ID Card Printers

ID card printers are useful tools utilized by a wide assortment of different organizations and companies. Peripheral devices attached to computer systems, these printers are used to quickly create identification badges and cards for authorized individuals. Many companies use such printers to create access badges, which can be used to enter areas reserved for personnel. Additional features of these machines include the ability to add bar codes to the badge, which can in turn be scanned by infrared devices used to verify the validity of the pass.

Several different brands have managed to establish themselves as reputable manufacturers of ID card printers. Some of the most prominent brands in the industry include Magicard, Zebra, Evolis, and Datacard. These manufacturers have helped pioneer several of the different features that have become industry standards. From anti-counterfeiting tools to advanced printing techniques that result in more dynamic and durable cards, these companies represent some of the best of the best within the field of ID card printing.

Purchasing an ID card printer can prove a costly investment, with some machines costing several thousand dollars. There are several different factors that determine the cost of a machine, including the features that a machine is capable of including on an identification badge. For example, some sophisticated machines add watermarks and images that can only be viewed from a particular angle. These security features are incredibly valuable for companies and organizations that need to limit certain privileges to a select group of individuals.

Cheaper alternatives exist for those buyers who may not need the sophisticated printing abilities of high-end ID card printers. Many of the more expensive card printers are capable of printing on both sides of the ID badge, whereas lower end printers simply imprint on one side of the badge. If badges need to be produced en masse, companies often opt for lower-end machines that can churn out cards for a large number of people with ease. While these machines may not include the security features of more expensive options, they nevertheless will likely cost upwards of a thousand dollars for the entry-level model.

Additional features offered by some ID card printers include holographic imagery and UV security features. These options are only available from the most elite machines, and generally are utilized by organizations with extremely tight security, such as government organizations. Furthermore, such card printers are used to create the identification cards used by DMVs around the nation. In fact, these security protocols have become some of the prime ways in which retailers verify the validity of driver’s licenses and similar government ID cards.