Reproduction of Chinese text is inherently more difficult than the reproduction of Latin characters due to the complexity of Chinese characters. Contrast, resolution, and color registration are critical, and failure to maintain these factors rapidly leads to degradation of Chinese text quality. Analysis of a representative Chinese character illustrates how these factors vary with imaging systems typically used to produce plastic cards. In fact, a direct correlation exists between resolution and the ability to accurately reproduce small font sizes, with 300 dpi sufficient for 8 pt text, 600 dpi required for 4 pt, and 1200 dpi for 3 pt. This correlation represents minimum required resolution. If other factors, such as low contrast or color registration, degrade the image, even higher resolution is required.