If you see a perfectly straight white line across every printed card on your Seaory S25, S26, or S28, in the exact same spot, that’s almost always a print head issue, not a ribbon or basic cleaning problem.
This article will help you:
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Understand what that white line means
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Decide when the print head needs replacing
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Replace the print head (same steps for S25 / S26 / S28)
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Renew the print head in the driver with the new serial number
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Follow simple habits to keep your new print head in good shape
1. What the White Line Actually Means
The print head is a row of tiny heating elements (“pixels”).
When one pixel dies, it never heats up. As the card passes under it, that pixel never prints, so you get:
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A perfectly straight, thin white line
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Always in the same position on every card
If you’ve already:
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Changed the ribbon
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Run cleaning cards
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Cleaned rollers
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Power cycled the printer
…and the line does not move or change, that almost always means:
One heating pixel in the print head is dead →
The fix is to replace the print head.
2. Other Signs of a Failing Print Head
You may also see:
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Missing parts of barcodes or text in a fixed vertical strip
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Repeated gaps in logos or photos in the same area
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Printer/driver messages about print head end of life / lack of cleaning / physical damage
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No change after proper cleaning with cleaning cards
At that point, replacing the print head is the correct next step.
3. Same Procedure for S25, S26 & S28
For Seaory S25, S26, and S28, the print head and the replacement process are essentially the same.
You’ll need:
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A replacement S-Series print head, for example:
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Seaory 10100 Printhead for S-Series Printers
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https://bodno.com/products/seaory-10100-printhead-for- seaory-s-printers
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4. Before You Start – Quick Prep
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Replacement print head
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Confirm it’s for Seaory S-Series (S25/S26/S28).
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Power down
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Finish any print jobs.
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Turn the printer off and unplug it.
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Clean workspace
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Use a clean, well-lit surface next to the printer.
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Avoid touching the printing edge of the new head.
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Record the serial number
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Find the serial number on the new print head.
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Take a photo or write it down; you’ll enter it in the driver.
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5. Step-by-Step: Replacing the Print Head
Important: Nothing should need force. Parts should release and re-seat with steady, gentle movement.
Step 1 – Open the Printer
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Confirm the printer is off and unplugged.
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Open the top cover to access the ribbon and print head area.
Step 2 – Remove Ribbon & Cards
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Take out the ribbon cartridge.
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Remove any cards in the feed path so the area is clear.
Step 3 – Remove the Old Print Head
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Locate the print head above the ribbon path.
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Gently press it toward the spring / hook side so it unhooks from the mount.
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Lift or rotate the print head away from the ribbon area.
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Carefully unplug the cable/connector from the print head.
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Place the old head aside on a clean surface.
Step 4 – Install the New Print Head
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Hold the new print head by the sides, avoiding the printing edge.
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Plug in the cable/connector, making sure it’s fully seated and straight.
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Position the print head on the same hook / spring mount used by the old one.
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Press it gently into place until it seats securely and evenly.
Step 5 – Close and Power On
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Reinstall the ribbon cartridge.
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Check that nothing is left loose inside.
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Close the top cover.
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Plug in the printer and turn it on.
6. Renew the Print Head in the Driver (Serial Number)

After installation, register the new print head in the driver:
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On your computer, open Printing Preferences/Properties for your Seaory S25 / S26 / S28.
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Go to the Tool tab (or Tools section).
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Click “Renew Printhead”.
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Enter the new print head serial number you recorded earlier.
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Apply/OK to save the change.
This links the new physical head with the printer’s internal tracking.
7. Test Print
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Print a test card or a full-color sample card.
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Check for:
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No perfectly straight white line
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If the print looks correct, your replacement is complete.
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If not, power off and re-check:
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Is the print head fully seated in its mount?
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Is the connector plugged in all the way?
Then close the cover and run another test.
8. Practical Habits to Protect the New Print Head
Regular Cleaning with the Proper Kit
Use the Seaory S-CC001 Cleaning Kit:

Standard Blank PVC Cards
Mylar Adhesive-Backed Cards
Proximity Cards (Nomativ)
NTAG Cards
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