Datacard Group RL90 User Manual

RP90 Plus E Card Printer and RL90 Card Laminator:  
User Guide  
June 2008  
Part Number 570024-002 Rev B  
Contents  
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1  
2 Using the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Initialize the patch or topcoat material  
(optional RL90 laminator only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17  
3 Viewing and changing  
printer settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
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539653-002 Rev B  
4 Taking care of your printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43  
5 Messages  
and error recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51  
6 Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
7 Site requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71  
A Magnetic Stripe Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77  
B Compliance (FCC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
v
Liability statement  
Liability statement  
This Datacard® product has been built to the high standards of DataCard Corporation  
Corporation (doing business as Datacard Group). Please note and heed the WARNING  
and CAUTION labels that have been placed on the equipment for your safety. PLEASE  
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE OR REPAIR THIS EQUIPMENT WITHOUT  
ADEQUATE TRAINING. ANY USE, OPERATION OR REPAIR IN CONTRAVENTION OF  
THIS DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SYSTEM YOU  
HEREBY ASSUME ALL LIABILITY CONSEQUENT TO YOUR USE OR MISUSE OF THIS  
EQUIPMENT. DATACARD CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY  
INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OF ANY KIND.  
Equipment specifications, applications and options are subject to change at the sole  
discretion of DataCard Corporation without notice.  
Safety  
All Datacard® products are built to strict safety and reliability specifications in accordance  
with UL60950 and Canadian requirements, and the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.  
Therefore, safety issues pertaining to operation and repair of Datacard® equipment are  
primarily environmental and human interface.  
The following basic safety tips are given to ensure safe installation, operation and  
maintenance of Datacard® equipment and are not to be considered as comprehensive on  
all matters of safety.  
Safe environment  
Connect equipment to a grounded facility power source. Do not defeat or bypass  
the ground lead.  
Place the equipment on a stable surface (table) and ensure floors in the work area  
are dry and non-slip. Insulated rubber floor mats are preferred.  
Know the location of equipment branch circuit interrupters or circuit breakers and  
how to turn them on and off in case of emergency.  
Know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them. ABC type  
extinguishers may be used on electrical fires.  
Know local procedures for first aid and emergency assistance at the customer  
facility.  
Use adequate lighting at the equipment.  
Maintain the recommended range of temperature and humidity in equipment area.  
Keep paper and foreign materials off the printer and optional laminator.  
Keep all dust, dirt, food, liquids, etc. away from the printer at all times.  
Safe human interface  
Use proper lifting techniques when moving or installing the equipment.  
Use standard electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when working on or near  
electrical circuits.  
vi  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
         
Introduction  
1
About this manual  
This manual provides detailed information about the Datacard® RP90 Plus E card printer  
and the optional Datacard® RL90 card laminator. The first section provides operators with  
basic information about the printer and laminator including drawings and parts  
identification. The second section provides the information needed to use the printer, and  
the third section talks about viewing and changing printer settings including printing  
preferences and setting properties. Detailed error recovery information is provided in  
section five and includes LCD messages and how to recover from them. Printer supplies,  
storage information, and specifications are included in section six.  
Who to call for assistance  
If you work with a Datacard-authorized dealer, distributor, or value-added reseller, contact  
them for assistance. A value-added reseller provides the RP90 Plus E printer and optional  
RL90 laminator as part of an overall system.  
If any contents of the box are missing, contact your Datacard-authorized dealer, distributor  
or reseller. If you purchased your printer directly from Datacard, contact the Datacard  
Customer Care Center at 1.800.328.3996 for service in the United States and Canada. For  
worldwide service, call the Datacard Customer Care Center directly at 952.988.2316.  
Make sure you have the printer serial number, located on the back of the printer and  
optional laminator serial number, when you call.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
About the Printer  
About the Printer  
The Datacard® RP90 Plus E card printer uses retransfer printing technology to produce  
high-quality, edge-to-edge printing on one or both sides of a variety of PVC and non-PVC  
card surfaces, including contact and contactless smart cards. The retransfer printing  
process uses two ribbon types –a color ink ribbon and a retransfer film. The ink ribbon is  
available in YMCK (Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, and Black) or YMCKK format. The printer uses  
these colors to print images on the retransfer film, and a heat roller to transfer the image  
onto a card. The printer can be equipped with optional magnetic stripe and smart card  
capabilities.  
The outside of the printer  
Printer door  
Open the door to access the ink ribbon and retransfer film  
cartridges.  
Printer LCD panel  
Shows the printer status and any messages. Use it to change  
printer settings. (You can also use the driver Status Monitor, if  
installed, to change some printer settings.)  
Door latch  
Slide the latch to the right to open the printer door.  
Load blank cards.  
Card hopper  
Power switch  
Fan filter  
Press the switch to power on the printer.  
Helps reduce airborne contaminates entering the printer.  
Card discharge slot  
Cards removed from the print area exit here. If the optional RL90  
laminator is installed, cards exit the printer and enter the laminator  
here.  
Smart card module  
Card stacker  
An optional smart card module is available.  
Printed cards exit here. If the optional laminator is installed, the  
card stacker is attached below the laminator’s card discharge slot.  
2
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
About the Printer  
The inside of the printer  
Retransfer film cartridge  
Holds the retransfer film.  
Film cartridge eject button  
Ink ribbon cartridge  
Press to release and remove the retransfer film cartridge.  
Holds the ink ribbon.  
Ribbon cartridge eject button Press to release and remove the ink ribbon cartridge.  
Card discharge slot  
Cards removed from the print area exit here. If the optional  
RL90 laminator is installed, cards exit the printer and enter  
the laminator here.  
Card stacker receptacle  
Card cleaning rollers  
Jog lever  
Attach the card stacker here.  
Removes dust or debris from the cards before printing.  
Used to turn the jog wheel when clearing a card jam.  
Card bracket  
Slide to the left to load cards and to the right to hold cards  
in position.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
3
 
About the Printer  
The back of the printer  
Power receptacle  
USB port  
Plug in the power cord.  
Plug in the USB cable.  
Plug in the Network cable.  
Ethernet port  
Laminator connection port  
Used to connect the optional laminator module or other  
optional equipment.  
Future expansion ports  
Not used at this time.  
CAUTION:  
Do not connect or disconnect the laminator cable while the printer or  
laminator are powered on.  
CAUTION:  
Do not keep the power cord connected to facility power unless the  
printer is also connected to the power cord.  
4
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
About the laminator  
About the laminator  
The Datacard® RL90 card laminator is an optional laminating module that works with the  
RP90 Plus E printer to add topcoat or patch material to printed cards. Holographic  
laminating material is also available for added security and tamper resistance. A printed  
card can be laminated manually by simply inserting it into the laminator, or automatically by  
transferring the printed card from the RP90 Plus E printer to the laminator module.  
The parts of the laminator  
Laminator door  
Open the door to access the laminator cartridge.  
Holds the laminate material.  
Laminator cartridge  
Cartridge eject button  
Laminator LCD panel  
Press to release and remove the cartridge.  
Shows the laminator status and any messages. Use it  
to change laminator settings.  
Power switch  
Press the switch to power on the laminator.  
Plug in the power cord.  
Power receptacle  
Printer port  
Connection port for the printer.  
Laminated cards exit here.  
Card stacker  
Future expansion port  
Card inlet slot  
Not used at this time.  
Cards enter the laminator here.  
CAUTION:  
Do not connect or disconnect the laminator cable while the printer or  
laminator are powered on.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
5
   
About the laminator  
6
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Using the printer  
2
This section describes how to perform basic tasks required to operate the  
Datacard® RP90 Plus E printer and the Datacard® RL90 card laminator.  
It describes how to:  
Load supplies  
Power on  
Prepare to print cards  
Print cards  
Begin with the printer set up and the printer driver installed. This printer must be installed  
by Datacard authorized and trained personnel. If the printer is not set up, contact your  
service provider.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Load Supplies  
Load Supplies  
Load cards  
Tips: Handling cards  
Do not open the card  
hopper when “Loading”  
is displayed on the LCD  
panel.  
Do not touch the  
surface of cards before  
printing them. (Oils on  
hands will reduce  
printing quality.)  
Handle cards by the  
edges or wear cotton  
gloves.  
Cards can stick  
together. Slide or fan  
cards to separate the  
edges.  
Orient all cards the  
same way.  
The card hopper can hold approximately 250, .030” (.75mm) cards. The cards  
are loaded and held in position with a card bracket. Make sure that magnetic  
stripe or smart cards are loaded in the proper orientation for processing.  
Do not use cards that  
are bent or otherwise  
damaged.  
1
2
3
Open the card hopper.  
page 67 for specific  
card information.  
Slide the card bracket to the left until it latches.  
Insert cards. See the diagrams below for the correct card orientation.  
— Load magnetic stripe cards with the magnetic stripe down and  
facing the card bracket.  
— Load smart cards with the smart card chip toward the back of the  
card hopper, facing the card feed roller.  
4
5
Slide the card bracket back into position carefully so cards are not  
disturbed and your fingers do not get pinched.  
Close the card hopper.  
Smart card chip orientation  
Magnetic stripe card orientation  
8
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Load Supplies  
Load ink ribbon  
1
2
Slide the door latch to the right  
and open the printer door.  
Tips: Handling ink ribbon  
Do not touch the printing  
surface of the ink ribbon.  
(Oils on hands will reduce  
printing quality.)  
Press the ink ribbon cartridge  
eject button to remove the  
orange cartridge.  
3
4
Remove both used ribbon  
spools from the cartridge (if  
present).  
Place the cartridge on a  
smooth level surface when  
loading or reloading.  
Load the new roll of ink ribbon  
on the cartridge:  
Keep unused ink ribbon  
in the original package until  
ready for use.  
a
Put the full spool of ribbon  
on the orange supply  
spindle as shown.  
Initialize the ink ribbon  
each time you remove and  
replace the ink ribbon  
cartridge. See “Initialize  
b
Put the empty take-up  
spool on the black take-up  
spindle.  
c
d
Align ribbon along the three  
ribbon guides.  
Take up any slack by  
turning the supply knob  
clockwise. The supply knob  
must be pulled out slightly  
to turn. If slack cannot be  
removed, check that the  
supply and take-up spools  
are firmly seated on the  
spindles.  
on page 73 for information  
on storing ink ribbon.  
page 68 for more  
information about ink  
ribbon supply.  
5
6
Replace the loaded ribbon cartridge in the printer until it clicks into  
position.  
Close the printer door.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
9
   
Load Supplies  
Load retransfer film  
1
2
Slide the door latch to the right  
and open the printer door.  
Tips: Handling retransfer film  
Place the cartridge on a  
smooth level surface when  
loading or reloading.  
Press the retransfer film  
cartridge eject button to  
remove the green cartridge.  
Do not touch the printing  
surface of the retransfer  
film. (Oils on hands will  
reduce printing quality.)  
3
4
Remove both used film spools  
from the cartridge (if present).  
Load the new roll of retransfer  
film on the cartridge:  
After powering on the  
printer, the retransfer film  
must be initialized. See  
information.  
a
Put the full roll of film on  
the green supply spindle  
as shown.  
b
Put the empty take-up  
spool on the black take-up  
spindle.  
Keep unused film in the  
original package.  
c
d
e
Align the retransfer film  
along the three film guides.  
Don't place film on a dusty  
or dirty surface — dirt can  
affect print quality.  
Wind two frames of film  
onto the take-up spool.  
Take up slack by turning  
the supply knob clockwise.  
The supply knob must be  
pulled out slightly to turn. If  
slack cannot be removed,  
check that the supply and  
take-up spools are firmly  
When the retransfer film  
has run out, “Media Run  
Out” appears on the LCD  
panel. After replacing it,  
press the RESET key and  
then the ENTER key to  
initialize the film.  
seated on the spindles. To ease installation, the film must be tight  
along the film guides. Turning the supply and take-up knobs will  
help maintain the proper tension.  
page 68 for more  
information about retransfer  
film.  
5
6
Replace the loaded retransfer film cartridge in the printer until it clicks  
into position.  
Close the printer door.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Load Supplies  
Load laminate  
1
2
Open the laminator door by  
pulling the top of the door  
toward you.  
Tips: Handling patch  
or topcoat material  
After powering on the  
laminator, the patch or  
topcoat material must be  
initialized. Press the  
laminator’s RESET/K and  
then the ENTER keys to  
initialize the material.  
Press the laminator cartridge  
eject button and remove the  
laminator cartridge carefully.  
The material must be tight  
when removing the cartridge.  
3
4
5
Place the roll of  
material and  
empty take-up  
spool side by side  
on a clean  
The inside of the laminator  
contains hot surfaces. Use  
care when working in these  
areas.  
surface.  
Remove the label from the  
patch or topcoat material and  
use it to secure the free end of  
the material to the empty take-  
up spool, making sure the  
edges are even.  
Keep unused laminating  
material in the original  
package.  
Don't place material on a  
dusty or dirty surface — dirt  
can affect card quality.  
Load the new roll of material  
on the cartridge:  
a
Put the full roll of material  
on the supply spindle.  
During the laminating  
process, do not turn the  
power switch off, open the  
laminator door, or unplug the  
laminator.  
b
Put the empty take-up  
spool on the take-up  
spindle.  
c
d
Align the material along  
the four metal guides as  
shown on the cartridge  
label.  
page 68 for more information  
about laminating material.  
Wind two or three  
rotations of film onto the  
take-up spool. Take up  
slack between the spools  
by turning the supply knob  
clockwise. If slack cannot  
be removed, check that  
the supply and take-up  
spools are firmly seated on  
the spindles.  
6
7
Replace the loaded laminator  
cartridge in the laminator until  
it clicks into position.  
Close the laminator door.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
11  
   
