Printing Cards: Using a Regular Printer or a PVC Card Printer?
Printing Cards: Using a Regular Printer or a PVC Card Printer?
Have you ever thought about printing your own ID cards? A common question is how to print PVC cards without a dedicated PVC machine. While some regular inkjet printers might work, there are notable limitations. In the realm of card printing, the equipment you use can greatly affect the quality of the final product. So, should you use a regular printer or a PVC card printer for printing PVC cards? Let’s explore this further.
Is Your Inkjet Printer Sufficient for PVC Card Printing?
The internet is buzzing with discussions on using standard inkjet printers for card printing. Many are curious about which printers can handle PVC cards without a specialised PVC machine.
Inkjet printers are certainly versatile and can manage various printing tasks. However, they aren't always the best choice for card printing. Here are some key differences between using an inkjet printer and a dedicated PVC card printer:
Print Quality:
PVC card printers, like the Smart21, are designed to deliver high-quality prints with sharp details and vibrant colours. These printers are specifically designed for card surfaces, ensuring excellent image resolution and colour accuracy. In contrast, inkjet printers often fall short in print quality due to resolution limitations, ink absorption issues, and incompatibility with card surfaces.
Durability:
Durability is crucial for cards used in various applications. PVC card printers often add protective features to enhance card resistance to fading, scratching, and everyday wear and tear. Prints from regular inkjet printers may lack these protective features, making them more susceptible to damage and colour fading over time.
Specialised Features:
Card printers typically offer specialised features for card production, such as options for magnetic stripes or smart card chips and secure printing features. Standard inkjet printers usually do not have these capabilities.
Card Compatibility:
PVC card printers can handle a variety of card types and thicknesses, from PVC cards to smart cards and proximity cards. They ensure optimal print results and proper card handling with specific feeding mechanisms and printing settings. In contrast, inkjet printers may struggle with different card types due to a lack of necessary mechanisms and settings.
The Suggested Solution: Using a PVC Card Printer
When considering PVC card printing, PVC card printers are specifically designed to overcome the challenges faced by inkjet printers. These printers, like the Smart21 from Lesar UK, are engineered to meet the needs of various organisations with specific ID card printing requirements.
For businesses prioritising cost-efficiency, speed, and simplicity in card printing, Direct-to-Card (DTC) printers like the Smart21 should be your go-to choice. This is especially true for organisations with high-volume or on-demand printing needs, limited workspace, or a preference for equipment that is easy to maintain and operate.
Introducing the Smart21 Card Printer
If you’re in the market for a Direct-to-Card printer, consider the Smart21 card printer. Let's take a closer look at its features and benefits from a potential buyer’s perspective.
Is it monochrome or colour printing?
The Smart21 ID card printer can handle both monochrome and colour printing, depending on your choice of ribbon. For simple tasks like membership cards, monochrome printing might suffice. For more intricate needs, such as staff ID cards or discount cards, the colour printing option is available.
Single-sided or Double-sided Printing:
The Smart21 ID card printer supports single-sided printing. This feature allows you to effectively use the card space for printing necessary information.
Printing Speed:
The Smart21 card printer offers efficient printing speeds suitable for small to medium-sized printing tasks. Its quick start-up time ensures it's always ready to meet your printing needs promptly.
Card Dimensions and Thickness:
The Smart21 printer accommodates standard-sized cards, specifically 85.6 x 53.98 millimetres, with card thickness options that suit a range of typical card needs. It supports PVC cards and other cards conforming to the CR-80 standard.
Printing Capabilities:
The Smart21 printer is designed for printing essential graphical elements such as text and photos at a reasonable resolution, providing reliable performance for everyday card printing needs.
Suitable for Various Card Types:
The Smart21 is ideal for printing a range of cards, such as:
- Employee ID cards
- Loyalty and rewards cards
- Membership cards
- Access cards
- Event passes
The Smart21 card printer pairs well with our ID card editing software, offering templates to customise unique ID card content for your business. This printer prioritises user experience with straightforward operation, making it accessible even for beginners.
Connecting the printer to your computer via a USB cable allows you to set up a simple printing workstation. If you have further questions about this ID card printer or want to learn more, feel free to reach out to us anytime.