Evolis Zenius Single-Sided ID Card Printer (ZN1U0000RS)
Evolis Zenius (ZN1U0000RS) is a compact and agile single-sided ID card printer designed for producing high-quality plastic cards individually or in small batches. Featuring 300 dpi resolution and edge-to-edge printing capability, this printer delivers professional-grade color or monochrome cards with crisp text, vibrant images, and clear barcodes. With print speeds…
Introduction
The Evolis Zenius (ZN1U0000RS) is a compact, versatile single-sided ID card printer designed for producing professional-quality plastic cards in small to medium volumes. Combining advanced printing technology with user-friendly operation, this printer delivers exceptional results for organizations requiring reliable card issuance capabilities in a space-efficient format. Whether creating employee badges, membership cards, loyalty cards, or access control credentials, the Zenius offers the perfect balance of performance, quality, and affordability.
Design and Physical Characteristics
The Zenius printer features a sleek, modern design that emphasizes compactness and efficiency. With dimensions of just 205 × 195 × 315 mm (8.07″ × 7.68″ × 12.4″) and weighing only 3.3 kg (7.3 lb), it occupies minimal desk space—hardly larger than a standard sheet of paper. This makes it ideal for environments where space is at a premium, such as reception desks, retail counters, or small offices.
The printer’s distinctive fire-red front panel provides easy access to the card input area, while the clean white housing maintains a professional appearance suitable for any business environment. Despite its small size, the Zenius incorporates robust engineering for durability and reliable operation over extended periods.
One of the most notable features of the Zenius is its exceptionally quiet operation, with noise levels of just 46 dB during printing. This allows the printer to be used in quiet office environments without causing disruption.
Printing Technology and Performance
The Zenius utilizes direct-to-card dye-sublimation/resin thermal transfer technology to produce vibrant, long-lasting cards. With a print resolution of 300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm), it delivers sharp text, clear barcodes, and vivid images with edge-to-edge printing capability that maximizes the printable area of each card.
The printer offers impressive performance for its size:
- Color printing (YMCKO): 120-150 cards per hour
- Monochrome printing: 400-500 cards per hour
- Single full-color card printing time: Approximately 30 seconds
The Zenius supports a wide color spectrum with 16 million colors available, ensuring accurate reproduction of logos, photos, and graphics. Its 16 MB memory (RAM) provides sufficient processing power for complex card designs and efficient batch printing.
Card Handling and Capacity
The standard configuration includes a 50-card capacity input hopper for batch processing and a 20-card capacity output tray. For individual card printing needs, the Zenius also offers a manual card feeding option, allowing users to process cards one at a time when required.
The printer accommodates standard CR80 cards (85.6 × 54 mm) with thicknesses ranging from 0.25 to 1.25 mm (10 to 50 mil). It supports various card materials, including PVC, composite PVC, PET, ABS, and special coated cards, providing flexibility for different application requirements.
Connectivity and Software
The Zenius comes equipped with USB connectivity (USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.0) as standard, with an optional Ethernet TCP-IP (10BaseT, 100BaseT) interface available on the Expert version. This allows for easy integration into existing computer systems and networks.
The printer is supplied with comprehensive software solutions:
- Evolis Premium Suite®: A complete software package for printer administration, including:
- Evolis Print Center for printer configuration and settings
- Evolis Printer Manager for graphical notifications
- 24/7 online support
- CardPresso XXS Lite: User-friendly card design software that enables:
- Creation and editing of card designs
- Database connectivity (up to 50 records)
- Signature acquisition
- Support for QR codes
These software solutions are compatible with Windows® (32/64 bit), Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems, ensuring broad compatibility across different computing environments.
Expert Version and Encoding Options
The Zenius is available in an “Expert” version that features additional encoding capabilities for enhanced card functionality. These encoding options include:
- Magnetic stripe encoder (ISO 7811 HiCo/LoCo, JIS2)
- Smart contact station (ISO 7816-2)
- Contact smart card encoder (PC/SC, EMV 2000-1)
- Contactless smart card encoder (RFID) supporting various technologies:
- ISO 14443A, B
- ISO15693
- MIFARE
- DESFire
- HID iCLASS
- Other specific encoders available upon request
These encoding modules can be combined as needed and are available as factory-installed options or can be added on-site as requirements evolve.
Security Features
The Zenius incorporates several security features to protect both the printer and the data used in card production:
- Support for Kensington® security lock to physically secure the printer
- Data encryption for magnetic encoding to protect sensitive information
- Password protection options through the Evolis Premium Suite®
- Evolis Premium SDK for secure remote supervision of the printer
Environmental Considerations
Evolis has designed the Zenius with environmental sustainability in mind:
- ENERGY STAR certification for energy efficiency
- Eco-designed printer with efficient sleep mode and low energy consumption
- RoHS compliance
- Recyclable packaging materials
- Optional EASY4PRO ribbon cassettes without plastic cassette to reduce environmental impact
Applications
The Zenius is ideally suited for a wide range of card issuance applications:
Corporate
- Employee ID badges
- Visitor management cards
- Access control credentials
- Corporate event badges
Retail and Hospitality
- Loyalty cards
- Gift cards
- Membership cards
- Promotional cards
Education
- Student and faculty ID cards
- Library cards
- Campus access cards
- Event passes
Leisure and Entertainment
- Club membership cards
- Season passes
- Event tickets
- Discount cards
Transportation
- Transit passes
- Parking permits
- Fare cards
Warranty and Support
The Zenius comes with a 2-year standard warranty, reflecting Evolis’s confidence in the printer’s build quality and reliability. Extended warranty options are available for organizations requiring longer coverage periods.
Evolis provides comprehensive technical support through various channels, including online resources, documentation, and direct assistance from authorized resellers.
Consumables
The Zenius uses Evolis High Trust® ribbons that are specifically designed to work optimally with the printer. These ribbons feature automatic recognition and setup through an embedded chip, simplifying the ribbon installation process and ensuring correct printer configuration.
Available ribbon options include:
- YMCKO color ribbon: 200 prints per roll
- YMCKO-K color ribbon: 200 prints per roll
- 1/2 YMCKO color ribbon: 400 prints per roll
- KO black and overlay ribbon: 600 prints per roll
- Monochrome ribbons (black, red, green, blue, white, gold, silver, scratch-off): 1,000 prints per roll
Conclusion
The Evolis Zenius (ZN1U0000RS) represents an excellent solution for organizations requiring high-quality card printing in a compact, user-friendly package. Its combination of professional print quality, versatile encoding options, and space-efficient design makes it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, retail establishments, and other organizations with card issuance needs.
With its intuitive operation, reliable performance, and expandable capabilities, the Zenius delivers exceptional value while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to evolving requirements. Whether producing simple identification cards or more complex credentials with encoding features, this printer provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for professional card production.
