If your ID cards will be used to increase security, do you know what options you have to design and print visually secure cards? These features will make it easier to identify authentic cards and spot fakes or cards that have been tampered with or altered.
ID cards can be used in a variety of ways to increase security. In addition to secure access control cards, you can use employee ID cards with photos so security guards can check the photo against the cardholder as they enter secure or restricted areas. You may also want to include watermarks or UV-printed designs that help identify an authentic card.
Printer Options
You have many options when purchasing an ID card printer, but these features should be on your list if you want to print secure cards:
- Lamination – this feature protects the cards from daily wear and tear, true, but it also makes them harder to tamper with
- High definition reverse transfer printing – the increased quality of this printing style makes it easier to print clear, detailed cards with accurate cardholder images
- Magicard HoloKote – specific to Magicard printers, HoloKote is a built-in watermark system that adds a watermark at no additional cost
Cardstock Options
In addition to secure printer features and upgrades, you can also purchase specialty cardstock with built-in security features:
- Embedded holographic designs, which are available in a range of designs and styles
- Embedded foil patches
These styles of cards are available from many manufacturers including Magicard, Zebra, and Fargo. You won’t need an advanced or upgraded printer to print on these cards.
Design Options
You’ll have the largest range of visual security elements to choose from when it comes to designing your cards. Some of those features include:
- Cardholder photos & signatures
- Holograms and watermarks
- Official seals (often used in government applications)
- Fluorescent/UV printing
- Ghosting and opaque images
But what if you’ve already printed hundreds of employee ID cards and cannot reprint and reissue all of them, or you can’t afford to upgrade your card printer? The easiest way to add visual security to a card after printing is with hologram stickers and overlays. These can range from small seals to overlays that cover the entire front of a card. Because you add them to the card after it’s printed, you can add them at any time.
Not sure what security options will work best for your ID card program? Our card experts are here to help you understand all the options – contact them today.
