Digital Wristbands
Overview
Digital wristbands are the latest group of wristbands to substantially change the face of the wristband market. Using new materials such as Valeron, they were the first wristbands to offer photo quality graphics, combining them with variable information. Digital wristbands differ in many ways to Plastic & Tyvek wristbands. The material is a synthetic & does have an adhesive closure & while it may resemble a tyvek wristband, the similarities end there.
The key is the method used to imprint the wristbands & unlike other systems different information may be printed on adjoining wristbands. EG Each wristband could be individualised & carry a different name or barcode, area of validation etc Existing print systems have not been capable of producing this style of variable information on other styles of wristbands.
Digital wristbands have been pioneered by RFID N' Print an Australian based company & were first introduced in 2005 & follwed quickly by their Laser Bands in 2006.
Digital wristbands are waterproof, stretch resistant, long wearing & highly visible. There are two main styles, see below.
Digital Wristbands
These wristbands are produced in two widths 19mm & 25mm. When the wristbands are printed a protective layer of clear laminate is applied to protect the colour, text & graphics. This laminate is very effective in prolonging the life of the wristband & it is not uncommon for these wristbands to last several months & still retain much of their original appearance.
The variable information, barcodes etc allow linking to management information systems. These wristbands are best utilized when data collection is required & work well with access control solutions, such as the Wizid Guidepost system.
Laser Wristbands
View examples of Digital & Laser Wristbands at Wizid.
Another synthetic wristband that can replicate the photo quality graphics & variable information of the Digital wristbands. The main difference being there is no protective laminate used. Laser wristbands are printed on smaller style laser printers & are best suited to smaller print runs.
Of the two styles the Digital wristband is more secure as the adhesive grips the laminate, while with the Laser wristband, the adhesive adheres directly to the wristband surface where the amount of ink applied to the surface may become a factor. It is suitable as an Identification wristband but would not be considered a high security wristband.
More Information
Browse the Digital Wristbands at Wizid for more information.