User Manual

6
SP35 Info Central
have been issued might introduce substances that interfere with card printing or damage the printer. See
Troubleshooting to address card appearance problems with pre-printed cards.
If a previously printed card has been printed with topcoat, the card cannot be printed a second time.
Card quality guidelines
Your cards must meet the following card quality guidelines for the printer to print high quality graphics on
them successfully.
Card surface
• The card must be free of irregularities such as particles embedded in the surface.The particle detector
attempts to detect and reject cards with particles.
• The card surface must be smooth and even. Surface irregularities can cause loss of contact, resulting
in printing voids.
• The printing surface must be glossy. It cannot have a matte finish (see other sections in this appendix
for more information).
• Card edges must be free of raised burrs, which can cause unprinted areas on cards (printing voids).
This is especially true when printing Edge-to-Edge.
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 Select printer.
Card storage
These guidelines apply to both printed and unprinted cards.
• Cards must be stacked so that they will not shift and rub against each other.
• When storing cards, make sure that no two cards contain images or blocks of color that will come in
contact with each other.
• Make sure that the magnetic stripe on one card does not come in contact with the magnetic stripe on
another card.
• Make sure that cards with magnetic stripes are stored away from magnets and other magnetic objects.
Card storage specifications
The cards should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Excessive light can cause yellowing of cards on
exposed edges. Keep cards in their original packaging.
Cards should be at room temperature when they are installed in the printer and used. If cards are stored in
a cooler environment than the printer, allow them to reach room temperature before using.