Card printer alignment bracket

A method for aligning a card for printing within a printing device, the printing device including a transport mechanism, a print unit that is configured to move relative to the transport mechanism thereby defining a print area, and a card feeder having an alignment bracket disposed proximate to the transport mechanism, the method comprising:

• positioning the card feeder in a first orientation and depositing the card from the card feeder onto the transport mechanism along a processing axis;
• moving the transport mechanism in a first direction where the card moves away from the card feeder along the first direction on the transport mechanism;
• positioning the card feeder in a second orientation different from the first orientation where the alignment bracket aligns with the transport mechanism along with the processing axis, the alignment bracket having a rear wall that engages the card when the card is moved into the alignment bracket and a guide that projects in a perpendicular direction from the rear wall;
• moving the transport mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the card moves into the alignment bracket and an edge of the card abuts the rear wall, wherein the guide aligns the card along the processing axis;
• moving the transport mechanism in the first direction such that the card clears the alignment bracket;
• and
• positioning the card feeder to a third orientation separate from the first and second orientations where the card feeder is outside the print area when the card feeder is in the third position.