Frequently Asked Questions

Embossers and Imprinters Information

How do I know what imprinter is right for our Facility?

The Addressograph® Model 2000 is the premier healthcare imprinter and is the most widely-used imprinter today. The Addressograph® Model 2000 is designed specifically for the healthcare market and is rugged, dependable and ideal for high volume usage. The Addressograph® Model 830 is designed for low volume use and is limited by the thickness of  the forms. It also has limited imprint flexibility. Our sales professionals will help you determine the correct imprinter format and set up.

How do I replace the ink roller on my imprinter? How often do I need to change the ink roller?

Addressograph® imprinters require a new replacement ink roller when the ink becomes light or illegible. We recommend that the ink roller be changed every 3 months. A 3-Month ink roller replacement schedule will ensure optimum imprint quality of your imprinter inventory.

Can we network the Addressograph® Model 610 Plastic card embosser?

Yes, the Addressograph® Model 610 can be networked by using an external Ethernet (serial print server) and/or used off-line by connecting a compatable Keyboard.

Can I connect a thermal printer to you Model 610 embosser to print labels and wristbands?

Yes, the Addressograph® Model 610 embosser has two serial ports; one to connect to the host computer or PC and the other for connecting a thermal printer. The Addressograph® 610 embosser will hold up to 10 stored formats for a thermal printer. Most thermal printers connected to the embosser are set up to print either labels or a wristband simultaneously when embossing a card.

Are any Addressograph Products on GSA Contract?

Yes, We have several of the Addressograph Products on GSA Schedule Contract.

  • Model 320 dog tag embosser
  • Model 320 embosser deployment case
  • Model 30 Manual dog tag embosser
  • Model 2000/2100 imprinters
  • Model 830 imprinter
  • Supplies (Ink Roller and Card Rack)

What is your GSA Contract #?

Our GSA contract # is GS-25F-0082M and is effective through September 30, 2021.

Can the Addressograph® 320 Embosser emboss both the US Regulation Steel dog tag, as well as the larger US Regulation size Red Aluminum Medical Alert tag?

Yes, The Addressograph® 320 is built to feed and emboss both sizes of tags without the use of tools to adjust when changing from one to the other.

Healthcare Plastic Card Information

What colors do you offer for your blank plastic cards?

Utility Stress:   Hospital Blue, Green, Red, and Cranberry.
Super Stress:   Hospital Blue, Green, Red, Cranberry, Tan, Light Blue, Pink, Gray, Yellow, and Orange.
Please contact sales for card thicknesses and availability.

What is the difference between a Super Stress and Utility stress card?

Super stress cards are laminated with a stress overlay. When embossed the characters stress whiter than utility cards, which makes it easier to read the embossing. Super stress cards are print quality, for embossing and printing. They are manufactured in all colors and finishes.

Utility stress cards contain a stressing compound, when embossed the cards stress white. Utility cards are not print quality and are only available in polish/matte finish.  Colors are limited to: blue, green, red, and cranberry.

How do I tell what size and thickness card I use?

There are two main size cards being used today, one is a CR80 card and the other is a CR50 card. A CR80 card is the exact size as a standard credit card (3.375″ length X 2.125″ height). The CR50 size card is a 3.5″ length X 1.75″ height card. There are two primary thicknesses of cards being used today, .24 and .30 thickness. Healthcare patient ID cards primarily use a .24 thickness card.

What type of card do I need if I want to emboss only on the card?

For embossing purposes only, the best type is our utility stress card. These cards are economically priced and are readily available for shipping.

What type of card do I need if I want to print and emboss?

For printing and embossing, the best type of card is Super Stress. This type of card is laminated graphic quality with a stress overlay that shows clearly visible embossed characters.

What type of card do I need if I want to print graphics on the card?

For printing purposes, the best type of card is our Graphic Quality card. Click here for information on our Graphic Cards.

Thermal Printers and Barcode Reader Information

Do you provide barcode solutions/products?

Yes, please see the information on our Products section titled Thermal Printer solutions.

Do I have to dedicate a lot of my resources to setup and configure the Addressograph thermal printers?

No, usually we can just disconnect your embosser and plug in the thermal printer. We utilize your current data stream to produce the desired output. Your current system will think it is still using an embosser. If you do not have an embosser to disconnect, we would need an interface drop like an Ethernet, serial or parallel connection.

What barcode symbology can you provide?

We can provide all the common symbologies and others you might not have. For example, we can provide Code 39, Code 128, PDF417, RSS HIBC and many more.

What if I need more than one label design?

No problem. We can provide multiple label designs without additional programming on your HIS.

Do I need to load any software on my HIS or my workstations to make these printers work?

No, the Addressograph printers are smart printers. They do not require additional software.

Is it hard to load consumables on your thermal printers?

No, our printers are very durable and easy to load, depending on the printer size you choose, the larger the printer the more media it holds thus requiring re-loading less frequently.

What do I do when our HIS and/or network goes down? Will I be able to distribute labels for my patients?

Yes, you will be able to distribute labels for your patients by utilizing our downtime feature. This feature allows you to type in or scan a previous bar-coded label and disburse the desired labels, keeping your patients “Positively Identified” with zero downtime.

How do I obtain the labels and/or wristbands?

We can provide you with the type and size labels you need and the wristband styles you need.