Retransfer Printers

Retransfer printers produce the sharpest, most professional ID cards available — true edge-to-edge colour with no white border. They work by printing onto a clear film first, then heat-bonding it to the card. The result is vivid, durable output that works even on uneven card surfaces like smart cards with embedded chips.

Retransfer printers cost more than direct-to-card models, but for organisations that need cards to look and feel professional, they're worth it. We stock retransfer printers from Evolis, Fargo, Magicard, and Zebra for Irish businesses. Browse our printer ribbons and printer bundles.

Retransfer Printers

23 products

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Showing 1 - 23 of 23 products

    Call for Pricing P-AP-7710001AP3D

    Call for Pricing P-AP-7710001AP3S

    Call for Pricing P-EV-AG1-0011

    Call for Pricing P-EV-AG1-0001

    P-EV-AV1H0000BD

    Call for Pricing P-FG-89600

    Call for Pricing P-FG-96640

    Call for Pricing P-FG-96600

    P-FG-94640

    P-FG-94600

    Call for Pricing P-IA-653413

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    Call for Pricing P-MAG-PRIMA801

    P-MAG-PRIMA801

    P-MAG-PRIMA802

    Call for Pricing P-MAG-PRIMA802

    Call for Pricing P-MAT-PR000660

    Call for Pricing P-MAT-DIH10458

    Call for Pricing P-MAT-DIH10450

    Call for Pricing P-MAT-PR000198

    Call for Pricing P-Z-ZXP9-Z92-000C0000EM00

    P-Z-ZXP9-Z92-000C0000EM00

    P-Z-ZXP9

Choosing a retransfer ID card printer for your organisation

A retransfer card printer never touches the card with its printhead. It prints the image in reverse onto a clear film, then a heated roller bonds that film to the card, edge to edge, with no white border. The result: denser colour, an image that survives years of handling, and no trouble with the uneven face of a smart card.

In Ireland the buyers are organisations where the card does real work: hospitals and universities issuing thousands of credentials a year, Dublin office campuses with access control tied to the badge, transport operators printing onto pre-encoded stock. Simple visitor passes do not need this. A photograph that must still be legible in five years does. Decide on single or dual-sided now; every model comes in both, and retrofitting later is rarely economical.

Comparing retransfer card printer technology across the range

Several models are priced on request, because encoding and lamination options change the figure considerably.

  • Zebra ZXP Series 9: the entry point, from €2862 ex VAT single-sided, with a dual-sided version alongside.
  • Fargo HDP6600 and HDP5000e: current and previous Fargo retransfer generations, the HDP6600 from €3000 ex VAT.
  • Magicard Prima 801 Uno and 802 Duo: single and dual-sided, for sites already on Magicard consumables.
  • Evolis Avansia Expert and Agilia, IDP Smart 81, Matica XID8300, XID8600 and MC660, and Authentys PRO RT1: further options for specific encoding requirements.

Consumables, cards and what else you will need

Retransfer printing uses two consumables, a colour ribbon and a roll of clear transfer film, which run out at different rates. Our printer ribbons and consumables range covers the Fargo, Zebra, Evolis and Magicard films, and blank white cards in 760 micron PVC are the usual pairing. Compare against the direct-to-card printers collection, or start with an ID card printer bundle.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a retransfer printer and a direct-to-card printer?

A direct-to-card printer presses the ribbon against the card, leaving a thin unprinted margin. A retransfer printer prints onto film and bonds it to the card: full coverage, tougher finish, higher cost per card.

Can a retransfer ID card printer print on smart cards?

Yes, and it is one of the main reasons to buy one. The printhead never contacts the card, so the bump over an embedded chip does not cause dropouts.

How much does a retransfer card printer cost in Ireland?

Priced models start from €2862 ex VAT for the single-sided Zebra ZXP Series 9 and rise to €4895 ex VAT for the Evolis Avansia Expert.

For advice on whether retransfer suits your card programme, call 01 555 5555 at Pace House, Dublin.