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.

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.

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.