Here is a partial list of the other things to look for to help avoid the heartbreak of laser incompatibility:

For cut cards (like our 7 mil Laser Plastic Cards):

1. Dot glue vs line glue - both can be OK - look for how secure the card is glued and whether the card releases with a minimum of paper fiber. If the top edge is not glued securely, you are very likely to experience the card releasing early (in the laser).
2. Card position on the form - if the elevated card substrate is too close to the pull wheels, the form may skew in the printer (be careful to know whether the laser is pulling from the long edge or the short edge).
3. Be aware that more heat is usually better than less heat for toner adhesion - using a power saver mode may cause poor toner adhesion on plastic card surfaces.
4. Be aware that some continuous LED lasers cannot achieve toner adhesion when lasering variable information between two elevated substrates (on the form).
5. Affixing accuracy is essential - make sure you include affixing guide marks on the form. Know what kind of affixing equipment your manufacturing partner intends to use (Tamaracks, Ga-Vehrens and Huncklers are usually OK).
6. Don't print anything requiring heavy ink coverage on the form where you intend to affix the card, and affix in a debossed well if possible.
7. Card adhesion and release will generally work better when using a smooth uncoated paper rather than a vellum (or porous) paper surface.
8. Remember that laser toner can NOT adhere to a laser plastic card surface if there is a preprinted solid or a screen greater than 15% in the area to be laser personalized.

For clean release cards (Like our Laser-X Cards):

1. Be aware that most clean release card products are printed flexographic rather than lithographic, so image quality and screen configurations may be an issue.
2. Remember that clean release material is often inconsistent - card adhesion and release can vary greatly form lot to lot. Hence, you must be very careful in testing this product EVERY TIME YOU ORDER IT to be sure it continues to work in your client's laser.
3. Be careful - sometimes you will need a dry edge for easier release, and sometimes you should not have a dry edge (because it will release too early).
4. Affixing accuracy is essential - make sure you include affixing guide marks on the form. Know what kind of affixing equipment your manufacturing partner intends to use (For example, Quadrels are significantly more accurate than Labelaire equipment)
5. Remember that some clean release card materials (like Kimdura) can be problematic for laser acceptability.
6. Card position on the form is even more critical than when using cut cards - if the card is too close to the pull wheels, the form may skew in the printer and cause it to jam.
7. For the most part, clean release products have more successful field experience on continuous lasers rather than on cut sheet lasers.
8. To insure toner adhesion, be sure to request a laser UV varnish in the areas to be personalized

For integrated cards (Like our laminated face and back Cards):

1. Since there are numerous laminate choices, each functioning best with specific laser types, be sure to request the correct laminate type for your end user's laser,
2. Often the dies that die cut the cards from the laminate are either defective or old, Hence the die may either cut through both the laminate and the form, or it may not cut through either material fully.
3. Card position on the form is critical - if the laminated card is too close to the pull wheels, the form may skew in the printer (be careful to know whether the laser is pulling from the long edge or the short edge).
4. Some finishing equipment will leave an oversized patch for the back laminated area causing an edge to pull up when going through the laser causing it to jam. For example Tamarack equipment seems to be more flexible in this regard than Hunckler equipment.
5. Die cutting accuracy is essential - it is best to include die cutting guideline marks on the form to assist the finishing operator in making an accurate and consistent die cut.
6. Many lasers will not handle integrated product at all. For example most Xerox cut sheet lasers can only process an integrated product that has 1 mil laminate (either on the face OR on the back - but not both, and only 1 mil - not 2 mil).

For more information about laser compatible cards and how they work with lasers, please contact:

Richard Faust, CFC President Membership Cards Only, LLC (800) 772-2737

John Meginley Vice President, Sales Membership Cards Only, LLC (800) 772-2737

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