Shopping for an ID card printer doesn't have to be overwhelming—focus on these 5 key factors to help narrow your search.

1) Single or Dual Sided Printer

Most card printers are available in either single or dual sided models. Single sided are less expensive but require you to manually flip and re-print to the backside of the cards. Dual sided card printers will save you a lot of time on large batches.

2) Dye Sublimation or Reverse Transfer

Dye sublimation printers are the most common and least expensive type of printer. They use a ribbon with panels to infuse color onto the card, but often leave a tiny white border on each card. Reverse transfer printers (also called re-transfer) use a ribbon and transfer film to achieve a higher quality print that ensure full bleed with no border.

3) Volume Requirements

Companies that print larger batches will want printers with larger hopper sizes faster print speeds and that have high yield ribbons available. Companies that only print small amounts can save money by purchasing a handfed only printer, or printers without high volume features.

4) Lamination & Visual Security

Laminating ID cards greatly increases the durability and cost of ID cards—it is essential for cards that will be handled on regular basis or swiped. Lamination can also be used to add holograms for high security. There are other less expensive ways to add visual security including watermarks, holographic cardstock and hologram stickers.

5) Connection Type

All ID card printers can be directly connected to a PC with a USB cable. If you need to connect to a Mac, be sure to select a printer with Mac compatibility. If you need to connect to a network to print using multiple computers, be sure to select a printer with Ethernet.

Get more value from your ID card printer by using it for more than just employee ID cards. Here are other common types of cards you can print with an ID card machine.

Business Cards

Membership Cards

Promotional Cards

Key Tag Cards

Loyalty Cards

Gift Cards

Greeting Cards

Event Badges

Visitor & Volunteer Badges

Cashless Payment

Time & Attendance

Access Control

If you need to store or share data on your cards, you have multiple options for encoding. The best option depends on what type of data you need to store, and how it will be used with other systems.

To print your own ID cards you’ll need a card printer, blank cardstock, card design software, printer ribbon, and a digital camera if you want to include cardholder photos. Don’t forget a cleaning kit to care for and maintain your printer, and ID accessories for displaying your badges.

All of AlphaCard’s complete ID systems come with everything you need to get started right out of the box, plus training and our industry leading AlphaCare support.

Printer

The heart of a complete ID system, the printer is what you use to print and encode cards.

Card Software

The brains of a system, the software is used to design your cards and store cardholder data.

Blank Cards

ID cards come in a wide range of styles, materials, and sizes to fit your ID card needs.

Ribbon

Specialized printer ribbons are what your printer uses to print the design on your ID cards.

Photo ID Camera

Digital ID cameras make it easy to take and import photos of your cardholders for photo ID.

Cleaning Kit

Cleaning kits come with all the materials you'll need to maintain your for years to come.