Fill out my online form.
This product has been discontinued.
IDP 659896 YMCK Color Ribbon for Smart-81 ID Card Printer (500 Prints)
IDP 659896 YMCK Color Ribbon for Smart-81 ID Card Printer (500 Prints)
IN STOCK
$0.00 each
Volume Pricing Availale
Save up to 0%
Current Discount: 0%
Next: -
| Quantity | Discount |
|---|
Product Specifications
Product Specifications
-
Part number: 659896
- Product Discontinued - Upgrade to IDP 653547 for Complete Kit Solution
- Print Up to 500 Full-Color Cards for Medium-Volume Applications
- Produce 16.7 Million Colors with YMCK Dye-Sublimation Technology
- Engineered Specifically for Smart-81 Retransfer Printer Performance
- Required Separate Retransfer Film Purchase (Part 653431)
- Maintain Print Quality with Included Cleaning Roller
Total Price:
$0.00
Description
🔄 PRODUCT UPDATE
✅ Product Discontinued: IDP 659896 → Updated to 653547
IDP 659896 YMCK Color Ribbon has been officially phased out and replaced by the IDP 653547 YMCK Color Ribbon and Retransfer Film Kit, bundling both essential consumables together for the Smart-81 retransfer printer series with the same 500-print yield, eliminating the need to purchase ribbon and film separately.
Create professional edge-to-edge ID cards with 500 prints per kit using IDP's genuine retransfer technology that combines YMCK dye-sublimation ribbon with retransfer film for superior print quality on uneven surfaces including smart chip and RFID cards, delivering brilliant 300 dpi images (upgradeable to 600 dpi) with IDP FINEâ„¢ imaging technology producing up to 16.7 million colors for professional card production in corporate, government, educational, and healthcare environments.
Why This Professional YMCK Retransfer Kit Excels
- Complete kit bundles ribbon and retransfer film together — Eliminates the two-SKU ordering complexity of the discontinued 659896, providing both YMCK color ribbon and 500 prints worth of retransfer film in one convenient package optimized for the Smart-81 series
- Four-panel YMCK delivers 16.7 million colors — Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan dye-sublimation panels combine to create photographic-quality images with continuous tones and realistic skin tones, while the Black resin panel produces dense, scanner-readable text and barcodes
- Retransfer technology enables true edge-to-edge printing — Images print onto clear retransfer film then heat-transfer to card surface under pressure, producing infinity edge cards without white borders while working flawlessly on uneven surfaces like IC chip cards and RFID credentials where direct printing fails
- Industry-leading speed with Rapid Retransfer Printing — IDP's patented RRP technology delivers single-sided cards in just 25 seconds (144 cards/hour) and dual-sided cards in 43 seconds, providing the fastest first-card-out time in the retransfer printer market
- Built-in cleaning roller maintains print quality — Disposable cleaning roller included with each kit removes dust particles and debris automatically, ensuring flawless printing quality while reducing printhead contamination and maintenance requirements
- RFID tag authentication ensures genuine consumables — Smart-81 printers actively verify ribbon authenticity through RF Tag technology with laser-engraved manufacture dates for inventory tracking, preventing use of incompatible third-party ribbons that void warranty coverage
- Lifetime printhead warranty with genuine supplies — IDP backs Smart-81 printers with lifetime printhead warranty when using genuine IDP consumables, protecting your investment and ensuring optimal performance with ribbons engineered specifically for retransfer technology
Compatible IDP Smart-81 Printers
- IDP Smart-81S (Single-sided) — Designed for single-sided retransfer printing applications producing 500 full-color cards per kit, ideal for employee badges, student IDs, and access control credentials requiring professional edge-to-edge quality
- IDP Smart-81D (Dual-sided) — Optimized for dual-sided printing yielding approximately 250 cards when printing full color on both sides, though IDP recommends YMCKK ribbon (part 653378) for efficient dual-sided applications with color front and black back
- IDP Smart-81L (With lamination) — Complete solution combining retransfer printing with security lamination module for high-security applications requiring tamper-evident holographic overlays and extended card durability in government and banking environments
- Smart-81 HD (600 DPI) — Enhanced resolution model delivering crisp 600 x 600 dpi output for applications requiring ultra-sharp text, detailed logos, and superior photographic reproduction on professional identification credentials
- Retransfer film integration — Kit includes matched retransfer film essential for Smart-81 operation where printhead prints image onto film reverse side before heat-transferring to card, protecting printhead from damage while enabling printing on technology-embedded cards
- Card substrate compatibility — Works with PVC cards, composite cards (60/40 PVC/PET ratios), PC, PET, and polycarbonate materials in CR80 standard size with thickness ranging from 0.76mm (30mil) to 1.6mm (64mil)
- Technology-embedded card support — Excels at printing on cards with uneven surfaces created by magnetic stripes, RFID/proximity chips (HID Prox, iClass, SEOS), contact smart cards, contactless smart cards (MIFARE, DESFire EV2), and dual-interface cards
How YMCK Retransfer Technology Works
1. Ribbon Loading
YMCK ribbon loads into drawer-type cartridge with RFID tag authentication, while retransfer film installs in dedicated holder - Smart-81 LCD displays both ribbon and film status for easy monitoring
2. Film Printing
Thermal printhead heats Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan panels causing dye sublimation that transfers colors onto reverse side of clear retransfer film, building full-spectrum images without touching card surface
3. Black Resin Application
Separate black resin panel uses thermal transfer to print dense text, barcodes, and fine details onto film, creating scanner-readable elements with maximum contrast and sharpness
4. Heat Transfer Process
Printed film heat-transfers onto card surface under pressure using IDP's patented Rapid Retransfer technology, encapsulating image between film and card for edge-to-edge coverage and protection
5. Quality Assurance
Cleaning roller removes debris while fine dust filter controls temperature during continuous issuance, producing brilliant glossy cards with 300 dpi quality (upgradeable to 600 dpi) suitable for professional identification