Power on  
Power on  
Check the PC connection  
The printer and PC are connected when the printer is set up. To avoid  
receiving error messages on the LCD panel, make sure that all supplies are  
properly loaded and in position before powering on the printer. Before you  
begin processing cards, check the following:  
The printer door and card hopper are closed securely.  
The USB data cable (with ferrite bead) is securely connected to the  
printer and the PC.  
OR  
The Network data cable is securely connected to the printer and to a  
network port.  
The power cable is securely connected to the printer and appropriate  
grounded power source.  
The card stacker is attached to the printer or to the optional laminator.  
Make sure cards and all other supplies are loaded. See “Load  
Supplies” on page 8 for more information.  
12  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Power on  
Optional laminator connection  
When using the optional RL90 laminator, check the following:  
The optional laminator cable is securely connected to the printer and  
the laminator.  
The power cord is connected to the laminator and appropriate  
grounded power source.  
Supplies are loaded and the laminator door is closed securely.  
CAUTION:  
Always power off the printer and laminator before you  
connect or disconnect the laminator cable.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
13  
   
Power on  
Power on the laminator  
When the optional RL90 laminator is  
Tips for laminator power  
installed, turn the laminator power on  
before powering on the printer.  
When connected to a  
printer, laminator  
messages will not be  
displayed until the  
printer is powered on.  
1
Press the “|" symbol on the  
laminator power switch.  
2
The laminator powers on. The  
LCD panel displays  
Wait while the laminator  
initializes.  
"Initializing" and the green  
Ready light blinks.  
Follow the guidelines for  
your organization about  
when to power the  
3
4
"Preheating" is displayed for  
approximately four minutes  
while the heat roller warms to  
operating temperature.  
laminator on and off.  
Check that the red  
INLET switch, located  
on the back of the  
laminator, is set for your  
input voltage.  
The LCD panel shows "Ready" and the Ready light is steady green  
when the laminator is ready to process cards.  
LCD sequence on laminator startup  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Power on  
Power on the printer  
1
2
Press the “|" symbol on the  
Tips for printer power  
power switch.  
To avoid receiving errors  
on the LCD panel, make  
sure that all supplies are  
properly loaded and in  
position before powering  
on the printer.  
The printer powers on. The  
LCD panel shows the firmware  
version and the printer begins  
initializing. The LCD panel  
shows "Initializing" while the  
printer checks and positions  
the ink ribbon and retransfer  
film.  
Wait while the printer  
initializes.  
Follow the guidelines for  
your organization about  
when to power the  
3
When operation checks are  
complete, "Preheating" is  
displayed on the LCD panel for  
approximately four minutes while the retransfer roller and bend remedy  
roller warm to their operating temperatures.  
printer on and off.  
4
5
The LCD panel shows "Ready" and the Ready Light is steady green.  
The first time you print cards, initialize the ink ribbon. See “Initialize  
the ink ribbon” on page 16 for the steps to follow.  
6
The first time you print cards, set and initialize the retransfer film. See  
retransfer film” on page 17 for the steps to follow.  
LCD sequence on printer startup  
The printer can require up to 4 minutes between power-on and the “Ready”  
status.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
15  
     
Prepare to print cards  
Prepare to print cards  
Initialize the ink ribbon  
1
2
3
Press the RESET key on the  
control panel.  
Tips – Ink ribbon  
To avoid dirt and dust  
The LCD display reads  
"Initialize OK?"  
particles that might adhere  
to the ink ribbon during  
loading, move (initialize)  
the ink ribbon one or two  
panels each time the ink  
cartridge is removed from  
the printer.  
Use the up and down arrow  
keys to select "2'nd Panel,  
OK?" or "Next Panel, OK?"  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "Initialize OK?" is  
displayed to initialize the  
printer without winding the  
ribbon.  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "2'nd panel, OK" is  
displayed and the printer  
winds the ribbon two  
panel sets.  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "Next Panel, OK?"  
is displayed and the  
printer winds the ribbon  
one panel set.  
Set the retransfer film type  
1
Press the MENU key until  
"Retransfer" is displayed.  
Tips – Retransfer film  
Set the retransfer film type  
2
3
4
Press the ENTER key.  
when you set up the  
printer.  
"Media Type" is displayed.  
If you change the type of  
film, set the type of  
retransfer film you are  
using.  
Use the up and down arrow  
keys to select Std (1000/roll).  
Selections of 250 and 750  
are not available at this time.  
5
6
Press the ENTER key.  
Press EXIT twice to return to  
the "Ready" display.  
16  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
       
Prepare to print cards  
Initialize the retransfer film  
Tips – Retransfer film  
1
2
3
Press the RESET key on the  
control panel.  
To avoid dirt and dust  
particles that might adhere  
to the film during loading,  
(move) initialize the  
The LCD display reads  
"Initialize OK?"  
Use the up and down arrow  
keys to select "2'nd Panel,  
OK?" or "Next Panel, OK?"  
retransfer film one or two  
panels each time the film  
cartridge is removed from  
the printer.  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "Initialize, OK?" is  
displayed to initialize the  
printer without winding the  
film.  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "2'nd panel, OK?" is  
displayed and the printer  
winds the retransfer film  
two panels.  
— Press the ENTER key  
when "Next Panel, OK?"  
is displayed and the  
printer winds the film one  
panel.  
Initialize the patch or topcoat material (optional RL90 laminator only)  
You must initialize the laminate material each time it is changed.  
To initialize the laminate, press RESET/K and then the ENTER key on the  
laminator LCD panel.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
17  
     
Printing cards  
Printing cards  
Cards can be sent from ID software such as Datacard® ID Works® identification software.  
ID software handles the types of information used on cards.  
If you do not have ID software, you can use another PC application to format the  
information to print on cards; however, most PC applications do not support magnetic  
stripe encoding or smart card programming. With any application, test the card design to  
verify the results.  
The printer’s LCD panel displays the following sequence when a card is sent to print:  
Print cards using ID software  
1
Follow the instructions for the ID software to capture, format, and save the data for  
the card.  
2
3
In the software, send cards to the  
printer (usually, use the Print button).  
The printer driver receives data for  
each card, prepares the card for  
printing, and sends each card to the  
printer.  
18  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Print from a PC application  
1
Use the application's page setup feature to set the following:  
— Set paper or page size to CR80 card or 2.125" x 3.375"  
— Set the orientation for the card design – either portrait or landscape.  
— Set margins to zero for edge to edge printing.  
Tips – Printing  
The “Print” check box in  
the Print tab must be  
checked to print cards.  
During the printing  
operation, do not open  
the printer or optional  
laminator door.  
2
3
Format and save the card information.  
Select the Datacard RP90 Plus E U1 printer from the Print dialog box.  
Datacard RP90 Plus E U1 is the default name of the printer. Your  
printer may have a different name.  
Do not open the card  
hopper when the printer  
LCD panel displays  
“Loading” through  
“Retransfer”.  
4
Click the Properties button to open the Printing Preferences dialog  
box. Use the Setup, Print, and Encode tabs to set printer properties.  
Setup tab  
Use the Setup tab to set the  
card orientation, number of  
copies, and whether to  
reverse the card. The Setup  
tab also displays the type of  
card, the type of ink ribbon in  
the printer, and the quantity of  
ink ribbon and retransfer film  
remaining.  
Do not power off the  
printer, laminator, or PC  
during the printing or  
laminating process.  
Do not unplug the printer  
or optional laminator  
during printing or  
laminating.  
Do not pull out the data  
cable or the printer-to-  
laminator connection  
cable during printing or  
laminating.  
Print tab  
Use the Print tab to set  
printing, printing one side or  
both sides, and rotate. The  
Print tab contains settings for  
using the color (YMC) and  
black (K) panels of the print  
ribbon. The tab also contains  
controls for color adjustment,  
setting up a look-up table, and  
specifying the print area for  
ribbon panels.  
On the PC, do not use  
the hibernate or standby  
modes. If the PC powers  
down while a card is in  
the printer, it can stop  
processing and remain  
in the printer.  
Encode tab  
The Encode tab contains  
settings for using smart card  
(IC) and magnetic stripe  
encoding. You can also  
specify whether to rotate the  
card after an encoding step.  
5
Print the card.  
 
