Polaroid ID 4 User Manual
ID-4 Instant Identification System
The numbers throughout the text refer to the pictures
at the end of this guide.
Introduction
The Polaroid ID-4 System is designed to provide highly secure
photo-identification cards. The system includes a camera, a
laminator and a diecutter. These fit on the base, which
contains the power supply. The base is placed on top of the
cover during operation, or inside for storage.
The camera photographs the subject's face and data card. It
requires a validating signature or seal for additional security.
The ID photograph is inserted into the diecutter and cut to the
appropriate size for the ID card. The laminator seals the diecut
picture into a protective plastic pouch.
The camera uses Polaroid Polacolor ER Type 669 instant film.
Each film pack produces eight 3¼ x 4¼ in. (8.5 x 10.8cm)
prints.
The ID-4 system is available in three basic configurations,
shown on the last page of this guide:
Standard camera Produces two horizontal ID pictures on
each sheet of film.
Vertical-badge camera Produces two vertical ID pictures
on each sheet of film. (These are generally used for
hanging-badge ID cards.)
Single card camera Produces one ID picture on each
sheet of film; these are used for CR-79/CR-80-size ID
cards. This system has a single-card CR-79 or CR-80
diecutter.
Set-up
Select a working area
You will need an area about 8 x 10 ft. (2.4 x 3m) that is not
exposed to extreme temperatures. (Avoid doors, windows,
etc.)
As shown in sketch (1), you also need:
A Table, 29-30 in. (76cm) high, for the ID-4 System.
B Electrical outlet (grounded, where applicable).
C Wastebasket.
D Backdrop to place behind the subject. This should be at
least 30 in. (76cm) square and made of non-reflective
material such as felt or velvet.
E Chair for the subject, 17-18 in. (45cm) high.
Assembly
Assemble the system in the area where you plan to use it.
1 Release the latches, then remove the cover from the base.
Turn the cover upside-down and place it on the table (2).
2 Unwind the power cord. Feed the plug and long cord out
through one of the doors near the bottom of the cover.
Position the short cord in the opening near the top of the
cover (3).
3 Place the base on top of the cover and latch it (4).
4 Place the laminator on the base: slide the bottom of the
laminator into its slot on the base (5), then lower it into
position.
5 Wrap the laminator cord around the bottom of the laminator
several times (6), then plug it into its outlet (7-F).
6 Plug the power cord into its socket (7-G), and then into an
appropriate electrical outlet.
UNIT MUST BE GROUNDED. POWER CORD HAS
THREE-PRONGED GROUNDED PLUG, WHICH MUST BE
PLUGGED INTO APPROPRIATE OUTLET. DO NOT,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, REMOVE GROUND
PRONG FROM PLUG.* DO NOT LET POWER CORD
HANG OVER FRONT EDGE OF TABLE OR COUNTER OR
TOUCH HOT SURFACES. ARRANGE CORD SO IT WILL
NOT BE TRIPPED OVER OR PULLED. IF EXTENSION
CORD IS NEEDED, USE CORD WITH GROUNDED
PLUG* AND SUITABLE POWER RATING. CORDS RATED
FOR LOWER WATTAGE THAN UNIT MAY OVERHEAT.
(*THIS APPLIES ONLY IN COUNTRIES WITH
GROUNDED ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES.)
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7 Place the diecutter on the laminator; slide its back feet into
the slots on the laminator, then lower it into position (8).
8 Hold the camera as shown, and slide it onto the connector
on the base (9). Slide the camera all the way back toward
you, until it locks in position (10).
Then camera will first click into the "storage" position;
continue sliding it back until it clicks into the "operating"
position.
9 To remove the camera: Push the lever (11-H) to the left, and
slide the camera forward. The camera will stop at the
"storage" position; push the lever again to release the
camera, then slide it all the way off its connector.
10 Check that the system is at the correct distance for picture-
taking. The distance from the camera lens to the subject
should be 54 in. (1.4m). If using the #693 Supplementary
Lens, the distance should be 40 in (1m).
