76 Card Design Tasks
Split-Ribbon Color Printing
Two-sided, split-ribbon color printing uses a single ribbon panel set to print both sides of a card. 
This lets you use less ribbon to print cards in color. The ribbon can be a full-panel or short-panel 
color ribbon. 
Most types of cards, including cards with magnetic stripes and smart cards, can be printed using 
split-ribbon printing. 
The order in which the color, black, and topcoat sections of the panel set are used to print the 
card depends on the type of ribbon installed in the printer and the split-ribbon option selected 
on the Printing Preferences window. The Card Printer Driver supports the following ribbon types 
and split-ribbon printing options. 
     
Split-ribbon color printing is not supported by the CR805 retransfer card printer. This 
option does not display if you are printing to a CR805 card printer.
Before using split-ribbon color printing, become familiar with how your printer uses 
color printing. Refer to the printer’s Installation and Administrator’s Guide for 
complete information about color printing.
The print ribbons that are supported are determined by the printer model and its 
options. Some ribbons may not be available for all printers.
Ribbon Type Split Option Description
YMCKT YMCT-K
 color (YMC) + topcoat (T) front 
 black (K) back
YMCKT YMC-KT
 color (YMC) front 
 black (K) + topcoat (T) back
Note: This option does not apply topcoat to the color 
printing. Color printing fades over time if it lacks a 
topcoat. Select this option if you are using a laminator, 
which can apply an overlay to the front of the card.
YMCKT K-YMCT
 black (K) front 
 color (YMC) + topcoat (T) back
YMCK YMC-K
 color (YMC) front
 black (K) back
Note: This ribbon type does not include a topcoat panel 
and is meant to be used with a laminator, which can apply 
an overlay to one or both sides of the card.