DataCard Datacard SP35 User manual

SP35 Printer Guide
553772-001
May 2003

Information resources for the SP35 Printer
Installation To install the printer:
To install one printer to a PC using a USB cable,
see the Installation Map, shipped at the top of the
printer carton.
For detailed installation information or for special
situations (such as network installation), see
e-Guide/SP Series/SP_Info_Central.chm on the
driver CD-ROM.
Message Help If you see a message, click Help on the message
box. Really! Help topics are short and to the point.
Printer Guide This Printer Guide contains operating information
for the printer and driver.
SP35 Info
Central For in-depth information about using the printer or driver, click the SP35 Info Central icon on the
desktop. (Insert the CD-ROM and choose User
Information to install Info Central if the icon is not on
the desktop.)
FAQs
Service and Support FAQs at www.datacard.com provide answers to questions about the SP35 printer.
Dealer
For help with questions not addressed by other SP35 information, contact your dealer.
Customer Care
Contact the Datacard Customer Care Center at 1.800.328.3996 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.952.988.2316
(worldwide).

539251-001 Rev. EPage iii
Contents
About the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Loading cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Loading print ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Check the PC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Status light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Opening Properties or Printing Preferences . . 13
Open the Printer Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Cleaning the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Printer supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Getting the most out of your printer . . . . . . . 21
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Site requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Legal Notices (FCC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Page 1
About the printer
The outside of the printer
Printer Cover.
Latch: Lift the latch to open the printer cover.
Card Tray: Lift the cover to load blank cards.
Card output tray: Remove completed cards.
Ready button: Push to pause or unpause the
printer
The status light helps you understand printer
operation. See “Status light” on page 11 for
details.

Page 2
Ports are located on the left side of the
printer.
Manual Advance Knob: Use to release a
card in the printer or to turn rollers.
Power Receptacle: Plug in the power
supply to power on the printer.
Cable Guides: Hold the data cable
securely.
Optional Smart Card USB Port: See
“Features and options” on page 4.
Optional Smart Card Serial Port: See
“Features and options” on page 4.
USB Data Port: Connect the data cable to
the printer. ALL printers use this port.

Page 3
The inside of the printer
Cover Arm: Holds the cover and printhead cartridge in place.
Printhead Cartridge: Applies the image to the card. The label
includes ”YMC” for color or “K” for monochrome printheads.
Print ribbon cartridge with print ribbon.
Printer Label: Includes the serial number and model information
(located on the left side of the printer and not visible in this drawing).
Cleaning roller (not visible in this drawing): Removes dust
and debris from cards.
Tip: Lift the latch to open the printer and see inside.

Page 4
Features and options
Features and options are identified on the printer label.
• Printers with “K” printing can print one color (monochrome). “C”
printing is full-color printing.
• All SP35 printers use a USB connection.
•Amagnetic stripe module can be a three-track (IAT) or single-
track (NTT or J) module. The optional magnetic stripe module is
visible inside the printer.
• An optional smart card module can be one of the following:
• Contact coupler (SC430 on the label): Visible inside the printer.
Includes a USB port on the printer.
• Contactless (RF) coupler (SC680): Includes a serial port.
• Contact station (SCCS): Visible inside the printer. Includes a
serial port.
• Combination smart card coupler (SC4/6): 430 and 680 couplers.
Visible inside the printer. Includes USB and serial ports.
USB Smart Card (430) Port
Serial Smart Card (680 & CS) Port

Page 5
Loading cards
1Lift the card tray door until it rests open.
2Remove cards from the original package.
Tips: Handling cards
Do not touch the surface of cards before printing
them. (Oils on hands will reduce printing quality.)
Handle cards by the edges or wear gloves.
Cards can stick together: Slide or fan cards to
separate the edges.
Orient all unprinted cards the same way.

Page 6
3Place the cards in the card tray.
The diagram shows the typical locations for the
magnetic stripe and smart card chip.
4Close the card tray door. Push the door closed
to align cards.
See SP35 Info Central for information about cards to
use in the printer.
Magnetic stripe
Smart card chip

Page 7
Loading print ribbon
1Open the printer.
2Remove the ribbon cartridge with the used ribbon.
3Remove both used ribbon spools from the cartridge.
Tips: Handling print ribbon
Keep unused ribbon in the original package.
Don’t place ribbon on a dusty or dirty surface–dirt
could damage the printhead.
4Run a cleaning card and replace the cleaning sleeve
at the same time that you load a new print ribbon.
See “Cleaning the printer” on page 17 for the steps
to follow.
5Load the new roll of print ribbon on the cartridge.
• Put the full spool of ribbon on the supply spindle
of the ribbon cartridge. Push until the spool
clicks onto the spindle.
• Put the empty take-up spool on the spindle with
the solid black gear. Push until the spool clicks
onto the spindle.