The Prima 4 uses reverse-transfer printing technology. Images are printed onto a thin retransfer film in a "reverse image" and heat transferred onto the card. The quality of the finished card is comparable to off-set litho printing, but with the advantage that every card can be different.
One of the key advantages of Reverse Transfer or Re-transfer ID card printing technology is the increased yield when printing technology cards for access control. Cards constructed with embedded technologies such as IC chips or antennas typically have inconsistent surfaces. Direct to card printers require a completely flat print surface to achieve high quality images. Reverse transfer printers print on the reverse side of a clear film which is then laminated onto the card surface resulting in consistently high quality printed cards.
Images printed by the reverse transfer technology method tend to wear longer then cards printed by the direct to card printers. The process works like this: in addition to a color YMCK-type ribbon that all dye sublimation direct-to-card printers use, Re-transfer printers include a second clear polyester-based Re-transfer ribbon, often referred to as the Re-transfer "film". Instead of transferring dye directly from the YMCK-type ribbon onto a card, Re-transfer printers transfer, or sublimate, the dyes onto the clear Re-transfer film, then laminates this film to the card.
The advantages of Reverse Transfer technology are:
Warranty | Three years UltraCoverPlus warranty which includes full printhead coverage and free loaner service - North America, EU and other selected countries. Elsewhere 12 months limited warranty. |
Print speed | Up to 80 cards per hour single-sided (YMCK with transfer to card) |
Card capacity | 100 cards input and output hoppers |
Print head | Simple field replaceable unit |
Printer interfaces | USB (2.0) Full-Speed (12Mbps) and Hi-Speed (480Mbps). 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet |
Printers drivers | Windows 2000 Professional (SP4), XP (SP2, SP3), Vista (SP1), Windows Server R2 SP2, Server 2008 |
Security features | Standard or custom holographic laminates (requires lamination module) and UV film options |
Cleaning | Removable cleaning roller cassette |
Dimensions | 343 mm width x 320 mm height x 330 mm length. (13.5" width x 12.6" height x 13" length) |
Weight | 15.5 Kg (34.1 lbs) |
Operating conditions | 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F) ; 35% to 70% non-condensing |
Inline laminator | Compact, single-sided or double-sided. Part no Prima 451 / Prima 452 |
Magstripe encoder | Prima with HiCo/LoCo Magstripe encoder. Part No Prima 421 |
Contactless card encoder | Contactless card supported: Philips:Mifare®, DESFire®, HID: iCLASS, Legic® |
Smart card encoder | Optional chip contact programming facility for smart cards. Part No Prima 422 |
Bend remedy | Bend remedy for Prima 4 Duo Part No Prima 424 (fitted as standard in Prima 4 Uno) |
Prima 4 Uno | Single-sided reverse transfer printer. Part No Prima 401 |
Prima 4 Duo | Double-sided reverse transfer printer. Part No Prima 402 |
Please visit the glossary for more information
Essentra Code | Ribbon | Description | Capacity | Manufacturer's code |
316-7066 | YMCK Dye film & Retransfer film set | 1000 | Prima 431 | |
316-7067 | YMCKK Colour ribbon | 750 | Prima 433 | |
316-7068 | YMCK-UV Colour ribbon | 750 | Prima 434 | |
316-7069 | YMCK-PO Peel-off ribbon | 750 | Prima 435 | |
316-7070 | Re-transfer film | 1000 | Prima 436 |
Ribbons are available for Prima 2e and Prima 3 – please ring for details.