Printing cards  
20  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Printing Preferences  
Printing Preferences  
The Printing Preferences dialog box contains the Setup, Print, Encode, and Version tabs.  
To open Printing Preferences:  
1
2
Choose Start from the Windows task bar.  
Choose Settings and then Printers (and  
Faxes). The Printers (and Faxes) window  
opens.  
3
4
Click once on the Datacard RP90 Plus E  
printer icon to select it.  
— The driver must be installed for the  
printer icon to be present.  
— Datacard RP90 Plus U1 is the default  
name of the printer. The name of your printer might be different.  
From the File menu, choose Preferences. The Printing Preferences dialog box  
opens.  
Setup tab  
The Setup tab shows the type of card and the type  
of ink ribbon in the printer. You can specify the  
card orientation and number of copies (your ID  
software might specify these settings, which  
override the Setup tab). You can also specify  
whether to reverse the card.  
Print tab  
The Print tab contains settings for using the color  
(YMC) and black (K) panels of the print ribbon.  
You can specify the whether to print on both sides  
and whether to rotate the image (your ID software  
might specify these settings, which override the  
Print tab). The tab also contains controls for color  
adjustment, setting up a look-up table, and  
dithering. Use the Printing area settings if using  
peel-off ribbon.  
To print text, bar codes, or both using K ink on the  
side of a card using YMCK ink ribbon, choose  
Extraction>Only Text.  
To print black areas on graphics with K ink ribbon,  
choose Extraction>All.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Printing Preferences  
The look up table requires a file with a full set of 256 values (0-255) for each plane for  
Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, and Black. Each field can have a value from 0 through 255. Data  
should be ASCII numeric values, separated by a comma or line feed.  
To use the Security Erase feature, use a YMCK ink ribbon and choose Security Erase.  
Security erase prints a random pattern using the K panel onto the transfer ribbon.  
This illustration shows a printed card and the ink ribbon used to print it, without using the  
Security Erase feature.  
This illustration shows the same printed card and the ink ribbon used to print it, after using  
the Security Erase feature.  
This illustration shows the retransfer ribbon after using the Security Erase feature.  
Encode tab  
The Encode tab contains settings for using smart  
card (IC) and magnetic stripe encoding (your ID  
software might specify these settings, which  
override the Encode tab). You can also specify  
whether to rotate the card after an encoding step.  
more information on encoding magnetic stripes.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
23  
Printing Properties  
Laminator tab  
The Laminator tab contains settings  
for using the optional RL90  
Tips – Card cleaning roller  
laminator. You can set whether to  
apply material to the front of the card,  
the back of the card or both. You can  
also set the temperature, speed,  
patch position, and fan settings for  
each side of the card.  
Values are blank if the  
printer is disconnected  
or powered off.  
Graphics controls show  
all red if the printer is  
disconnected or  
Use this tab only if an RL90 laminator  
is connected to the printer.  
powered off.  
Clicking on buttons  
displays the “No printer  
is found.” message if  
the printer is  
disconnected or  
powered off.  
Version tab  
The Version tab shows the build  
version of the printer driver. Your  
service provider might ask you for  
this information.  
Printing Properties  
The Printing Properties dialog box options are set up when the printer is  
installed or by your system administrator.  
1
2
Choose Start from the Windows task bar.  
Choose Settings and then Printers (and Faxes). The Printers (and  
Faxes) window opens.  
3
Click once on the Datacard RP90 Plus E U1 printer icon to select it.  
— The driver must be installed for the printer icon to be present.  
— Datacard RP90 Plus E U1 is the default  
name of the printer. The name of your  
printer might be different.  
4
5
From the File menu, choose Properties.  
The Properties window opens.  
Use the tabs to set up Sharing, Ports, Color  
Management, Security, and Advanced  
options.  
6
Choose OK to save and close, or choose  
Cancel to close without saving changes.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Status Monitor  
Status Monitor  
The Status Monitor can be installed when the driver is installed. The Status Monitor  
handles bidirectional communication between the printer and printer driver. You can use  
the Status Monitor or the printer LCD panel for many settings.  
Open the Status Monitor  
To open the Status Monitor window:  
Tips for Success  
Users without administrator permissions can view settings but cannot change them.  
Start the Status Monitor with Administrator permissions if you want to change  
settings.  
The first time you open the Status Monitor on Windows Vista, you must open it as  
Administrator. If you do not, the Status Monitor will display the following message.  
If you click Cancel, you can try to open it as an Administrator. If you click OK,  
Windows Vista displays the error shown.  
When you receive the error, uninstall the Status Monitor, restart Windows Vista, and  
install the Status Monitor again.  
1
2
Begin with the printer powered on and attached to the PC.  
To start the Status Monitor with Administrator Permissions, do the following:  
— From the Windows task bar, choose Start>Programs>RP90 Plus E Status  
Monitor.  
— For Windows XP and 2000, right-click the RP90 Plus E Status Monitor icon  
and choose Run As... In the Run As dialog box, enter the name and  
password for a user name with Administrator permissions.  
— For Windows Vista, right-click the RP90 Plus E Status Monitor icon and  
choose Run As Administrator.  
— The first time you start the Status Monitor on Windows Vista, a Windows  
Security Alert dialog box might appear. Click Unblock to use the Status Monitor.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
25  
   
Status Monitor  
If you choose Keep Blocking and decide that you want the Status Monitor to run,  
you must uninstall the Status Monitor, restart Windows Vista, and install it again.  
3
4
To start the Status Monitor without Administrator permissions, click the icon to open  
it. A prompt appears to tell you that you cannot change settings. Click OK to  
continue.  
The Status Monitor window opens.  
Close the Status Monitor  
To close the Status Monitor:  
1
2
Click the red Close button.  
A prompt asking if you want to close the Status Monitor appears. Click  
Yes.  
Tips for Success  
When you close the Status Monitor, communication between the printer and driver  
becomes one way, with the driver sending cards to the printer.  
To keep the Status Monitor running without viewing it, click the  
Minimize button.  
Printer Status tab  
The Status tab shows:  
The type of ink ribbon, the approximate  
percentage remaining, and the lot number.  
The type of retransfer (INTM) supply and the  
approximate percentage remaining.  
The resettable print count and a Clear button  
to set it to zero (0).  
The printer name. If more than one printer is  
installed, choose the printer to work with using  
the Printer Name list. Click the Update button  
to search for additional RP90 Plus E printers.  
The information changes automatically when  
you choose another printer.  
An estimate of the cards remaining in the card  
hopper. Less means:  
— 25 or fewer 0.76mm (0.030in) cards  
— 70 or fewer 0.25mm (0.010in) cards  
When the printer requires cleaning, the printer image changes to:  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Status Monitor  
The current state of the printer, such as ready. The icon changes with different  
states. See the table below.  
Icon  
Status  
Icon Color  
Meaning  
No Printer is found.  
Yellow  
The printer power is not switched on. or the host PC and  
printer are not connected properly by the USB cable.  
Ready  
Green  
Yellow  
The printer is ready and able to start card printing.  
Initializing  
The printer is initializing. After the printer is initialized, it  
goes into Ready state.  
Offline Mode  
Preheating  
Yellow  
Yellow  
Yellow  
The printer is in Setting mode or it is being cleaned.  
When the process ends, it goes into Ready state.  
The heat roller is heating. When it reaches the correct  
temperature, the printer goes into Ready state.  
Card Loading  
Card Transporting  
MG Encoding  
Retransfer  
The printer is issuing cards. The operating status during  
card issuing is indicated. When the card is issued, the  
printer goes into Ready state.  
Contact IC Encoding  
No-Contact IC  
Encoding  
Unloading  
Printing  
Power Saving  
Yellow  
Red  
The printer is in power save mode. To end Power  
Saving, press the RESET button on the printer and then  
press the ENTER button to initialize the printer.  
Error  
Printer Setting tab  
The Printer Setting tab shows:  
Controls for viewing or changing print settings:  
— Resin K Print Level, which sets the K  
resin ink print density.  
— Level of UV Ink and Level of Special Ink  
2 which are not supported.  
— Resin K Print Mode which sets the K  
resin ink print quality. If Fine is selected,  
the print quality improves but the printing  
speed is slower.  
— Cooling Time which sets the time in  
seconds to wait until the retransfer film  
peels off from the card after retransfer. The default value is 0.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
27  
 
Status Monitor  
Controls for viewing or changing magnetic stripe settings.  
— Number of Retry, which sets the maximum number of retries when writing or  
reading magnetic stripe data fails. Default value is 1.  
— ISO Mode, which sets the power used by the magnetic card encoder. The  
default is Hi-Co.  
A control to enable or disable the buzzer.  
A control to set power saving, which reduces the temperature of the retransfer heat  
roller after the printer is not used for 30 minutes. The default is Disable.  
Controls to specify the smart card module(s) (IC Encoder) in the printer.  
Retransfer tab  
The Retransfer tab shows:  
Two matrices for setting the retransfer speed  
and temperature. Click a square to choose the  
setting. On the printer, press the Reset button  
and then the Enter button to initialize the  
printer and make the new setting take effect.  
The card type, set on the Media Setting tab.  
The Refresh button which displays the current  
printer data.  
Tips for success  
The transfer power to the card gets stronger  
towards the upper right, but the card becomes  
more distorted due to the heat.  
Changing the retransfer temperature on one card side also affects the other side.  
The range of values changes with the Card Type setting.  
Make sample cards to verify settings before using new settings.  
Bend Remedy tab  
The Bend Remedy tab shows:  
A matrix for setting the bend remedy time and  
temperature. Click a square to choose the  
setting. On the printer, press the Reset button  
and then the Enter button to initialize the  
printer and make the new setting take effect.  
The card type, set on the Media Setting tab.  
Tips for success  
Bend remedy is effective for single side  
printing. For double side printing, choose the  
Disable button.  
When you change to Disable, the printer goes  
into Preheat state for about 10 minutes while  
the roller temperature drops. Wait until the printer state changes to Ready.  
The side of the card where bend remedy is performed can become faded.  
Make sample cards to verify settings before using the new settings.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Status Monitor  
Media Setting tab  
The Media Setting tab shows:  
The type of Ink ribbon in the printer, the lot  
number of the ribbon, and the number of panel  
sets included in the ribbon. The printer  
provides this information and it cannot be  
changed. If the printer cannot recognize the  
type of ink ribbon, one of the following reasons  
is displayed:  
Display  
Reasons for ink recognition error and the solutions  
252: Invalid TAG Data  
253: Defective TAG  
The data for the ink ribbon is incorrect. Replace the ink ribbon and try again.  
The printer did not recognize the print ribbon data. Replace the ink ribbon and  
try again.  
254: No TAG  
The printer could not read the print ribbon data. Make sure the ink ribbon has  
been loaded correctly. See “Load ink ribbon” on page 9.  
255: Defective R/W  
The printer is defective. The printer must be repaired.  
Settings to view or change the type and thickness of cards being used.  
— For Material, choose PET-G, PVC, or PET (0.25mm). The values for retransfer  
speed and temperature (on the “Retransfer tab” on page 28) change  
depending on the selected card type.  
— For Thickness, choose:  
— Standard for cards 0.76mm (0.030in) thick  
— Thin for cards 0.25mm (0.010in) thick  
A setting to view or change the type of Retransfer (INTM) film.  
Tips for success  
Make sample cards to verify settings before using cards of a different thickness.  
Print on one side of thin cards. Do not print on both sides.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
29  
 
Status Monitor  
Property tab  
The Property tab shows:  
The version of printer firmware, and firmware  
versions of any installed options such as  
magnetic stripe encoder or laminator. “????”  
means an option is not installed or connected.  
Configuration information for options installed.  
The unit number. (Use the LCD panel to set the  
unit number, described in “Using the Printer  
The Print Count, which is the number of cards  
printed.  
The Thermal Head count, which is the number  
of panels printed by the printhead currently  
installed in the printer. (YMCK ink ribbon has four panels.)  
Printer Select tab  
The Printer Select tab shows:  
The currently selected printer.  
If more than one RP90 Plus E printer is  
installed on the PC, you can change the printer  
for which information is displayed by choosing  
it from the Current Printer list. The Status  
Monitor will communicate with the printer to  
update information.  
Use the Scan button to locate another printer if  
it is not displayed in the list.  
Use the Sync Time button to send the current  
time on the PC to the printer.  
Use the Update button to send changed values  
to the printer.  
Use the Refresh button to obtain current values from the printer.  
If the printer is set, using the LCD panel, to use a LAN connection, this tab displays  
the default settings (which cannot be changed). If the printer is connected using a  
USB connection, you can use this page to set the IP address and other network  
values. See About Network Settings in the Installation Guide.  
If you need to assign a printer name different from a choice provided by the printer,  
make sure the printer is installed with a USB connection and then enter the new  
printer name. Your network administrator can provide information about allowed or  
required names on your network.  
Security settings, which can be set only when the printer is connected using a USB  
connection. are available. Use the Details button to open the IPSec Setting dialog  
box. See the Installation Guide for the steps to follow.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Status Monitor  
Others tab  
The Others tab shows the following for a USB-  
connected printer:  
Controls for printing a test card. The printer will  
create one test card, using the internal test  
pattern.  
A control for saving a command log. Your  
service provider might ask you to save a  
command log as part of troubleshooting.  
Controls for selecting a firmware file and  
sending it to the printer. Only update printer  
firmware when your service provider  
recommends it.  
For both USB-connected and Ethernet-connected  
printers, the tab shows:  
Version information for the Status Monitor.  
Status monitor messages  
The following messages appear on the Status Monitor Status tab. See “Printer Status tab”  
Error Code  
Displayed Message  
Solution  
No Printer is found.  
Make sure that the host PC and the printers are  
connected properly with a USB cable.  
Make sure that the printer is switched on.  
0102D000  
There is no card. Please supply cards.  
1
Load cards as described in “Load cards” on  
page 8.  
2
Close or replace the card hopper securely.  
0102D100  
0102D600  
Printer door is opened. Please close the  
door and initialize the printer by pressing  
RESET and ENTER button.  
1
2
Close the printer door.  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Ink Ribbon Cassette or Retransfer Film  
Cassette is not set.  
1
2
Load the Ink Ribbon Cassette or Retransfer  
Film Cassette and then close the printer door.  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
0102D700  
01039000  
Cleaning Unit is not set.  
1
2
Install the Cleaning Unit and then close the card  
hopper.  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Feed Jam happens. Please unset the  
card tray and remove the card after  
turning off the printer power.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
See “Hopper jam” on page 52 to remove the  
card.  
3
Switch on the printer power.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
31  
   
