Evolis Agilia Retransfer Card Printer

Evolis Agilia Retransfer ID Card Printer Overview

The Evolis Agilia is a high-performance retransfer ID card printer built for organisations that need production-grade print quality, a range of card types, and the flexibility to add encoding and security features as their needs grow. It is available in single-sided (simplex) and dual-sided configurations.

What retransfer technology means for your cards

With a direct-to-card printer, the print head touches the card surface directly, which limits both quality and the range of cards you can use. The Agilia works differently. It prints first onto a clear retransfer film, then thermally bonds that film to the card. The result is true edge-to-edge coverage with no white border at the card edge, and the 600 dpi print head renders fine details with genuine sharpness: microtext, guilloches and high-definition QR codes all come out crisp and clean. Because the film conforms to the card surface, the Agilia handles cards that would be problematic for direct-to-card printers: PVC, composite PVC, PET, ABS and PC cards all produce the same clean finish, including chip cards and cards with surface irregularities. Card thickness can range from 30 to 50 mil.

Colour profiling is built in, so the printer adjusts output to maintain consistent colour across a run, not just across a single card.

Print speed, card handling and throughput

Single-sided colour printing (YMCK) runs at up to 150 cards per hour; dual-sided (YMCKK) runs at up to 100 cards per hour. A 200-card input feeder and 100-card output hopper mean the Agilia can handle batch jobs without constant reloading, and a 10-card reject hopper keeps the output tray clear of cards that didn't pass inspection. For on-demand issuance, there is also a manual single-card feed option.

Ribbons are automatically recognised as soon as they are inserted, so there is no manual configuration when you change consumables. The YMCK ribbon (RT4F101E100) gives 600 colour prints per roll; the dual-sided YMCKK ribbon (RT5F102E100) also yields 600 prints. The retransfer film (RTCL100NAAA) delivers 1,200 prints per roll. You can order all Agilia consumables directly from the Evolis Agilia ribbons page.

Encoding, security and upgradeability

The Agilia ships as a print-only unit and can be expanded at any point with factory-fit or field-installed options. Encoding choices include a magnetic stripe encoder (ISO 7811, HiCo/LoCo 3-track), a contact smart card encoder, and a dual contactless encoder covering ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693, MIFARE and DESFire, making it a practical choice for printing and encoding access control cards in a single pass.

Security features go beyond the card itself. Advanced print elements include UV printing (using the YMCFK ribbon), microtext and guilloche patterns that are difficult to copy. Sensitive data can be erased from the printer's memory after each run. An optional electromechanical lock restricts physical access to the card feeder and ribbon compartment, and a Kensington lock slot secures the unit to a desk.

The optional Evolis Agilia Card Lamination Module (S10474) attaches to the printer and laminates cards inline, so printing, encoding and laminating happen in a single pass. It supports single and dual-sided lamination with varnish films or patch laminates, including holographic options, and extends card lifespan to up to 10 years.

Software, warranty and day-to-day use

The Agilia includes cardPresso card design software for creating and personalising badges, plus Evolis Premium Suite 2 for printer management, driver administration and status monitoring on Windows and Mac. The Evolis Print Service app allows printing directly from Android and iOS devices. The Evolis SDK is available for integration into bespoke IT systems.

The 3.5-inch colour LCD touchscreen displays real-time status and shows a QR code when a specific action is needed, such as cleaning intervals or error guidance, so staff can resolve issues without calling support.

The printer carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty, with a one-year extension available. The print head is covered for life, provided cleaning intervals are followed and the printer is run with genuine Evolis High Trust consumables; using non-genuine ribbons or film voids the print head warranty.

The Agilia is the right choice for any organisation that needs retransfer print quality, a broad range of printable card types, and a printer that can be configured and expanded to match what access control or ID issuance demands.