Gone are the days of the clipboard and a sign-in sheet. Today’s visitor management systems are much more sophisticated thanks in part to visitor management software like AlphaTrack. Visitor management is one of the most effective ways to increase safety in and around your facilities. Controlling access at a point of entry allows you to keep a record of all those who come and go throughout the day. AlphaTrack provides a powerful platform with tools for secure badge design, employee and visitor tracking, and access control.

There’s a new celebrity at AlphaCard. The Magicard Enduro, a longtime favorite of ID enthusiasts like us, recently appeared on the TV series ‘House,’ a top-rated U.S. primetime drama.

Happy Earth Day from AlphaCard! We recently launched our new Green ID section of the AlphaCard Store and added information to our Learning Center on what it means to be green in the ID industry. In celebration of all things Earth-friendly, we’re sharing a few tips and tricks for how to give your ID card program an eco-conscious edge.

With the impending celebration of Earth Day, we’re launching a new way to introduce green practices into your office and into your ID card program. AlphaCard’s Green Accessory and Supply Pack is designed to offer an Earth-friendly solution for printing and displaying ID cards in one convenient bundle.

The quickest way to spruce up your ID program and provide great exposure for your brand is to accessorize your ID badges with custom lanyards. Custom lanyards project a more professional appearance than generic lanyards and will prominently identify your business or organization. These custom-tailored ID accessories are ideal for applications where ID badges have to be on display at all times including employee ID programs, schools, and large events such as trade shows and conventions.

Adding an entry-level ID card printer to your business or organization is an easy way to transition into the world of ID card printing. With user-friendly features, these affordable printers offer high-quality printing at an incredible value for small-scale operations.

Sometimes the accessories make the outfit, and the same can be said for ID programs. While ID printers provide the basis for any ID card program the right ID badge accessories can elevate any program by offering a secure and stylish solution for displaying ID cards and badges. With AlphaCard’s ID Badge Accessory Packs everything you need is included in one convenient bundle to start putting your ID badges on display.

Proximity cards come with their own special set of challenges when it comes to figuring out a way to display them that is both secure and functional. Because proximity cards contain embedded electronics, extra care must be taken to not damage the technology cards by corrupting the electronics.

Casinos may seem like a surprising place to find ID cards given the natural imagery of coins, bills, and chips that are associated with gambling. Casino cards, however, can help casinos and other gaming establishments drive customer loyalty and simplify the entire gambling process for customers.

Non-profit organizations often organize large volunteer operations that they need to be able to coordinate efficiently and cost-effectively. From disaster relief, volunteering in hospitals, or donating time and resources to schools, non-profit organizations operate a range of programs across the country and internationally. ID solutions help create a system for organizing everyday volunteer activities.

Besides burning calories and toning muscles, gyms and health clubs offer a number of different benefits to their patrons when they implement an ID card program to print membership cards. These cards don’t just identify the people in the gym; they perform a range of functions to enhance any cardio experience. Creating a gym ID program has benefits for both gym owners and members because it centralizes and streamlines many of the important processes in a bustling and on-the-move industry.

After going through the time and effort to design and print ID cards, every ID card program needs a secure way to display the fruits of its labors. ID card accessories can be just as important as printing supplies and equipment for keeping an ID card program running smoothly. With ID Badge Accessory Packs from AlphaCard, it’s easy is issue photo IDs that recipients can wear and display at all times.

An ID card printer is an important investment for your business or organization. To protect it, and to keep it printing at the top of its game, there are five simple steps for card printer maintenance. Proper maintenance can mean the difference between an ID card printer that bows out early and one that performs like new far on down the line.

AlphaCard is making it easy to accent your ID program with our selection of ID accessories. While the printer may be the main feature of any ID system, the accessories play an important role in how the recipients of these cards wear and display them.

AlphaCard is giving you a chance to share your thoughts on the products that put your ID card program in motion. Take a trip to the Alpha Card online store and you'll see each product page now offers you the opportunity to post a review. Anyone who has spent time shopping online knows the value of customer reviews. First-hand accounts from those who've already used these products can really help new customers who are evaluating their options.

A gift card program is a great way to promote and market your business or organization. And if you already own a photo ID system, it's easy to launch a gift card program using your existing equipment. We love when our customers find new ways to utilize their ID card printers, and producing gift cards is just one of many ways you can get some more mileage out of your ID system.

