A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.

A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.

A card reader may include a card passage where a card passed; a contact block including IC contact springs; a card insertion detection mechanism; a lock member; a lock member drive mechanism that moves the lock member between a pulling-out prevention position and a pulling-out feasible position; a lock member detection mechanism; and a control unit structured to control the card reader. The lock member may include a pulling-out prevention part. A distance between the front end of the IC card and the pulling-out prevention part may be shorter than a length of the IC card in the moving direction of the IC card. The control unit detects that insertion of the IC card has been completed the IC card has been inserted to the contact position and the lock member is located at the pulling-out prevention position.

A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Card processing mechanisms and methods whereby after a card has been processed on one surface thereof at a card processing station such as, but not limited to, a card printing mechanism, the card can be recirculated back upstream of the card processing station along a return card travel path that is separate from the primary card travel path through the card processing station where the card can then be reintroduced back into the primary card travel path and transported through the card processing station a second time. As the card is being returned along the return card travel path, the card can be flipped over so that when the card is transported back through the card processing station, the opposite surface of the card can be processed.

Card processing mechanisms and methods whereby after a card has been processed on one surface thereof at a card processing station such as, but not limited to, a card printing mechanism, the card can be recirculated back upstream of the card processing station along a return card travel path that is separate from the primary card travel path through the card processing station where the card can then be reintroduced back into the primary card travel path and transported through the card processing station a second time. As the card is being returned along the return card travel path, the card can be flipped over so that when the card is transported back through the card processing station, the opposite surface of the card can be processed.

A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.

A card reader may include a card passage where a card passed; a contact block including IC contact springs; a card insertion detection mechanism; a lock member; a lock member drive mechanism that moves the lock member between a pulling-out prevention position and a pulling-out feasible position; a lock member detection mechanism; and a control unit structured to control the card reader. The lock member may include a pulling-out prevention part. A distance between the front end of the IC card and the pulling-out prevention part may be shorter than a length of the IC card in the moving direction of the IC card. The control unit detects that insertion of the IC card has been completed the IC card has been inserted to the contact position and the lock member is located at the pulling-out prevention position.

Systems and methods for performing retransfer printing on substrates such as plastic card-shaped substrates. Printing is first performed in at least first and second separate transfer areas on the retransfer film. The retransfer film is then advanced to a retransfer station where the printed transfer areas are transferred to the substrate in a sequence that differs from the sequence in which the printed transfer areas were printed.

Systems and methods for performing retransfer printing on substrates such as plastic card-shaped substrates. Printing is first performed in at least first and second separate transfer areas on the retransfer film. The retransfer film is then advanced to a retransfer station where the printed transfer areas are transferred to the substrate in a sequence that differs from the sequence in which the printed transfer areas were printed.