To know the driver version in use by the computer, open the Driver Properties/Graphic screen and click the About menu item.

The driver version will be required by Evolis whenever you need assistance.

To know the firmware version of an Evolis printer, open the Driver Properties/Tools menu screen and click the Printer self test button:

A technical test card will then be output to the printer, stating the current firmware version of the printer, as shown below:

All the latest firmware versions can be found on the Evolis website:

1. Download and unzip the firmware onto your hard disk.

2. Connect your printer to the computer and switch it on.

3. Click on the EXE file and follow the instructions on the screen.

4. Select your printer and click on "update Firmware"

5. Wait for the up & down movement of the print head when the update is complete.

You can check if the update has been successful by sending the Rfv command (or by opening the Dialog Box with the printer).

 

The information about “How to install a ribbon” is available in the

User’s Guide.
After installing the ribbon, go to the Driver Properties/Graphic screen, choose the correct ribbon to match the one installed in the printer, and then click on the Set ribbon button.

 

A half-panel YMCKO color ribbon is a dye-sublimation ribbon which has the same ink specifications as the standard or full-panel YMCKO color ribbon. The difference between the standard YMCKO ribbon and the half-panel ribbon is in the Yellow, Magenta and Cyan panels which have a maximum length of 35 mm.

This ribbon is useful and cost-effective if the color-printed area of your layout is no bigger than a logo or an ID picture.

 

Monochrome printing can be performed with different color ribbons:

• Black

• Blue

• Green

• Red

• Gold

• Silver

• Scratch-off (not for the Tattoo 2 )

• White

• Black Wax

The difference between the standard black monochrome ribbon and the Black Wax one is in the ink composition. The Black Wax ribbon will enable you to print on cards (ABS, PET, paper …) which are not compatible with the standard black ribbon.

Please refer to the user's guide or to the "How to" delivered on the CD with the printer .

Please refer to the user's guide or to the "How to" delivered on the CD with the printer .

If no LED light is on, including the power button, please check the following points:

1. Is the power supply connected to a live electrical wall socket?

2. Is the power supply an Evolis one?

3. Is the power supply faulty? (The power supply displays a green light when it operates properly).

4. Is the power supply suitably connected to the printer?

During printing, if a card remains in the feeder or gets stuck in the middle of the printer, please check the following points:

1. Has the printing job been correctly sent to the printer? If en error has occurred, the Windows toolbar will display a red circle with a question mark on the printer icon.

   

2. Is the card thickness gauge adjusted to the actual card thickness?

3. Clean the printer.

4. Make sure that the cards are not sticking together, and also, that they meet all compatibility requirements from your printer.

All PVC, composite PVC, composite PET, composite ABS* and special varnished* cards can be used with Tattoo 2.
Please note that printing quality may vary depending of the card manufacturer.
* Subject to special conditions

The easiest way to visually determine if a stripe on a card is Hico or Loco is by checking the color of the stripe. Hico stripes are black and Loco stripes are brown. This information applies to magnetic cards provided by Evolis but does not hold good for all manufacturers.

If you are using cards from another manufacturer, please check up on the specifications.

1. Check the card positioning inside the feeder (see figure under the feeder)

2. Clean the printer with an Evolis cleaning card (see user’s guide for the procedure)

3. In the Driver
   Properties/Tools/Encoder Settings screen, check if the coercivity is the same as that of the magnetic cards (stripe color) and then click the
   Set button before clicking OK

4. Check if the data is correct (number of characters and/or allowed characters).

If the issue remains even after checking these points, please contact your Evolis reseller or distributor.

Before ordering a printer with an integrated smart/contactless coupler, make sure the cards and the application you are using are compatible with the coupler.
Technical brochure for each coupler can be found on the relevant manufacturer’s website.

For mechanic, adjustment and also warranty reasons, the print head of the other or previous ranges are not compatible with the other Evolis printers. Each print head has a specific part number.

The white margins on the edges of the printed card can be reduced by changing the offset settings. A technical process will allow you to move the position of the image and increase/reduce the number of printed lines on the card. For more information, please contact your Evolis reseller/distributor.

This issue relates to the quality of the card.

The card’s flatness (which is really important with sublimation printers) is thinner around the chip area. Ink cannot be applied appropriately onto this area.

The only way to resolve this defect is to use higher-quality cards.