FARGO electronics Card Printer User Manual (English)

Questions and Answers:

N
Nicholas LawsonAug 22, 2025
What to do if FARGO electronics Printer shows Ribbon Error/Out?
- H
  Holly JohnsonAug 22, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer displays 'Ribbon Error/Out,' it signifies that the print ribbon is either depleted or an error has occurred. To resolve this, install a new ribbon. If an error persists, verify the correct ribbon type is selected in the printer driver, ensure the ribbon is installed correctly, and check for any breaks in the ribbon. If using a 4250 model, try recalibrating the Ribbon Sensor.
W
williammontoyaAug 23, 2025
Why is my FARGO electronics Card not working at all?
- J
  Jessica GrimesAug 23, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer isn't working, ensure the power cord is securely plugged in at both ends and that the printer is turned on. Press the On/Cancel button to confirm power. The On and Ready LED lights should both be illuminated when the printer is ready. Also, make sure the printer cable is securely connected, as a missing or defective interface cable can cause the printer not to respond.
M
Matthew TorresAug 25, 2025
How to resolve 'Card Out/Not Fed' error on FARGO electronics Card Printer?
- L
  leezacharyAug 26, 2025
  If the 'Card Out/Not Fed' message appears on your FARGO electronics Printer, it means either the card hopper is empty or the printer is unable to feed a card. Load more blank cards into the hopper. Press the Pause/Resume button to continue printing. If cards still won’t feed, ensure they are within the accepted thickness range of .010Ó to .060Ó. For thicker or thinner cards, adjust the Card Separator Flap. Clean the in-feed rollers if they are dirty and manually separate the cards if they are sticking together.
B
barnesjoseAug 26, 2025
Why does my FARGO electronics Printer make prints with streaks?
- T
  taylor52Aug 27, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer produces prints with a thin streak or line along the card length, it may be due to dust on the printhead. Clean the printhead following the proper procedures. It could also be a scratch or burned-out element in the printhead, in which case you should contact your authorized reseller for printhead replacement information.
T
Thomas ShortAug 27, 2025
How do I fix printing that is cut off on my FARGO electronics Card?
- C
  Charles LopezAug 27, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer is cutting off the printing or not centering it on the card, verify that the correct Card Size option is selected in the printer driver setup. If the Card Size option is set properly but the printing is still cut off or not centered, use the Calibrate/Image Placement option within the printer driver to precisely center the image.
V
vkellyAug 29, 2025
Why does my FARGO electronics Printer feed multiple cards at once?
- K
  Kim WaltersAug 29, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer is feeding two or more cards at the same time, make sure the cards are not sticking together. Manually separate them. Also, adjust the Card Separator Flap if feeding cards varying from the standard CR-80 .030Ó (.75mm) card size.
N
Nancy BrennanAug 30, 2025
Why does my FARGO electronics Card Printer make prints with spots?
- B
  Benjamin SmithAug 30, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer produces prints with spots (small voids), it is most likely due to dust inside the printer. Clean the inside of the printer. It may also be caused by dust or embedded contaminants on the card. Ensure the cards are clean and stored in a dust-free environment. A filthy Cleaning Roller may also cause this; maintain the Cleaning Roller.
D
dixonshelbyAug 31, 2025
Why are photos pixelated on my FARGO electronics Printer?
- E
  Emily RivasAug 31, 2025
  If the photos on your ID cards look very pixelated or grainy when using your FARGO electronics Printer, always use high-resolution 24-bit color images for the best photo-realistic output. If scanning, scan the image at a 24-bit color setting, at the same size at which you will be printing, and at 300 dpi. If capturing images with a digital camera or video camera, be sure the camera has a high enough resolution for photos to be printed at about the same size at which they were captured.
C
Christopher ThorntonSep 1, 2025
What does 'Low Ribbon/Clean' mean on FARGO electronics Card?
- K
  Karen TranSep 2, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer displays 'Low Ribbon/Clean', it indicates that the print ribbon will soon run out and the printer should be cleaned. Print until the ribbon is gone and replace it. Also, perform recommended printer maintenance.
A
Andrea YatesSep 3, 2025
What to do if FARGO electronics Printer shows Print Cover Open?
- J
  Jacqueline MaySep 3, 2025
  If your FARGO electronics Printer displays 'Print Cover Open', it means the top cover is not properly shut. Check that nothing is blocking the cover from being shut and close the cover.

FARGO electronics Card Printer Specifications

General

Print Technology	Dye sublimation and thermal transfer
Print Capabilities	Full-color printing, monochrome printing
Resolution	300 dpi (standard), 600 dpi (high-resolution models)
Card Sizes	CR80 (standard), CR79
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet
Encoding Options	Magnetic stripe, smart card (contact and contactless)
Dimensions	Varies depending on model
Weight	Varies depending on model
Operating System Compatibility	Windows

Summary

Introduction

How Your Card Printer Works

Explains dye-sublimation and resin thermal transfer printing technologies.

