Product Info

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SP Series Info Central:Supplies e-Guide
Pre-punched cards
Datacard recommends that you punch cards after printing them. However, you can use pre-punched cards
with the SP Series printer as long as the hole is free of raised areas or burrs. In the following illustration,
the gray area shows where punched areas are allowed.
• The cards can only have a punched area within 1.0 in (25.4 mm) of the left-hand edge, as the cards are
loaded in the card cartridge. (This dimension includes tolerance.)
• If the card has a magnetic stripe, the card cannot be punched anywhere in the stripe.
New cards preferred
The SP Series printer is designed to print on new card stock. If you print on cards twice, be careful to avoid
getting dirt, fingerprints, or other contamination on cards before the second printing. Previous printing can
interfere with printing and result in cards that do not have the appearance you want. Printing on cards that
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 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 Card material 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.