Status Monitor  
01039100  
01039200  
Card Jam happens in the printer. Please  
open the printer door and remove the  
card after turning off the printer power.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
the card.  
3
Switch on the printer power.  
Card Jam happens in the printer. Please  
open the printer door and remove the  
card after turning off the printer power.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
remove the card.  
3
4
Check that the card stacker is securely attached  
to the card stacker receptacle.  
Switch on the printer power.  
01039300  
01039400  
0103A000  
Card Jam happens in the printer. Please  
open the printer door and remove the  
card after turning off the printer power.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
remove the card.  
3
Switch on the printer power.  
Card Jam happens in the printer. Please  
open the printer door and remove the  
card around the card outlet after turning  
off the printer power.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Open the printer door and remove the card near  
the card discharge slot.  
3
1
Switch on the printer power.  
Retransfer Film is broken.  
Repair the retransfer film as described in  
2
1
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer one ribbon panel.  
0103A100  
0103B000  
Mark on Retransfer Film could not be  
detected. Please set Retransfer Film  
correctly.  
Make sure that the Retransfer Film is loaded  
page 10).  
Close the printer door and press RESET and  
then ENTER to initialize the printer.  
2
1
Ink Ribbon is broken.  
Repair the ink ribbon as described in “Mending  
2
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
0103B100  
0103BB00  
Ink Ribbon cannot be controlled. Please  
set Ink Ribbon correctly.  
1
2
Make sure that the Ink Ribbon is loaded  
Close the printer door and press RESET and  
then ENTER to initialize the printer.  
Card Jam happens in External IC unit.  
Please remove the card in External IC  
unit.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Remove the jammed card from the IC unit on  
the right side of the printer.  
3
Switch on the printer power.  
01044400  
0104D800  
0104FA00  
Hardware failure happens in the printer  
unit. Please turn off and on the printer  
power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Status Monitor  
0104A900  
MG encoder is not set correctly. Please  
turn off the printer power and set MG  
unit correctly.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104AB00  
0104AC00  
0104AF00  
Mechanical failure happens in the MG  
encoder. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Hardware failure happens in the MG  
encoder. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Communication error happens between  
printer and MG encoder. Please turn off  
and on the printer power to initialize the  
printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104B900  
0104BA00  
External IC unit is not set correctly.  
Please turn off the printer power and set  
External IC unit correctly.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Dip switch setting in the external IC unit  
is not correct. Please turn off the printer  
power and correct Dip switch setting in  
External IC unit.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104BE00  
0104BF00  
Communication error happens between  
printer and External IC unit. Please turn  
off the printer power and connect  
communication cable correctly.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Connect the cable between the External IC unit  
and the printer securely.  
3
4
Switch on the printer power.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Communication error happens between  
printer and laminator. Please turn off the  
printer power and connect  
1
2
3
Switch off the printer power AND laminator  
power.  
Connect the cable between the laminator and  
the printer securely.  
communication cable correctly.  
Switch on the printer and laminator power. See  
4
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104C000  
Hardware failure happens in the  
turnover unit. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, contact you service  
provider.  
0104C100  
0104F000  
Hardware failure of Heater Cam  
happens. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
The temperature of Retransfer Roller is  
too hot. Please turn off the printer power  
till it becomes cool enough.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Wait about 10 minutes for the Retransfer Roller  
to cool down.  
3
4
Switch on the printer power.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
33  
Status Monitor  
0104F100  
0104F200  
Hardware failure of Retransfer Roller  
happens. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Hardware failure of Retransfer Roller  
Thermister happens. Please turn off and  
on the printer power to initialize the  
printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104F300  
The temperature of Bend Remedial  
Roller is too hot. Please turn off the  
printer power till it becomes cool  
enough.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Wait about 10 minutes for the Bend Remedial  
Roller to cool down.  
3
4
Switch on the printer power.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104F400  
0104F500  
0104F600  
Hardware failure of Bend Remedial  
Roller happens. Please turn off and on  
the printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
Bend Remedial Roller thermister is out  
of order. Please turn off and on the  
printer power to initialize the printer.  
1
2
Turn the printer power switch off and then on.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
The temperature in the printer is too  
cool. Please turn off the printer power till  
it becomes warm enough.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Wait for the surrounding temperature to warm  
up.  
3
4
Switch on the printer power.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0104F800  
The temperature of Thermal Head is too  
hot. Please turn off the printer power till  
it becomes cool enough.  
1
2
Switch off the printer power.  
Wait about 10 minutes for the Thermal head to  
cool down.  
3
4
Switch on the printer power.  
If the error happens again, call for service.  
0105FB00  
0142A200  
Download data to the printer is invalid.  
Please confirm the file is correct.  
Check whether the downloaded file is correct.  
End of Retransfer Film, please replace  
the film with a new.  
1
2
3
Replace with a new roll of retransfer film. See  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Initialize the new roll of film as described in  
0142B200  
End of Ink Ribbon, please replace the  
ink with a new.  
1
2
3
Replace with a new roll of ink ribbon. See “Load  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Initialize the new roll of ink ribbon as described  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Using the LCD menus  
Using the LCD menus  
About the Printer LCD panel  
The printer LCD panel has a 2-line display,  
six keys, a Ready light, Error light, and  
speaker.  
The display background color changes  
according to the printer's function; the  
background is bright green during  
initialization, orange while processing a  
card, and red on printer error. These colors  
can be changed using the LCD panel.  
Ready LED (green)  
Steady Green  
Blinking  
Off  
The printer is ready and waiting to print cards.  
The printer is receiving data.  
The printer stopped due to error, initialization or preheat mode, or  
operator setting preferences.  
Error LED (red)  
On  
The printer has a condition that requires service or the printer did  
not power on correctly. To correct the condition, press the RESET  
and then the ENTER key. If this does not correct the condition,  
power the printer off, and then back on before calling for service.  
OFF  
Normal status  
Keys:  
Reset  
Menu  
Initializes the printer. Use the Reset key after loading supplies, to  
end Power Saving, or after an error occurs.  
Press MENU to access the printer settings. Continue to press the  
MENU key to access the settings in the order listed in “Using the  
Enter  
Confirms the user selection.  
Arrow Keys  
Use the up and down arrow keys to select options within a menu  
selection.  
Exit  
Exits the current menu or menu selection and returns user to the  
previous menu selection.  
LCD Display  
Line one of the display shows the current printer or mode status.  
The > symbol following a menu selection indicates that there are  
subcategories listed within the selection. Use the up and down  
arrow keys to select these options.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
35  
   
