If you want a background image that covers the entire card, this is how best to achieve that result. Because the transfer film and applied image can be slightly longer and wider than the card itself, there is no visible margin. What are the differences in results?īy laying the film over the card, a retransfer printer is capable of “over-the-edge” printing that maximizes the card’s surface area. After applying the color inks, the printer then applies a clear varnish across the full surface of the card, so as to protect the printed image. With this method, the card and print-ribbon pass over the stationary print-head, sequentially applying yellow, magenta, cyan and black ink (YMCK) to create virtually any color. On the other hand, direct-to-card printers place the images and text directly onto the card. The transfer film helps protect the printed card details from abrasion and color fading, due to UV-light sources. The full, finished card-image is then thermally fused to the card’s surface.
This is accomplished through a series of passes, one for each color being applied or created. With retransfer printers, your card design (images and text) are first printed onto a clear “transfer film”. Retransfer print process image courtesy of Magicard.
