An ID card printer is a great investment for any organization. Not only does it come in a wide range of models and features, but they’re also easy to use. If you’re overwhelmed by the number of options and aren’t sure where to start, here’s a simple guide to get you started.
What’s your budget?
One of the first things to consider when buying an ID card printer is your budget. While ID card printers can vary greatly in terms of their cost, single-sided printers tend to be more affordable and great for smaller businesses.
If you need more information on the ID card, however, you can consider purchasing an ID card printer with dual printing capabilities.
What type of cards are you printing?
You should also think about what type of cards you’ll be printing. Some examples include photo IDs, loyalty cards along with membership cards.
Depending on the type of card that you’re printing, you might require an ID card printer with certain printing capabilities.
What are the types of ID card printers?
Here’s a snapshot of the different types of ID card printers:
1. Direct-to-card printers
These are the most popular of the lot. Not only are they easy to use but they’re also well-priced and are great for low-volume printing. With direct-to-card printers, you can easily make simple card designs with basic images, logo,s and text.
2. Retransfer printers
These are more effective than direct-to-card printers as they use a method called “reverse transfer” printing. If you want high-definition image quality, this is the printer for you.
3. Inkjet card printers
These are the most advanced of the lot. Not only are they user-friendly, but you can print access control cards with these printers. In addition, they’re also a fantastic option if you want high-definition image quality.
Do you need a printer that’s single-sided or dual-sided?
Single-sided printers are great if you’re looking for regular ID cards or photo ID cards.
Dual-sided printers are a good option if you want something that’s more flexible. It doubles the amount of card space you can print on in comparison to a single-sided printer and is exceptionally effective.
Other factors to consider
Here are some additional factors to consider when buying an ID card printer:
1. Print speed
If you’re printing a large volume of cards, the last thing you’d want is an ID card printer that prints cards slowly.
2. Print yield
This is highly dependent on the type of printer ribbon that you’re using. The larger the ribbon, the less you’ll have to change it and the cheaper it’ll cost in the long-run. Most printer ribbons can provide you with anywhere between 250 and 500 cards.
Time to buy an ID card printer
Whether you’re looking to print ID cards or something a bit fancier, there’s plenty that an ID card printer can do. Just make sure that you’ve got an idea of what you’re looking for and ensure that the ID card printer comes with features that suit your needs.