Using the LCD menus  
Press the MENU key and "User Mode" is displayed on the LCD  
panel. The LCD panel changes to read "Display" within 0.5  
seconds.  
Press the ENTER key when "Display" is shown to access display  
settings which include the card counter, LCD contrast, and LCD  
background color.  
Press the MENU key when “Ready” is displayed to access other  
printer settings.  
Press the EXIT key at any time to exit the menu system and return  
to "Ready" status.  
Speaker  
Provides an electronic beep that indicates:  
An error has happened.  
Fewer than 20 cards remain in the card hopper.  
Confirms that settings have been saved.  
The speaker function can be turned on or off using the LCD panel.  
Using the Printer LCD panel  
Many printer settings can be changed using the Status Monitor. See “Status Monitor” on  
Menu Display  
Settings  
Function  
Display  
Counter  
Use the up and down arrow keys to select the card counter type:  
Total is the default setting, and displays the number of  
cards printed. The Total counter cannot be reset.  
Head displays the number of complete dye panels. The  
Head counter cannot be reset, however, it automatically  
resets itself when the print head is replaced.  
Total  
Head  
Free  
The Free counter displays the number of cards that have  
printed. The Free counter can be reset by the user.  
Contrast  
0
Set the LCD panel contrast using 7 gradations from  
-3 (low contrast) to +3 (high contrast). The default setting is 0.  
Back Color  
Choose from eight LCD background colors. Sky blue is the  
default color. Other selections are blue, light blue, green,  
bright green, yellow, purple, and pink.  
SKY BLUE  
Counter Reset  
Cleaning  
OK?  
Press ENTER to reset the Free counter.  
Rollers  
Start the cleaning function to clean the card feed rollers and  
heated rollers, and to clean the magnetic head when using  
magnetic stripe cards. See “Cleaning the card feed rollers  
head” on page 46 for the steps to follow.  
OK?  
Magnetic Stripe (MG)  
Head  
36  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Using the LCD menus  
Menu Display  
Settings  
Function  
Ink  
Ink Type  
YMCK: 0  
Displays the type of ink ribbon that is loaded in the printer.  
Datacard supports YMCK and YMCKK ink ribbons. (The printer  
detects the type of ink ribbon; it cannot be set.) See your dealer  
regarding support for YMCKPO ink ribbon.  
YMCKPO: 2  
YMCKK: 4  
Black level  
Choose from seven gradations from -3 (lighter) to +5 (darker).  
Black mode  
Choose Standard or Fine. Change to Fine if thin lines or small  
black text is blurred (printing speed is slower).  
SP - Ink1 Level  
Use SP - Ink1 and Ink2 levels to set the darkness level of  
special inks that will be available in the future.  
SP - Ink2 Level  
See SP -Ink1 Level above.  
Retransfer  
Media type:  
750  
Datacard retransfer ribbon is available in 1000 frames per roll.  
1000  
Temp Level  
Set the retransfer roller temperature. Set from -3 (lower) to +2  
(higher).  
Speed (front)  
Set the retransfer speed for the front of the card. Set from -10  
(slower) to +2 (faster). Initialize the retransfer film after making  
Speed (back)  
MG Print (JIS)  
Set the retransfer speed for the back of the card. Set from -10  
(slower) to +2 (faster). Initialize the retransfer film after making  
Select ON or OFF.  
Standby  
Front Wait  
Back Wait  
When printing both sides of a card and using an optional  
smart card (IC) unit, specifies whether to wait after the front  
side or the back side of the card.  
Buzzer  
ON or OFF  
Use to turn the electronic beep sound ON or OFF. The sound  
can indicate an error, when fewer than 20 cards remain in the  
card hopper, or to confirm a menu selection.  
Power Saving  
OFF or up to 60 minutes  
The printer enters power save mode after a specified period  
of inactivity. Choose from OFF or select from 5 to 60 minutes  
in 5 to15 minute increments. “Sleeping” appears on the LCD  
display. To cancel power save mode, press RESET and then  
the ENTER key. The printer uses one set of supplies.  
Bend Remedy  
Temp Level  
Speed  
Choose from -5 (lower) to 0 (higher) or OFF to set the bend  
for more information.  
Choose from -2 (slower) to +2 (faster) to set the bend remedy  
speed. See “Bend remedy” on page 56 for more  
information.  
Cooling time  
Set the cooling time from 0 (None) to 15 seconds.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
37  
Using the LCD menus  
Menu Display  
Settings  
Function  
Ink  
Ink Type  
Displays the type of ink ribbon that is loaded in the printer.  
Datacard supports YMCK and YMCKK ink ribbons. (The printer  
detects the type of ink ribbon; it cannot be set.) See your dealer  
regarding support for YMCKPO ink ribbon.  
YMCK: 0  
YMCKPO: 2  
YMCKK: 4  
Black level  
Choose from seven gradations from -3 (lighter) to +5 (darker).  
Black mode  
Choose Standard or Fine. Change to Fine if thin lines or small  
black text is blurred (printing speed is slower).  
SP - Ink1 Level  
Use SP - Ink1 and Ink2 levels to set the darkness level of  
special inks that will be available in the future.  
SP - Ink2 Level  
See SP -Ink1 Level above.  
Retransfer  
Media type:  
750  
Datacard retransfer ribbon is available in 1000 frames per roll.  
1000  
Temp Level  
Set the retransfer roller temperature. Set from -3 (lower) to +2  
(higher).  
Speed (front)  
Set the retransfer speed for the front of the card. Set from -10  
(slower) to +2 (faster). Initialize the retransfer film after making  
changes. See “Initialize the retransfer film” on page 17.  
Speed (back)  
MG Print (JIS)  
Set the retransfer speed for the back of the card. Set from -10  
(slower) to +2 (faster). Initialize the retransfer film after making  
changes. See “Initialize the retransfer film” on page 17.  
Select ON or OFF.  
Standby  
Front Wait  
Back Wait  
When printing both sides of a card and using an optional  
smart card (IC) unit, specifies whether to wait after the front  
side or the back side of the card.  
Buzzer  
ON or OFF  
Use to turn the electronic beep sound ON or OFF. The sound  
can indicate an error, when fewer than 20 cards remain in the  
card hopper, or to confirm a menu selection.  
Power Saving  
OFF or up to 60 minutes  
The printer enters power save mode after a specified period  
of inactivity. Choose from OFF or select from 5 to 60 minutes  
in 5 to15 minute increments. “Sleeping” appears on the LCD  
display. To cancel power save mode, press RESET and then  
the ENTER key. The printer uses one set of supplies.  
Bend Remedy  
Temp Level  
Speed  
Choose from -5 (lower) to 0 (higher) or OFF to set the bend  
remedy roller temperature. See “Bend remedy” on page 56  
for more information.  
Choose from -2 (slower) to +2 (faster) to set the bend remedy  
speed. See “Bend remedy” on page 56 for more  
information.  
Cooling time  
Set the cooling time from 0 (None) to 15 seconds.  
38  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Using the LCD menus  
Menu Display  
Settings  
Function  
Card Thickness  
Standard  
Thin  
Set Standard for 0.030 inch (0.76mm) thick cards or Thin for  
0.010 inch (0.25mm) thick cards. Contact your dealer or  
service provider before using 0.010in (.0.25mm) thick cards.  
MG ISO Type  
ISO coercivity setting  
Set coercivity for writing data to ISO magnetic stripe cards:  
Lo-Co: 238 x 102 [A/m] (300[Oe])  
Hi-Co: 218 x 103 [A/m] (2750[Oe])  
Lo-Co  
Hi-Co  
IC Antenna Pos  
None  
Select from three settings:  
EXT. Unit  
Added on  
None for no antenna.  
EXT.Unit when a smart card antenna is used.  
Added on when a contact smart card is used.  
IC Contact Pos  
None  
Select from three positions to stop the card in:  
Built-in  
EXT. Unit  
None for no contact.  
Built-in when the built-in contacts are used.  
EXT. Unit when an external smart card option is used.  
Test Print  
Unit No  
OK?  
Press the ENTER key to print the default test pattern. Test  
Print can be used with or without a host PC.  
Choose from 1 to 7  
Assign the unit number when more than one printer is  
connected to a PC. Each unit attached to a PC must have a  
unique number. After choosing the unit number, press the  
ENTER key and then the EXIT key. “Please, power off” is  
displayed on the LCD panel. Power the printer off and then  
back on.  
Network  
IP Address  
Shows the current IP Address of the printer.  
Printer Name  
PRINTER01 to  
PRINTER09  
Assign the Network Name of the printer. Change this name  
when more than one RP90 Plus E printer is connected to the  
network. Choose from the names supplied. If you set up a  
network printer on the PC using a USB connection, this name  
can be the name that you assigned from the PC.  
Host Interface  
USB  
Choose the connection method for the printer and PC, either  
USB or LAN (Ethernet).  
LAN  
DHCP  
ON  
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network  
feature that assigns IP addresses to devices on the network.  
OFF  
ON uses DHCP to assign the printer IP address. The IP  
Address can change when you power off the printer and  
then power it on again.  
OFF means that you must assign the IP Address of the  
printer and it will not change (Static IP). Use this setting if  
your network does not support DHCP.  
Ask your network administrator which setting to use.  
IP Address  
The default IP address of the printer is 192.168.0.141, and is  
displayed when the printer is powered on for the first time or  
when DHCP is set to On.  
If you do not use DHCP, ask your network administrator for  
the IP Address to use.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
39  
Using the LCD menus  
Menu Display  
Settings  
Function  
Subnet Mask  
The default Subnet Mask of the printer is 255.255.255.0. If  
you do not use DHCP, ask your network administrator for the  
Subnet mask.  
Gateway  
The default Gateway of the printer is 192.168.0.1. If you do  
not use DHCP, ask your network administrator for the Subnet  
mask.  
Session TimeOut  
Set how many minutes to wait without using the printer to stop  
the network session between the PC and printer.  
OFF or up to 60 minutes  
MAC Address  
The MAC Address is unique to each printer. The MAC  
Address is displayed and cannot be changed.  
IPSec Mode  
ON  
Set the Internet Protocol (IP) Security mode to ON or to OFF.  
After setting up security using a PC and USB connection, this  
setting cannot be changed.  
OFF  
IPSec Type  
Set the type of IP Security. Choose from the following:  
Not Setting, no IP Security.  
Preshared, using a preshared key for encryption.  
Certificate, using a public key certificate for encryption.  
After setting up security using a PC and USB connection, this  
setting cannot be changed.  
HR Control  
Download  
ON  
OFF  
Set whether to lower the temperature of the retransfer heat  
roller after 30 minutes of no printing. The roller returns to  
operating temperature when the next card is printed.  
Setting HR Control to ON can add to the useful life of the  
retransfer heat roller.  
To prepare the printer for a firmware download, press the  
ENTER key. The firmware must be downloaded from a USB-  
connected PC with the driver and Status Monitor installed.  
See “Others tab” on page 31 for the Status Monitor page.  
DO NOT power off the printer while the firmware is being  
downloaded.  
Transport Mode  
Set transport mode  
Set the Transport Mode when moving or shipping the printer.  
Press the ENTER key to use the transport mode. “Please,  
power off” is displayed on the LCD panel. The transport mode  
is cancelled when the printer is powered back on.  
on page 48 for information on preparing the printer for  
transporting it.  
40  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Using the LCD menus  
About the Laminator LCD panel  
When you power on the laminator, it begins initializing. The laminator searches for  
laminate and then starts preheating. The laminator is ready when the LCD display reads  
"Ready" and the Ready light is steady green.  
Ready LED (green)  
Steady Green  
The laminator is ready.  
The laminator busy.  
Blinking  
Off  
The laminator stopped because of an error, initialization or  
preheating is in progress, or the operator is using the LCD panel to  
set preferences.  
Error LED (red)  
On  
Off  
The laminator may require service or did not power on correctly. To  
correct the condition, press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key.  
If this does not correct the condition, power the laminator off, and  
then back on before calling for service.  
Normal status  
Keys:  
MENU  
Press MENU to access the laminator settings. Continue to press  
the MENU key to access the settings in the order listed on the next  
page.  
ENTER  
EXIT  
Confirms your selection.  
Exits the current selection and returns you to the previous menu  
selection. Press the EXIT key at any time to exit the menu system  
and return to "Ready" status.  
RESET/K  
Initializes the laminator after an error occurs. Scrolls through  
available values when you change settings.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
41  
 
Using the LCD menus  
Using the Laminator LCD panel  
Use the LCD panel to change laminator settings, or use the Laminator tab of the Status  
Monitor to change some settings from the PC.  
LCD Display  
Settings  
Function  
Mode  
Single  
Pass  
Default setting; laminates on one side only.  
Passes card without laminating.  
Film  
1-mil  
0.6 mil  
overlay  
1-mil is the default setting. Use it for patch film 1-mil thick.  
Use for patch film 0.6-mil thick.  
Use with topcoat with no positioning markings.  
Film Position  
Temp  
-7 to +7  
Adjusts the patch transfer position. Default setting is 0; the  
patch moves to the right with a positive value and to the left  
with a negative value.  
Temperature, default 170° Press the RESET/K key to set temperature from 120° C to  
200° C in 5° increments.  
Press the ENTER key to confirm selection.  
Speed  
Lamination speed, default  
5.5mm/sec  
Press ENTER and use the RESET/K key to set lamination  
speed from 2mm/sec to 10mm/sec in 0.5mm/sec  
increments. The value that can be set may be limited by  
the temperature setting.  
Press the ENTER key to confirm selection.  
Card Fan  
Off, Low, Half, High, or  
Full  
Press the RESET/K key to turn the card cooling fan Off  
(default), Low, Half, High, or Full.  
Press the ENTER key to confirm selection.  
Cool Time  
0 (default), 5, 7, or 10  
seconds  
Press the RESET/K key to select the amount of cooling  
time before laminating starts.  
Power Save  
Off, 10, 20, 30 (default),  
or 60 minutes  
Lowers the heater temperature if no lamination has  
occurred in the set time period. Preheating automatically  
returns when a card enters the laminator.  
Using the default value of 30 minutes can reduce  
discoloration of the laminator material.  
LCD contrast  
Cleaning  
1 to 5  
Press the RESET/K key to set the LCD display contrast  
from 1 to 5. The larger the number, the higher the contrast.  
Without HR  
With HR  
Cleans the transport roller only.  
Cleans transport and heat rollers. Remove the laminate  
cartridge to clean the heat roller. See “Cleaning the  
laminator” on page 49 for more information.  
Online Setting  
Displays settings sent from the PC when the RL90 is  
connected through an RP90 Plus E printer to a PC.  
42  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Taking care of your printer  
4
This chapter provides information to help you maintain the Datacard®  
RP90 Plus printer and the Datacard® RL90 card laminator for optimal  
performance. It describes:  
Cleaning the printer  
Cleaning the laminator  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Cleaning the printer  
Cleaning the printer  
This section provides information on proper care and cleaning of the RP90  
Plus printer. It also includes recommendations on how often to clean and  
replace components.  
Cleaning the card cleaning rollers  
Tips – Card cleaning roller  
The card cleaning rollers are located inside the card hopper and clean lint and  
other debris from the cards before printing. The card cleaning rollers should  
be cleaned regularly, such as every time the ink ribbon or retransfer film is  
changed. To clean the rollers:  
Wash the card cleaning  
rollers regularly, such as  
every time you change  
the ink ribbon.  
1
2
Open the card hopper.  
Pull the card cleaning rollers  
out.  
More frequent cleaning  
may be required under  
heavy use conditions.  
Clean rollers every 200  
cards to improve print  
quality.  
3
Wash the blue cleaning rollers  
with water. Rub rollers gently  
under running water. Do not  
use isopropanol or detergents  
to clean the rollers.  
4
5
6
Allow the card cleaning rollers  
to dry thoroughly.  
Allow the card cleaning  
rollers to dry thoroughly  
before reinstalling them in  
the printer.  
Reinstall the cleaning unit with  
the blue rollers facing up.  
Close the card hopper.  
Replace the card cleaning  
rollers annually.  
Card feed roller  
The card feed rollers move the card  
through the printing process. To clean the card feed roller:  
1
2
3
Open the card hopper and  
remove cards.  
Slide the card bracket to the  
left until it locks.  
Clean the card feed roller with  
a cotton swab dipped in  
ethanol.  
4
Load cards as described in  
44  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
       
Cleaning the printer  
Cleaning the card feed rollers and heat roller  
The heat roller provides the heat used during the retransfer process. The card  
feed rollers move the card inside the printer. See “Printer roller layout” on  
page 51 to find the location of the rollers.  
Tips – Cleaning card feed  
and heat rollers  
The heat roller cannot be  
cleaned while hot. Power  
the printer off and allow it  
to cool, or perform  
cleaning before the heat  
roller reaches operating  
temperature.  
Clean the card feed  
rollers and heat roller  
every 1,000 printed  
cards.  
Use the cleaning card  
one time only. Using a  
dirty cleaning card can  
cause damage to the  
rollers.  
Begin with the printer (and optional laminator) powered off.  
1
Move the RL90 laminator (if installed) away from the printer to avoid a  
card jam during the cleaning process.  
2
3
Slide the door latch to the right and open the printer door.  
Press the retransfer film cartridge eject button and remove the  
retransfer film cartridge.  
4
5
6
7
8
9
Close the printer door.  
Power on the printer. See “Power on the printer” on page 15.  
The "No Cassette" message is displayed on the LCD display.  
Remove the protective paper from a cleaning card.  
Press the MENU key until "Cleaning" is displayed.  
Press the ENTER key.  
10 "Rollers OK?" is displayed. Press the ENTER key.  
11 Insert the cleaning card into the card slot located on the right side of  
the printer within 10 seconds. The card will be drawn into the printer by  
the rollers and cleaning will begin.  
12 Turn the card over when it is discharged and repeat Step 11 to  
complete the cleaning process.  
13 When the cleaning card is discharged, power off the printer, wait ten  
seconds, reinstall the retransfer film cartridge, and power back on.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
45  
   
