ISO proximity cards are made with outer layers of PVC and finished with a glossy surface suitable for Photo ID printing. Proximity cards and contactless smart cards contain an antenna coil and integrated electronic chip. Care should be taken to follow these standard handling and printing recommendations. We hope these suggestions will help you successfully print your proximity cards.
Surface imperfections caused by the embedded chip and antenna may cause color variations or printing voids with direct to card printers. When designing card artwork, avoid large areas with solid or half-tone backgrounds. Use artwork with varied color or pattern.
If the design must print over the internal chip, we recommend the use of a reverse transfer printer. Do not place a photo portrait over the chip location or opposite the edge of a magnetic stripe.
Always print a few test cards, and be prepared to make minor adjustments to the artwork to create the best appearance.
Some printers are capable of edge-to-edge printing. Before running an edge-to-edge design, test several cards to check the printer’s capability.
Printable cards are shrink-wrapped to protect the integrity of the card surface. Care should be taken not to scratch the cards when opening the wrapping, especially when using a sharp object.
Cards should be handled by the edges, not by the flat finished surface. Use lint free gloves, since hand oils will transfer to the cards causing smudging, fingerprints or other distortions when printing.
Even with careful card handling, it is possible that the image quality may vary. This can be due to printer setup variations, lot to lot material variations, environmental changes, printer types, background color selections and other variables.