The controls
1 Turn the key to turn on the power (12). The green light
above the key will go on.
TURN OFF POWER WHEN UNIT IS NOT IN USE.
2 The "Insert data card" indicator on the control panel (13) will
light up when the power is turned on. (If it does not, the
camera has not been moved all the way back into the
"operating" position.)
The lights on the control panel indicate the following:
Insert data card
Aim camera and take picture
Slide film holder*
Pull film tabs
Subject too near
Subject at correct distance
Subject too far
Face brightener ON
*This indicator is not on the single card camera.
The first four indicators light as a reminder for the next step;
the camera will not operate until each step is completed.
3 The data Lighten/Darken control (13-I) allows you to make
the picture of the data card lighter or darker without affecting
the picture of the subject. If the data card is too dark (14-J),
turn the control toward (+) to lighten it. If too light, turn the
control toward (-) to darken it.
4 The portrait Lighten/Darken control (15-K) is used to lighten
or darken the picture of the subject. If the portrait is too dark
(14-L), turn the ring toward o; if too light, turn it toward
The face brightener (13-M) is used to lighten a single
portrait. Press the control before taking the portrait. The
brightener will shut off after the portrait is taken, or if the
control is pressed a second time.
5 The camera has a built-in sonar rangefinder (15-N). It emits
inaudible sound waves, which bounce off the subject and
return as echos.
The rangefinder measures the time it takes for the echo to
return and calculates the distance from the camera to the
subject.
.
●
The aiming light (15-0) goes on after the data card has been
inserted. As you aim the camera, you can use the
rangefinder to measure the distance to the subject. An
indicator on the control panel lights up to show if the subject
is at the correct distance, or if he/she is leaning too far
forward or back.
6 Turn on the laminator. Push the right side of the switch (16)
for hot lamination; the amber light will go on. Allow the
laminator to warm up for at least 5 minutes before use. (The
laminator also can be used for cold lamination; see the
booklet packed with the laminator.)
7 Set the development timers (17) to one minute (1:00). Press
and hold the white button (17-P) until the correct time is
displayed. To reset the timer to a longer time, simply press
and hold the white button until the new time is displayed. To
reset the timer to a shorter time than is displayed, press the
white and blue buttons simultaneously. The display will
show zero (0.00). Then press and hold the white button until
the correct time is displayed.
Sliding the film holder
The film holder has two positions, UP and DOWN. (The film
holder on the vertical-badge camera moves LEFT and RIGHT;
the film holder on the single card camera does not move.) You
must slide the holder into position to expose each of the two ID
pictures on the sheet of film.
When the indicator lights up, press the button (18-Q) in, and
slide the film holder all the way UP (LEFT), or all the way
DOWN (RIGHT).
Install the validation plate
Important: The film holder must be in the UP (or LEFT)
position to install or remove the validation plate.
Open the film holder door (19). Always hold the validation plate
by the bottom tab as shown (20). Insert the top end of the plate
so the center tab fits under, and the side tabs over, the rod
(20-R) inside the holder. The slot in the center tab should
engage a centering pin inside the holder. Test this by moving
the plate from side to side; if it is inserted correctly, it should
move only slightly.
Fit the bottom of the plate into the holder so the bar pushes in
the flat metal spring (21). Gently push in and downward until
the plate snaps into place, under the upper lip of the spring
and behind the two retainers.
To remove the plate, push in on the flat metal spring with your
fingertip or the eraser-end of a pencil (22). Then lift the plate
out.
Load the film
1 Be sure that the film holder is in the UP (or LEFT) position,
then open the door. Before loading the film, check that the
developer rollers are clean (see Clean the developer
rollers).
2 Always hold the film pack by the edges, not in the center.
Slide the pack in at an angle, then push it down into place
(23).
3 Check that the white tabs are not caught between the pack
and the holder (24).
4 Close and latch the door, with the end of the black tab
sticking out (25-S). The "Pull film tabs" indicator will light up.
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5 Pull the black tab straight, all the way out of the holder (26).
