Card

Printer

Solutions

General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C

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P720 Plastic Card Printer

Dual-sided Lamination

2 • 9 Understand the printing process

The process of encoding, printing and applying overlaminates on both sides of the card in dual sided P720 series is made of the following steps, once the printer is powered, the driver is correctly set up, all eventual errors are recovered, all media are installed, and a printing command has been sent to the printer:

When installing cards in the feeder, the magnetic stripe of the card must be down, and the smart chip must be up. The cards are drawn from the feeder to the flip over by a roller at the bottom of the feeder. The automatical weight on the top of the card stack allows a good contact between this roller and the card. When exiting the feeder, an adjustable gauge hampers any multi card feeding.

In the flip over module, one roller is driving the card, and optical sensors control its position. If needed, the card is flipped by the rotation of the cage. Some sensors detect the final angular position of the cage.

Then the card is drawn into the printer station. Five rollers drive the card through the printer station. All rollers are positioned such that the card is always in contact with at least two of the rollers during the printing and shuttling processes.

Two optical sensors locate the card during printing and encoding processes.

The first process in the printing station is the card cleaning: the first driving roller in the printer station is creating a contact between the card and a tacky cleaning roller. This cleaning roller is part of a removable cleaning cartridge, and removes dust and debris from the top surface of the card.

The second process in the printing station is the electrical encoding when the smart card contact option is installed. Smart card programming is handled by the customer supplied programming module.

The third step in the printing station can be the encoding of the magnetic stripe (Warning: no reverse encoding option is available on P720) or the driving back to the flip over (when the electrical encoding failed, so that the card is rejected).

The fourth step in the printing station can be the driving back to the flip over (when the first side to be printed is not the encoded card side, or when the encoding failed), or the printing of the top side of the card by the thermal print head. Printing a color image requires three printing passes minimum. A ribbon is driven and detected by the module in order that it is well positioned between the print head and the card. The colors are yellow, magenta, and cyan (YMC). A resin black panel is available in the 4 and 5 panel ribbon to print bar-code and text with higher contrast.

Warning : this overlay is not compatible with the adhesive of the laminates. Some monochrome ribbons are available, which require one pass only.

Warning: holographic overlays are not compatible with the adhesive of the laminates.

The fifth step in the printing station is the driving of the card back to the flip over in order to process to the cleaning and the printing of the second card side.

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Zebra Technologies P720 specifications Understand the printing process
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P720 specifications

Zebra Technologies P720 is a leading solution in the field of mobile printing technology, catering to a diverse range of industries including retail, logistics, and healthcare. Designed for on-the-go printing needs, the P720 offers a compact and stylish design without compromising functionality. With advanced features that enhance user experience and operational efficiency, the P720 has established itself as a reliable choice for businesses seeking high-quality mobile printing solutions.

One of the standout characteristics of the Zebra P720 is its lightweight and portable design, allowing users to easily carry it while working in the field. Despite its compact size, the printer delivers exceptional performance, capable of producing high-resolution prints quickly. The P720 supports a variety of print media, including labels, tags, and receipts, providing flexibility for various applications.

The P720 is powered by advanced printing technology that ensures crisp and clear output, with a resolution that reaches up to 300 dpi. Users appreciate the vibrant colors and sharp text produced by the printer, making it ideal for printing barcodes and other essential business documents. Moreover, the printer supports both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing methods, giving users additional options based on their specific needs.

Connectivity is another key feature of the Zebra P720. It supports multiple wireless communication options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, enabling seamless integration with various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This flexibility is especially beneficial in fast-paced environments where connectivity is crucial for efficient operations.

The printer is also equipped with a user-friendly interface, featuring an intuitive control panel that allows for easy navigation through settings and configurations. Automatic power-saving features help enhance battery life, ensuring that users can rely on the printer for extended periods without frequent recharging.

In terms of durability, the Zebra P720 is designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. It has a robust construction meant to endure drops and exposure to the elements, making it suitable for outdoor work scenarios. Overall, the Zebra Technologies P720 stands out for its combination of portability, advanced printing capabilities, and versatile connectivity options, making it a top choice for businesses looking to enhance their mobile printing operations.
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