Cleaning the printer  
Cleaning the magnetic head  
When printing magnetic stripe cards, the magnetic head should be cleaned  
every 1,000 cards. If you are not using magnetic stripe cards, the magnetic  
head does not require cleaning.  
Tips –Magnetic head  
cleaning card  
Begin with the printer (and optional  
laminator) powered off.  
Replace the magnetic  
head cleaning card when  
it becomes dirty. Using a  
dirty magnetic head  
cleaning card can  
damage the magnetic  
head.  
1
Move the RL90 laminator (if  
installed) away from the printer  
to avoid a card jam during the  
cleaning process.  
2
3
Open the card hopper and  
remove cards.  
Power on the printer. See  
4
5
Press the MENU key until  
"Cleaning" is displayed.  
Press ENTER and use the up  
and down arrow keys to select  
"MG Head."  
6
7
Place three or four drops of  
isopropanol on the stripe of the  
magnetic head cleaning card.  
Place the magnetic head  
cleaning card in the card  
hopper in the correct  
orientation for the type of cards  
page 8 for proper card  
orientation.  
8
9
Close the card hopper and  
press the ENTER key on the  
LCD panel.  
When the cleaning card is  
discharged, power off the printer, wait ten seconds, and power back  
on.  
46  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Cleaning the printer  
Cleaning the thermal head  
The thermal head assembly should be  
cleaned once every ten rolls of retransfer  
film.  
Tips – Thermal head  
Do not use metal or other  
abrasive materials to  
clean the thermal head.  
Begin with the printer (and optional  
laminator) powered off.  
The thermal head can be  
damaged by an  
1
Slide the door latch to the right and  
open the printer door.  
electrostatic charge.  
Discharge yourself by  
touching the printer  
frame before cleaning  
the thermal head.  
2
Press the ink ribbon cartridge eject  
button and remove the ink ribbon  
cartridge.  
cotton swab  
3
Press the retransfer film cartridge  
eject button and remove the  
retransfer film cartridge.  
4
5
6
Wipe the thermal head with a  
cotton swab dipped in ethanol.  
Reinstall the ink ribbon cartridge  
and the retransfer film cartridge.  
Close the printer door.  
Thermal  
head  
Cleaning printer fan filters  
The printer has four fan filters to prevent airborne particles from entering the  
print area. Clean the filters regularly. Replace them when the foam begins to  
deteriorate.  
1
Remove the external fan filters; remove two filters from the left side of  
the printer and one from the right side.  
2
3
Remove the card hopper.  
Remove the fan filter located on the upper surface of the card hopper  
housing by sliding the filter to the left and pulling down.  
4
Clean the filters carefully using a vacuum cleaner. Hold the foam filter  
in place to prevent it from being pulled into the vacuum. Replace the  
foam filters into their frames if they have moved during cleaning.  
5
6
Reinstall the filters into the printer.  
Replace the card hopper.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
47  
   
Cleaning the printer  
Preparing the printer and laminator for transport  
Use saved packaging materials to prepare the printer and optional laminator  
for transport. Transport includes moving the printer from one location to  
another within the same facility.  
1
Set the printer to transport mode using the LCD panel. See “Using the  
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Power off the laminator (if used) and the printer.  
Disconnect the power and data cables from the printer.  
Disconnect the power cable from the laminator (if used).  
Disconnect the cable between the laminator and printer (if used).  
Allow the unit(s) to cool down before preparing them for transport.  
Remove cards from the printer card hopper.  
Remove the printer ink ribbon cartridge and remove the ink ribbon from  
the cartridge. Replace the empty cartridge in the printer.  
9
Remove the transfer film cartridge and remove the transfer film from  
the cartridge. Replace the empty cartridge in the printer.  
10 Insert the head pad on the printer thermal head.  
11 Remove the laminator cartridge and remove the laminator supply from  
the cartridge.  
12 Replace the laminator transport cushion and the empty cartridge in the  
laminator.  
13 Close all doors, including the input hopper.  
14 Remove the output hopper.  
15 Package each unit in the original shipping carton.  
Note:  
If the printer will not be used for a week or more, cover the  
printer with the plastic shipping bag to keep dust and other  
debris out of the printer.  
48  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Cleaning the laminator  
Cleaning the laminator  
Most card jams are caused by dirty rollers. Clean the laminator at the same  
time that you clean the printer. If you are using the laminator as a stand-alone  
unit, clean the laminator every 1,000 cards.  
Run a laminator cleaning card  
Tips – Laminator cleaning  
card  
When the heat roller is  
at operating  
temperature, “HR is too  
hot” is displayed on the  
LCD display. Turn  
power OFF and allow  
unit to cool for  
approximately 30  
minutes before starting  
the cleaning sequence.  
Use a cleaning card one  
time only. Using a dirty  
cleaning card can  
1
2
Press the MENU key on the laminator LCD panel until "Cleaning" is  
displayed.  
cause card jams.  
To clean the transport roller only:  
a
Press the ENTER key and "Without HR" is displayed.  
b
c
Press the ENTER key and "Cleaning OK" is displayed.  
Press the ENTER key and cleaning starts.  
3
To clean the transport roller and heat roller:  
a
Press RESET and then ENTER and "With HR" is displayed.  
Press ENTER and "Film removed?" is displayed.  
b
c
Remove the laminator cartridge, remove patch or topcoat material,  
replace the empty cartridge into the laminator, and close the  
laminator door.  
d
e
Press the ENTER key and "Cleaning OK?" is displayed.  
Remove the protective paper  
from the cleaning card and press  
the ENTER key.  
f
Slide the cleaning card into the  
card discharge slot. The card will  
be drawn into the laminator and  
will exit from the same slot when  
cleaning is complete.  
4
5
Press the EXIT key twice to exit the  
cleaning menu.  
Reload and initialize the material.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
49  
     
Cleaning the laminator cartridge  
The laminator cartridge can collect debris and dust during lamination and  
supply loading. Clean the cartridge every 1,000 cards.  
1
2
Open the laminator door by pulling the top of the door toward you.  
Press the laminator cartridge eject button to remove the laminator  
cartridge.  
3
4
Remove the supply and take-up spools if present.  
Clean the two cartridge guide shafts and the four metal guides with a  
lint free cloth and ethanol.  
5
6
Clean the laminator guide rails and the cartridge opening.  
Replace the supply and take-up spools on the cartridge. See “Load  
7
8
Replace the loaded laminator cartridge in the laminator until it clicks  
into position.  
Close the laminator door.  
Laminator fan filter  
The laminator fan filter is designed to  
keep airborne particles from entering  
the unit. Clean the filter regularly and  
replace it when the foam begins to  
deteriorate.  
1
Remove the filter from the back  
of the laminator by pulling the  
filter cover off.  
2
Clean the filter carefully using a  
vacuum cleaner. Hold the foam  
filter in place to prevent it from  
being drawn into the vacuum.  
3
Reinstall the filter.  
50  
   
Messages  
and error recovery  
5
This chapter provides information to help you respond to the printer and  
laminator messages and explains how to recover from an error. It  
describes:  
Printer roller layout  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Printer error recovery  
Printer error recovery  
The printer’s LCD panel background color changes to red when the printer  
has an error. The LCD panel displays text that describes the error.  
Hopper jam  
If a card jams in the card hopper  
section, “Jam (Hopper)” is displayed  
on the LCD panel. To remove the  
jammed card:  
1
Pull the card hopper out and  
lift it slightly to remove it.  
2
Remove the jammed cards:  
— If you can reach the  
jammed card, pull it out.  
— If you cannot reach the  
jammed card:  
— Pull the cleaning roller  
module out slightly.  
— Turn the knob on the  
right-hand side of the  
cleaning roller module  
clockwise to drop the  
jammed card. Remove  
the fallen card.  
— Push the cleaning roller  
module back into  
position.  
3
4
Replace and close the card  
hopper.  
Press the RESET and then  
the ENTER key to initialize the  
printer.  
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Printer error recovery  
Turnover jam  
If a card jams in the card turnover section, “Jam (Turnover)” is displayed on  
the LCD panel. To remove the jammed card:  
Tips – Turnover jam  
Some internal parts may  
be hot. Wear a glove  
when rotating the  
turnover table.  
1
2
Slide the door latch to the right and open the printer door.  
Press the ink ribbon cartridge eject button and remove the ink ribbon  
cartridge.  
3
Remove the jammed card.  
— If you can reach the jammed card, pull it out.  
— If the jammed card is sticking out of the turnover table, push it back  
into the table, and rotate the table slowly until the card can be  
removed.  
4
Replace the ink ribbon cartridge and initialize the ink ribbon as  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
53  
   
Printer error recovery  
Retransfer section jam  
If a card jams in the retransfer section, “Jam (Transfer)” is displayed on the  
LCD panel. To remove the jammed card:  
Tips – Retransfer jam  
1
2
Slide the door latch to the right and open the printer door.  
Some internal parts may  
be hot. Be careful when  
removing a jammed card.  
Press the retransfer film cartridge eject button and remove the  
retransfer film cartridge.  
3
Open the card hopper and  
remove the jog lever by  
pushing the retaining tab  
toward the front of the printer  
and lifting the jog lever.  
4
Use the jog lever to turn the  
jog dial counterclockwise until  
the card can be removed.  
5
6
Remove the card.  
Replace the retransfer film  
cartridge and initialize the  
retransfer film as described in  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Printer error recovery  
Mending broken ink ribbon or retransfer film  
If the ink ribbon or retransfer film breaks, “Media Broken” is displayed on the  
LCD panel. Broken ink ribbon is shown in the following example; repairing  
broken retransfer film uses the same steps.  
1
2
3
Slide the door latch to the right and open the printer door.  
Remove the cartridge by pressing the cartridge eject button.  
Trim the ends of the broken  
portions evenly.  
4
5
6
Do not remove the used ink  
ribbon or film from the take-up  
spool.  
Align the ends of the broken  
media evenly and apply tape  
to secure.  
Turn the take-up spool  
clockwise until the mended  
portion is wound onto the  
spool two or three turns.  
7
Reinstall the cartridge into the  
printer until it clicks into  
position.  
8
9
Close printer door.  
Initialize the ribbon or film as  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
55  
   
Printer error recovery  
Bend remedy  
Single-sided printing can cause the card to warp depending on the type of  
cards you use. Use the bend remedy Temp Level settings to correct the  
condition and use the Speed settings to fine tune the adjustment.  
Bend remedy printer settings  
You can also change the printer setting using the Status Monitor. See “Bend  
1
2
Press the printer MENU  
key until "Bend Remedy" is  
displayed.  
Press the ENTER key.  
Choose from three bend  
remedy settings. Use the  
up and down arrow keys to  
select "Temp Level",  
Tips –Bend Remedy  
You must initialize the  
printer by pressing the  
RESET and then the  
ENTER key. Settings will  
not be saved if the  
"Speed", or "Cooling Time".  
a
Temp Level  
printer is not initialized.  
Use the up and down  
arrow keys to set the  
bend remedy roller  
temperature. There are  
seven settings: off and -  
5 to 0. The higher the  
value, the higher the  
temperature. Press the  
ENTER key to confirm  
the value.  
Double-sided printing  
with the Temp Level set  
to a high temperature  
can cause severe  
warping. Set the Temp  
Level to OFF when  
printing on both sides of  
the card.  
Allow sufficient time for  
the bend remedy roller to  
cool after decreasing the  
temperature setting.  
b
c
Speed  
Use the up and down arrow keys to set the bend remedy roller  
speed. There are five settings from -2 to +2; the higher the value,  
the faster the speed. Press the ENTER key to confirm the value.  
Cooling Time  
Set the cooling time from zero to 15 seconds using the up and  
down arrow keys. Press the ENTER key to confirm the value.  
3
Press the RESET and then the ENTER key to initialize the printer.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Printer error recovery  
Bend remedy laminator settings  
When the laminated card warps concave, the printer bend remedy settings  
should be effective in correcting the problem. See “Bend remedy printer  
settings” on page 56 on the previous page.  
If the laminated card warps convex, set the printer Bend Remedy> Temp  
Level to Off and set the laminator’s  
Card Fan to one of five settings.  
Set the printer Bend Remedy>Temp  
Level to Off when laminating cards  
that have been printed on both sides.  
To set the laminator Card Fan:  
1
Press the MENU key on the  
laminator LCD display until  
“Card Fan” is displayed.  
2
3
Press the ENTER key.  
Press the RESET/K key to select from five settings: Off, Low, Half,  
High, or Full. You may need to experiment with this setting to obtain  
satisfactory results.  
4
Press the ENTER key to confirm the setting.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
57  
 
