Databac invests in new RFID print-on-demand production line

ID specialist Databac has upgraded its secure production facility in Surrey, in anticipation of increased demand for contact and contactless smart cards, RFID tags, wristbands and key fobs. The investment in a new HP Indigo digital press, laminator and industrial cutter increases the factory's output five-fold. The facility can now collectively produce more than a million cards a month on a single shift.

The new press alone boasts a manufacturing capacity of 21,000 cards per hour in full colour on 250-600 micron stock.

Databac's chip card production facility now comprises two digital presses, customised for printing on demand onto PVC, polyester, polycarbonate and other materials, as well as an offset press. The plant is also fitted with two high-speed platen presses and an industrial roll lamination system for cards and tags, with a variety of automated card punches and cutters. Hot-foiling machines, inline encoding systems and personalisation stations complete Databac's range of production lines each capable of producing an array of different ID products.  

Databac managing director Charles Balcomb said: "We are detecting a steady, upward trend in demand for smart and contactless card products. Our production facility has always been a hive of activity, but we foresee busier times ahead. This investment will enable us to meet any production demands our clients present us with, however large and however challenging. And meeting niche, high-tech requirements is an area in which Databac has always excelled."

As well as being the only UK licensed LEGIC credential manufacturer, Databac also offers a range of blank and printed paper, PVC, PET and PC cards, including NXP Mifare, Hitag, I-Code, EM, SLE, Infineon, TagIT, Unique, Q5, Inside, UHF Gen2 and the full range of HID Prox, iClass and Indala cards and tags.

Databac is able to deliver contactless technology in a wide variety of formats. Besides cards, Databac offers tags (such as disk, on-metal, bin and laundry), key fobs, wristbands, labels and even RFID screws and nails.

This is the third card production line to be installed in Databac's factory. Capable of printing high-resolution, sharp images, with vibrant colours, it uses PMS colour-matching to match up to 97 per cent of all spot colours. UV security and microtext printing can be included into card designs, as well as digital watermarks and covert patterns.  

Ideal for on-demand products that require personalisation, the production facility can output custom cards, RFID key fobs and wristbands for loyalty, library, events, promotions, building access and other ID applications. Databac's secure ID bureau can send personalised data such as ID photo, name and barcode directly for printing onto each card during the production process. This drives down the cost of card personalisation to a fraction of that using a dye sublimation or retransfer card printer.

Databac runs a quality management system and is currently upgrading to ISO9001:2008 and ISO14001 (environmental management). The company also holds the Carbon Smart award for efforts in reducing its carbon footprint and impact on the environment.