Evolis Avansia 600 dpi Retransfer Dual-Sided Card Printer (RB655)

Card printers are fundamental technological devices utilized for the personalization, high-resolution visual printing, and digital preparation of PVC and similar plastic cards through various encoding technologies. Card printers featuring retransfer printing technology operate on a highly sophisticated principle: the digital image is first printed onto a specialized, highly durable transparent transfer film, which is subsequently fused onto the card's surface using intense thermal pressure. This complex methodology is absolutely preferred and often mandatory in professional card applications that demand exceptional print quality, deep color saturation, and flawless over-the-edge printing without any unprinted white borders.

Evolis Avansia 600 dpi Retransfer Card Printer

The Evolis Avansia Retransfer Card Printer is an advanced, industrial-grade dual-sided printing equipment specifically engineered and developed for high-quality and mass-volume card printing applications. At the core of its architecture lies the advanced retransfer printing technology combined with an ultra-high print resolution of 600 dpi (dots per inch). This exceptional optical capability ensures the physical realization of challenging graphical elements with extraordinary precision, including micro-texts that are difficult to read with the naked eye, highly complex and detailed vector graphics, security watermarks, and intricate security patterns.

The equipment is strictly optimized for high-speed production lines: it possesses a production capacity of up to 144 cards per hour in single-sided full-color printing mode, and up to 96 cards per hour in dual-sided printing mode utilizing its automated flipping mechanism (flipper). Thanks to the heavy-duty engineering design that incorporates a large-capacity 250-card input feeder and a corresponding 250-card output hopper, it drastically minimizes the need for human intervention, thereby facilitating continuous, uninterrupted operation in high-volume card printing environments.

From a system integration perspective, the Avansia can be modularly configured with magnetic stripe, contact smart card, and contactless (RFID/NFC) smart card encoding options to precisely meet the complex demands of various IT projects. The hardware is fully compatible and designed to work flawlessly not only with standard PVC cards but also with specialized polymer card materials such as PET, highly durable Polycarbonate (PC), and ABS structures.

Features

• Equipped with advanced Retransfer (Reverse Transfer / Indirect) mass card printing technology, ensuring the printhead never touches the actual card.
• Utilizes a 600 dpi high-resolution printhead that exceeds standard industrial capabilities for microscopic precision.
• Fully supports automated dual-sided card printing (Duplex) without requiring any manual card flipping by the operator.
• Provides flawless over-the-edge printing, covering 100% of the card surface without leaving any white borders along the perimeter.
• Features a mass printing capacity of up to 144 cards per hour in single-sided full-color (YMCK) mode for intensive applications.
• Achieves a production capacity of up to 96 cards per hour in complex dual-sided (YMCK-K) printing operations.
• Incorporates a 250-card capacity automatic input feeder to ensure an uninterrupted, continuous workflow.
• Equipped with a 250-card capacity enclosed output hopper for secure and organized card stacking.
• Supports both local (High-speed USB 2.0) and network (TCP/IP Gigabit Ethernet) connections for rapid and reliable data transmission.
• Features a specialized built-in card flattener mechanism that physically prevents the card from bending due to the high thermal heat of the retransfer process.
• Perfectly compatible with standard PVC, durable PET, high-security Polycarbonate (PC), and ABS structured card materials.
• Capable of printing with high quality and zero damage over the uneven surfaces of contact and contactless smart cards caused by embedded chips or antennas.
• Can be equipped with magnetic stripe, contact, and contactless (RFID/NFC) smart card encoding modules according to project specifications.
• Utilizes highly efficient consumables (YMCK ribbons and transfer films) that offer a capacity of up to 500 prints per roll, optimizing operational costs.
• Supports an RFID electronic key (dongle) function that strictly controls and prevents the unauthorized use of the device by locking the printing engine.
• Includes a physical Kensington-type security slot (K-Slot) to prevent the theft of the equipment in office or bureau environments.
• Can be restricted with an optional mechanical locking system to prevent unauthorized access to blank cards, ribbons, and films in confidential projects.
• Can operate seamlessly in conjunction with an optional dual-sided Card Lamination Module (CLM) to extend the lifespan of cards against scratches, physical wear, and ultraviolet (UV) fading.
• Comes with a standard 3-year global manufacturer's warranty for the main components of the equipment.