Special Features

Lists advantages and unique capabilities of the 4200 Series Card Printer.

Safety Precautions

Warnings and Cautions

Outlines essential safety instructions to prevent hazards like fire or electric shock.

Getting Started

Choosing a Good Location

Provides guidance on selecting an optimal placement for the printer.

About Moisture Condensation

Advises on preventing moisture issues affecting print quality and printer function.

Unpacking and Inspection

Details the process of unpacking and verifying printer contents and condition.

Applying Power

Instructs on connecting the power supply and turning the printer on.

Identifying the Printer Parts

Identifies key components and controls on the printer's front panel.

Installing the Cleaning Roller

Guides users through the installation of the cleaning roller for optimal print quality.

Extending the Card Output Drawer

Explains how to extend the card output drawer to catch printed cards.

Ribbons and Cards

About Ribbons

Describes different ribbon types and their letter codes for printing.

Loading Ribbon into the Printer

Provides step-by-step instructions for properly loading the printer ribbon.

About Cards

Details requirements for suitable cards and potential issues with certain types.

Loading Cards into the Printer

Guides users on how to load cards into the printer's hopper.

Running the Self Test

Explains how to perform a self-test to check printer functionality.

Using Your 4200 Series Card Printer

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Details how to connect the printer to IBM-PC and Macintosh computers.

Installing the Windows Printer Driver

Instructions for installing printer drivers on Windows operating systems.

Installing the 32-Bit Print Spooler for Windows 95/98

Guide for installing the print utility for enhanced performance on specific Windows versions.

Installing the Macintosh Printer Driver

Steps for installing printer drivers on Macintosh operating systems.

Choosing the Macintosh Printer Driver

How to select the installed printer driver within the Macintosh Chooser.

Setting Up the Printer Driver

Explains how to configure various printer driver options for optimal output.

Printing a Card

Step-by-step guide for printing the first card after setup.

Using the Print Backgrounder for Macintosh

Installing the Backgrounder

Instructions for installing the background print utility on Macintosh.

Printing with the Backgrounder

How to use the Backgrounder to print jobs while continuing foreground work.

The Backgrounder Status Window

Describes the status window for monitoring background print jobs.

Backgrounder Menus

Details the options available in the File, Admin, and Jobs menus for Backgrounder.

Problems During a Background Print

Troubleshooting common issues encountered while using the Backgrounder.

Maintenance

Supplies Required

Lists the necessary supplies for performing printer maintenance procedures.

Standard Printhead Cleaning

Procedure for cleaning the printhead to resolve streaks and maintain quality.

Expanded Printhead Cleaning

Advanced printhead cleaning method for persistent streaks using acetone.

Cleaning the Printer's Case

Instructions for cleaning the exterior casing of the printer.

Cleaning the Inside of the Printer

Procedure for removing dust and foreign particles from the printer's interior.

Clearing a Card Jam

Steps to resolve a card jam within the printer mechanism.

Clearing a Ribbon Jam

Instructions for clearing a jammed or stuck ribbon.

Cleaning the Card Feed Rollers

How to clean the card feed rollers for consistent operation.

Cleaning the Drive Roller

Procedure for cleaning the printer's drive roller to prevent jams.

Maintaining the Cleaning Roller

Steps to clean and maintain the printer's cleaning roller.

Mechanical Adjustments

Adjusting the Card Input Guides

How to adjust card guides for varying card widths for proper feeding.

Adjusting the Internal Card Guide

Adjusting internal card guide tension for different card thicknesses.

Adjusting the Card Separator Flap

Procedure to adjust the flap for preventing double card feeding.

Troubleshooting

Interpreting LCD Display Messages

Guide to understanding and resolving printer errors shown on the LCD.

General Troubleshooting Suggestions

Common issues and their solutions, including printing problems and connectivity.

Technical Specifications

Printer Specifications

Details of printer methods, resolution, colors, speed, dimensions, and more.

Appendix A: Magnetic Stripe Encoding Module

Magnetic Track Options

Customizing magnetic stripe encoding parameters for different tracks.

ISO Track Locations

Diagram illustrating the physical layout of tracks on a magnetic stripe.

Sending Track Information

How to format and send data for magnetic stripe encoding.

Appendix B: Interfacing Information

Introduction to Interfacing

Overview of printer's parallel and serial interface ports.

Centronics-Type Parallel Interface

Pin assignments and specifications for the parallel printer interface.

Mini 8-Pin Serial Interface

Pin assignments and specifications for the Macintosh serial interface.

Appendix C: Internal Printer Settings

Introduction to Internal Settings

Explains the internal adjustment mode for printer settings.

Adjusting the Internal Printer Settings

How to enter and navigate the printer's internal adjustment menu.

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FARGO electronics Card Printer User Manual

Table of Contents