The technology that will change the way cards are made! " Contisystems

Continuing its commitment to Payment Solutions, Contisystems has invested in a new machine. The new Entrust Datacard MX 2100 joins the existing fleet of machines with an innovative module - Durable Graphics!

We have seen a significant increase in the number of cards with a vertical orientation, which gives issuers greater creative flexibility in terms of layouts. At the same time, we know that, for reasons of efficiency and even sustainability, the card's shelf life has been increasing. It was in the search for a personalization option that ensures format flexibility and durability that we came up with Durable Graphics.

Thermal transfer printing is used on billions of cards worldwide. However, in the case of critical personalization data, the standards of international financial associations require the use of a protective layer (topcoat or overlay) to ensure durability. The problem is that this layer often compromises the aesthetics of the card and even nullifies the reflection of the holograms, which has implications for the approval of the design by international schemes.

The typical card, whether it's a bank card or not, is subject to a wide range of external factors that can reduce its useful life: humidity, contact with creams or alcohol, friction from repeated use or storage in unprotected places (e.g. pockets), exposure to UV light, abrasion from repeated use or from being stored in an exposed position, among many others.

Durable Graphics technology combines the simplicity of thermal transfer printing with UV application to achieve a high level of durability without applying layers of protection. This type of personalization is durable, in line with the values sought by the banking sector, and gives enormous flexibility in personalization formats, opening the door to the customer's creativity.

In short, Durable Graphics brings the following new features:

Allows personalization anywhere on the card, front or back
Allows printing in OpenType fonts and even images (for example, there could be a single card stock, differentiating between credit and debit or professional and personal through personalization).
It has a much higher print quality than traditional thermo-printing (600 dpis)

It should also be noted that this machine, as well as the others that make up Contisystems' personalization fleet, minimize human intervention as much as possible in order to avoid matching errors and ensure total security and confidentiality.

Find out more and make the best decision for your cards.