A small white tab (26-T) will appear. If not, see No white
tab?
Operation
Note: The indicators on the control panel will light up to remind
you of the next step. The camera will not operate until each
step is completed.
Diecut the print
1 Insert the print into the diecutter as shown (38). Check that
the ID pictures are properly centered left to right.
2 Push down on the handle to cut the print into two ID pictures
(39).
3 Release the handle, then remove the scrap paper from the
diecutter (40).
Take the picture
1 Take the data card from the applicant.
2 Orient the card so that you can read it, and slide it all the
way into the card holder (27). The camera will photograph
the card.
3 The aiming light will go on and stay on for 10 seconds. Grip
the sides of the camera, and tilt it as needed to place the
aiming light on the subject’s upper lip.
4 Press the blue button lightly (28) to turn on the rangefinder.
Check the distance indicators on the control panel. If
necessary, ask the subject to lean forward or back, so the
"correct distance" light goes on. (If the aiming light and
rangefinder have gone off, simply press the blue button
lightly to turn them on again.) Then press the blue button
firmly to take the picture.
5 Push the release button, and slide the film holder DOWN (or
RIGHT) (29).
6 If picture #2 will be of a different subject, remove the data
card. Check, and then insert the second data card.
If you are taking two pictures of the same subject, slide the
card out 2-3 in. (5-7cm), then reinsert it.
7 Aim the camera and take the second picture in the same
manner as the first (30).
Process the film
1 Press the button and slide the film holder UP (or LEFT) (31).
Important: The film tabs must be pulled straight all the way
out of the holder.
2 Pull the white tab straight, all the way out of the holder (32).
A large yellow tab will appear. If not, see No yellow tab?
3 Grip the yellow tab firmly, and pull it straight, at moderate
speed, without hesitation, all the way out of the holder
(33).
Note: With the vertical-badge and single card cameras, grip
the film holder as shown while pulling the film tabs (34).
4 Press the blue button to start the timer (35).
5 Place the sheet of film into the pocket below the timer (36).
6 At the end of the processing time, the timer will beep.
Separate the print from the negative, starting at the end
nearest the yellow tab (37).
Fold the negative, moist side in, and dispose of it properly.
See Caution notice.
Laminate the picture
Most ID pictures will be sealed inside a plastic pouch for
protection. Then pouches may be printed with additional
information, or have a magnetic stripe or other security
features.
1 Place the diecut picture inside the pouch (41).
2 Place the pouch inside the carrier, with the sealed side of
the pouch against the closed side of the carrier (42).
3 Insert the carrier into the laminator (43). The rollers inside
the laminator will start, and pull the carrier through. The
carrier will come out through the slot in the back of the
laminator.
4 Allow the carrier to cool for several seconds before
removing it from the laminator exit slot (44).
5 Open the carrier and remove the laminated card (45).
Handle the card carefully until it has cooled. Do not flex or
bend the card.
If the edges of the ID card pouch appear ragged, the laminator
thermostat may be set too high. If the pouch is not completely
sealed, the thermostat may be set too low.
To adjust the laminator thermostat:
1 Turn off the laminator and disconnect the power cord.
2 Insert a screwdriver into the opening and turn the control
toward (+) to increase the temperature, or toward (-) to
decrease it (46). The control should be turned no more than
th
turn.
1/8
Troubleshooting
No white tab?
Open the door and, without moving the film pack, push the
white tab out (47). Then close and latch the door.
No yellow tab?
Do not pull another white tab. Instead, carefully open the
holder far enough to get a finger on top of the film pack to hold
it in position (48).
Grasp the topmost yellow tab, and gently pull it all the way out
and discard it (49). Inspect the rollers and clean them if
necessary (see Clean the developer rollers). Close and latch
the door, with the next white tab sticking out. (You will have to
reshoot the ID pictures that were on that sheet of film.)
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Clean the developer rollers
Dirt on the developer rollers can cause a variety of problems
such as repeated spots on pictures and jammed film. Inspect
the rollers when loading film, and clean them as follows.
