properties > Ports tab.
Driver status or Windows print queue does not provide expected data Problem Solution The Driver Sample Card or magnetic stripe test cards do not print. Check the following: • Enable bidirectional support must be selected on Printer Properties > Ports tab to allow printing from the Card Printer Driver. • Print directly to printer is selected in Printer Properties. Clear the selection to allow printing of the driver sample cards. The Ribbon Low light on the printer and the driver status do not match.
Something did not print Problem Probable Cause Solution Nothing is printed on the card. The Disable Printing option is set to All, Front, or Back. Open Preferences and change Disable Printing to Off. The print ribbon is loaded incorrectly. Remove the print ribbon and install it correctly. The page size was not set to ISO-ID1. Use your card production application to access the printer’s print setup and select ISO-ID1 for its page size. The correct page size is available after choosing the printer.
The color printing has flaws Problem Probable Cause Solution One or more unprinted lines appear on the card. The printhead is dirty or damaged. Clean the printhead. Refer to “Clean the Printhead” on page 24. One color panel is not aligned correctly with other color panels. The cards are slipping in the track. Run a cleaning card. Refer to “Run a Cleaning Card” on page 26. The cards are not the correct size for the printer. Use cards that meet the size requirement for the printer.
Problem Probable Cause Solution Part of the printed image is discolored. Cards might have fingerprints or other dirt on them. Handle cards carefully. Refer to “Card Quality Guidelines” in your printer’s Installation and Administrator’s Guide. A signature panel is located on the other side of the card. Design the card to avoid printing photos over signature panel residue. The rollers are dirty or the card packaging contains debris. Run a cleaning card. Refer to “Run a Cleaning Card” on page 26.
The printing is too dark Problem Probable Cause Solution The card shows wrinkles in darkly colored areas. The card’s images or large blocks of color include very dark areas. Change the design to use smaller areas of dark color. The printhead is not aligned correctly. Contact your service provider. Color adjustment is too dark. Using different card stock changes the appearance of printed cards. Change the color adjustment settings. All color printing is darker than intended.
Magnetic Stripe Problems To begin troubleshooting a magnetic stripe problem, first print a magnetic stripe sample card from the driver. For the steps to follow, refer to “Printing a Driver Sample Card” in the card printer’s Driver Guide. The printer uses the coercivity set using the LCD panel or Printer Manager, and the data format set using the Printer Manager. Problem Solution Cards are not loaded correctly. Load cards with the magnetic stripe down and toward the right side of the printer.
Problem Solution The magnetic stripe data was sent in an encoding format not supported by the track. Check the encoding format setting for the tracks by using Printer Manager. Refer to the Printer Manager’s “Printer Setting Menu” in the Installation and Administrator’s Guide. Make sure that the application is using the selected encoding format for the track. If the application and track are set to the same format, and the message appears repeatedly, contact the application provider for assistance.
Card Jams The card did not reach the position for the next action, such as printing or ejecting the card. 1. Open the printer and remove the ribbon cartridge. 2. Turn the knob to move the card. 3. Remove the card. 4. Replace the ribbon cartridge and close the printer. 5. Press the USER button on the printer or click Retry in the message box. HINTS & TIPS Check the ribbon to make sure that it is not torn. Refer to “109: Print ribbon problem” on page 49 to repair or replace the ribbon, if needed.
Messages and Conditions When the printer cannot process the card sent, it issues a condition. The LCD panel on the front panel shows these conditions. If your system uses the XPS Card Printer Driver, the printer driver also displays the condition as a message on the PC. In a shared printer environment, messages may be slightly different from the messages and conditions described in this section.
• If there is more than one card printer installed on the PC and each has issued errors, the printer driver displays the messages received, even if you cleared the error at the printer. • The driver can issue messages that are not displayed on the printer LCD panel. Messages from Printer Manager The Printer Manager issues messages that display in a Web browser window. Click Continue in Printer Manager to continue working with the printer.
102: Card not in position The card is not positioned in the printer correctly. 1. Open the printer and remove the ribbon cartridge. 2. Turn the knob to remove the card. 3. Replace the ribbon cartridge and close the printer. Press the USER button on the printer, or click Retry (the card) in the message box. Click Cancel (the card) if you need to cancel the card. 103: Printer problem The printer had an error. The card will be canceled. 1. Press the printer Power button to power off the printer. 2.
105: Magstripe data error The printer failed to verify that the correct magnetic stripe data was written on the card. 1. Make sure that you are using magnetic stripe cards that match the printer settings. 2. Make sure that the cards are placed in the printer correctly. Press the USER button on the printer, or click Retry (the card). Click Cancel (the card) in the message box if you need to cancel the card. HINTS & TIPS • The card might have been turned the wrong way.
107: Magstripe read data error The printer failed to read the magnetic stripe data from the card. The card will be canceled. 1. Make sure that you are using magnetic stripe cards that match the printer settings. 2. Make sure that the cards are placed in the printer correctly. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box. HINTS & TIPS • The data might use a different format than the current printer setting.
109: Print ribbon problem The print ribbon is not moving properly. 1. Open the printer and remove the ribbon cartridge. 2. Reposition, repair, or replace the ribbon and advance the repaired area one full turn. 3. Replace the ribbon cartridge and close the printer. Press the USER button on the printer, or click Retry (the card) in the message box. Click Cancel (the card) in the message box if you need to cancel the card. 110: Print ribbon out or missing The printer does not have usable ribbon.
