A lot of businesses and organisations are applying the do it yourself way of getting things done, especially when it comes to creating ID cards for their employees. There are many advantages of keeping and maintaining an in house ID system for the exclusive use of your business and organisation. One of these is the unparalleled convenience that in the event you need to replace an ID card for one of your employees for whatever reason, it can be done there and then, allowing them to get back to their regular duties in the quickest time possible.

Some of the things you will need if you decide to have and maintain an in house ID system are the plastic cards in which the IDs will be printed on, software which will create and design the IDs to be printed, as well as ID card printers for the final touches. There are a multitude of ID card printers available from both online and offline sources, but the trick is finding one which works with you and your business. Below are some tips on how to choose the right ID card printers for your business.

What are Your Print Requirements?

So you want to print ID cards but there are a number of other considerations when choosing a printer with many options available. Do you just want to print photo ID cards or will the cards be used for access control? In which case a magnetic stripe will need to be included.

Some ID cards can even incorporate smart cards to store information such as biometrics or virtual money while some organisations may want to use contactless technology to provide access to certain areas or systems.

Is there a risk that anyone would want to produce fake IDs for your business? Some ID card printers are capable of printing extra security features to prevent cards being copied, such as watermarks or holographic lamination.

The Cost of the Printer

For a small business or one which is just starting out, cost plays a big role in determining which ID card printer to purchase, of course the requirements outlined previously will determine which features are needed in a printer but once these have been established cost may still play a part in determining which printer to choose from a range that fits the requirements, particularly if budgets are limited.

The Quantity of Prints

How many ID cards can be printed in one go is another thing to consider when choosing ID card printers. This is another factor to consider as it allows you to save time in printing each ID card individually. In all ID card printers, the printer ribbon will need replacing at some point, before making a decision about which printer is the best for your business you should compare manufacturers to see which printer delivers the highest number of prints against overall cost.

The Quality of Prints

If ongoing cost is an issue then one area where costs can be reduced is in the type of printing used. Monochrome printing uses a single colour to print information, ideal for membership cards where no colour elements, such as photos, are required, monochrome printing can greatly reduce ongoing printing costs. If you are producing photo IDs then colour printing is a necessity which can't be avoided.

Energy Efficiency

Yet another thing to consider when choosing ID card printers is its energy efficiency. Most of the time, especially in bigger companies, appliances are left open and running even when not in use. Check if the printer has a standby mode or option to ensure that it consumes the least amount of electricity when not in use.

Ease of Use and Operation

Most importantly, choose ID card printers which do not require rocket science to operate. They should be as easy to operate as most ordinary printers. Ideally, they should not require a huge amount of buttons to press in order to operate, and should operate almost automatically when it comes to printing. The PVC cards should be able to go through the printer easily, and the printer itself should be adjustable to different kinds and sizes of PVC cards.

Having your own ID card printers for your business is a wise decision. The most popular ones include the javelin printer as well as the magicard. However, the final decision is up to you and depends on what you prioritise the most, quality of prints, quantity of prints, and the cost of the printer itself.