- ID card printers
- Prima 8
Prima 8 retransfer card printer
Using retransfer printing technology the Prima 8 produces high-quality photo cards quickly in large volumes, comparable to offset litho printing.

Printer model number:
High-volume photo-quality printing
FIPS 201 certified for the personalisation of US Government credentials, the Magicard Prima 8 provides a reliable, robust solution for instant issuance and lamination in a compact package. Using a retransfer printing process, images are first printed onto a thin film then heat transferred onto the card surface. This produces a high-resolution glossy image, printed right over the edge of the card.
Customisable stealth security
A special dye sublimation Ultra Violet (UV) ribbon can be used with the Prima 8 for the printing of invisible photographs, logos, text or symbols when issuing high-security cards. The UV ink is not detectable to the naked eye, but is only visible with the use of a UV light source. This special YMCK-UV ribbon offers an affordable yet still highly secure feature to decrease susceptibility to counterfeiting.
Trusted electronic security
The Magicard Prima 8 can be equipped with a range of card encoding devices to write secure electronic data to cards at the point of issuance. Smart card encoding options include contact chip, MIFARE®, DESFire® and iClass®. Specialist high-security encoders, such as EMV accredited devices, can also be fitted for the in-line personalisation of payment cards. The Prima 8 can also be supplied with a magnetic stripe encoder built-in.
Backed by the industry’s best 3-year warranty*
Magicard Prima 8 with MagiCoverPlus – our promise to keep you printing.
The reliability of our well-established print engine enables us to offer you a comprehensive 3-year warranty with full telephone and online support. This includes a free replacement for any printhead damaged over the lifetime of the warranty. In the unlikely event of a field failure, we will overnight a replacement loan printer to you whilst we repair your existing device.
*Available in the EU, North America and other selected territories.
Elsewhere 1-year minimum limited depot warranty.
Prima 8 specifications
Printer | Details | Product code |
---|---|---|
Print technology | 300dpi retransfer (600dpi option on request) | |
Feed system | Hopper fed | |
Card capacity | 100 card input hopper, 100 card output hopper | |
Single-sided printing | ● | Prima 801 |
Double-sided printing | ● | Prima 802 |
Security | Electronic lock for hopper and door, security ribbon erase | |
Encoding options | Details | |
Magnetic stripe | ISO 7811 – tracks 1, 2 and 3 | |
Smart card | Contact chip, MIFARE®, DESFire® and iClass®. Other encoders available, see encoder compatibility matrix |
|
Connectivity and drivers | Details | |
Operating Systems | Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10 (32 and 64bit) Windows server 2003 R2 SP2, 2008, 2012 | |
USB connection | USB rev1.1 and USB 2.0 | |
Ethernet connection | Secure IPSEC Ethernet fitted as standard | |
Warranty | Details | |
3 year UltraCoverPlus | Telephone support, full printhead coverage and loaner service. *Available in North America, EU and other selected territories. *Elsewhere a minimum of 1 year limited depot warranty. |
|
Visual security | Details | Product code |
UV printing | YMCK-UV 750 images (full colour and UV panel) | Prima 834 |
Print speed | Details | |
Colour | Up to 100 cards per hour | |
Accepted cards | Details | |
Card sizes | ISO CR80 85.6mm x 54mm / 3.375″ x 2.125″ | |
Card types | PVC, ABS, PET, PVH, and polycarbonate ISO blank cards, HiCo magnetic stripe and smart cards | |
Card thickness | 0.25mm to 1.0mm / 0.010” to 0.040” | |
Physical specifications | Details | |
Printer weight | 15.5Kg / 34lbs | |
Printer size | Height: 320mm / 12.6″ Width: 343mm / 13.5″ Length: 330mm / 13″ | |
Environmental operating range | 15°C to 30°C / 59°F to 86°F ; 35% to 70% non-condensing | |
Optional upgrades | Details | Product code |
In-line laminator | Single-sided or double-sided lamination | Prima 451 / Prima 452 |
Bend remedy for Prima 4 Duo only | Fitted as standard in Prima 4 Uno | Prima 424 |
Printer variants | Details | Product code |
Prima 4 Uno | Single-sided retransfer printer | Prima 801 |
Prima 4 Duo | Double-sided retransfer printer | Prima 802 |
Prima 8 solutions
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A Prima 8 fitted with an in-line smart card encoder can write physical access data to a smart card at the point of issuance.
Read moreApplication
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Retransfer printing is widely used by federal and local governments for the localised issuance of secure citizen ID cards, such as driving licences, voter registration cards and even National ID cards.
Read moreIndustry
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Critical facilities require robust and secure ID cards. The Prima 8, fitted with an in-line laminator can print high quality, durable cards that last up to ten years.
Read moreIndustry
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A Prima 8 fitted with an in-line smart card encoder can write logical access data to a smart card at the point of issuance.
Read moreApplication
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Multi-application health cards, including patient records, insurance details and critical information such as blood group and medications can be issued using a Prima 8 fitted with an in-line smart card encoder.
Read moreIndustry
Prima 8 consumables
Product code | Details | Capacity | |
---|---|---|---|
Prima 8 dye film | Prima 831 | Set of 5 YMCK dye films + 5 retransfer films | 1000 |
Prima 832 | Colour dye film, YMCK | 1000 | |
Prima 833 | Colour dye film, with black on reverse,YMCKK | 750 | |
Prima 834 | Colour dye film, with UV panel on reverse, YMCK-UV | 750 | |
Prima 835 | Colour dye film, with peel off panel on reverse, YMCK-PO | 750 | |
Prima 8 retransfer film | Prima 436 | Retransfer film | 1000 |
Cleaning kits ![]() |
E9887 | Prima 4 cleaning kit | 10x swabs, wipes, cards |
E9681 | Retransfer cleaning card | 1x pack | |
E9682 | Retransfer cleaning wipe | 1x pack | |
E9683 | Magnetic stripe cleaning kit – EU | 10x cards (EU only) | |
SecuriCards ![]() |
– | 125 KHz Proximity | |
– | SMA Proximity | ||
– | MIFARE Classic® | ||
– | MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 | ||
– | Contact chip | ||
– | Multi-technology | ||
Blank cards ![]() |
M9006-793 | Premium blank white cards – CR80 | |
M9006-794 | Blank white cards with magnetic stripe – CR80 |
Compare printers
Printer | Cards per hour | Input / output | Warranty | Visual security | System requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct to card printers | |||||
Rio Pro 360 | 200+ | (100/200) / 70 | 3 year MagiCoverPlus | 10 standard HoloKotes. Optional custom HoloKotes x10 | Windows / Mac OS X |
Enduro3E | 100+ | 100 / 30 | 3 year limited | Standard | Windows / Mac OS X |
Pronto | 1 card per 35s | Hand-fed | 2 year limited | Standard | Windows / Mac OS X |
Magicard 600 | 190 | 100 /70 | 3 years MagiCoverPlus | 10 custom HoloKotes | Windows / Mac OS X |
Magicard 300 | 156 | 100 /70 | 3-year MagiCover Limited | 4 custom HoloKotes | Windows / Mac OS X |
Reverse transfer printers | |||||
Ultima | 100+ | 200 / 200 | 3 year UltraCoverPlus | Custom and standard | Windows / Mac OS X |
Prima 8 | 100+ | 100 / 100 | 3 year UltraCoverPlus | UV | Windows |
Prima 8 with laminator | 100+ | 100 / 100 | 3 year UltraCoverPlus | UV | Windows |