Specifications
| Part Number: | 653547 |
| Print Yield: | 500 prints |
| Kit Contents: | YMCK ribbon + retransfer film + cleaning roller |
| Compatible Printer: | IDP Smart-81 Series (S/D/L/HD) |
| Print Technology: | Retransfer with dye-sublimation |
| Panel Configuration: | Y, M, C, K (four panels) |
| Color Capability: | 16.7 million colors (IDP FINEâ„¢) |
| Print Resolution: | 300 x 300 dpi (upgradeable to 600 dpi) |
| Print Speed: | 25 sec/card single, 43 sec/card dual |
| Shelf Life: | Up to 12 months (proper storage) |
Perfect Applications for Retransfer Printing
- Smart Chip Employee Badges — Professional corporate credentials featuring full-color photos and company branding printed over embedded contact or contactless smart chips, maintaining perfect image quality across uneven IC chip surfaces
- RFID Access Control Cards — Security badges combining employee photos with RFID proximity technology for building access, printed edge-to-edge without white borders while preserving antenna functionality beneath card surface
- Banking Instant Issuance Cards — Financial institution cards complying with international banking security standards, featuring customer photos, account information, and magnetic stripes with tamper-evident security features when combined with Smart-81L lamination
- Government ID Credentials — High-security identification for federal, state, and local agencies requiring superior image quality, embedded smart chip compatibility, and optional UV security features for law enforcement and military applications
- University Student IDs — Educational credentials with edge-to-edge printing featuring student photos, institutional branding, and integrated contactless payment technology for campus dining and building access with exceptional durability
- Healthcare Provider Badges — Medical facility identification combining staff photos, department information, and access credentials on cards with embedded RFID technology, printed with retransfer quality ensuring readability throughout demanding clinical environments
Common Questions
What's the difference between YMCK and YMCKO ribbons?
YMCK has four panels (Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black resin) while YMCKO adds an Overlay panel. For Smart-81 retransfer printers, the YMCK configuration is standard because the retransfer film itself provides protective encapsulation when heat-transferred to the card surface, making the additional overlay less critical than with direct-to-card printers.
Why was IDP 659896 discontinued?
The 659896 was a ribbon-only product requiring separate purchase of retransfer film (part 653431), creating inventory management complexity. The 653547 bundles both essential consumables together, simplifying ordering and ensuring matched components optimized for Smart-81 retransfer technology.
How many cards can I print with one 653547 kit?
You can print up to 500 single-sided, full-color cards with retransfer film included. For dual-sided full-color printing, the effective yield is approximately 250 cards. IDP recommends using YMCKK ribbon (part 653378) for dual-sided applications with color front and black back for optimal efficiency.
Is Specialist ID an authorized IDP dealer?
Yes. Specialist ID is an authorized dealer for IDP Smart series printers and consumables in the United States, providing genuine ribbons with full manufacturer support and warranty protection.
What is retransfer printing and why does it matter?
Retransfer printing prints images onto clear film first, then heat-transfers the film to the card. This enables true edge-to-edge printing without white borders, works perfectly on uneven surfaces like smart chip cards, and protects the printhead since it never contacts the card surface directly. This technology is essential for high-quality credentials with embedded technology.
Can I use this ribbon with other IDP printers?
No, the IDP 653547 kit is specifically engineered for the Smart-81 retransfer printer series only. It includes retransfer film designed for Smart-81's retransfer technology. Using consumables not designed for your specific printer model can damage equipment and void warranty coverage.
How should I store unused ribbon kits?
Store kits in original sealed packaging in climate-controlled environments at 15-35°C (59-95°F) with 35-70% humidity, away from direct sunlight. IDP ribbons maintain quality for up to 12 months from manufacture date when stored properly. Check laser-engraved manufacture dates on RFID tags and implement FIFO inventory rotation.
How often should I clean my Smart-81 printer?
IDP recommends cleaning after each ribbon change as standard practice. Additional cleaning intervals: after 1,000 cards using YMCKO ribbon, after 2,500 cards using KO ribbon, after 5,000 cards using MONO ribbon, and after 800 cards using YMCKOK ribbon. The disposable cleaning roller included with each kit can be washed with running water and reused.
Why should I shred used ribbons?
Used ribbons retain reverse images of every printed card showing names, photos, ID numbers, and potentially sensitive data. Shredding protects against identity theft, fraud, and counterfeiting while meeting regulatory compliance requirements for HIPAA (healthcare), PCI-DSS (financial), FERPA (education), GLBA (financial services), and GDPR (EU privacy).
What is Ribbon Save mode?
The "Ribbon Split - Yes" setting in the printer driver prevents unnecessary waste when printing dual-sided cards. It uses YMC plus overlay panels for the front and only the K panel for the back in a single pass instead of two, significantly reducing ribbon consumption. This feature is available in Windows printer settings under Printing Preferences.
Why choose genuine IDP ribbons over alternatives?
IDP officially states: "The use of non-branded ribbons does not provide high-quality print quality and reduces the performance and lifespan of the card printer. The use of non-IDP ribbons can cause detrimental effects to the inside of the printhead as the ribbon particles are uneven and wasted, and we will no longer provide technical support for problems and device errors." Genuine ribbons maintain warranty coverage and printer longevity.
Questions about IDP retransfer printing or Smart-81 setup?
Our IDP Smart-81 experts can help you with retransfer technology, ribbon selection, and best practices for professional ID card production with edge-to-edge quality.
Call 1-800-380-6726 or Contact us for specialized support.