Printer error recovery  
Printer LCD messages  
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
Please, Power Off  
The power must be turned  
off to initialize the printer.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again.  
Please Remove Media  
Cassette  
Cleaning cannot start  
when the retransfer film  
cartridge is in the printer.  
1
2
Remove the retransfer film cartridge.  
Press RESET and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
1
Start the cleaning cycle again.  
HR is too hot  
Cleaning cannot start  
because the temperature  
of the heat roller is too  
high.  
Power off the printer and allow the heat roller to  
cool for about 20 minutes.  
2
3
4
Power on the printer and start cleaning again.  
Make sure that the retransfer film cartridge has  
been removed.  
roller” on page 45 for instructions on how to clean  
the card feed and heat rollers.  
Contact your service provider if “HR is too hot”  
appears on the LCD panel and you are not cleaning  
the printer.  
Jam (Hopper)  
Jam (Turnover)  
Jam (MG)  
There is a card jam in the  
hopper section.  
1
2
Remove jammed card from the card hopper.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
There is a card jam in the  
turnover section.  
1
2
Remove jammed card from the turnover section.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
1
There is a card jam in the  
magnetic stripe encode  
section.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer. If no card is discharged, remove the card  
from the encode section.  
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Jam (Transfer)  
There is a card jam in the  
retransfer section.  
1
2
Remove the jammed card from the retransfer  
section.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
1
Jam (Discharge)  
There is a card jam in the  
card discharge section.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
2
3
Remove the jammed card from the retransfer  
section.  
Check that the card stacker is securely attached to  
the stacker receptacle. An incorrectly mounted card  
stacker can cause discharge jams.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Printer error recovery  
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
Media Broken  
The retransfer film is  
broken.  
1
Repair the retransfer film as described in  
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer one ribbon panel.  
Media Search  
Media Run Out  
The printer is searching for  
the retransfer film.  
1
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to reset the  
retransfer film.  
Call for service if the problem persists.  
The retransfer film has run  
out.  
1
2
Replace with new roll of retransfer film.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
1
Initialize the new roll of film as described in  
Ink Broken  
The ink ribbon is broken.  
Repair the ink ribbon as described in “Mending  
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
Ink Search  
The printer is searching for  
the ink ribbon.  
1
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to reset the ink  
ribbon.  
Call for service if the problem persists.  
Ink Run Out  
The ink ribbon has run out.  
1
2
Replace with a new roll of ink ribbon.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
Initialize the new ribbon as described in “Initialize  
Turn Over Unit  
Heater Cam  
The card turnover device  
has malfunctioned.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the printer.  
Call for service if the problem persists.  
Heat roller operation error.  
1
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
2
1
Call for service if the problem persists.  
No Card  
1
2
There are no cards in  
the card hopper.  
Load cards as described in “Load cards” on  
page 8.  
Close or replace the card hopper securely.  
The card hopper is  
open or has been  
removed.  
2
Door Open  
The printer door is open.  
1
2
Close the printer door.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
59  
Printer error recovery  
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
No Cleaning Ro.  
The cleaning rollers are  
missing.  
1
2
Reinstall the cleaning rollers.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
3
page 44 for more information.  
No Cassette  
The ink ribbon or retransfer  
film cartridge is not  
installed.  
1
2
Install the cartridge(s) in printer.  
Initialize the ink ribbon as described in “Initialize  
3
Initialize the retransfer film as described in  
Hardware  
There is a hardware error.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
TR Overheat  
TR Broken  
The retransfer roller is too  
hot.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
The retransfer roller is not  
working.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
TR Sensor Broken  
RR Overheat  
RR Broken  
The retransfer roller  
thermistor is not working.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
The bend remedy roller is  
too hot.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
The bend remedy roller is  
not working.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
RR Sensor Broken  
Overcool  
The bend remedy roller  
thermistor is not working.  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
It is too cold for the printer  
to operate.  
The temperature in the printer area is too low. Use at  
the recommended operating environment temperature  
Head Overheat  
The thermal head is  
overheated.  
Turn the power switch off and allow the printer to cool  
for approximately 10 minutes before turning power  
back on.  
EEProm Broken  
MG Unconnected  
MG Mechanical  
MG Hardware  
EEPROM malfunction  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
Magnetic stripe module  
connection error  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
Magnetic stripe  
mechanical error  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
Magnetic stripe hardware  
error  
Turn the power switch off and then on again. Call for  
service if the problem persists.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Printer error recovery  
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
MG Write  
Magnetic stripe writing  
error  
1
Check the orientation of magnetic stripe cards in  
the card hopper as described in “Load cards” on  
page 8.  
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
EXT Unconnected  
An external device, such  
as the optional laminator,  
is not working.  
1
2
Check that the laminator’s power switch is on.  
Make sure that the cable connecting the laminator  
to the printer is plugged in securely.  
3
Turn the printer and optional laminator power  
switches off and then on again.  
4
1
Call for service if the problem persists.  
MG Read  
Magnetic card reading  
error.  
Check the type and orientation of magnetic cards in  
the card hopper as described in “Load cards” on  
page 8.  
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
MG Communicate  
EXT SW Setting  
EXT Jam  
Magnetic stripe module  
communication error.  
Turn the printer’s power switch off and then on again.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the printer.  
External device switch  
setting error.  
Turn the printer’s power switch off and then on again.  
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the printer.  
External retransfer unit jam  
error.  
1
2
Press RESET, and then ENTER.  
Remove cards if they are not discharged as  
3
Press RESET, and then ENTER to initialize the  
printer.  
EXT Communicate  
EXT 2 Communicate  
External unit  
communications error.  
Turn the printer’s power switch off and then on again.  
The laminator  
communication is lost.  
1
2
REQUIRED: Power off the printer and laminator.  
Make sure that the cable connecting the laminator  
to the printer is plugged in securely.  
3
Turn the printer’s power switch off and then on  
again.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
61  
Laminator error recovery  
Laminator error recovery  
The laminator LCD panel displays the error.  
Card jam  
The laminator LCD panel displays the location of the card jam: Card Jam (In),  
Card Jam (Middle), or Card Jam (Out). Use the following steps to remove  
card jams.  
Tips – Laminator card jam  
1
2
3
Open the laminator door by  
pulling the top of the door  
toward you.  
Make sure that the card  
stacker is not blocking the  
card discharge slot.  
Turn the take-up knob  
clockwise to remove slack in  
the laminator material.  
The area around the heat  
roller is very hot. Be  
careful when removing a  
jammed card.  
Press the laminator cartridge  
eject button and remove the  
laminator cartridge. The  
cartridge may be difficult to  
remove; pull firmly, but do not  
force. If cartridge cannot be  
removed, call for service.  
4
5
Use a coin to turn the jog dial,  
which will move the card. The  
jog dial can be turned  
clockwise or counterclockwise  
depending on the location of  
the card.  
Remove the jammed card.  
The area around the heat  
roller is very hot. Be careful  
when removing a jammed  
card.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Laminator error recovery  
6
Inspect the cartridge:  
— If the material on the cartridge is in one piece:  
— Turn the cartridge take-up knob counter-clockwise until all  
damaged material is wound neatly on the take-up spool.  
— If the material is split  
or broken:  
— Trim the ends of the broken portions evenly.  
— Align the end of the  
supply material with the  
take-up spool and apply  
tape to secure.  
— Turn the material onto  
the take-up spool until  
the mended portion is  
wound two or three  
turns.  
7
Replace the loaded laminator  
cartridge in the printer until it  
clicks into position.  
8
9
Close the printer door.  
Initialize the patch or topcoat  
material by pressing the  
laminator’s RESET/K and then  
the ENTER key.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
63  
Laminator error recovery  
Patch position  
The position of the patch on the card can very slightly with a different lot of laminator  
supply material. You can change the left-to-right position or the top to bottom position.  
Change the left-to-right position  
Use the laminator LCD panel to change the left-to-right position of the patch on the card.  
See “Using the Laminator LCD panel” on page 42 to use the Film Position setting.  
Change the Top-to-Bottom Position  
Move the supply-side sprocket once to shift the patch position, following these steps.  
1
2
Power off the laminator and allow it to cool.  
Open the laminator door and remove the  
laminator cartridge.  
3
Use the sprocket on the supply side of the  
cartridge opening to change patch position.  
4
5
Pull the sprocket out. It  
moves a small amount.  
Turn the sprocket knob to  
move the patch:  
— Turn clockwise 30° to  
move the patch 1mm  
toward the top of the  
card.  
— Turn counterclockwise  
30° to move the patch  
1mm toward the  
bottom of the card.  
— The sprocket does not  
have a stop to indicate 30°; estimate the movement as closely as possible.  
6
Release the sprocket.  
Do not move the sprocket more than 30° from the default position.  
7
8
Insert the cartridge, close the door, and power on the laminator. Press the Reset  
button to initialize the supply material.  
Laminate a card to verify the new position.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Laminator error recovery  
Laminator LCD messages  
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
Please Power OFF  
To initialize this unit, the  
power must be switched  
off once.  
Turn the laminator’s power switch off, and then back  
on to initialize the laminator.  
Please Reset  
Displayed when Reset is  
necessary after changing  
the settings.  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the laminator.  
Please check inside  
The power was switched  
off during lamination.  
Remove the laminator cartridge and check for a card  
inside the machine. If there is a card in the machine,  
remove it.  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the laminator.  
Card Jam (in)  
There is a card jam in the  
entrance area.  
Check that the laminator is properly connected to the  
printer as described in “Optional laminator  
See “Card jam” on page 62 to clear the jam.  
Card Jam (middle)  
There is a card jam in the  
center of the card path.  
The laminating temperature is too high or the speed is  
too slow. Set the temperature or speed as described in  
See “Card jam” on page 62 to clear the jam.  
Card Jam (out)  
Film search  
There is a card jam in the  
card discharge area.  
The laminating temperature is too high or the speed is  
too slow. See “Card jam” on page 62 to clear the  
jam.  
The laminator is searching  
for laminate material.  
Check that the laminating film is correctly loaded as  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the laminating material.  
Film run out  
No Cassette  
The end of the roll mark  
has been detected.  
Replace the laminating material as described in “Load  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the laminator.  
The laminator cartridge is  
not installed.  
Install the laminator cartridge as described in “Load  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the laminator.  
Overcool  
The area surrounding the  
laminator is too cold.  
location guidelines.  
HR is too hot!  
The heat roller is too hot  
for the cleaning operation.  
Turn the power switch off and allow the roller to cool  
before attempting to clean it. See “Cleaning the  
laminator” on page 49 to clean the heat roller.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
65  
 
