ID Card Printers

Over-The-Edge Printing or Edge-to-Edge printing

Over-the-edge printing is a print method that leaves no visible border around the edges of your printed ID card. This print method is known as retransfer printing and is considered to be more expensive. With over-the-edge printing, you are guaranteed a higher quality, more professional-looking ID card.

Edge-to-edge is a more affordable option. Edge-to-edge printing is where a slim border is left around the surface of your final printed ID card. This is because the area around the card does not have any printing applied to it. The border colour is dependent on the colour of the card chosen for the printing job.

ID Card Durability and Security Features

Depending on your requirements, look for printers that can produce durable cards resistant to wear and tear. Some printers offer features like holographic overlays, QR codes, Mifare, Signature panels and more for enhanced card security.

Three ID Card Printer Features

Print Volume: Before purchasing your ID printer, find the quantity of cards your business expects to print in each session but also during any given year.

Print Speed: Print speed is a sought after requirement which works hand in hand with print volume for customers wanting to print ID cards on demand.

Print Security: Our printer range offer a range of security features, but manufacturers offer different types and levels of security for your printer and ID cards.

Single-Sided or Dual-Sided ID Card Printer

Single-sided card printers are designed to print on the front side of the ID card, leaving the reverse side blank. Single-sided cards are ideal for applications including offices, schools, and memberships.

Dual-sided card printers are specifically engineered to print on both the front and back sides of an ID card, maximising the available space and information display. Dual-sided printers are highly versatile and are well-suited for a wide range of applications where comprehensive card data is required.

ID Card Design Software

Consider whether the ID card printer comes with user-friendly software for designing and customising ID cards. Ideally, the software should offer a wide range of design options, variable data printing capabilities, and support for database integration.

Price:

Understand that printer features contribute to price variations across the market. It's important to determine which features are essential for your operation. For instance, if dual-sided printing is not crucial, a single-sided printer with manual card flipping can suffice. Similarly, if you only require monochrome text, a printer with lower dpi may meet your needs. Assess your requirements to make a purchasing decision that fits your budget.

Connectivity Options

Check for connectivity options such as USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. This allows for easy integration with your existing network and enables multiple users to access the printer.

Encoding Capabilities

If you require additional functionality such as encoding magnetic stripes, smart cards, or proximity cards, ensure that the chosen printer supports the necessary encoding technologies.

ID Printer Reliability and Maintenance

Look for a reputable brand, or an official reseller, known for producing reliable printers. Check if the printer has features like automatic cleaning cycles, self-diagnostic tools, and easy-to-replace consumables to ensure smooth operation and reduce downtime.

Security Features:

If security is a top priority, look for printers that offer enhanced security features such as secure overlays or encoding options. These features can help prevent card cloning and enhance the overall security of your ID cards.