Abstract: A thermal transfer media for use in printer. The thermal transfer media includes a pre-cut or preformed patch of protective film that is overlaid by a dye receptor coating. The thermal transfer media can be thermally applied to a backing media, such as a standard CR-80 card, and separated without a subsequent cutting step due to the pre-cutting of the protective film patch. Also, the dye receptor coating and pre-cut patch may share a common material composition allowing application and curing of a single layer. As another variation, the thermal print media may include adjacent pre-cut patches to allow simultaneous printing on the front and back of the backing media.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing process for making identification cards is provided. The process involves printing indicia onto a dye-receptive surface of a card substrate. The indicia is printed in a processed color generated from a combination of yellow, magenta, and cyan dyes. An overlay coating is applied in precise registration with selected print indicia to form indicia having latent fluorescent properties. The printed indicia is visible in ordinary light and exhibits a bright, distinctive fluorescent glow when irradiated with ultraviolet light (black light). The invention also includes the identification cards produced by this process. The process can be used to produce cards such as licenses, employee badges, student cards, bank cards, and the like having unique security features.

Abstract: A process for printing ID cards having a uniquely encoded security authentication component, where an ID card is created having a unique covert code embedded thereon that includes a verifiable fingerprint, which allows the card to be authenticated. A code is included into the image printed on the face of the card that contains important and relevant information pertaining to the time and place of card issue such as the printer manufacturer, issuing authority, time at which the card was printed, date when the card was printed and the printer serial number. The code uses specifically identified printed pixels in a predictable location on the face of the ID card. The pixels in the code location have specific colors that correspond to numbers.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing process for making identification cards is provided. The process involves printing indicia onto a dye-receptive surface of a card substrate. A metallic dye is applied in precise registration with selected print indicia to form a metallic border along the edges of the indicia. The invention also includes identification cards produced by this process. The process can be used to produce cards such as licenses, employee badges, student cards, bank cards, and the like having unique security features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for printing ID cards having a uniquely encoded security authentication component. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and an ID card formed thereby, where an ID card is created having a unique covert code embedded thereon that provides a verifiable fingerprint, which allows the card to be authenticated. A code is included into the image printed on the face of the card that contains important and relevant information pertaining to the time and place of card issue such as the printer manufacturer, issuing authority, time at which the card was printed, date when the card was printed and the printer serial number. The code uses of specifically identified printed pixels in a predictable location on the face of the ID card. The pixels in the code location have specific colors that correspond to numbers.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing process for making identification cards is provided. The process involves printing indicia onto a dye-receptive surface of a card substrate. A metallic dye is applied in precise registration with selected print indicia to form a metallic border along the edges of the indicia. The invention also includes identification cards produced by this process. The process can be used to produce cards such as licenses, employee badges, student cards, bank cards, and the like having unique security features.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing process for making identification cards is provided. The process involves printing indicia onto a dye-receptive surface of a card substrate. The indicia is printed in a processed color generated from a combination of yellow, magenta, and cyan dyes. An overlay coating is applied in precise registration with selected print indicia to form indicia having latent fluorescent properties. The printed indicia is visible in ordinary light and exhibits a bright, distinctive fluorescent glow when irradiated with ultraviolet light (black light). The invention also includes the identification cards produced by this process. The process can be used to produce cards such as licenses, employee badges, student cards, bank cards, and the like having unique security features.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and laminating plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, a laminating station including laminating film and a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with said receptor surface of said receptor card during a laminating operation, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the printhead and the heated laminating roller. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails to insure proper registration and tracking of the receptor card. The carriage is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and laminating plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, a laminating station including laminating film and a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with said receptor surface of said receptor card during a laminating operation, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the printhead and the heated laminating roller. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails to insure proper registration and tracking of the receptor card. The carriage is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails.

Abstract: A system for the automated production of an identification card includes a two-part security media and apparatus for printing, laminating and die-cutting the security media to form discrete identification cards. The two-part security media includes a continuous web of an opaque backing film, and a continuous web of a clear cover film which acts as a receptor for receiving a thermally printed digital card image. A first thermal web printer is operative for printing a reversed digital card image onto an inner surface of the cover film adjacent a terminal end thereof. A second thermal web printer prints a second image onto the back of the backing film at a terminal end thereof. The printed ends of the backing and cover films are advanced to a cutting station wherein they are aligned in overlying relation and severed from their webs.

Abstract: A wide-format thermal plotting apparatus includes a single platen roller and a plurality of thermal print heads arranged in first and second diametrically opposed rows on the platen roller, the second row having at least one more print head than the first row. More specifically, the rows are arranged in upper and lower opposed relation so that the first, or lower row supports the force applied by the upper row plus the weight of the platen roller, thereby preventing bowing thereof. A supply of print media is sequentially threaded through the first and second rows of print heads, wrapping around the platen roller so that the second or upper row is the downstream printing row. The print heads are arranged in alternating relation between the rows such that print lines of print heads in alternate rows abut or overlap each other with respect to the width of print media.