I have worked with Fargo printers now for almost 5 years and they make a good quality product. But like any product sometimes they have best practices, good techniques to use, or just overall user knowledge that does not seem to get out to the end user. So this will just be a simple guide to pass on some of the things I have discovered to maybe help save someone else a headache.

First, always do your research. I can not tell you how many times I have tried to help someone that let a salesman talk them into the wrong printer. Or who were so focused on the price of a printer having to be a certain $$$ amount or under, that they lost site of the fact that the printer they chose based on price would not even do the work they needed. So compare, ask a lot of questions, read everything you can, find someone you feel comfortable with that has a good reputation in the business to help you. Check out websites with a lot of information on specific brands you are interested in. A good source for Fargo printers is Integrated ID Systems site listed below as they have a lot of the pdf specification files for the printers easily accessible on their site. But always remember it is up to you to do the research.

Second, you need to maintain these printers. Make sure you know how to clean them. You get regular service on your car, home air conditioning unit, your office copier, etc. It's no different for your ID printer. By cleaning them and sending them in for regular servicing, you can extend the life of your printer. These things are not cheap, so making them last is always a good thing especially in today's economy.

For specific Fargo models, here are some helpful hints. Fargo DTC 525 & DTC 550 printers: the blue cartridge inside where the ribbon goes is a cleaning cartridge. Make sure on the DTC 525 that you are changing that tape - it acts like a lint brush for your cards and helps prevent debris from damaging your print head. Good rule of thumb would be to check it after every 100 cards and definitely replace it after 500. For the DTC 550 printer, you get a new cleaning roller every time you change your ribbon. So make sure you replace the cleaning cartridge at the same time you change your ribbon. A print head is one of the more expensive parts in the printer, so simply by doing this you are saving yourself some $$$.

The HDP 5000 is one of the new Fargo printers. Its very modular in construction so you are actually piecing it together as you expand your printer capabilities. This is great because you now only have to buy what you need but still have room to expand. One thing I have noticed with the fully expanded HDP 5000 - LC model is that to help avoid error messages on start up, always plug the lamination (LC) module in first and then plug-in the main printing module. It just seems to help prevent error messages on start ups.

When you are putting a ribbon inside a DTC 525, DTC 550, HDP 600 or even the old Pro printers from Fargo, always be careful of your rings. In these printers when you replace a ribbon, you place the full, non used ribbon on the right side and then you drag across to the left the empty, used ribbon take up spool. That is fine but the print head is sitting right over the take up spool slot and when you are moving your hand around in there it is very easy for a ring on your left hand to hit the print head. The print head surface is a thin sheet of glass which is very easily cracked. So always be aware of where your rings are or simply place the full, non used ribbon in place on the right, then switch the empty spool to your right hand and use that hand to insert the empty spool in place. Even if your right hand has rings, they will be turned down to the inside of the printer and only you fingertips will have a chance of bumping the print head if you use your right hand.

I hope these suggestions have been of help. If you need any further assistance or suggestions you can visit www.idbadgecenter.com and contact our support team.

Thanks,

ID Badge Center Support Team

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