ID cards can help a business run more efficiently, but they can also help add personality and interest to the organization. By using photos, graphics, and colors, your company personality can shine through your ID card design.

Designing an ID card program is not just an opportunity to streamline company processes by adding functionality and security; it’s also a chance to express the aesthetics of your business or organization. A wide range of design elements to choose from makes it easy to customize an ID card program to the style and needs of any group. Before starting the design process, here are a few key pieces of information to take into consideration:

Scratch-off printer ribbons are ideal for use with gift card programs or other promotional offers. These specialized ribbons print scratch-off material over a printed portion of the cards, and are typically used to cover a number, special code, or the value of the card.

Adding an Ethernet-capable printer to your ID card program can be a great way to increase your ID printing efficiency. Printers with built-in Ethernet especially benefit large networked environments by allowing users to produce cards from multiple locations without having to be in the same room as the printer itself.

Maintaining your printer goes a long way to protecting your ID investment. Sometimes after a lot of use a printhead can wear down. Replacing your printer’s printhead can help extend the life of your ID card program. While the specifics of replacing your printhead will vary slightly from printer to printer, here are a few basic steps to guide you through the process:

Barcodes are simple and affordable, making this low tech option great for simple card programs. They have long been used on cards for a multitude of basic functions, such as tracking employee attendance or reward points in a customer loyalty program.

One simple way to increase card security is to print parts of a card design with fluorescent ink. This special ink is only visible under a UV light source, such as a black light. Organizations and agencies often use fluorescent ink to print alphanumerical codes or images to prevent counterfeiting. Fluorescent printing is a common security solution used with government issued cards and within other high security card programs.

Maintaining your card printer is the best way to help ensure it has a long, happy life. Regular cleaning of the print head, rollers and other printer components optimizes print quality, helping to reduce waste and save money on ink and blank cards.

Running low on supplies? It’s always a good idea to have card printing necessities on hand. Planning ahead ensures you won’t run out during a big batch print or following an influx of one-off prints.

Despite the popularity and prevalence of recycling programs, not everything can be tossed in a bin and given a second life as a new product. While recycling remains an important part of environmental efforts, there are other earth-friendly practices that are easy to adopt. Namely, reducing waste is a great way to help the environment by minimizing landfills and depletion of nonrenewable resources.

ID cards that stand out can build company branding and increase security, as well as help loyalty program members remember to use cards. There are several techniques to increase card visibility, including design considerations as well as how cards are worn or displayed.

ID card printer technology is foreign to most people, so we devised tools and tips to help you select the ID card printer that best fits your needs.

Producing quality ID photos is a team effort; it takes cooperation from the person taking the photos and those being photographed. Here are some pointers for both parties.

Adding lamination to any ID program is an easy way to increase the life-span of your ID cards and badges. Lamination adds a layer of protection across the surface of an ID card that not only shields the card from everyday wear and tear, but also makes the cards extremely difficult to tamper with.

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.

Implementing a cashless payment program is a great investment that can increase efficiency, reduce identity theft and encourage consumer dollars to be spent within a local or campus economy. Cashless payment is convenient for patrons and helps keep costs low by eliminating debit and credit card transaction fees.

In the past few months we’ve shared tips for how to maintain your ID card printer and how to get the best quality color prints for your ID program. Without a doubt, ID card printer maintenance is an important factor in how your ID cards turn out, but maintaining the cards you print on can be just as crucial. Any flaws or marks that are on the cards themselves can be magnified once the print process is complete. Here are a few simple steps for ensuring your blank PVC card stock stays flawless:

Designing an ID card program is not just an opportunity to streamline company processes by adding functionality and security; it’s also a chance to express the aesthetics of your business or organization. A wide range of design elements to choose from makes it easy to customize an ID card program to the style and needs of any group. Before starting the design process, here are a few key pieces of information to take into consideration:

When it comes to getting the most out of your ID card system, there are a few simple rules of thumb for producing ID cards with long-lasting, high-quality color prints. These simple steps help ensure that your images, text and graphics will remain clear and crisp and will keep your printer running smoothly for years to come.