There are many different ways to configure an ID card system depending on what functions the ID cards will need to perform.  All ID card systems are made up of similar components.  The basic card system is set up with the following elements:

ID card printer – Entry-level ID card printers are often single-sided and perform basic security functions, such as printing bar codes.  These printers are ideal for organizations with smaller ID card printing needs.  The more high-security printer functions such as magnetic stripe encoding and secure watermarks are left to more advanced printer systems.

ID card software – Like printers, ID card software ranges from the most basic ID design and database functions right on up to advanced and sophisticated programming for high-security and multifunctional environments.  On the basic level, ID card software makes the design process much easier, and provides software users with a database to store and organize cardholder records.