Building a safer today for a secure tomorrow.
Hours: 8:30 - 5 EST

ID Maker 3.0 Troubleshooting Guide

Our ID Maker 3.0 Software Troubleshooting Guide includes valuable tips and tricks to diagnose and solve errors quickly and effectively. Match the error you are experiencing to one listed below, read the solution description carefully, and follow the suggested action steps to resolve the issue. If you are still experiencing the issue you can submit a ticket to our tech team on our contact us page or call us at 1.866.438.4553. If you are having issues with the printer itself, check out our Tech Support Page to find help for each printer.

ID Maker 3.0
Solution

Can't open ID Maker 3.0

Please download the latest version of ID Maker 3.0 at www.idville.com/techsupport. If the issue persists contact tech support for further assistance.


How do I disable the username and password?

  1. Open ID Maker 3.0, open a project file.
  2. Go to the top right corner and click the ID Maker logo button.
  3. Go to “Tools” and select “Edit Users” from the tools menu.
  4. This will give you the option to enable, disable, or add users to the password functionality of the software.

Failed to Initialize the File Paths Shutting Down

This error occurs when the application was not run as an administrator after installation. Right-click on the program shortcut and select “Run as Administrator” and the program should load properly. This only needs to be performed for the first run of the software, it can be run as a standard user from then on.


Pictures are coming in sideways

ID Maker 3.0 is not reading the photo file’s data properly. You can work around this issue by modifying the file in Microsoft Paint. Follow the instructions below on how to perform this:

  1. Within ID Maker 3.0, click “Browse” for the photo
  2. Locate the photo file you wish to import, right-click it and select “Edit”
  3. This will open the photo in Microsoft Paint.
  4. Click “Save” in Microsoft Paint. Close Microsoft Paint.
  5. Select and import the photo file, it should import with the proper rotation now.

Unable to open the project file. This file cannot be opened.

This error typically occurs when attempting to open an ID Project file on an old version of ID Maker when the file has been modified by a newer one. To resolve this issue, download and install the latest version of ID Maker 3.0 from www.idville.com/techsupport on every computer that uses the software. Once the latest version is installed, open the ID Project file.


Failed to import the specified database

This error occurs when there is an issue with importing the .CSV or .TXT file as a database. Below are some general reasons why it may be failing to import

  • The .CSV or .TXT file is still open in a different program, such as Microsoft Excel. Close the file and try again.
  • There are not a proper number of headers in Row 1. Make sure every column that has text has a header. Try again.
  • If the .CSV file has been modified by Microsoft Excel (or is being converted from a spreadsheet) save the file as a .CSV (MS-DOS). After this has been completed, try again.
  • If there is any data in a cell outside of the columns with headers that is not supposed to be there, it will prevent the .CSV file from importing

Same name appears on every card

This typically occurs when the name is typed into the “1. Template Design” tab of the software, and not the “2. Data Entry” tab of the software.

To correct this, follow these instructions:

  1. Go to the “1. Template Design” tab, highlight the name that is appear on every card
  2. Click the “Text” button, then select “Insert”, then select “Data field text”
  3. Insert the datafield text corresponding to the name. Such as “FNAME” for first name or “LNAME” for last name.
  4. The field should appear on the card in a dotted box. Once this is there, go back to the “2. Data Entry” tab and the names should be filling onto the card properly.


To clear the print queue on a Windows 10 computer:

  1. Open your Settings application (Can be opened from the Start menu or with the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + i )
  2. Go to Devices, then select Printers and Scanners
  3. Click on your ID Maker printer from the printer list, click “Open queue”
  4. Within the queue window if there are print jobs listed, click “Printer” and then “Cancel All Documents” to clear the queue.


How do I save pictures to a separate database?

You can export the pictures from the software to a folder and save it to any location on your computer or network drive. To do this:

  • Select the blue button with the IDville logo in the top left of the software.
  • From the menu list select export photos
  • Click on your ID Maker printer from the printer list, click “Open queue”
  • Select export all


Faded Prints

This is likely due to the printhead not applying enough heat to the ribbon. To increase printhead power settings, first go to control panel on your windows computer. Then select the option printers and devices. A list of printers should be displayed. Right-click on the ID Maker printer and select printer preferences. A window should appear with some options, we want to select image options. Change color correction to Gamma 2 if it isn’t selected already, and next to printhead power click options. In the options window change YMC to 60 and Resin to 60. Save all settings and attempt another print (Make sure to double check settings in case they did not apply). If there is not improvement in quality repeat the previous steps adding 5 to the previous value set until a maximum of 75.


The colors printing on the cards don’t match the colors showing in software

This is likely due to printer color settings. How to change the color correction setting on your ID Maker Apex, Edge, Secure, Advantage, or Value printer:

  • Open the ID Maker 3.0, select the badge you wish to print
  • Click “Print Card”
  • Select your ID Maker printer, click “Preferences” instead of “Print”
  • Within the Preferences window, select the “Image” tab
  • There will be drop down titled “Color Correction” If you are unhappy with the default option, the next two I would suggest trying is “None” or “Color Management (Built into Driver)”
  • Click “OK” and then “Print”
  • If you are unhappy with the color of the badge, repeat these steps to test the other Color Correction options to find the best one for you.
  • Once complete, follow the steps below for making your preferred settings your default.

To change the contrast and brightness (heat of printer) on your ID Maker Primacy or Zenius:


  • Open the badge you wish to print
  • Click “Print Card” to open the printer dialogue window
  • Select the printer, then select “Preferences”
  • Within the Preferences window, changing the Contrast and the Brightness will change how hot to printer prints. Higher causes the printer to print hotter, and lower causes the printer to print cooler.
  • Generally I do not recommend going above 15 or below 5. For your issue, I normally try and normalize the temperature by going warmer (I normally start at 12, and then try again at 14.) Once you have the settings select, click “OK”
  • Click “Print”


How do I set up the signature data field?

To add a signature field to a badge within ID Maker 3.0:

  • Open ID Maker 3.0, open your ID Project file
  • Click on the “2. Data Entry” tab of the software
  • Click the “Add/Remove Fields” button near the top
  • At this point you add “Signature” under “Image Fields
  • Once you have the datafield(s) added that you desire, click “OK”
  • Return to the “1. Template Design” tab of the software to add the “Signature” to the card located under “photo”, then “insert”
  • Make sure when adding to link the Signature to the Signature data field
  • Click “Text” then “Insert” then “Datafield” text
  • Be sure to save your changes once you are complete

ID Maker Card Design and Encoding Tutorials

ID Maker 3.0 Demo

A beginners guide to everything ID Maker can do.

How to Add a Logo

How to start your ID card design and add a logo.

How to Add a Background

Use a pre-designed background or upload your own.

How to Create a Dual-Sided Card

Turn your single-sided card into a dual-sided card.

How to Create a Card Template

Design a card template and import your database.

How to Upload Your Database

Use your database to automate the card design process.