How to Clean a Datacard SD260 Card Printer

Keeping your Datacard SD260 card printer clean is essential for ensuring high-quality card output and extending the life of your printer. Regular maintenance helps prevent print defects, reduces downtime, and avoids costly repairs. This guide will show you step by step how to clean the printer, printhead, and rollers using the recommended cleaning card and cleaning swab.

Why Regular Cleaning is Important

Your Datacard SD260 card printer performs best when cleaned on a consistent schedule. Clean the printer when:

• You notice debris on completed cards.
• You install a new roll of print ribbon.
• You experience print quality issues such as streaks or unprinted lines.

How to Clean the Printhead

The printhead is one of the most sensitive components of your card printer. Dirt, dust, or accidental contact can cause poor image quality and even permanent damage.

Clean the printhead when:

• A new printhead is installed.
• You see unprinted lines on cards (a sign of contamination).
• The printhead has been touched accidentally.

Steps to clean the printhead:

1. Power off the printer.
2. Open the printer cover and remove the print ribbon cartridge.
3. Take a cleaning swab from its package.
4. Gently wipe the swab back and forth along the entire printhead edge until clean.
5. Reinstall the ribbon cartridge carefully without touching the printhead.
6. Close the cover and ensure it latches securely.
7. Power on the printer.
8. Print a test card to confirm print quality.

Tips:

• Never touch the printhead edge with your fingers.
• Only use approved cleaning swabs—other materials may damage the printhead.
• Each cleaning swab should be used only once.

How to Run a Cleaning Card

A cleaning card helps remove debris, dust, and contaminants from the printer’s rollers and internal path. Run a cleaning card every 500 cards processed (or more often if your environment is dusty).

Steps to use a cleaning card:

1. Power on the printer.
2. Open the cover, remove the print ribbon cartridge, and close the cover.
3. Remove any cards from the input hopper.
4. Open a cleaning card package and place the card into the input hopper immediately (to avoid drying).
5. Use the LCD menu to start the cleaning cycle:
   • Press the USER button → ENTER → Maintenance → Cleaning Card → Start.
   • Insert the cleaning card if prompted and press USER to begin.
6. The cleaning card will pass through the printer several times before ejecting into the output hopper.
7. Remove and discard the used cleaning card.
8. Allow rollers to dry for a few minutes.
9. Reinstall the cards, cleaning sleeve, and print ribbon cartridge.
10. Close the cover and return the printer to Ready mode.

Tips:

• Use each cleaning card only once.
• Replace the cleaning sleeve each time you run a cleaning cycle or change the ribbon.
• If the card light blinks amber, it means the cleaning cycle count set in Printer Manager has been reached.

To achieve the best results, we recommend MediTech Cleaning Cards and MediTech Cleaning Swabs, which are designed for Datacard printers and ensure safe, effective cleaning. 👉 Contact us today to order MediTech cleaning supplies and keep your Datacard printer in top condition.

CR80 Flat Cleaning Card

Foam Tipped IPA Clean Swab