SwiftPro Retransfer Series
Compare the Full SwiftPro Range
From single-sided 300dpi entry models to large-format 600dpi dual-sided powerhouses — find the right retransfer card printer for your needs.
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The Range
SwiftPro Retransfer Printers
Four models to match every output volume and feature requirement.
Retransfer Technology
Why Retransfer Printing?
Unlike direct-to-card printers, retransfer technology prints onto a clear film first, then thermally bonds it to your card. The result is edge-to-edge printing, higher durability, and vibrant colour reproduction — even on contactless smart cards.
Edge-to-Edge Print
Full bleed printing to the very edges of the card, covering bumps and chips seamlessly.
Superior Durability
The film laminate acts as a protective overlay, making cards resistant to scratching and fading.
600dpi Clarity
Up to 600dpi resolution on the K65 and K65XL models for photographic-quality results.
Smart Card Compatible
Prints flawlessly over contactless chips and smart card bumps without quality loss.
Multiple Card Materials
Retransfer printing works beautifully across all standard card substrates — PVC, ABS, polycarbonate (PC), composite PVC/PET, and more. No need to reconfigure between card types.
Longer Printhead Life
Because the printhead never makes direct contact with the card surface, wear and tear is dramatically reduced — lowering maintenance costs and downtime over the printer's lifespan.
RETRANSFER CARD PRINTING EXPLAINED
What Is Retransfer Card Printing?
Retransfer card printing — also known as reverse transfer or reverse image transfer printing — is a two-stage printing process used to produce high-quality, durable ID cards and credentials. Unlike direct-to-card (DTC) printing, which applies dye directly onto the card surface, retransfer printing first prints a full-colour image onto a clear film, then thermally bonds that film to the surface of the card.
This indirect process has one significant advantage: because the image is carried on a film that is slightly larger than the card, it can be pressed right to — and over — every edge of the card, achieving true edge-to-edge, over-the-chip printing. The result is a card that looks and feels professionally manufactured, with no white border around the print area.
Retransfer printing is the preferred technology for government-issued ID, national identity cards, driving licences, employee access badges, and any application where print quality, card durability, and security overlaminate compatibility are critical requirements.
Edge-to-Edge Printing
Over-the-Chip
High-Security ID Cards
THE PROCESS
How Retransfer Card Printing Works
Three precise stages separate retransfer printing from conventional card printing — and each one contributes to the superior output quality SwiftPro is known for.
01
Image Printed to Retransfer Film
The printer's YMCKO ribbon lays down a full-colour image — including all photo, text, and graphic elements — onto a clear retransfer film. Because the film is fractionally larger than the card, the image is printed slightly oversized to guarantee full-bleed coverage.
02
Thermal Lamination to the Card
A heated lamination roller presses the printed film onto the card surface with precision heat and pressure. The film bonds permanently to the card, even over smart chip bumps, magnetic stripes, and uneven card surfaces that would cause banding on a DTC printer.
03
Edge-to-Edge Printing As Standard
The excess film is trimmed, leaving a card with 100% surface coverage — colour and imagery running right to every edge. Holographic or UV security overlaminates can then be applied on top for government-grade security credentials.
SwiftPro retransfer printers support card thicknesses from 0.5mm to 1.0mm, including smart card chips, magnetic stripes, and proximity (RFID) modules.
Technology Comparison
Retransfer vs. Direct-to-Card Printing
Understand why retransfer technology produces a better, more durable, and more professional card — and why it's the right investment for serious ID issuance.
Direct-to-Card
Traditional Technology
Prints directly onto the card surface, leaving raised edges
Cannot print over chip bumps or smart card contacts
Print quality degrades at card edges and corners
Less durable — surface is more susceptible to scratching
Lower maximum resolution — typically 300dpi
⚠ Suitable for basic, low-security applications only
Retransfer Printing
Advanced Technology
Prints onto a clear film first, then fuses to the card — edge-to-edge perfection
Prints seamlessly over smart card chips and contactless antennas
Consistent 600dpi print quality across the entire card surface
Highly durable — the film overlay protects against scratches and fading
Compatible with laminators for additional security overlaminates
✓ The professional standard for ID, access, and secure cards
Edge-to-Edge Coverage
No white borders or unprinted edges. The retransfer film covers 100% of the card surface, including rounded corners.