Evolis Avansia SDK and Software Tools

Application Areas / Use Cases

The Evolis Avansia Retransfer Card Printer plays a fundamental role in the mass production of personalized specialized cards where data confidentiality and visual quality are paramount. This includes corporate personnel ID cards, international corporate identity badges, student and faculty IDs for educational institutions, VIP membership cards, electronic access control cards, ATM/credit-type smart cards, and high-security government-level identification documents.

Thanks to its 600 dpi print resolution—a rarity in the industry—it is the perfect engineering solution for critical applications requiring zero-error implementation of visual security elements. This encompasses micro-texts readable only under a magnifying glass, complex guilloché geometric patterns used in official documents, high-definition watermarks, and ultraviolet (UV) security elements printed with specialized ribbons.

Due to its high-volume 250-card capacity input and output hoppers, it can be utilized reliably and smoothly in centralized, intensive, and continuous card production environments such as corporate headquarters, military bases, and professional service bureaus where thousands of cards are produced daily.

Blog Post

The Mechanics and Philosophy of Avansia Retransfer Printing Technology

The Evolis Avansia fundamentally overcomes the physical limitations of traditional "Direct-to-Card" technology by utilizing Retransfer (reverse transfer) technology, which is considered an engineering marvel in the printing industry. The core philosophy of this technology relies on the fact that the image is not printed directly onto the hard plastic card. Instead, the design is first sublimated onto a highly thermally durable, flexible, and transparent film layer (the retransfer film) in a reverse format (mirror effect). Immediately following this step, the film is pressed onto the card's surface using heated thermal rollers at approximately 190°C. This unique, two-step methodology completely eliminates the 1-2 mm unprinted white border problem commonly seen at the edges of standard cards, paving the way for a 100% surface coverage and a photo-realistic, flawless "over-the-edge" print.

Another profound aspect that makes this technology exceptional is its 600 dpi (dots per inch) optical resolution. Being twice as precise as standard 300 dpi printers, this feature ensures that microscopic text (micro-text) used to prevent forgery in government-level documents, highly complex and fine vector graphics, and intricate geometric security patterns (guilloché) are created with the precision of high art. Furthermore, the retransfer film technology inherently acts as an isolation layer, significantly increasing the card's resistance to external physical abrasions and preventing color fading caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Mass Volume Card Printing and Industrial Efficiency

The Avansia is a heavy-duty mass production equipment whose mechanical engines and internal processors are strictly optimized for demanding work environments. Capable of printing up to 144 cards per hour in single-sided full-color (YMCK) mode, the device automates the production process through its massive 250-card capacity input (feeder) and output (hopper) modules. Thanks to these high-capacity chambers, the operator is not forced to constantly approach the device to load blank cards or collect printed ones; the machine independently executes large continuous batches.

In addition, the utilization of highly efficient retransfer films and color ribbons (YMCK) that offer a capacity of 500 prints per roll maintains an uninterrupted workflow. Extending the time intervals between each roll change directly contributes to saving labor time and ensures that massive projects (such as printing new ID cards for a factory with thousands of employees) are finalized in a much more operative, seamless, and cost-effective manner.

Comprehensive Avansia Encoding and Chip Options

In the modern digital era, plastic cards are no longer just identification badges with a photograph; they are complex digital keys that unlock building doors, authenticate network access, and process financial transactions. To meet all the demands of this intricate digital ecosystem, the Avansia can be equipped with various integrated encoding stations tailored to different technologies. Depending on the requirement, the device can be configured with magnetic stripe (HiCo/LoCo) encoders used in financial and legacy transit systems; contact (Contact Smart Card - ISO 7816) encoders found in EMV bank cards; and contactless (Contactless/RFID - ISO 14443) smart card encoding modules applied in modern access control systems (such as MIFARE, DESFire, iCLASS).

