Identification cards have become a routine part of daily life. We use them for employee id badges, gym membership, driver’s licenses and student ids among many others. Most all current identification cards are produced with card printers. Very few badges are made with the cutting, pasting and laminating methods of our past. The id card printer methods are much faster and of higher quality. Information needed on the badge, such as logo, cardholder picture and personalized information are stored in a computer for easy printing and reprinting as needed.
When purchasing a card printer, there are several factors to consider. Standard card printers will print on credit card size cardstock, also known as a CR-80 card. The card is 30 ml thick and is the identical size to the Visa or Mastercard that you carry in your wallet. There are other sized cards and printers available, however, they are not common as the credit card sized cards.
Printers available range from heavy duty industrial printers that print thousands of cards to hand fed printers that print occasional cards as needed. Most people researching printers are interested in something more mid-line. The high volume is not needed, but it is common to want a printer with an input hopper to allow cards to be fed by machine at the time of printing. Printers range in size. A small printer is usually a printer that handles lower volume of cards, although the quality of print is often compatible with the larger printer qualities. Small printers are able to sit on the side of a desk, while the larger printers will need a larger area than in a small enclosed office.
Most card printers have an easy operating curve. Many current printers are plug and play. It is important to know if the printer operator has minimal technical experience. If so, that may play into decision as to which printer is best for the organization.
Some id badge software is similar to other office software while some manufacturer’s software is not as user friendly. Often a trial version of the software is available to test prior to making a final decision. Most card printers use the dye sublimation method of printing. The print type results in realistic image printing on the cards. Full color is available and photographs printed from this method are a realistic transfer from the input provided from the id card software. The other factor to consider is the quality of the plastic card to be used. Standard image grade cards work well for most organizational needs, however, there are certain situations when a more sturdy or durable card may be needed.