Over-the-Chip Printing
Smart card chips and RFID antennas are no obstacle. Retransfer fuses the image over any surface feature.
Superior Print Durability
The fused film overlay acts as a built-in protective layer, extending card life far beyond direct-to-card alternatives.
High-Resolution Output
Up to 600dpi delivers razor-sharp facial photos, crisp barcodes, and fine microtext — detail that 300dpi direct-to-card printers simply cannot match.
Vivid, Accurate Colour
The dye fuses to the retransfer film — not the card substrate — resulting in richer, more consistent, and true-to-life colour reproduction on every card.
Overlaminate Ready
The smooth, uniform retransfer surface bonds perfectly with holographic and UV security overlaminates, essential for government and high-security ID programmes.
PRINT AREA COVERAGE
Edge-to-Edge. Every Single Time.
Direct-to-card printers cannot print to the physical edge of the card — they leave a noticeable white border around the print area. SwiftPro retransfer technology prints onto a film first, then laminates it onto the card, achieving 100% surface coverage every time.
Direct-to-Card
White border — print stops short of the card edge
SwiftPro Retransfer
Full edge-to-edge coverage — zero white border
100%
Surface Coverage
0mm
White Border
Over-the-Chip
Printing Capability
INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
Who Uses Retransfer Card Printers?
Retransfer printing is the industry standard wherever print quality, card durability, and security compliance cannot be compromised. SwiftPro printers are trusted across the following sectors:
Government & National ID
National identity cards, driving licences, and government-issued credentials require the highest print quality and security overlaminate compatibility. Retransfer is the only technology approved for ISO/IEC 7810 compliant card production.
National ID
ISO 7810
Government Credentials
Healthcare & NHS
NHS trusts and private healthcare providers rely on retransfer printers for staff ID badges, patient wristbands, and access control cards that must withstand daily wear, cleaning agents, and laminate security overlays.
NHS ID Badges
Healthcare ID
Staff Passes
Education & Universities
Universities, colleges, and schools issue student ID cards, library cards, and campus access passes — all of which benefit from edge-to-edge retransfer output and over-the-chip printing for contactless RFID credentials.
Student ID Cards
Campus Access
University ID
Corporate & Enterprise
Large organisations issue thousands of employee access badges annually. Retransfer printing ensures consistent photographic quality across every card, with smart chip compatibility for multi-site access control systems.
Employee ID Badges
Access Control
Corporate ID
High-Security & Defence
Ministry of Defence, law enforcement, and secure facility operators require retransfer printing for its holographic overlaminate compatibility, microtext capability, and 600dpi resolution for tamper-evident credentials.
Secure ID
Defence Credentials
Tamper-Evident Cards
Hospitality & Retail
Hotels, resorts, and retail chains produce branded key cards, loyalty cards, and gift cards that look premium with full-bleed retransfer printing — no white borders, consistent brand colours, photographic quality.
Hotel Key Cards
Loyalty Cards
Branded Gift Cards
Not sure which SwiftPro model fits your industry? → View the full range
Head-to-Head
Full Specification Comparison
Every spec, side by side. Use this table to find the exact model that matches your requirements.
Feature
K30
K30D
⭐ Popular
K65
K65XL
Print Technology
Retransfer
Retransfer
Retransfer
Retransfer
Print Resolution
300dpi
300dpi
600dpi
600dpi
Print Sides
Single Sided
Dual Sided
Dual Sided
Dual Sided
Bend Remedy
✓ Yes
✗ No
✓ Yes
✗ No
Card Format
CR80 Standard
CR80 Standard
CR80 Standard
CR80 to CR100 (Large Format)
Print Speed
~40 cards/hr
~40 cards/hr
~30 cards/hr
~25 cards/hr
Connectivity
USB + Ethernet
USB + Ethernet
USB + Ethernet
USB + Ethernet
Encoding Options
Optional Add-ons
Optional Add-ons
Optional Add-ons
Optional Add-ons
Best For
Entry-level single-sided
Budget dual-sided
High-quality dual-sided
Oversized cards
* All specifications are indicative. Contact us for full technical datasheets.