This architectural flexibility creates a massive advantage in hybrid projects. Through internationally recognized high-level encoding units, such as the IDENTIV chipset, the device can print the face of the card and simultaneously write access credentials to the embedded chip in a single operational pass. The true miracle of retransfer technology becomes evident here: Even if the card surface has depressions or unevenness caused by the embedded chip cavity (the edges of the contact chip), the retransfer film adheres flawlessly to this rough surface, leaving no color distortion or unprinted areas (halos) around the chip's perimeter.

Avansia Multi-Layered Security and Control Ecosystem

Environments where security credentials are produced are direct targets for cyber and physical attacks. The Avansia features a hybrid security philosophy that ensures absolute confidentiality of the card printing process and the physical protection of the hardware. At the software and operational level, to prevent the system from being controlled by unauthorized personnel (preventing fraud or the printing of fake IDs), a specialized RFID electronic key (dongle) plugged into the USB port is utilized. If this key is removed, the brain of the device instantly locks itself and refuses to accept any print commands.

At the physical level, to prevent unauthorized access to the expensive color ribbons, transfer films, and unprinted (blank) high-security government documents housed inside the device, the covers are restricted with an optional mechanical key lock system. Thus, only authorized administrators possess the physical capability to open the device and replace consumables. Additionally, to prevent the Avansia—a highly expensive and strategic piece of equipment—from being stolen from a desk, the global laptop security standard, the Kensington (K-Slot) steel lock slot, is deeply integrated into the chassis of the device.

Fundamental Features of the Evolis Avansia Retransfer Card Printer:

1. Advanced retransfer (indirect reverse transfer) print engine technology with a 600 dpi depth that visualizes details without any loss.
2. Automated flipping module for completely borderless, edge-to-edge dual-sided (Duplex) card production.
3. Maximum mass capacity of 144 cards/hour in single-sided (YMCK) full-color photo-print mode for rapid operations.
4. Continuous output of 96 cards/hour in complex dual-sided color (YMCK-K) mode for front and back prints.
5. A 250-card input (feeder) and a 250-card enclosed output (hopper) system that strictly automates operator intervention.
6. Local USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet (TCP/IP) interfaces for high-speed data rendering and remote management capabilities.
7. Built-in thermal card flattener that instantly corrects any polymer bending (card warping) caused by the intense 190°C pressing heat.
8. 100% support for PVC for standard office use, and PET, Polycarbonate (PC), and ABS card materials for extreme conditions and extreme longevity (10+ years).
9. Internally installable magnetic stripe, ISO 7816 contact, and ISO 14443 contactless (RFID) encoding options for adaptation to any access control ecosystem.
10. Integration with an optional automated dual-sided Card Lamination Module (CLM) that fantastically extends the card's visual life and provides holographic security.
11. RFID electronic (dongle) key and Kensington physical security cable slot that absolutely prevent unauthorized printing and hardware theft.
12. A heavy-duty, armored structure that fully complies with professional industrial and government projects where confidentiality is paramount and thousands of cards are produced non-stop.

In-Depth Engineering Note: The magnetic stripe (HiCo/LoCo) writers, contact (Contact Smart Card), and contactless (RFID/NFC) smart card encoding hardware, the physical mechanical locking system on the consumable covers, and the Lamination (CLM) module that applies a transparent protective layer to the card at the end of the process are NOT included in the standard base version of the device. These features are entirely dependent on factory-configured optional modifications based on your organization's confidentiality requirements and the technical specifications of your project. Before the procurement process, your specific needs in accordance with your IT architecture must be definitively clarified.