LCD Message  
Possible Cause  
Solution  
HR Cam  
Heater Cam error.  
Turn the power switch off, and then back on. Contact  
your service provider if this does not correct the  
condition.  
Heater Err  
The heater temperature  
does not increase.  
Check that the voltage inlet switch, located on the  
back of the laminator, is in the proper position for the  
input voltage. Contact your service provider if this  
does not correct the condition.  
HR Overheat  
Temp Sensor  
Heat roller temperature is  
too high.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
The heat roller  
temperature sensor is not  
working.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
Memory Err  
There is an internal  
memory error.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
Set Temp Err  
R. Encoder Err  
Overheat  
There is an error with the  
heat temperature setting.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
Rotary encoder error.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
The temperature inside the  
unit is too high.  
Turn the unit off and contact your service provider  
before powering back on.  
PRT. Communicate  
Communication error with  
the printer.  
Check that the laminator cable is connected securely  
to the printer.  
Turn the printer and laminator off, and then back on to  
recycle the power.  
Film Exchanged?  
The patch or topcoat  
material was changed  
while the laminator was  
turned off.  
Press the RESET/K and then the ENTER key to  
initialize the patch or topcoat material.  
66  
Supplies  
6
This section outlines the recommended supplies to use with the  
Datacard® RP90 Plus E card printer and the Datacard® RL90 card  
laminator.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Ink ribbon, retransfer film, and laminator material  
Ink ribbon  
Color print ribbons are designed for full-color card printing. The ribbons use the following  
color panels: Y=yellow, M=magenta, C=cyan/blue, and K=black.  
The following ink ribbons are available:  
YMCK  
568971-001 (Prints up to 1,000 cards per roll.)  
YMCKK  
568971-002 (Prints up to 750 cards per roll.) Use when printing two-sided  
cards; full color on one side and black only on the other side.  
Retransfer film  
The following retransfer film is available:  
568971-003 (Prints up to 1,000 single-sided cards.)  
Laminator material  
Successful laminating depends on the type of card used and its construction. If you are  
interested in applying topcoat or patch on PVC cards, contact your dealer for guidance.  
Datacard® provides two types of materials for use in laminators:  
Topcoat, which is a continuous film.  
Patch, which has die-cut patches sized to fit on a card.  
The RL90 laminator can apply any of the following types of laminator supply materials:  
Patch material  
0.6 mil clear patch  
1 mil clear patch  
565394-002  
565394-001  
Topcoat material  
clear topcoat  
565394-003  
You might use custom materials similar to those listed above.  
Cards  
Card success depends on the manufacturer and card construction. This section describes  
specifications and quality guidelines for card stock to use with the RP90 Plus E printer and  
the RL90 laminator. For best results, use high-quality card stock that meets the  
specifications and recommendations described in this section.  
Use cards that conform to the following specifications:  
ISO/IEC 7810 Type ID1  
ISO/IEC 7811-2 Magnetic stripe (optional)  
ISO/IEC 7816 Smart card (optional)  
Contact your service provider before using a preprinted magnetic stripe card or smart card.  
Dark color preprinted cards can cause positioning errors during encoding.  
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RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
               
Card size  
Use CR-80 size cards with the following nominal dimensions:  
Length  
3.375 inches  
85.60 mm  
Width  
2.125 inches  
53.98 mm  
Thickness  
0.010 or 0.030 inches  
0.25 or 0.762 mm  
0.030 is the printer’s default setting. Contact your service provider before  
using 0.010in (0.25mm) thick cards.  
Card material  
For best results, use cards of the following types:  
PVC  
PET  
PET-G  
Polycarbonates  
ABS  
Cleaning supplies  
The printer uses the following cleaning supplies. For best results, keep cleaning supplies  
on hand.  
Cleaning card  
564729-164, pack of 10 cards  
Magnetic head cleaning card  
Card cleaning rollers  
Printer fan filters  
564729-166, pack of 10 cards  
564729-122  
564729-167, set of four replacement foam filters  
564731-133 and 564731-134, set of replacement filters  
Laminator fan filter  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
69  
     
70  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Site requirements  
7
This section describes the operating environment recommended for your  
Datacard® RP90 Plus E card printer and Datacard® RL90 card laminator.  
It describes  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Site guidelines  
When choosing a site for the printer and its supplies, consider these  
guidelines:  
Keep all dust, dirt, food, liquids, etc. away from the printer at all times.  
Tips – Site selection  
Do not use supplies or cards that have been dropped on the floor or  
have otherwise become contaminated.  
Avoid locating the  
equipment in dirty or  
dusty environments.  
Keep paper and foreign materials off the printer.  
Place the printer on a stable platform; keep it off the floor.  
Place the printer away from direct sunlight.  
Do not place in areas  
susceptible to strong  
vibration or shock.  
Place the printer away from heating ducts, blowers, or other air vents.  
Do not use the printer for purposes other than its intended use.  
Do not place the printer,  
optional laminator, or the  
supplies in direct  
sunlight.  
When cleaning around the printer, prevent debris from entering the  
printer.  
Place the printer in a clean office environment, protected from any type  
of construction.  
Store all supplies in the original packaging until you load them in the  
printer. Keep the original packaging closed.  
Store all supplies in a clean, cool, and dry location.  
Operating environment  
The performance of the printer and optional laminator is strongly influenced  
by the installation location. Using the printer in areas below the recommended  
temperatures can cause retransfer errors, while using the printer in areas  
above the recommended temperatures can cause errors such as deformation  
and retransfer film errors. Consider the following recommendations if you  
need to move or relocate your printer.  
Relative humidity: 35% to 70%  
Temperature: 59° F to 86° F (15° C to 30° C)  
72  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
     
Ventilation clearance  
To ensure proper ventilation to the printer and laminator, maintain minimum  
clearance distances as shown.  
Sides:8” (20mm)  
Back: 4” (10mm)  
Keep paper and  
foreign  
materials off the  
printer.  
Place the  
printer on a  
stable platform  
Do not place in  
areas  
susceptible to strong vibration or shock.  
Keep all dust, dirt, food, liquids, etc. away from the printer at all times.  
Storage Environment for supplies  
Follow these guidelines when storing supply rolls:  
Store supplies in their original packaging until you are ready to use  
them.  
Choose a location away from direct sunlight, with a temperature  
between 41° F and 77° F (5° C and 25° C) with a maximum of 40% to  
60% relative humidity.  
Do not store supplies in direct sunlight or high humidity locations.  
The print ribbon maintains its quality for about one year. For optimal  
card quality, purchase and store quantities that you can use up in less  
than a year.  
The print ribbon and card stock might require secure storage and  
tracking. Follow your policy for storing and tracking the supplies used  
to make cards.  
Supply rolls should be at room temperature when they are installed in  
the printer and used. If supplies are stored in a cooler environment  
than the printer, allow supplies to reach room temperature before  
using.  
If the printer will not be used for an extended period of time, remove  
supplies from the printer and store them with new supplies.  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
73  
     
Printer specifications  
Recording method: Sublimation type retransfer  
Feed format: Automatic feed  
Recording density: 300 dpi  
Expression gradation:256 gradations for yellow (Y), Magenta (M), and  
Cyan (C); 2 for Black (K)  
Printing time:  
Interface:  
29 sec. (single sided, excluding data transfer time)  
USB 2.0  
Ethernet (100Base-Tx or 10Base-T)  
Operating environment conditions  
Temperature:  
Humidity:  
59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)  
35% to 70% (no condensation)  
Storage environment conditions  
Temperature:  
Humidity:  
5°F to 131°F (-15°C to 55°C)  
20% - 80%  
Power supply:  
100-120VAC or 220-240VAC (±10%)  
Current dissipation:  
7.0A for 100V system and 5.0A for 200V system  
Weight:  
48.4 lbs (22kg) (Standard unit excluding built-in  
magnetic encoder)  
Sound level:  
less than 70dB(A) according  
to DIN45635, part 19 (EN27779).  
74  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Laminator specifications  
Tips – Electrical  
Check that the red  
INLET switch, located  
on the back of the  
laminator, is set for your  
input voltage.  
Transfer method  
Transfer time  
Halogen lamp built-in heat roller method  
20 seconds. The time varies according to settings.  
Usage environment  
Temperature:  
59° F to 86° F (15° C to 30° C)  
Storage environment  
Temperature:  
5° F to 131°F (-15° C to 55° C)  
Humidity:  
30% to 70% (without condensation)  
Power supply:  
Power consumption:  
100-120VAC or 220-240VAC (±10%)  
Approximately 200 W  
Weight:  
17.6 lbs (8 kg)  
Sound level:  
less than 70dB(A) according  
to DIN45635, part 19 (EN27779).  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
75  
 
76  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Magnetic Stripe Encoding  
A
This section provides information about encoding magnetic stripe data. It  
includes:  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Inline Encoding  
Inline Encoding  
When the Magnetic Encode setting on the Printing Preferences Encode tab is checked, the  
magnetic stripe encoder can be enabled. The encoding data is sent to the card printer  
through the printer driver using the prefix characters described in this section. This function  
is called “inline encoding”.  
If the first three characters in a line are prefix characters (Tilde, “?” and numeral), the text  
that follow is recognized as encoding data. Encoding data is not printed on a card.  
Maximum  
Character  
Length  
Prefix  
characters  
character code  
table  
Data format  
~?0  
~?1  
JIS type 2  
7 unit (bit) code  
6 unit (bit) code  
69  
76  
ISO track 1 (International Air Transport  
Association — IATA)  
~?2  
~?3  
ISO track 2 (American Bankers Association —  
ABA)  
4 unit (bit) code  
4 unit (bit) code  
37  
ISO track 3 (Thrift Third Standard — TTS)  
104  
Tip for success  
Data must be formatted with the same, continuous font.  
Only characters specified in the table on page 79 can be included. Using other  
characters will result in an error.  
The maximum number of characters does not include the three prefix characters, or  
the start and end sentinels. The Datacard ID Software Printer Plug-in used with the  
mag stripe plug-in adds the start and end sentinels.  
Make sure that the ID software or PC application does not process the encoding  
data as graphics.  
Magnetic stripe data must be on the first page of the card data.  
Example  
78  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
   
Character Code Table  
Character Code Table  
The following table shows the usable ASCII character codes. The encoding data must use  
only allowed characters.  
b7  
b6  
b5  
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
2
0
1
1
3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
:
1
0
0
1
0
1
5
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
[
1
1
0
6
`
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
I
j
k
l
1
1
1
7
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
{
b4 b3 b2 b1  
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
@
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
!
#
$
% *  
&
(
)
*
+
,
-
.
LF  
; *  
<
=
>
? *  
\
]
^
_
|
}
~
m
n
o
/
DEL*  
4-unit code  
6 unit code  
7 unit code (except DEL)  
* Do not use these characters as encoding data; They are reserved for use by the driver as start  
or end sentinels.  
Start Sentinel  
(Hexadecimal)  
End Sentinel  
(Hexadecimal)  
4 unit code  
; (3B)  
? (3F)  
(TTS & ABA)  
6 unit code (IATA)  
7 unit code (JIS)  
% (25)  
? (3F)  
DEL (7F)  
DEL (7F)  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
79  
 
Character Code Table  
80  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
Compliance (FCC)  
B
This section describes the regulatory compliance of the Datacard® RP90  
Plus E printer and the Datacard® RL 90 laminator. It includes the  
following:  
Regulatory compliance  
— Notice for USA (FCC notice)  
— Notice for Canada  
— Notice for Europe  
Notice to Users of Printers Equipped with Contactless Smart Card  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
 
Regulatory compliance  
Regulatory compliance  
Notice for USA (FCC notice)  
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If it is not  
installed and used in accordance with this instruction manual, it may interfere with radio  
communications. This equipment has been tested and found to be within the limits for  
Class B computing devices, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, designed to  
provide reasonable protection against radio interference in a commercial environment.  
Operation of this equipment in a residential environment may possibly cause  
interference. In the event of interference, the user, at their own expense, will be required  
to take whatever measures are necessary to correct the problem.  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital  
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide  
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a  
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio  
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction  
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this  
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the  
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.  
Notice for Canada  
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise for digital  
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of  
Communications.  
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les  
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dans le  
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des Communications  
du Canada.  
The term “IC:” before the radio certification number only signifies that Industry Canada  
Technical specifications were met.  
Notice for Europe  
We hereby certify that the Datacard® RP90 Plus E printer complies with EMC Directive  
89/336/EEC and R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC. This printer conforms to Class B of EN  
55022 and to EN 301 489-5. Operation of this equipment in a residential environment  
may possibly cause interference. In the event of interference, the user, at their own  
expense, will be required to take whatever measures are necessary to correct the  
problem.  
Notice to Users of Printers Equipped with Contactless Smart Card  
The contactless smart card reader emits radio-frequency waves and must be used as  
installed and recommended by Datacard Group. You may not modify the reader or how it is  
used without the written permission of Datacard Group. You may not operate the printer after  
modifying the reader or its method of operation.  
82  
RP90 Plus E and RL90 User Guide  
           
11111 Bren Road West  
Minnetonka, MN 55343-9015  
952.933.1223  
952.933.7971 FAX  
The design and information contained in these  
materials is protected by US and international  
copyright laws and treaties.  
June 2008  
570024-002 Rev B  

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