Key Differentiators
What Sets Each Model Apart
Understanding the features that matter most will help you choose the right printer first time.
Resolution Matters
300dpi (K30/K30D) vs 600dpi (K65/K65XL)
For most access control and basic ID applications, 300dpi delivers crisp, professional results. Step up to 600dpi on the K65 or K65XL when your cards carry fine-print text, small barcodes, detailed logos, or passport-quality photographs.
Choose K30/K30D → Standard ID Cards
Choose K65/K65XL → Premium Photo IDs
Card Flatness
Bend Remedy: K30 & K65 Only
Retransfer printing uses heat, which can cause cards to curl. The Bend Remedy module on the K30 and K65 counteracts this by applying a corrective bend, ensuring cards exit flat and professional. The K30D lacks this feature — a key trade-off for its lower price point.
⚠️ The K30D and K65 does not include Bend Remedy. If flat cards are critical, and you are not printing on both sides of the card, then consider including the bend remedy..
K65 Exclusive Features
Large Touchscreen LCD & Fast Print Mode
The K65 stands apart from the K30 and K30D with its large, full-colour touchscreen LCD display — making it easy to monitor print jobs, adjust settings, and diagnose issues directly from the printer, no PC required. For high-volume environments, the K65's Fast Mode significantly reduces print cycle time, letting you issue more cards per hour without compromising on the 600dpi retransfer quality the K65 is known for.
Touchscreen LCD ✓
Fast Print Mode ✓
K65 / K65XL Only
Warranty & Support
Built to Last. Backed by Us.
Every SwiftPro printer is engineered for long-term performance — and our warranty reflects that confidence.
3 Years
3-Year Printer Warranty
Full cover on parts and labour for three years from the date of purchase. SwiftPro printers are built to handle high-volume card production day in, day out.
Lifetime
Lifetime Print Head Warranty
The print head is the heart of any retransfer printer. We stand behind ours with a lifetime guarantee — so you never have to worry about the most critical component.
Warranty applies to SwiftPro K30, K30D, K65 and K65XL models. Terms & conditions apply.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything You Need to Know About Retransfer Card Printing
From technology basics to buying decisions — all your questions answered.
If your cards carry information or artwork on both faces — such as a photo on the front and access details on the reverse — you need a dual-sided printer: K30D, K65, or K65XL. For cards that are only printed on one side, the K30 is the most cost-effective choice.
Retransfer printing applies heat, which can cause cards to curl or warp. The Bend Remedy unit counteracts this by applying a reverse bend, so cards exit the printer perfectly flat. If professionally finished, flat cards are a priority (e.g. for visitor passes or ID cards), choose the K30 or K65. The K30D skips this feature to keep costs down.
300dpi (K30/K30D) is excellent for standard text, logos, and photo IDs used for access control or employee badges. If you're printing fine details — small barcodes, microtext, or passport-quality faces — upgrade to 600dpi on the K65 or K65XL.
Yes. All four SwiftPro models support optional encoding modules, including magnetic stripe (HiCo/LoCo), contact smart card, and contactless (MIFARE/DESFIRE) encoders. These are purchased as separate accessories.
The K30 and K30D produce approximately 40 cards per hour single-sided. The K65 produces around 30 cards per hour (dual-sided), and the K65XL approximately 25 cards per hour due to the larger card format. For high-volume production, consider the K65XL with an extended hopper.
SwiftPro retransfer printers are compatible with a wide range of CR80 card substrates, including standard PVC cards, composite PVC/PET cards, polycarbonate cards, smart cards with contact and contactless chips, magnetic stripe cards, RFID proximity cards, and pre-laminated card stock. Card thickness compatibility ranges from 0.5mm to 1.0mm. Because the retransfer film conforms to the card surface, it prints cleanly over chip bumps and surface irregularities that would cause banding or voiding on a direct-to-card printer.
Over-the-chip printing refers to the ability of a retransfer printer to print a continuous image directly over a smart card chip, with no void or white patch where the chip bump is located. Direct-to-card printers cannot achieve this — the printhead makes direct contact with the card and cannot bridge the chip bump, leaving an unpainted area. Because retransfer printers apply the image via a film rather than direct contact, the film moulds over the chip profile and transfers the full image across the entire card surface, including the chip area.
