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F1 Frontier One — accredited by the RCMP
Traditional ink-and-roll, done cleanly

Ink & roll fingerprinting

Some foreign countries, embassies and out-of-province licences still ask for fingerprints rolled in actual ink — on their own card, not the digital C-216C. We take clean, rejection-free ink prints on whatever card you need, at any of our 14 locations across Ontario and Alberta.

10 fingers
rolled + flat, in ink
Any card
FD-258, C-216C or theirs

Ink or digital — which do you need?

Almost every Canadian check is digital now. You only need ink-and-roll if the place asking for your prints specifically won't accept a digital card. Here's the quick test.

The exception Ink & roll

Ink-and-roll on a card

Traditional prints rolled by hand in ink onto a physical card. Needed only when a destination won't take digital — some foreign countries or embassies, or an out-of-province / US professional licence.

  • A country or embassy that requires actual ink
  • An out-of-province or US professional licence
  • A specific form that must be inked
The Canadian standard Digital

Digital (Live-Scan)

Electronic fingerprints — what almost every Canadian criminal record check and C-216C card uses today. Cleaner, faster, and far fewer rejections.

  • An RCMP criminal record check
  • A C-216C card most countries accept
  • US FBI FD-258 / FD-1164 cards

Not sure? If your check is for the RCMP or a country that accepts the digital C-216C, you almost certainly need digital, not ink. For digital, go to the RCMP criminal record check or FBI & C-216C cards.

Countries that commonly require ink prints

Some destinations still ask for a traditional ink-and-roll card rather than a digital scan. These commonly do — but requirements change often, so always confirm with the authority that asked for your check.

  • Egypt
  • Philippines
  • Bahrain
  • Australia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Korea
How it works

How ink-and-roll is done

Each finger is inked and rolled by hand — nail to nail — then printed flat. Done carefully, so your card isn't rejected for smudging.

  1. Inked & rolled

    Every finger is inked and rolled nail-to-nail, plus a row of flat impressions — onto your card, repeated for each card you need.

  2. Completed & signed

    The technician fills in and signs the card to your destination’s instructions; you sign it in front of them.

  3. Stamped & sealed

    If required, we stamp and seal the card — and can provide a letter of authentication from an accredited agency.

  4. You submit it

    Follow the destination’s instructions and send the finished card where it needs to go.

We use high-quality ink pads and well-trained technicians to avoid over-inking and smudging — the most common reasons an ink card is rejected.

What to bring

Bring two valid pieces of government-issued ID, the card your destination wants you fingerprinted on, and a passport-style photo if that card needs one.

  • Two valid pieces of government-issued photo ID
  • The fingerprint card your destination requires
  • A passport-style photo, glued on, if the card needs one
  • Any letter or instructions from the organization

We carry the FBI FD-258 and Standard Canadian C-216C cards. A foreign form you bring yourself — glue any required photo on before your appointment. See our Acceptable Identification list for everything that qualifies.

What ink fingerprinting looks like

A short walkthrough of how ink-and-roll prints are taken — and why clean technique is what keeps a card from being rejected.

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What an ink card looks like

An ink card carries the same ten rolled impressions and a row of flat "slaps" as a digital one — just printed in ink, with your details completed and the card signed for the destination.

An illustration, not a real form — your finished card is rolled in ink with your own details and impressions.

Whatever card your destination uses, every ink card carries the same four things:

  1. 1

    Your form details

    The header carries your name, date of birth and the reason — completed for the destination, on their card or ours.

  2. 2

    Ten rolled impressions

    Each finger inked and rolled nail-to-nail — right hand on top, left hand below, one to a labelled box.

  3. 3

    Flat (plain) impressions

    A row of flat "slaps": four left fingers, both thumbs, then four right fingers, to confirm the rolled prints.

  4. 4

    Signed, stamped, sealed

    You sign in front of the technician; we sign, stamp and seal the card — with a letter of authentication if you need one.

What it costs

Flat, per-card pricing for ink-and-roll. You pay at your appointment, never online.

Standard rates, before applicable provincial tax. Mailing is extra if you need us to send the card — registered Canada Post is $50, courier $30. You pay at your appointment, never online.

First card Ten rolled + flat impressions, one card
$70
Additional set Another full set, or a different card
$55
Individual fingerprint A single finger, if that's all you need
$20

Most checks are digital

If your check is for the RCMP or a country that accepts the digital C-216C, you likely need digital fingerprinting, not ink — and the right card depends on where it's going.

FBI & C-216C fingerprint cards

Why F1 for ink prints

High-quality ink, clean prints
We use high-quality ink pads, so prints come out crisp and legible — not over-inked or blotchy.
Trained technicians, fewer rejections
Smudged or incomplete prints get a card rejected. Our technicians roll every finger carefully, the first time.
14 locations, since 2014
Across Ontario and Alberta — over a decade taking fingerprints by ink and digital.

Common questions

Need ink prints done right?

Book at one of our 14 locations across Ontario and Alberta — bring your card and we’ll roll clean prints.

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Get this at any of our 14 offices

The same accredited service across Ontario and Alberta. Check what to bring and the price before you book.

Find your nearest office