IDP Smart 70 Card Printer Support
This page covers the most common technical-based questions we receive about the IDP Smart 70 ID Card Printer.
The following FAQs apply to the IDP Smart 51S (single-sided) and IDP Smart 51D (dual-sided) models.
IDP Smart 70 Printer Support FAQs
How do I resolve a breaking ribbon?
How do I adjust the print head power?
How do I resolve ‘Ribbon Not Found’ error?
How do I resolve a ‘Ribbon Search Error’?
How do I install the driver?
How do I update the firmware?
How do I print a test card?
Why are the cards not moving into the printer?
How do I install the printer ribbon?
How do I install the lamination film?
How do I carry out a clean on the IDP Smart 70?
How do I change the cleaning roller?
IDP Smart 70 Resources
How do I resolve a breaking ribbon?
To repair the broken ribbon in the IDP Smart 70:
- Open the top cover and remove the ribbon cartridge.
- Pull the two broken ends together and reattach them with tape.
- Place the ribbon cartridge back into the printer.
Ribbon breakages occur from time to time, but if it keeps recurring then you should carry out a thorough clean of your printer, check your cards are not contaminated and that the colour density of the printer is not set too low or high. You can do this by adjusting the print head power.
How do I adjust the print head power?
To adjust the print head power on the IDP Smart 70:
- Go to the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder in your computer, and right-click on the IDP Smart 70.
- From the drop-down menu, click into ‘Printing Preferences’.
- In the window, click into the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Increase the ‘Main’ Setting that is found directly under ‘Colour Correction’.
- Click ‘OK’ to save your changes.
- You should increase or decrease this in increments of 5 and carry out a test print until satisfied with your adjustment.
How do I resolve 'Ribbon Not Found' error?
To resolve ‘Ribbon Not Found’ error occurring with the IDP Smart 70:
- Ensure the printer ribbon is correctly installed and in position.
- Make sure the RFID tag on the ribbon is intact – without this the IDP Smart 70 can’t communicate with the ribbon. You should always use approved IDP Smart printer ribbons. If you’re using an uncertified ribbon, you will have to purchase a new one.
How do I resolve 'Ribbon Search Error'?
If you get this error message, it’s a sign the ribbon has not be recognised. To resolve this:
- Ensure the ribbon balance is correct using the left LED button on the front of the printer.
- Make sure the ribbon is correctly installed and in position.
- Ensure there is no dirt around the ‘Colour In / Out’ sensor by cleaning it with a cotton swab.
How do I install the driver?
To install the IDP Smart 70 driver:
- Insert the CD ROM supplied with your printer and click ‘Driver Install’ when prompted.
- When ‘User Account Control’ opens, click ‘Yes’.
- Ensure your printer is turned off, click ‘Next’.
- The driver is now ready to be installed. Only click ‘Next’ if the printer is connected via the USB port.
- Turn on the printer, and when prompted select the IDP Smart 70 Card Printer. Click ‘OK’.
- When the driver installation is complete, click ‘Close’.
How do I update the firmware?
You need to download firmware updates directly from the IDP website here: https://www.idp-corp.com/index/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s4_1&cate=11
- Run the file named ‘CardPrinterFirmware’ and when prompted, select the device you want to update (Card Printer / Flipper / Laminator). You should select your IDP Smart 70 from the list.
- Click the ‘Update’ button to run the firmware update automatically. The printer will reboot at this point.
- Your IDP Smart 70 firmware will now be installed.
Important note: Don’t close the download window before it has successfully finished the update, and ensure you do not turn off or disconnect your printer.
How do I print a test card?
To check the Smart 70’s modules are all in sync and ready to print, you can carry out a test print using the controls on the side of the printer. To carry out a test print:
- Press the ‘Menu’ key (far-left, three lines above).
- Use the arrow right arrow key to scroll through the menu until ‘Operation’ appears.
- Press the ‘Enter’ key (far-right, boxed arrow)
- ‘Print Sample’ will appear. Press the ‘Enter’ key again.
- A test card will now be printed.
Why are my cards not moving into the printer?
Sometimes cards can refuse to move into the printer from the input hopper. To resolve this, you should check:
- You’re using standard CR80-sized cards
- The card thickness control level is allowing the cards to flow freely.
- The cards are aligned properly
- The cards don’t have any moisture on them and are free of static electricity.
How do I install the printer ribbon and lamination film.
To install the printer ribbon into the IDP Smart 70:
- Turn the ribbon lock lever clockwise by 90 degrees.
- Pull out the ribbon film cartridge.
- Insert the print ribbon by mounting the circular spools into the cartridge from the side.
How do I install the lamination film?
The IDP Smart 70 is available with a lamination module. To insert a laminating film:
- Turn the lamination cartridge lock lever clockwise by 90 degrees.
- Pull out the lamination cartridge.
- Insert the lamination film by mounting it on the circular spools on the side.
How do I clean the IDP Smart 70?
To carry out a clean on the IDP Smart 70 printer, you need to use the ‘Long Cleaning Card’.
- Connect your Smart 70 to the computer and turn it on. Prepare the ‘Long Cleaning Card’ by removing it from its packaging.
- Open the hopper and top cover and take out the ribbon cartridge and any cards.
- Insert the long cleaning card into the printer through the input hopper. When it is inserted, it will start moving automatically. It’s normal for the rollers to move the cleaning card along on its own.
- Close the top cover to clean the print head and the printing roller. When the top cover is closed, the cleaning card will move back and forth to clean it.
- The long cleaning card will be ejected from the printer automatically after the cleaning has been completed.
- Replace the printer cartridge.
How do I change the cleaning rollers?
The cleaning roller holder can be found between the input hopper and the printer. To change the cleaning roller on the IDP Smart 70:
- Insert your fingers into the groove and pull out the cleaning roller holder.
- Remove the old cleaning roller from the holder clips
- Mount the new cleaning roller between the clips.
- Peel off the protective plastic roll around the cleaning roller.
- Reinsert the cleaning roller holder into its slot.
IDP Smart 70 resources
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