Every now and then we like to shine the spotlight on some of our most popular ID card printers and systems. Taking the center of attention today is the Basic Secure Photo ID System, featuring the versatile Magicard Enduro card printer. This affordable system meets the needs of schools, small to medium-sized businesses, membership and gift card programs, and more. Along with the Magicard Enduro, the system includes AlphaCard Light photo ID software, a digital camera, and a full stock of printing supplies. It's also the AlphaCard Spring Special, which means it's a pretty great deal.

If your ID program requires cardholders to visibly show off their IDs, you've got a choice of accessories, and it often comes down to lanyards and badge reels. Both of these highly popular accessories make it easy for you to wear your photo ID and access it when needed. In the AlphaCard online store, you'll find a wide selection of lanyards and badge reels fit for any ID card program.

While a slot punch is probably not the first thing that pops to mind when you think about ID card printing supplies, it is certainly an essential component for programs where ID cards must be visibly displayed. A slot punch, as its name suggests, punches a slot in your ID cards so they can be easily connected to lanyard attachments, strap clips, badge reels, etc. Alpha Card carries a variety of slot punches to meet the needs of ID card programs both large and small.

Depending on your sense of humor, a bad ID photo can be cause for great hilarity or pure unbridled embarrassment. We're going to safely assume most people prefer to look good in their ID photos. After all, an ID photo is something that will likely be seen every single day. There's nothing worse than having a permanent reminder of a less-than-photogenic moment. So how do you go about making sure your subjects are photographed in the most flattering manner?

Reverse-transfer printing is an innovative technology available with high-definition ID card printers such as the Fargo HDP5000, Zebra ZXP Series 8, and the Magicard Prima. The reverse-transfer printing process produces vivid photo IDs with enhanced color clarity and crisp imaging.

Sometimes it's hard to know which ID card printer is right for your organization, especially if you see your card program possibly growing or evolving down the road. AlphaCard carries a number of card printers that can actually be upgraded in-field to meet those changing needs. From the innovative modular design of the Fargo HDP5000, to the unique upgrade capabilities of the Magicard Enduro, many printers now provide users with quick and easy ways to enhance functionality without having to buy a new machine.

It's no secret that PVC card printers produce high-quality photo IDs, but did you know many customers also use these machines to print professional business cards? It's a great idea if you want to find a second use for your card printer.

When it comes time to choose badge accessories for your ID program, there's a good chance you'll consider lanyards as an option for displaying IDs. Lanyards are extremely popular for a vast range of ID programs. They're affordable, easy to wear, and offer a simple solution for environments where ID badges must be visible at all times. Lanyards are available in standard or breakaway format. The breakaway design offers an important safety feature, in that the lanyard will snap off and quite literally break away if it gets pulled or snagged on something.

Ribbon breakage is one of the more common issues faced by users of ID card printers. Thankfully it's a problem that can be easily avoided with some simple routine maintenance.

While most ID card systems come with standard PVC cards, it's important to realize that there are times when composite cards are the preferred choice. There's a reason composite cards cost more than regular PVC cards. Composite cards are stronger and more resistant to heat. So while ordinary PVC cards work great for most applications, if you're laminating your IDs you'll want to use composite cards because they can withstand the heat and pressure involved in the lamination process.

Badge accessories are a key component of any professional ID card program. While a lot of attention is paid towards designing and printing the cards, it's also important to factor in how those cards will be displayed once you issue them. That's where the badge accessories come into play. Thankfully AlphaCard offers a wide selection of badge accessories that are perfect for ID programs requiring cardholders to visibly display their IDs.

Did you know AlphaCard carries a full selection of time-expiring badges that can help you run a more effective visitor management system? These low-cost temporary badges are super simple to use and come in a variety of styles. Most include a special pattern that fades over a certain amount of time. This makes it easy for you to spot visitors and quickly see whether or not their badge is current.

We're pleased to introduce our new and improved Supply Locator tool, designed to help you quickly find the supplies you need to keep your ID program up and running smoothly. The AlphaCard Supply Locator is a super-convenient web tool that allows you to enter your specific printer model, then instantly view a complete list of supplies, including replacement ribbons, blank cards, cleaning kits, laminate films, and printheads.

If your ID program requires the use of multifunctional magnetic stripe cards, you have two options: HiCo or LoCo cards. What separates HiCo and LoCo cards is not the amount of data they can carry, but rather how secure and durable they are.

