IDP SMART-31 Card Printer - Printing Quality/Longevity

[JazzFlute]

 

Does anyone print their own ID/access cards using this printer?

I use the manufacturer's colour ribbons, and the print quality is excellent initially. However, I've found that the cards fade quite noticeably after a year or two, even when they're kept in a lanyard holder and aren't subject to any significant wear or rubbing.

For the cards themselves, I usually purchase unbranded MIFARE cards from Amazon. They all seem to be fairly similar in quality, regardless of supplier.

Has anyone experienced the same issue or found a way to improve the longevity of their cards? Would switching to a different card type, overlay, laminate, or supplier help reduce fading and keep the print quality looking good for longer?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[andy_b]

For us the ones that fade the most are the ones that get sprayed by perfume/aftershave.

 

The occasional user likes to rub them like a talisman.

 

Other than that, they seem to last ok.  Mine is 4 years old with slight fading.

Edited 1 hour ago by andy_b

[JazzFlute]

4 minutes ago, andy_b said:

For us the ones that fade the most are the ones that get sprayed by perfume/aftershave.

 

The occasional user likes to rub them like a talisman.

 

Other than that, they seem to last ok.  Mine is 4 years old with slight fading.

Maybe it is a female perfume thing I'm not aware of as its all females.  Think I'll look on Amazon again for different "expensive" cards.

[flipthebit]

Do the ribbons you're using have an overcoat layer to help protect the other colours?

[JazzFlute]

6 minutes ago, flipthebit said:

Do the ribbons you're using have an overcoat layer to help protect the other colours?

 

Think so, if thats the clear layer on top of the ribbons.  Always buy the official ribbons so i imagine it is the quality of card im buying.

[HarryMonkey]

We have a Smart 21 printer and can't say that I've noticed any fading or had any complaints.

[JazzFlute]

8 minutes ago, HarryMonkey said:

We have a Smart 21 printer and can't say that I've noticed any fading or had any complaints.

What cards do you buy?