Having a professional looking identification card with crisp images and no blemishes is must-have in today’s corporate and university environments. Card Printers certainly play a part in the process, but taking care of your blank ID card stock should be a priority. Improperly handling cards before printing can create flaws in your card stock that will be reflected or even magnified in your printed cards. The following are a few tips to consider when handling cards:

• Environment – Cards should be kept in the air-tight, water resistant containers when not in use. Most card stocks from Zebra, Fargo, Datacard, and Evolis come in 5 x 100 card packages. It is best to only open one container at a time. Cards also should be stored in a regulated temperature environment. Extreme heat or extreme cold can make cards brittle and more susceptible to snapping.

• Handling: Oils and fingerprints from your hands can leave a residue on the card that will impact the overall print quality of the card. We recommend only touching the edge of the cards when loading and handling your ID cards. Anti-static gloves can also be worn which will reduce the residue left on cards.

• Inputting: Always inspect the stock to make sure you have received the proper cards and no identifiable blemishes exist with in the cards.

For more information about ID cards and handling, contact us at Barcodes Inc.