The three main colours when printing are namely Yellow, Magenta and Cyan, with the addition of a separate black panel (K) for a higher quality black print. An overlay (O) also known as a topcoat (T) is used to protect the card and printed image from wear and tear. Please note that unlike many dye-sub printers, ID card printers use that abbreviation YMCK opposed to the more popular CMYK format.

KO – Black with Overlay
KT – Black with Topcoat
KdO – Black Dye Sublimation with Overlay
KrO – Black Resin with Overlay
K HQ – Black High quality
YMCK – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black
YMCKK – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black with additional Black for the reverse of the card
YMCKT – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black with Topcoat
YMCKO – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black with Overlay
YMCKOK – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black with Overlay Black – For full colour front with a additional black for the reverse
YMCuvK – Yellow Magenta Cyan Ultra-Violet Black
YMCKT-KT – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black Topcoat – Black Topcoat – Full colour with topcoat on front, black with topcoat on reverse.
YMCKF-KT – Yellow Magenta Cyan Black Fluorescent – Black Topcoat
Monochrome – Single colour, available in Black, Red, Blue, Green, White, Gold, Silver
Scratch – Grey scratch off panel

Please note that not all badge printers support every type of ribbon so please check to ensure that there is a compatible ribbon to suit your printing needs. If you need any advice, please get in touch.

Visit our ID ribbons page for purchasing ribbons – Datacard Ribbons, Evolis Ribbons, Magicard Ribbons, Zebra Ribbons.