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.

Appearance
First, consider how you’d like your custom cards to appear. Most printers are capable of both color and monochrome printing. Equally important is whether the card program requires single-sided or dual-sided cards. If a professional appearance is a priority, consider a printer capable of edge-to-edge printing and advanced color management, like the Magicard Rio Pro. High-definition printers, like the Fargo HDP5000, offer photo-quality results with a special printing technique and 300dpi resolution.
Functionality
The functionality of ID cards is paramount to any program. Few applications require only images and text; most can benefit from multifunctional cards with enhanced security. Consider if contact or contactless technology best suits your card program’s needs. Proximity cards are convenient for access control, while contact cards, like those with magnetic stripes, are economical. Keep in mind that card size and thickness vary, and technology-embedded cards create an uneven printing surface that not all ID printers can accommodate. For basic functionality, most machines can print barcodes.
Security
Consider whether your card program can benefit from the added protection that laminating ID printers provide. Lamination protects cards against wear and tear and makes cards more difficult to tamper with. A similar option that select printers can produce is overlaminate. Using an overlay ribbon or portion of a combined ribbon, these printers print a translucent layer across the face of a card. In addition to protecting ink, some overlays incorporate watermarks or holograms for added security.
Size
Finally, consider the volume of your card program. Some ID printers offer convenient batch printing with large-capacity input and output hoppers. Large-scale card programs will benefit from a robust ID printer, while smaller applications can opt for more affordable options.
While this covers the basic of choosing an ID printer, we offer a valuable tool at AlphaCard.com. The ID System Selector is an interactive needs analysis that takes a few minutes to complete. Simply answer a few basic questions and a list of matches is provided at the end, along with the option to email results.