Yes. One of the key advantages of retransfer printing is that the smooth, uniform retransfer film surface provides an ideal bonding substrate for security overlaminates. SwiftPro retransfer printers are compatible with holographic overlaminates, UV-reactive overlaminates, and custom-pattern security laminates used in government and high-security ID programmes. Direct-to-card printers cannot reliably accept security laminates due to the uneven dye-diffused surface left after printing.
Cards printed on a retransfer printer typically last significantly longer than DTC-printed equivalents. The retransfer film acts as a built-in protective layer over the printed image, resisting abrasion, UV fading, moisture, and cleaning chemicals. Under normal use, a SwiftPro retransfer-printed card can be expected to maintain print quality for 3–5 years or more — far exceeding the 12–18 month lifespan typical of unlaminated direct-to-card output.
The K65XL supports card formats from the standard CR80 (85.6 × 54mm) up to CR100 (98.4 × 67mm). This makes it ideal for oversized visitor badges, event credentials, and large-format loyalty or membership cards.
Yes — for most professional ID applications, retransfer printing is significantly superior to direct-to-card (DTC). DTC printers apply dye directly onto the card surface, which means they cannot print to the card's edge (leaving a white border), cannot print cleanly over chip bumps, and produce lower-durability output. Retransfer printers print onto a film first, then laminate it to the card — achieving edge-to-edge coverage, over-the-chip printing, and a harder-wearing surface that resists scratching and fading. For basic low-volume badge printing, DTC may suffice; for any professional, secure, or high-volume application, retransfer is the standard.
All four models use the same SwiftPro K30/K65 ribbon family, including YMCK (full colour + black), YMCKK (double black panel), YMCKU (UV security), and YMCKP (peel-off). This makes ribbon inventory simple if you operate multiple printers.
Cards-X offers free expert consultations and can arrange product demonstrations for the SwiftPro range. Contact our team using the button below or call us directly.
SwiftPro printers come with manufacturer warranty, and Cards-X offers optional CX Card Care Professional Support Packages for extended coverage, priority support, and advance replacement. Ask our team for details.
The cost per card depends on the ribbon type, retransfer film consumption, and whether you're printing single or dual-sided. As a guide, a full-colour YMCKO retransfer print on the SwiftPro K30 or K65 typically costs between £0.40–£0.80 per card in consumables (ribbon + film). This is higher than DTC printing, but the superior print quality, longer card lifespan, and reduced reprint rates make retransfer the more cost-effective option for professional ID programmes.
SwiftPro printers are compatible with all major ID card design and issuance software, including Matica XID Suite, Entrust Artista, and most third-party badge management platforms that support standard printer drivers. Cards-X can advise on the right software for your workflow — whether you need simple badge design, database-driven batch printing, or integrated access control issuance.
Yes. All SwiftPro retransfer printers support optional encoding modules for MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, HID iCLASS, and other contactless smart card technologies. This means the printer can simultaneously print a full-colour ID card AND encode the chip for use in your access control system in a single pass. Magnetic stripe encoding (HiCo/LoCo) and contact smart card encoding are also available as optional add-ons.
SwiftPro retransfer printers require routine cleaning of the card feed rollers, printhead, and transport path using the cleaning cards and swabs supplied with each ribbon kit. Most printers prompt for a cleaning cycle automatically after a set number of cards. Periodic printhead inspection and retransfer roller checks are recommended for high-volume environments. Cards-X CX Card Care support packages include scheduled maintenance visits for organisations with critical uptime requirements.
600dpi Resolution
Edge-to-Edge Print
True-to-Life Colour
SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT
Order Your Free Sample Pack
Words and specs only go so far. Hold a SwiftPro-printed card in your hands and see the difference retransfer technology makes. Your sample pack includes cards printed on both the K30 and K65 so you can compare 300dpi and 600dpi output side by side — edge-to-edge coverage, over-the-chip printing, and photographic quality that direct-to-card simply can't match.
2× cards printed on the SwiftPro K65 (600dpi, dual-sided retransfer)
2× cards printed on the SwiftPro K30 (300dpi, single-sided retransfer)
1× side-by-side K65 vs K30 quality comparison card
SwiftPro product brochure & consumables guide
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