HID Fargo Ribbons

Unlike traditional liquid ink for paper printers, Fargo ribbons feature an advanced roll of thin film engineered with multi-color panels. During printing, the printhead applies precise heat to vaporize the color, permanently fusing it into the card for flawless, long-lasting durability. 

Fargo ribbons are smartly classified by their color panel arrangement, with each ribbon name serving as a direct acronym for its capabilities. Understanding these codes helps you choose the perfect match for your printing needs:

• Y (Yellow): Brings vibrant yellow tones to your design.
• M (Magenta): Delivers rich pink/magenta hues.
• C (Cyan): Provides deep sky-blue shades.
• K (Black Resin): Engineered for ultra-sharp black text, crisp graphics, and scannable barcodes.
• O (Overlay): A clear, protective shield that locks in your design, preventing fading and safeguarding cards from daily scratches.

No matter your card design requirements, Fargo offers a tailored ribbon solution. Explore the most widely used ribbon types to find your perfect match:

• YMCKO (Full-Color with Protection): The industry standard for vibrant, full-color printing on a single side, complete with a protective overlay to ensure longevity.
• YMCKOK (Smart Dual-Sided Printing): Engineered for dual-sided (duplex) cards. It delivers stunning full color on the front, while reserving an extra black (K) panel for cost-effective text or barcode printing on the back.
• BO (Black Overlay): The ideal, cost-efficient choice when you only need sharp black text or graphics but still require a durable, protective overlay.
• Premium Black (K - Monochrome): A dedicated, high-performance black ribbon designed purely for single-color printing—perfect for cards featuring text-only layouts or basic data.

HID Fargo printers utilize two distinct core technologies, each requiring a specific type of ribbon optimized for its unique printing process:

• Direct-to-Card (DTC) Technology: Engineered for direct contact. Compatible with ribbons for the DTC1250e or DTC1500 series, the color panels are transferred straight onto the PVC card surface, making it the perfect choice for fast, cost-effective, and reliable everyday printing.
• High Definition Printing (HDP) / Retransfer Technology: Designed for ultimate perfection. The ribbon never actually touches the card; instead, the design is printed onto a specialized Retransfer Film first, which is then seamlessly fused to the card. This advanced method delivers stunning, photo-like quality and flawless, over-the-edge coverage with no white borders.