White Line on Your Magicard Cards? Here’s How to Confirm It — and Order the Correct Printhead

Seeing a perfect straight white line running along your printed cards is stressful—especially when it shows up on every card and won’t go away. The good news is: this is one of the easiest problems to confirm in under a minute, and once you know what you’re dealing with, the path forward is clear.

Step 1 (60 seconds): Confirm it’s NOT your file, software, or settings

If the white line is:

• in the same spot on every card, and

• also appears on the printer’s internal test card,

…then the cause is inside the printer (hardware), not your template or driver.

Do this check now:
Menu → Test Card (Magicard Support)

Why this test is so important: the internal test card prints without your computer, design file, or software. If the defect shows up there too, it confirms the issue is within the printer itself. (Magicard Support)

Why it’s a perfectly straight line (and why that points to the printhead)

Inside your Magicard printer, the printhead is a long row of tiny heating elements lined up straight across the width of the card. As the card moves through the printer, those elements heat the ribbon to transfer dye onto the card—line by line.

When one heating element (or a small group) gets damaged, that exact spot can’t apply heat anymore. So as the card travels forward, that same “dead” spot keeps missing print in the same place—creating a clean, unbroken straight white line from one end of the card to the other. Magicard describes this as a damaged printhead element (often explained as a “broken pixel”). 

And that’s why the line is:

• straight (the elements are arranged in a straight row), and

• consistent (the printhead doesn’t move sideways—so the defect stays in the same position). 

What causes this kind of printhead damage?

In most cases, something gets dragged between the card and the printhead—dust, debris, or contamination—and it permanently damages the printhead surface or heating elements. Magicard specifically warns that lack of cleaning increases the risk of printhead damage. 

Common causes we see:

• Skipped cleanings / dirty printer (the #1 reason)

• Dusty environment

• Contaminated cards (cards left out on desks/surfaces)

• Dirty rollers

• Ribbon left exposed (collects dust when left out)

• Sticky cleaning roller not maintained (where applicable)

• Pre-punched cards (jagged edges can scratch—punch after printing, not before)

• Accidental contact while changing ribbon (rings/jewelry can nick the printhead) 

The key truth (so you don’t waste time): a damaged printhead can’t be repaired

If your cards match the description above—and especially if it shows on the internal test card—Magicard’s guidance is that this is a physically damaged printhead element, and replacement is the fix. 

You can try cleaning first (and you should clean before installing anything new), but cleaning will not restore a damaged heating element.

What to do next (in the right order)

1) Do a thorough clean first

Even if the printhead is already damaged, cleaning is still important—because you don’t want to install an expensive new printhead into a dirty printer and risk damaging the replacement. Magicard highlights contamination and poor cleaning as a major factor in this issue. 

2) Replace the printhead (if the line appears on the internal test card)

At this point, replacement is the realistic solution. 

3) Make sure you order the correct printhead version (MK1 vs MK2)

This is where many people get burned—because the wrong printhead simply won’t match your printer’s electronics/connector.

MK1 vs MK2: Which Magicard printhead do you need?

Magicard transitioned many units from MK1 to MK2 electronics around the 2020 period, and most printers in use today are MK2.

Fast rule using serial number

• Serial numbers before 73xxxxxx → MK1 → printhead FG/3652-3160

• Serial numbers after 74xxxxxx → MK2 → printhead FG/3652-3160-2 

What’s the actual difference?

MK1 vs MK2 is primarily electronics + connector. The connector style determines compatibility (not the heatsink shape). 

Replacement printhead (MK2) — product info

If your printer is MK2 (serial number above the MK2 cutoff), the correct part is:

Magicard Replacement Printhead (MK2)
Part / SKU: FG/3652-3160-2
Price: $780.00 

Compatible models:

• Magicard 300

• Magicard 400X

• Magicard 600

• Magicard D Series 

Bodno shipping & guarantees:

• Free 1–3 Day Shipping

• 90-Day Price Match Guarantee

• 30-Day No Restocking Fee 

Still not sure? We’ll confirm it for you

If you tell us your printer model + serial number, we’ll help you confirm whether you need MK1 or MK2 before you order.

Bodno Technical Support: support@bodno.com