FAQ's

Ideal for low volume ID card printing in professional environments, including company reception areas and hospitality applications. This hand fed card printer is so small and light (only 7lb / 3.2kg), it is easily portable.

How can I encode Magnetic Stripe cards?

The Alto printer may be ordered with a HiCo Magstripe encoder option for security applications.  To ensure that the magnetic encoding is compatible with your card readers, all the printer default settings are set to meet ISO std. 7811. The built-in encoder writes to Tracks 1 and 2.

How do I keep the Alto printer running smoothly?

For optimum performance and high quality printed cards, the manufacturer recommends a regular cleaning cycle using Magicard cleaning cards available through our resellers.  For best results use a cleaning card after every 100 cards are printed.

What is HoloKote & how do I use it?

This is a security feature only offered with Magicard printers, allowing the user to print a transparent custom text logo onto the card with an Alto printer. The  watermark is only visable when the card is viewed from an angle. The watermark layer includes repeated copies of the text inset into a "waves" pattern. This is achieved by inserting a pre-programmed HoloKote Custom Key into the slot on the top of the printer. The HoloKote Custom Key is programmed by Ultra Electronics by special order.

What is HoloPatch and how do I use it?

Holopatch is a special cardstock option which includes a metalic patch in one corner of the card to highlight one area of the Holokote security pattern for enhanced visibility.