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ID Card Printing Overview

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There are three principal digital card printing technologies used by desktop systems with an ID card printer to print personalized cards: dye-sublimination printing, reverse-image printing, and inkjet ID card printing.

Dye-sublimation printing is the most common technology used by digital card printers to print images directly onto the surface of a plastic ID card. The process involves heating a special print ribbon beneath a thermal printhead and applying pressure so that the ribbon is in contact with the card and the printhead rests on the top of the ribbon, resulting in the transfer of color from the ribbon to a blank ID card.

ID Card Printers

Reverse image printing is a process in which the ID card printer first prints images onto a special film, which is then laminated onto the surface of a blank card through heat and pressure. By printing on the film rather than directly on the surface of a card, the ceramic printheads in high definition printing systems are less susceptible to damage that can result from contact with debris or imperfections on the hard surface of a card. High definition printing also eliminates many of the printing irregularities that can occur in direct-to-card printing when the printhead fails to maintain contact with a dirty or uneven card surface. Proximity cards and smart cards, which tend to have uneven surfaces due to embedded wires and smart chips, have more successful printing results using high definition printing. High definition printing generally produces higher quality images than direct-to-card printing, and affords users the ability to print on many ID card sizes, types, or chemical compositions, including biodegradable cards.

Inkjet printing systems are the standard printing technology for desktop computing due to their ease of use and quiet and reliable operation. However, this form of non-impact printing has only recently been introduced in the photo ID card market, because the inks are water-based and do not readily adhere to plastic cards. However inkjet technology and card materials continue to improve and manufacturers such as Fargo Electronics have released some very easy-to-use, reliable and high-quality inkjet ID card printers.

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42 Items

  1. Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56301 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56301 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: FAOE56301
    MSRP $7,346.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,262.00
    + Wish List
    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Mag Stripe Encoding, Standard Input Hopper, Single-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  2. Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56300 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo DTC5500LMX ID Card Printer 56300 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: FAOE56300
    MSRP $6,726.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,272.00
    + Wish List
    Single-Sided ID Card Printer, Standard Input Hopper, Single-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  3. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89640
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $2,250.00
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  4. AlphaCard PRO 750 Single-Sided ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    AlphaCard PRO 750 Single-Sided ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    Item#: 3652-5001-AP
    Price $2,241.99 MSRP $3,498.00
    You Save: $1,256.01
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  5. AlphaCard PRO 750 Single-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic Encoding - Discontinued
    AlphaCard PRO 750 Single-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic Encoding - Discontinued
    Item#: 3652-5002-AP
    Price $2,547.99 MSRP $3,498.00
    You Save: $950.01
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  6. AlphaCard PRO 750
    AlphaCard PRO 750 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    Item#: 3652-5021-AP
    Price $2,675.99 MSRP $3,498.00
    You Save: $822.01
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  7. AlphaCard PRO 750 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic Encoding - Discontinued
    AlphaCard PRO 750 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer with Magnetic Encoding - Discontinued
    Item#: 3652-5022-AP
    Price $2,955.99 MSRP $3,498.00
    You Save: $542.01
    + Wish List
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  8. 89696 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89696
    Price $10,272.99 MSRP $13,452.40
    You Save: $3,179.41
    + Wish List
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  9. 89695 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89695
    Price $9,663.99 MSRP $12,672.40
    You Save: $3,008.41
    + Wish List
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  10. 89691 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89691
    Price $10,272.99 MSRP $13,452.40
    You Save: $3,179.41
    + Wish List
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  11. 89689 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89689
    Price $9,663.99 MSRP $12,672.40
    You Save: $3,008.41
    + Wish List
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  12. Fargo HDP5000 89681 Small Image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89681
    MSRP $8,495.00
    Price
    + Wish List

    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Mag Stripe Encoding, Double-Sided Lamination, USB

