Whether you're new at printing employee/student ID cards or a pro with several batches under your belt, you need to know when it's time to clean your printer. You risk printing sub-par ID cards and potentially damaging your ID card printer if you don't keep it clean.
Here's everything you need to know about cleaning your ID card printer.
How to tell when your printer needs cleaned
Knowing the signs will help you avoid damaging your ID card printer and creating less than professional cards and badges. Watch for any of the following as a telltale sign your printer needs cleaned.
- Broken or torn ribbons. While there are a few reasons your printer ribbon breaks or tears, one of the most common is not regularly cleaning your card printer. These machines are very sensitive to dust, dirt, and debris. Consistently cleaning it can not only extend its lifespan but can also keep your employee/student ID card program up and running in excellent condition.
- Printing defects. Are you experiencing random lines that go through your cards, smudging, or other inconsistencies during printing? If your ID cards are not consistently printing in a professional, high-quality manner, a good cleaning can fix the problem.
- Card jams. If your cards don't feed properly or jam up during the printing process, most often a good cleaning will correct the problem. Again, these machines are sensitive so any bit of dirt or debris can jam the process and result in less than perfect ID cards.
- Poor image quality. For organizations that require professional headshots of employees or students for easy visual identification, a poor image quality puts your ID card solution at risk. If your images are grainy, smudged, or smeared, it's probably time to clean your ID card printer before you print another badge.
If you see any of the above signs, don't think you can power through the problem. One of the easiest ways to damage your printhead is to continue printing without cleaning the printer first. And replacing yourID card printer's printhead is an expensive repair that's best avoided with proper care and cleaning.
What comes in a cleaning kit?
First, it's important to always use the cleaning kit recommended by your ID card's manufacturer. Tailored for your make and model, a kit comes with everything you need. While specific cleaning kits vary by manufacturer and model, you can expect the following in a printer cleaning kit.
- Printhead cleaning pens
- Swabs and wipes
- Cleaning cards (usually extra-long and alcohol soaked)
- Sticky cleaning rollers
- Cleaning cloths
How to clean your ID card printer
Proactively cleaning your ID card printer rather than reacting to signs it needs cleaned will help expand your printer's lifespan. Consistent and regular cleaning reduces the likelihood of damage to your printhead, a costly and time-consuming repair. It also means you'll produce consistent and professional ID cards and badges that accurately represent your organization.
Each manufacturer produces a cleaning kit for their ID card printer models. Each kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions and everything you need to keep your printer in good working condition. Some ID card vendors carry cleaning kits for discontinued models to make sure you get the most life out of your printer. Check with your vendor to find the right cleaning kit for your ID card printer make and model.
How often should you clean your printer?
The best rule of thumb to keep your ID card printer in excellent condition is to clean it every time you replace the ribbon. This is an easy way to remember to clean it often, to ensure your best print quality and prevent expensive repairs.
One thing to note is that ID card printer cleaning kits have a shelf life. As a general rule, it's best to use a cleaning kit within a year of its purchase. Using cleaning kits older than a year might reduce their effectiveness, leaving your printhead open to damage.
Final thoughts
To get the most out of your ID card printer and consistently produce high quality badges and cards, clean your printer regularly, at least every time you change the ribbon. If you don't clean your printer, chances are it will cost you a lot more time and money in printer repairs and reprinting cards.
If you're uncertain what cleaning kit to buy or need help to understand the process, contact an Idesco ID Expert. We specialize in every manufacturer's make and model and can help you get exactly what you need. An ID Expert can walk you through the cleaning process to ensure you're maintaining your ID card printer like a professional.