Ribbons

An ID card printer ribbon has to match the printer you run and the finish you need, so the model number matters most. Full-colour ribbons and dye films cover photo ID and branded passes, while monochrome and black resin handle text and barcodes. Retransfer film feeds retransfer printers. Overlaminates, both overlay and patch, add a protective or hologram layer.

Ribbon types at a glance

For a fuller guide to panels, yields and choosing the right ribbon, read ID card printer ribbons explained.

Full colour ribbons

Yellow, magenta and cyan panels blend into photo-quality images, with a resin black panel for text and barcodes and a clear overlay to protect the card. The usual choice for photo ID.

Single colour ribbons

Print one colour, most often black, for names, numbers and barcodes. One panel per card means far more prints per roll than a colour ribbon.

Specialist ribbons

Add a feature a standard ribbon cannot, such as a scratch-off panel that hides a code until it is revealed or a security mark for anti-counterfeiting.

Retransfer film

Used only in retransfer printers. The design is printed onto clear film, which is then bonded to the card for edge-to-edge coverage, even on uneven smart cards.

What the ribbon codes mean

The letters on a ribbon list its panels in order. Y, M and C are the colour panels, K is resin black and O is the clear overlay.

Code	What it prints
YMCKO	Full colour on one side plus resin black and a protective overlay
Half-panel YMCKO	Colour on part of the card only, such as the photo, so each roll lasts longer
YMCKOK	Full colour front and a black reverse on a dual-sided printer
KO	Resin black with a protective overlay
K (monochrome)	One colour only: black, a colour, metallic or scratch-off
Retransfer film	The clear film a retransfer printer bonds onto the card

Options cover Zebra ZXP Series 1, 3, 7 and 8 plus the ZC100, ZC300 and ZC350. Fargo and HID Fargo DTC1000, DTC4000, DTC4500, HDP5000 and HDP8500 are here as well, along with Evolis, Magicard, Datacard, Entrust, Matica, IDP Smart, Swiftpro, Nisca, Javelin, HiTi, Seaory and the Evolis Badgy.

YMCKO covers single-sided colour, YMCKOK adds black for the reverse and YMCKK gives black on both sides. Half-panel ribbons such as Fargo 45114 or Zebra 800300-370EM cut colour cost when only the photo needs it. KO and KrO black with overlay suit single-colour work. UV panel ribbons like the Magicard Prima 4 YMCK-UV Prima434 add a fluorescent security mark.

Ribbon yield is quoted as images per ribbon, typically 100 to 1000 for colour and 600 to 2500 for monochrome, with some Zebra single-colour rolls at 5000. Ribbons are sold as single rolls. The exception is the Badgy Consumables Kit VBDG205EU, a ribbon with 100 cards. They print onto standard PVC cards, usually CR80, the credit card format at 85.6 x 54mm.

Compatible printers: if you are choosing a new printer, browse our ID card printers.

Ribbons by printer brand: Magicard printer ribbons, Datacard ribbons, Zebra ribbons, FARGO printer ribbons, IDP Smart ribbons, Matica printer ribbons, HiTi ribbons, Pointman ribbons, Javelin ribbons, EasyBadge ribbons and PriceCardPro ribbons.

Send us your printer make and model and Plastic ID will point you to the exact ribbon. Can't see it? Get in touch and we will source it.

Find your ribbon

Choose your printer to see every ribbon that fits it, with print counts and part codes.

Want to know what each card costs to print? See our guide to the cost of printing an ID card.