A credential production device includes a processing path, a transport mechanism, a processing assembly and at least one assembly guide. The transport mechanism is configured to feed individual substrates along the processing path. The processing assembly includes a supply spool support, a take-up spool support, a plurality of ribbon supports, and a print head or a transfer roller. Each assembly guide is configured to guide movement of the processing assembly substantially perpendicularly to the processing path between an operating position and a loading position relative to the processing path.

A credential production device includes a processing path, a transport mechanism, a processing assembly and at least one assembly guide. The transport mechanism is configured to feed individual substrates along the processing path. The processing assembly includes a supply spool support, a take-up spool support, a plurality of ribbon supports, and a print head or a transfer roller. Each assembly guide is configured to guide movement of the processing assembly substantially perpendicularly to the processing path between an operating position and a loading position relative to the processing path.

A printer includes a conveying roller, a print head, a tension applying section and a guide roller. The conveying roller conveys a print medium. The print head conveys an ink ribbon tape, and performs printing on the print medium. The tension applying section is provided at an upstream side of the print head with respect to a conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and allows tension applied to a center region along a width direction of the ink ribbon tape to be higher than tension applied to both end regions of the ink ribbon tape. The guide roller is provided between the print head and the tension applying section at the upstream side of the print head with respect to the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and applies tensile force to the ink ribbon tape outward along the width direction.

A printer includes a conveying roller, a print head, a tension applying section and a guide roller. The conveying roller conveys a print medium. The print head conveys an ink ribbon tape, and performs printing on the print medium. The tension applying section is provided at an upstream side of the print head with respect to a conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and allows tension applied to a center region along a width direction of the ink ribbon tape to be higher than tension applied to both end regions of the ink ribbon tape. The guide roller is provided between the print head and the tension applying section at the upstream side of the print head with respect to the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and applies tensile force to the ink ribbon tape outward along the width direction.

A printer includes a conveying roller, a print head, a tension applying section and a guide roller. The conveying roller conveys a print medium. The print head conveys an ink ribbon tape, and performs printing on the print medium. The tension applying section is provided at an upstream side of the print head with respect to a conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and allows tension applied to a center region along a width direction of the ink ribbon tape to be higher than tension applied to both end regions of the ink ribbon tape. The guide roller is provided between the print head and the tension applying section at the upstream side of the print head with respect to the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and applies tensile force to the ink ribbon tape outward along the width direction.

A decorator assembly is provided. The decorator assembly includes a mandrel turret assembly. The mandrel turret assembly includes a rotatable turret, a number of mandrels, and a number of independent ink stations. Each mandrel is rotatably coupled to the turret. Each mandrel extends generally radially from the turret and is disposed generally in a plane about an axis of rotation. The turret is structured to rotate about an axis of rotation thereby moving each mandrel over a generally circular path of travel. Each independent ink station is disposed adjacent to the path of travel of the mandrels.