Visitor management is one of the most effective ways you can increase safety in and around your facilities. By controlling access at the point of entry, you can keep a thorough record of all those who come and go throughout the day. In the days of yore, most visitor management systems consisted of nothing more than a ball-point pen and a sign-in sheet. But now you have much more sophisticated and effective options at your disposal, including AlphaTrack visitor management software, a powerful platform that provides tools for secure badge design, employee and visitor tracking, and access control.

Does your ID program require cardholders to frequently scan or swipe their ID cards? If the answer is "yes" then you're a prime candidate for heavy duty badge reels. AlphaCard carries badge reels built specifically to hold up against the wear-and-tear of everyday use. Our heavy duty badge reels are made from highly durable materials and feature reinforced straps and cords that guarantee long-term performance.

Recipients of the AlphaCard email newsletter already know about our special year-end discount on ID card accessories. Now it's your turn to get in on the action. Simply head on over to our Holiday Discount page where you'll find a promo code good for 10% off all ID card accessories. This is a great deal for those looking to stock up and save on accessories such as lanyards, badge reels and strap clips. But you better act fast because the offer expires on January 1st, 2010. Want to be the first to hear about exclusive deals and other exciting promos such as this one? All you have to do is sign up for our email newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to increase the visual authenticity of your ID cards, you might want to consider hologram stickers and overlays. AlphaCard offers an assortment of self-adhesive stickers that can help you enhance ID card security. These self-applied stickers and overlays are a great option if your budget is too tight for card printers featuring holographic lamination.

When we think about high-definition card printers, the first thing that comes to mind is the enhanced print quality. High-def printers such as the Fargo HDP5000 and the new Zebra ZXP Series 8 are know for their ability to produce photo-quality cards with vivid colors and sharp images and text, but that's not their only benefit. These printers are also built to last, and they offer the flexibility to print on multiple card types.

While the ID card printer is the most glamorous component of an ID card system, software is equally important. Photo ID software provides the tools that allow you to design your cards and manage the ins and outs of your ID card program.

Recently we introduced you to the new Zebra ZXP Series 8 retransfer card printer, Zebra's first foray into the world of high-definition card printing. We're pleased to announce that the Zebra ZXP Series 8 is now available for purchase in the AlphaCard.com online store.

Did you know that almost all Magicard printers come with a special feature that lets you apply a secure watermark across the face of each printed card? It's called HoloKote, and it's a great way to increase the level of card security and visual authenticity for your ID program.

It's no secret that lanyards are the most popular accessory choice for displaying photo IDs. While generic lanyards certainly do the trick, going the extra mile and customizing your lanyards helps you to further promote and brand your company or organization. Plus, they look so much cooler. Custom lanyards are commonly used for student and employee ID programs, for sporting events, conventions, and countless other applications. Now Alpha Card is making it easier than ever for you to order your own custom lanyards.

If you're looking to launch a professional ID card program, but don't quite know where to start, try giving our new ID System Selector a whirl. We created the ID System Selector tool as a way to quickly present you with the most suitable ID card solutions for your specific needs. All you have to do is enter a few key requirements for your desired system, and the ID System Selector will produce a list of the best available options.

Looking for a way to make your cards more vibrant and eye-catching? Consider color PVC cards. They're perfect for applications such as membership and loyalty programs, gift cards, reward card programs, name tags, employee badges, and more.

If your company or organization is looking to launch a new ID card program, you've got a lot of choices when it comes to ID printers, software, and supplies. Sorting through the different printer models and other components can be a challenge, especially if the technology is all new to you. That's why AlphaCard has assembled complete photo ID systems designed to meet the needs of ID programs of all shapes and sizes, from low-volume card programs, to large-scale high-security applications. These systems eliminate the guesswork when it comes to choosing the right equipment for your ID card solution.

The central elements of an ID card system have been the same for a while now - computer, printer, cards, camera, cables, as well as the security features a card can have - holographic overlay, magnetic stripes, RFID antennas, smart card chips, bar codes. Most of the ID card machines available today are able to produce these kinds of security measures easily and at high rates.

The British Army, one of AlphaCard's customers, recently forwarded on a couple of pictures from their current work in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Officers are using an ID card printer to make secure badges for the new Afghani police force.