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Upgrading from Preface to ID Works |
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Projects
that were created in Preface software can easily be migrated to ID Works
software. The process involves the
following steps.
- Uninstall Preface software (this will remove the Preface software application, but will leave the projects that the user created). “To Uninstall Preface go to your Control panel. In control panel go to Change /remove programs and remove preface.
- Install ID Works software.
- Copy /
Move the Preface projects (typically located under C:\Program
Files\Datacard\Preface\Projects) into the ID Works project folder (typically
located at C:\Documents and settings\all users\shared documents\Datacard).
- Using ID
Works Designer, you are required to edit each Project and make the following
changes to every static/variable text, static graphic, photo and Barcode fields
that were placed on card area:
The
Variable and Static text Fields as well as Barcode fields:
Double-click in the field to open field properties. The screen below will open.
Click on the option Apply Top Coat and press OK. (As indicated below)
The Static and Photo Fields:
Double-click in the field to open field properties. The screen below will open.
Click on the option Apply Top Coat and press OK. (As indicated below)
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Save your Project after making these changes.
- Enter Production and continue to use project as previously
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StickiCard adhesive-backed (sticky-backs) |
Commonly called the Sticky-back, these adhesive-backed cards have become common practice in the workplace where the access cards (normally proximity cards) are either to thick or to be used continually. Printing is done on a relatively inexpensive sticky-back and then adhered (by removing the adhesive backing) to the cards that are too thick to print on Datacard printers.
The sticky-back portion can be easily removed, so the card it is adhered to can be re-used by applying a new sticky-back card. If a printing error is made, a new sticky-back card can be inexpensively reprinted.
Note:If sticky-back adhesive backed-cards are out of specification, the following symptoms may occur.
- Ribbon tearing
- Topcoat peeling the card from the backing.
- Poor image quality.
Use only sticky-back adhesive-backed cards approved by Datacard on Datacard printers. Datacard has tested the sticky-back adhesive-backed cards to ensure the cards will move through the printer as designed and won’t “gum up” the printer with adhesive from the card. Some competitive adhesive-backed cards can transfer excessive adhesive from the card to the printer resulting in printing errors and potential service calls.
Clean your printer more frequently when using sticky-back adhesive-backed cards to remove adhesive residue. The printhead cleaning pen or an isopropyl alcohol swab will remove the residue.
Store sticky-back adhesive-backed cards in a cool place to avoid adhesive migration.
Fan cards before loading them in the card cartridge.
Topcoat or DuraGard laminates cannot be used on sticky-back adhesive-backed cards |
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Barcodes are probably the most widely used digital/hidden/automated information carrier in the industry today. It forms an integral part of our retail transaction system and is found at the heart many critical services, payment, access control, stores and identification systems.
It is so part of us that we relate to it in our every day walk and talk and are normally one of the first solutions considered when you think ID-application. This is a very robust technology but has (as all other systems) pro's and con's.
There are a number (+-27 at the last count) of different barcodes available and recognised internationally. Each of them were developed for specific markets with specific requirements (not to be highlighted here).
Technical information for lay-out and printing of bar-codes:
- Industry standards define space before the first bar and after the last bar in a bar code as the quiet zone. The recommended minimum quiet zone is 6.35 mm. We recommend that cards be designed so no printing is within the quiet zone. It might be in your best interest not to print any detail in the area shown here in yellow unless there are real security reasons to do so.
- Only use bar codes that meet ISO/ANSI specifications.
- Always pre-test bar codes in “real” application situations; each situation has a different combination of variables that must be tested to ensure that the printed cards will be readable with the customer’s bar code readers.
- Try to avoid aligning bar code opposite an image/photo or magnetic stripe on the reverse side. Continued swiping will scratch the bar code making it unreadable.
- Printing bar codes with three-color ribbon only works on visible light readers. If infrared readers are to be used, bar codes must be printed with the K panel of the ribbon.
- The use of topcoat material or overlay laminate on a card may prohibit the readability of the bar code in some readers.
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