It’s important to make sure you’re using the right ribbon for your printer. AlphaCard makes it easy to find which ribbons are compatible with your printer using the Supply Locator. But once you’ve found the right ribbons, what’s the difference between the various kinds of ribbons available? Here’s a quick and handy guide to navigating the nomenclature of printer ribbons.

Key tags are a great variation on the traditional ID card, and can be tremendously beneficial to customer loyalty programs. Instead of reaching into their wallets to find a membership or loyalty card, or remembering to bring a card with them in the first place, key tags are handily stored on your already existing key chain for ready access.

Adhesive-back cards, also called sticky-back cards, are typically used with technology cards that are too thick for some ID card printers. Card information is first printed on the thin adhesive-back cards and then affixed to the thicker technology card.

Wondering what thin cards are used for? We’ve got the low-down on the benefits of these slim ID cards. Thin cards are used for a couple of different purposes in the ID industry. For one, thin cards (typically 10mil) can be used to produce professional business cards that are more durable than their ordinary paper counterpart. Not only will these cards hold up better, your business cards will stand out from the pack.

Some things go together perfectly, including the ribbons and cards in our ID Badge Resupply Packs. Over time every ID card program will need new supplies, and it can be time-consuming to pick the right products. Designed to create smooth-running ID card programs, resupply packs take the guess work out of ordering.

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.

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.

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.

Zebra's Performance Class card printers are getting an upgrade, thanks to new firmware and driver versions that offer a number of key enhancements. These updates apply to all Zebra P330i, P330m, and P430i card printers. New printers will include these enhancements, while those of you who are already using one of these printers can immediately download the firmware and driver straight from Zebra.

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.

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.

New firmware and driver updates are now available for Magicard Enduro and Pronto ID card printers. The firmware is actually meant to make it easier for owners of these printer models to know when new versions of printer firmware and drivers are released. Rather than having to routinely check the Magicard website for updates, users can now be alerted automatically.

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.

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.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your card printer running properly is to clean it on a regular basis. Cleaning your card printer is a simple procedure that prevents many of the most common difficulties experienced by users, including broken ribbons, streaky printing, and card jams. You can easily avoid these problems, and any expensive repair costs they might entail, by staying on top of printer maintenance. In other words, treat your card printer like your car. You take care of it, and it will perform up to its best capabilities.

When we speak with new customers who are in the market for a photo ID system, one of the first issues we like to address is the choice between single-sided and dual-sided ID card printers. Single-sided printers cost less, but it's possible that your ID card program will require a dual-sided printer. How do you know which solution is best for your needs? Let's take a look at some key factors that should clear things up for you.

If you're in the market for card supplies or badge accessories for your ID program, head on over to the AlphaCard online store, where we recently expanded our already-impressive catalog. Our new product offerings include everything from custom badge reels and pre-printed lanyards, to heavy-duty badge holders and eco-friendly accessories.

Zebra has added to its line of printers with the introduction of the Zebra QuikCard ID Solution. This all-in-one system is designed with small to mid-sized businesses in mind and is an easy solution for entry-level card applications. Zebra touts the new system as an answer for those who don’t have that much technical expertise, which makes it a practical addition to many office environments.

One of the most unique entry-level ID card printers is getting a minor face lift. Evolis has announced that the Tattoo2, their newest and most innovative card printer solution, has added a new module with improved print quality to produce high quality cards for a wide range of small-scale needs, including loyalty cards, gift cards, and more.

ID card accessories aren't the only thing world identification leader HID had up its sleeve this week at ISC west - the worldwide leader in card production also unveiled a new ID card system involving its newest and most advanced printer - the HDP5000. Based around the HDP5000's High Definition Printing (HDP) technology, Fargo's HDP5000 Card Identity System promises to be a comprehensive and secure card printing solution that prints only the highest quality cards.

Many organizations are now using contactless, multifunctional smart cards as their preferred method of identification. These cards are capable of holding a significant amount of personal and company information and can be utilized for a wide variety of applications, for instance controlling access to buildings, computers and networks. While there are many benefits to having so much information and functionality in a single card, skeptics feel such cards are susceptible to skimming, and potential identity theft.

We're all accustomed to the DMV - waiting in line, filling out endless forms, the people in line who can't seem to read the signs and obey the rules, the curt  employees...and the really, really, really bad photos that always seem to end up on our state-issued IDs. It seems that they're an inevitable part of life - birth, death, taxes and the crummy license photo.

Whether you notice or not, there are some major changes taking place in the ID card industry right now. New technologies, new laws and the continual push for maximum efficiency have created several new and important ID card developments in recent months. Here are some things to keep your eyes open for:

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has made another push for the implementation of a national ID card system, saying that ID cards and biometric identification technology are one of the most important steps a country can take in preventing terrorism and terrorist attacks.

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.