Changing the Default Print Engine

Owned by Roman Villandry
Last updated: Oct 11, 2024
3 min read

Troubleshooting Guide: Resolving Printing Inconsistencies

Applications:

  • CardExchange® Producer (All Editions)

  • TrustID v4 (All Editions)

Issue Overview:

When printing a card template, various issues may arise, including:

  • Elements being misaligned or missing

  • Incorrect or incomplete layouts

  • Print jobs not being sent to the Windows print spooler

These problems are often caused by the print engine that the application uses to communicate with your printer. Changing the print engine to another option—GDI+, XPS, or SDKL—may resolve these issues.

Steps to Change the Print Engine:

  1. Open the Card Designer in either CardExchange Producer or TrustID.

  2. Click on the Blue File Menu in the top left corner.

  3. Select Page Setup.

  4. Look for the option to change the Print Engine.

  5. Select between GDI+, XPS, or SDKL based on your printer model and print job requirements.

Understanding the Print Engines:

1. GDI+ (Graphics Device Interface Plus):

  • Description: GDI+ is the default print engine in both CardExchange Producer and TrustID. It is a traditional rendering engine built into Windows that manages how graphical objects (such as images, text, and shapes) are rendered and sent to printers.

  • Advantages:

    • Works well with most printers.

    • Handles simple printing tasks efficiently.

    • Widely compatible with most printer drivers.

  • Common Issues:

    • May have difficulties rendering more complex designs with many elements.

    • Some objects may be misaligned or incorrectly scaled, especially on higher-end or specialized printers.

    • Less control over advanced print settings.

2. XPS (XML Paper Specification):

  • Description: XPS is a Microsoft-developed print engine that is built for high-quality document and graphic rendering. Unlike GDI+, XPS maintains fidelity to complex designs, ensuring that layouts and element placements are preserved.

  • Advantages:

    • Better support for complex card designs with high-resolution graphics and fine details.

    • Retains design elements more accurately than GDI+, including vector images and text clarity.

    • Ideal for use with higher-end printers or when precise rendering is essential.

  • Common Issues:

    • May have compatibility issues with certain printer drivers.

    • Some users report slower print jobs, particularly with large, complex documents.

3. SDKL (Software Development Kit Level):

  • Description: SDKL is a specialized print engine designed for specific printer models. This engine allows for deeper integration between the software and the printer, enabling advanced functionality such as direct access to printer features like encoding and lamination.

  • Advantages:

    • Provides direct communication with certain printers, bypassing standard Windows print methods.

    • Ideal for printers with advanced capabilities (e.g., laser engraving, encoding).

    • Can resolve issues where print jobs do not reach the Windows print spooler, especially for specialized ID card printers.

    • Add the “Print Using Black Panel” option in the card designer to enforce object to print using the K Resin panel in the printer. Requires supported SDKL Printer.

  • Common Issues:

    • Only compatible with a limited number of printers.

    • Requires the correct printer driver or SDK support for full functionality.

When to Use Each Print Engine:

  • GDI+: Recommended for general-purpose printing with most standard printers. Suitable for simple designs or when speed is a priority.

  • XPS: Best for complex designs with high-resolution images and text. Use this if your print jobs require better precision or fidelity.

  • SDKL: Ideal for specialized printers (see supported models below) that support encoding, lamination, or other advanced features. Use this if print jobs are not reaching the print spooler or if your printer supports the SDKL engine for more direct communication.

Supported Printers for SDKL Print Engine:

If your printer supports the SDKL Print Engine, switching to SDKL may improve print job consistency and avoid issues with print jobs not being sent to the Windows print spooler.

Printers that support SDKL:

  • IDP: SMART 30/31, SMART 50/51, SMART70 + Laser Engraving

  • Magicard: Rio Pro 360, Magicard 300, Magicard 600

  • Datacard: SD260, SD360, CD800

Testing the Print Engine Options:

Before sending the print job to your physical printer, you can test the print engines by printing to a virtual printer:

  • Microsoft XPS Document Writer: Allows you to simulate the output of the XPS engine to see how the design renders.

  • Print to PDF: Use this option to check if the elements render correctly before sending the job to the actual printer.

Other Common Printing Inconsistencies Addressed by Changing the Print Engine:

  • Print jobs not sent to Windows print spooler: Switching to SDKL may resolve this issue, especially if you are using a supported printer.

  • Incomplete prints or missing elements: The XPS engine may help ensure that all design elements are rendered accurately.

  • Misaligned text or images: Try XPS for more precise alignment, or SDKL if using a specialized printer.

Switching between GDI+, XPS, or SDKL can resolve many of these inconsistencies, so it’s recommended to test each one to find the best fit for your particular printer and design needs.