MGI to Launch JETcard Inkjet Card Factory at Cards Asia

IVRY SUR SEINE, FRANCE—March 8, 2011—MGI Digital Graphic Technology, the digital press and finishing solutions manufacturer, announced that the worldwide launch of the JETcard inkjet card factory will take place at Cards Asia (booth 4F01), to be held in Singapore on April 13-15, 2011.

Utilizing MGI’s award-winning and revolutionary inkjet technology, the JETcard provides card manufacturers with an all-inclusive printing solution. The JETcard utilizes blank cards (with smart chip, magnetic stripe or RFID) and is ideal for turnkey production from 1 card to millions, all ready to be sold (fully printed, personalized, coated, encoded and verified).

The JETcard is ideal for card manufacturers as well as commercial printers, maximizing productivity for high volume applications while still remaining cost-effective for short runs. In the JETcard, MGI presents a digital solution that is not only less expensive than offset, even on runs in excess of 500,000 cards, but is also faster than offset, resulting in a drastic cost-per-card savings.

In 2010, the JETcard was awarded the prestigious Siemens Innovation Grand Prix in recognition of MGI’s R&D achievement.

From an individual blank ISO CR-80 card, the JETcard performs the following processes in just one pass:

• Pre-print coating to ensure a full compatibility with the substrates available on the market (PVC, ABS, etc.)

• Inkjet printing in 4+2 UV colors, including micro text and guilloché patterns

• Full variable data printing including text, barcodes & images

• Spot UV coating or flood UV coating for card protection

• Security inks revealed only under a black light

• Signature panel printing

• Read & write on the embedded magnetic stripes

• Choice between flat or textured background

• Automated quality controls and ejection into a rejection bin of the defective cards

Drop-on-demand inkjet technology and an integrated RIP enable full variable data printing with all JETcard inks and coatings. For example, the security coating can be used as an anti-counterfeiting feature, revealing inks only when held under a black light.

MGI’s JETcard is a true Card Factory and can replace up to 5 different pieces of equipment traditionally used in the plastic card production chain: litho press, a collator, a lamination press, a die cutter and an encoder/personalization printer.

Other key features of the JETcard include:

• A production speed up to 8,000 cards per hour (simplex)

• One of the highest print resolutions available (up to 720 x 2160 dpi)

• Accommodates paper & plastic cards from 350-1000 microns (ISO CR-80 format)

• HiCo/LoCo magnetic stripe support (read/write)

• Capability to store up to 2,500 cards within 5 different trays

• Automated controls for ensuring data accuracy between card front and back

The JETcard is a marked evolution from traditional plastic card manufacturing due to the utilization of eco-friendly technology, saving resources, eliminating waste (inks, electricity, no plates or screens) and harmful emissions (ozone free, no solvents, no chemical waste) while reducing the overall electrical consumption compared to traditional methods. In addition, the JETcard can print on environmentally friendly paper cards, a sustainable alternative to PVC with the same standard thickness (760 μ) and made of 100% recyclable and natural materials.

About MGI Digital Graphic Technology
Founded in 1982, MGI Digital Graphic Technology designs, manufactures and markets a full and innovative range of award-winning multi-substrate (paper and plastic) 4-color digital presses, as well as a complete line of versatile finishing solutions.

A key player in the global market, MGI has a portfolio comprised of several thousand customers in a wide range of sectors, including graphic industry professionals, Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, plastic card manufacturers, silk screeners and photo labs.

MGI is a leader in the professional graphic equipment market and is registered on the Euronext Paris Alternext stock exchange (ALMDG). They received the prestigious OSEO “Innovative Company” & “OSEO Excellence” labels respectively in 2009 & 2010 in recognition of their expertise and innovation in the graphics & finishing industry. In addition, MGI has won nine international product awards from 2008-2010 related to technological innovation, including the 2010 Siemens Innovation Grand Prix award for the JETcard.

MGI USA, based in Melbourne, FL, is MGI’s fully owned subsidiary that services the North and South American, Caribbean and Asia Pacific markets.

For more information, please visit www.mgiusa.com.