    Learn More
  13. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Dual-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89680
    MSRP $8,495.00
    Price
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  14. 89676 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89676
    Price $9,254.99 MSRP $12,152.40
    You Save: $2,897.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  15. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89675
    Price $8,645.99 MSRP $11,372.40
    You Save: $2,726.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  16. 89671 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89671
    Price $9,254.99 MSRP $12,152.40
    You Save: $2,897.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  17. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89669
    Price $8,645.99 MSRP $11,372.40
    You Save: $2,726.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  18. 89661 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89661
    Price $8,238.99 MSRP $10,852.40
    You Save: $2,613.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  19. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89660
    MSRP $9,812.40
    Price
    You Save: $2,182.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  20. 89657 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89657
    Price $6,710.99 MSRP $8,902.40
    You Save: $2,191.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  21. 89655 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89655
    Price $6,101.99 MSRP $8,122.40
    You Save: $2,020.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  22. 89651 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89651
    Price $5,794.99 MSRP $8,902.40
    You Save: $3,107.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  23. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89649
    Price $6,101.99 MSRP $8,122.40
    You Save: $2,020.41
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  24. Fargo HDP5000 89641 Small Image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89641
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $1,117.01
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  25. 89630 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89630
    Price $8,237.99 MSRP $10,784.80
    You Save: $2,546.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  26. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89629
    Price $7,627.99 MSRP $10,004.80
    You Save: $2,376.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  27. 89625 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89625
    Price $8,237.99 MSRP $10,784.80
    You Save: $2,546.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  28. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - Single-Side Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89623
    Price $7,627.99 MSRP $10,004.80
    You Save: $2,376.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  29. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89621
    MSRP $9,484.80
    Price
    You Save: $2,263.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  30. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89620
    MSRP $8,444.80
    Price
    You Save: $1,832.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  31. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89610
    Price $5,692.99 MSRP $7,534.80
    You Save: $1,841.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  32. 89609 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89609
    Price $5,083.99 MSRP $6,754.80
    You Save: $1,670.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  33. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89605
    Price $5,692.99 MSRP $7,534.80
    You Save: $1,841.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  34. 89603 image
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89603
    Price $5,083.99 MSRP $6,754.80
    You Save: $1,670.81
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  35. Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 ID Card Printer - Single-Sided - No Lamination - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89601
    MSRP $5,745.00
    Price
    You Save: $1,068.01
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  36. Fargo HDP5000 Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89600-Model
    Price $3,495.00
    + Wish List

    High-volume, photo-quality ID card printer

    Learn More
  37. AlphaCard PRO 750 ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    AlphaCard PRO 750 ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    Item#: 3652-5001-AP-Model
    Price $2,241.99
    + Wish List

    Depend on the AlphaCard PRO 750 ID card printer to deliver faster speeds, high-resoluton quality, stronger security, and seamless integration.

    Learn More
  38. Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 56305-Model
    Price
    + Wish List

    Powerful and efficient ID card printer with lamination

    Learn More
  39. Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo 56305 DTC5500LMX Laminating ID Card Printer - Dual-Sided - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 56305
    MSRP $9,413.99
    Price
    You Save: $1,539.00
    Out of stock
    + Wish List
    Double-Sided ID Card Printer, Standard Input Hopper, Double-Sided Lamination, USB & Ethernet Learn More
  40. Fargo HDP5000 Single-Side ID Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Fargo HDP5000 Single-Side ID Card Printer - HID 89600 - DISCONTINUED
    Item#: 89600
    MSRP $5,745.00
    You Save: $3,045.00
    Out of stock
    + Wish List
    Learn More
  41. AlphaCard PRO 100 ID Card Printer
    AlphaCard PRO 100 ID Card Printer - Discontinued
    Item#: ACP-PRO100-SYSTEM-PRINTER-CONFIG
    Out of stock
    + Wish List

    A premium low-volume ID card printer, the PRO 100 is an affordable option with industry-leading warranty and support.

    Learn More
  42. AlphaCard PRO 550 ID Card Printer
    AlphaCard PRO 550 ID Card Printer
    Item#: 3300-0001-AP-Model
    Out of stock
    + Wish List

    The AlphaCard PRO 550 printer offers built-in dependability and security with high-quality 300 dpi resolution for professional-looking credentials.

    Learn More
View as Grid List

42 Items

Not sure how to choose
an ID card printer?

  1. Approximately how many cards will you
    print per year?
  1. Do you need to automatically print on
    both sides of the card?
  1. Do you need a magnetic stripe?

The Complete Card
Printer Buyer's Guide

With such a wide range of ID printers, evaluating the options can be overwhelming. This FREE 7-step guide will walk you through choosing the perfect card printer.

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE
  1. ID Card Makers
  2. ID Card Making Machines
  3. ID Printing Machines
  4. ID Card Printing Overview
  5. ID Card Machines
  6. ID Machines
  7. ID Badge Machines
  8. ID Makers
  9. Photo ID Machines
  10. Picture ID Machines
  11. Magicard
  12. Food Service ID Machines
  13. Fargo
  14. Basic Picture ID Machines
  15. Zebra Eltron
  16. PVC Card Printers
  17. ID Machine
  18. Library Card Printer
  19. Dye Sublimation Printing
  20. Inkjet Card Printers
  21. Persona
  22. Resin Thermal Transfer Printing
  23. Direct to Card Printers
  24. High Security ID Machines
  25. Types of PVC Card Printers
  26. Hospital ID Badges with Zebra Eltron Photo ID Printers
  27. Card Printer Applications for Schools
  28. Identification Card Printers
  29. ID Card Printer Resolution
  30. ID Card Printer Security Features
  31. Why a Photo ID Printer?
  32. Standard Picture ID Machines
  33. Plastic Card Printer
  34. ID Badge Printer
  35. Advanced Picture ID Machines
  36. Photo ID Printers for Identification
  37. Magicard ID Card Maker
  38. Fargo DTC
  39. Badge Maker
  40. Retail ID Card Machines
  41. Photo ID Printers
  42. Card Printers in Schools
  43. Zebra P310 and Zebra P420
  44. YMCKO and UvKO Too!
  45. Resin Thermal Transfer Printers
  46. High Definition Card Printers
  47. Zebra Reliability

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