1 With both hands, lift the steel loops, and remove the roller
assembly (50).
2 Clean both rollers with a soft, lint-free cloth, dampened with
water if necessary (51). Or, hold the roller assembly under
clean running water. Rotate both rollers as you clean and
inspect them. Note that one roller turns more easily than the
other. Never scrape the rollers with anything metallic, nor
with your fingernail, and never attempt to disassemble the
rollers.
3 Also clean the film tab slot (52). Then replace the roller
assembly.
Picture faults and probable causes
Repeated, evenly-spaced spots: Due to dirt on the steel
developer rollers. (See Clean the developer rollers.)
Missing corners or orange-red marks along edges: Caused
by pulling the yellow tab out at an angle, or by dried developer
on the rollers and film tab slot. (See Clean the developer
rollers.).
Oblong in print: The white tab was not pulled all the way out.
When the yellow tab was pulled, that white tab was pulled
back into the holder.
Many small white specks:
Caused by pulling the yellow tab out too fast. This also can
cause pink lines, streaks or blotches on prints.
Muddy-looking print: The print was not processed for a long
enough time.
Very light image or none at all: The film was fogged or
extremely overexposed. Be sure you have pulled the black tab
out of the film holder.
Broad streak or curtain-shaped mark: Due to hesitation or
stopping while pulling out the yellow tab.
If the data card bends when inserted
Grasp the data card holder as shown, push it toward the front
of the camera and slide it all the way out (53).
Position the card so it lies flat in the holder, then slide the
holder back into the camera.
If the system will not operate
1 Check that the power cord is plugged into the base and into
the electrical outlet, that the power is turned ON, and that
the camera has been moved all the way back into the
"operating" position.
2 Press the re-set switch (54-U).
3 Turn the power OFF, then ON again.
4 If the system still will not operate, call your Service
Representative.
If the control panel lights begin flashing
If there is an electrical malfunction, the "insert data card" and
"face brightener" signal lights will flash on and off. (One or
more other lights also will go on.)
1 Turn the power OFF, then ON again. If the lights begin
flashing again, call your Service Representative.
2 Make a note of which other lights are on; this will enable the
Service Representative to more quickly diagnose the
problem.
3 Turn the power OFF and disconnect the power cord from
the electrical outlet; do not use the system until it has been
repaired.
DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WITH DAMAGED CORD, OR
UNIT WHICH HAS BEEN DROPPED OR DAMAGED,
UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED
SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. TO AVOID ELECTRICAL
SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE UNIT. IF
SERVICE OR REPAIR WORD IS REQUIRED, CONTACT
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER.
Storing the system
1 Turn the power off and remove the key.
ALLOW UNIT TO COOL THOROUGHLY BEFORE
STORING. WHEN DISCONNECTING POWER CORD,
GRASP PLUG-NOT CORD-AND PULL TO DISCONNECT.
2 Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet, and
then from the socket on the base.
3 Push the lever on the bottom of the camera to the left, and
slide the camera into the "storage" position (55).
4 Unlatch the base and remove it from the cover. Place the
base on a firm, level surface (56).
5 Wind the power cord around the cord holder as shown (57).
6 Place the cover over the base (58), and latch it.
Caution
The Polaroid instant film process uses a caustic jelly which is
safely packed inside sealed containers within the metal-plastic
film pack.
If accidentally you should get some of this jelly on your
skin, wipe it off immediately. To avoid an alkali burn, wash
the area with plenty of water as soon as possible. It is
particularly important to keep the jelly away from eyes and
mouth. Keep the discarded materials out of the reach of
children and animals, and out of contact with clothing and
furniture, as discarded materials still contain some jelly.
Free information and technical assistance
Call toll free from within the U.S.A. at 800-225-1618, Mon.-Fri;
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time). Or, write to Polaroid Customer
Service, 201 Burlington Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.
For assistance in other countries, please contact the nearest
Polaroid Office. Visit www.polaroid.com for Polaroid locations
worldwide.
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