111: Card not picked The printer did not pick a card. To complete the current card: For printers with an input hopper, open the input hopper, add or reposition cards, and close the hopper. For printers with single‐card feed, push the card in until the printer picks it. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box. Click Cancel (the card) in the message box if you need to cancel the card. 112: Card hopper empty The printer did not detect cards in the input hopper.
114: Cover opened during job The printer cover was opened while printing. Push down on the cover to latch it. Press the USER button on the printer or click Retry (the card) in the message box. Click Cancel (the card) in the message box if you need to cancel the card. HINTS & TIPS Make sure that the ribbon cartridge is installed with the handle even with the edges of the printer. 115: Wait for print temperature The printer is not at the correct temperature to print the card. 1.
116: Magstripe not available The printer does not have a magnetic stripe option. The card will be canceled. Remove magnetic stripe data from the card or use a printer that has a magnetic stripe option installed. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box. HINTS & TIPS To remove magnetic stripe data, you or your system administrator may need to: • Clear a check box in the card production application.
118: Print ribbon type problem The printer cannot use the ribbon installed. The card will be canceled. Use ribbon designed for this printer. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box. HINTS & TIPS • Use ribbon designed for your printer’s brand and model. • Check the website for newer firmware that supports new ribbon types. 119: Print ribbon not supported The printer cannot use the ribbon installed. The card will be canceled. Use ribbon designed for this printer.
121: Print ribbon not identified The printer cannot use the ribbon installed. The card will be canceled. Use ribbon designed for this printer. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box. HINTS & TIPS Ask your dealer or authorized reseller for a replacement. 122: Magstripe format problem The magnetic stripe data sent does not match the format set in the printer. The card will be canceled. Press the USER button on the printer or click OK in the message box.
149: Option not installed The printer does not support the personalization being requested for the card. The card will be canceled. Change the card data to match the printer’s options and settings, or print to a printer that is configured to support the personalization being requested. Press the USER button or click OK in the message box. HINTS & TIPS Don’t include references in the card format to hardware that cannot be accessed by the system.
170: Insert new card side 1 up 1. Insert a new card in the printer with side 1 facing up. 2. If the card is not immediately picked, press the printer’s USER button or click OK. Click Cancel (the card) in the message box if you need to cancel the card. 171: Insert same card side 1 up 1. Take the card from the printer and turn it over end to end so side 1 is facing up. 2. Insert the card in the printer. 3. If the card is not immediately picked, press the printer’s USER button or click OK.
Chapter 7: Supplies and Parts This section includes card specifications and information on card handling and storage, and describes the supplies and replacement parts used with the printer. Cards For best results, use high‐quality cards that meet the specifications and recommendations described in this section. Card Size Use ISO ID‐1 size cards, also called CR80 cards. These cards have the following dimensions: • 3.37 inches long by 2.125 inches wide (85.60mm long x 53.98mm wide). • 0.010 to 0.
Pre-Punched Cards Cards can have a punched area within 1 inch (25mm) of the left edge, as the cards are loaded in the printer. If the card has a magnetic stripe, the card must not be punched anywhere in the stripe. New Cards for Color Printing The printer is designed to print on new card stock. If you print on cards twice, be careful to avoid getting dirt, fingerprints, or other contaminants on cards before the second printing.
Card Handling These guidelines apply to unprinted cards. • Any debris or particles on an unprinted card’s surface can reduce print quality and damage the printhead. • Grease or oils, such as oils from your fingers, also reduce print quality. Keep cards completely clean. Do not touch the print surface of a card with your fingers or hands. • Do not use a rubber band to bind blank cards together. • If you drop a card on the floor, do not insert it into the printer.
Supplies Print Ribbon Print ribbon kits are available from your dealer. Kits include a print ribbon, a cleaning card, and a replaceable cleaning sleeve. For best results, run a cleaning card and replace the cleaning sleeve with each new print ribbon. Color Print Ribbon Color print ribbon is available in either full‐panel or short‐panel options. Both full‐ panel and short‐panel print ribbons use the following color panels: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan/blue), K (black), and T (topcoat).
Print Ribbon Storage Guidelines • Store print ribbon in the original package until you load it in the printer. Keep the original packaging closed until you are ready to use the ribbon. • The print ribbon maintains its quality for about one year. For optimum card quality, purchase and store quantities that can be used within one year. • The print ribbon and card stock might require secure storage and tracking. Follow your policy for storing and tracking the supplies used to make cards.
Power Supply, Cables, and Cords Power Supply The power supply is rated at 100‐240 VAC, 50‐60Hz and uses up to 3 amps. It is self‐adjusting within the rated input voltage. Data Cables and Power Cord The printer uses a data cable and a power cord. Data Cable The data cable connects the printer to the network or PC sending cards. The data cable can be: • a USB cable. • a network cable. Use only one data cable with a printer. If you need to connect more than one PC to a printer, use a network connection.
• Australian power cord • United Kingdom power cord • Danish power cord • Indian power cord • Israeli power cord • Italian power cord • Swiss power cord • Chinese power cord • Japanese power cord SD/CD Series Card Printers User’s Guide 63
Replacement Parts The following printer replacement parts are available. Printhead Cartridge The printer has a replaceable printhead cartridge. The printhead is subject to wear or damage and has a direct impact on print quality. Do not touch the printing edge of the printhead in the printhead cartridge. Clean the printhead following the steps in “Clean the Printhead” on page 24. Print Ribbon Cartridge The ribbon cartridge holds the print ribbon and the replaceable cleaning sleeve in the printer.
