ReTransfer (Reverse Thermal Image Transfer) ID Card Printing is a process which improves the quality of the card, the longevity of the printer and the consistency of production by printing on a laminate film that is then thermally bonded to the card instead of printing the image on the card surface through the ribbon. DNP refers to the reverse transfer lamination process as their HDP (High Definition Printing) Process.

Reverse Transfer Thermal Lamination - The printhead never goes near the card, whereas the Direct to Card (DTC) printers print directly on the card through the thermal or wax ribbon.

The simple fact that the printhead of the Re-Transfer ID Card printer never touches the PVC cards greatly improves the lifespan of the printer. Even the smallest imperfection on a PVC card edge can irrevocably damage the print-head in your expensive PVC card printer. The laminate film manufactured by both Fargo and DNP are manufactured to extremely high tolerances.

The image on the card is printed on the underside of the laminate film in a reverse image and when the laminate film is thermally bonded to the card, the image is under a protective layer, greatly increasing the lifespan of the card while providing a full-bleed image that is photographic quality.

The ReTransfer technology can be used on PVC, ABS, PET and Hybrid cards because of the consistency of the substrate and the variable bonding temperature. Additionally, since the substrate is thermally bonded to the card after printing, you do not have to worry about cards that have irregular surfaces (Such as an ISO14443 Mifare or ISO 7816 Contact Smart Card) damaging the printhead or leaving a blank space in the printed area of the card. You do truly get full edge-to-edge photographic quality printing AND get increased lifespan out of your printhead. The best of both worlds.

Secure holographic over-laminate and smart card or magnetic stripe encoding modules are available on all of the printers above as options or accessories.  Give us a call or chat with us if you have any questions.

ACE Peripherals carries the Top ReTransfer ID Card printers - DNP (Dai Nippon Printing). We currently use the DNP printers in many of our government bureau and have printed many millions of cards on these printers for our many service bureau customers flawlessly.