Why is it important to keep your ID card printer clean?
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Printers can be tricky things, and the thought of cleaning one probably doesn’t sound appealing. These types of printers, like any other, are always prone to attract a certain amount of dust and dirt build-up. However, like most machines or appliances in your office or home, your ID card printing machine cleaning routine is one of the most important parts of keeping your printer running optimally and efficiently. If you take the time and the resources to invest in a quality plastic card printer, it only makes sense that you take the time to clean it on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may risk having to replace it.
How often do I need to clean my ID card and badge printer?
Most ID card and badge printer manufacturers recommend cleaning your printer each time you change the ribbon. Doing this can greatly reduce the chances of tiny debris within the system from damaging internal components, like the printhead, which can be very expensive to replace.
To ensure your printer runs as smoothly as possible, it is important to clean its printed at least once a year. The debris gets caught in the printhead and creates a temporary ‘umbrella’ effect. As a result, the printer tries to apply the imagery as normal, but small surface imperfections are left on the card. This makes the printed card look unprofessional. The solution to the problem depends on the source of the debris.
Regular cleaning of your ID card printer’s printhead is essential to ensure its optimum performance. Regular cleaning prevents the onset of print-quality problems, card jams, and ribbon breaks. It also boosts the printer’s performance. In fact, many manufacturers require regular in-house maintenance to keep the warranty valid. You can use cleaning swabs, which look like large Q-tips, to do this yourself. The cleaning kit also contains the right swabs. Keep in mind that the ID printer ribbons have a shelf life of about two years, so it is important to buy the right ones. Also, you should always avoid using off-brand ribbons because this can cause damage to the printer’s print head.
What do I need to clean my ID card printer?
The most important thing to remember is always to use genuine cleaning kits, swabs, and cards from the printer manufacturer, as they are specifically engineered for your printer model. It’s easy to order replacement kits when ordering new ribbons from ID Card Suppliers, such as ID Cards Direct.
Using the correct cleaning kit recommended by your ID card printer manufacturer ensures you are doing a good job. These products are designed for your exact printer model and won’t compromise any part of your machine.
If you fail to clean your plastic card printer’s printhead regularly, you may notice that your prints are faulty. This is a result of debris accumulating on the print rollers, which can damage the printhead and cause other problems. If you notice white lines on your plastic cards, you should clean the print rollers to reduce the possibility of these problems. To clean your print head, you can use isopropanol cleaning swabs.
To avoid this issue, you must clean your ID card printer regularly. Using improper cleaning solutions can reduce the quality of prints and shorten the life of your printer. To do this, use lint-free gloves and a cleaning stick. Clean the print head every few months or when the print head reaches the end of the ribbon. This process will also extend the life of your printer. Cleaning your plastic card printer’s printhead is an essential part of maintaining your printer.
The best thing about using these kits is that it is virtually no-mess! Cleaning swabs and cards are pre-treated with a cleaning solution, so you don’t have to handle or measure out any chemicals, it is all done for you so that it couldn’t be any easier!
How do I know my ID card printer is dirty?
The best thing to do to keep your printer clean is to create a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Don’t wait until issues occur to clean the printer. If you wait until you encounter problems, you’ll likely end up damaging your printer. This can result in unnecessary expenses for repairs and replacement parts. It’s also a good idea to keep blank ID cards and spare ribbons packed away, so you do not risk inserting a dirty card into the printer for processing.
Signs your ID card printer needs a good clean:
– Poor image or print quality
– Card jams and card feeding mishaps
– Ink ribbons keep tearing or breaking
Some of the above can be difficult to put right even after cleaning, so you really don’t want to get to that stage before you start cleaning and maintaining your id card printing machine. As soon as you notice any changes to the printer’s performance, it is worth giving it a clean to iron out any immediate problems.
