Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, a supply of ribbon, and a supply circuit. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure and a take-up spool enclosure. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The supply of ribbon extends from the supply spool to the take-up spool. The supply circuit includes a memory containing supply information relating to the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A method and system for securely processing a credential substrate using a credentials production system and secured consumable supply. The consumable supply is selectively in one of a plurality of states including a production disabled state and a production enabled state. The state of the consumable supply is changed from the production disabled state to the production enabled state. The state in the consumable supply is verified as being in the production enabled state prior to processing the credential substrate using the consumable supply.

Abstract: A printer includes a substrate input, a substrate transport, a printhead, a removable ribbon cartridge, a ribbon cartridge receiver, and a substrate output. The substrate transport is configured to feed a substrate from the substrate input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the substrate. The ribbon cartridge is received in the ribbon cartridge receiver and contains a supply of print ribbon that extends between supply and take-up spools and over the printhead. The substrate can then be discharged through the substrate output.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.