The Importance of ID Card Printers in Business
ID cards may seem small, but these pocket-sized, rectangular items are the understated security solution every business needs. How does something that is sometimes nothing more than a cardboard strip hold such power? The same reason a white lab coat makes you think that the person wearing it is a second-tier Albert Einstein. White lab coats and business-official ID cards are associated with professionalism. If you see someone wearing either or both of the above, you will pair the person with the professional symbol they’re wearing.
Believe it or not, ID cards have one up on white lab coats. When it comes to security, an object’s size is not an object. In fact, you could argue that smaller objects are correlated with tighter security. Just think of your bank card and how the barrier between you and your money is a tiny chip. Or, just think of how your keyring, which holds a host of keys and can slip stealthily into your pocket or bag. They say that from little things big things grow, but at Identity People, we say that little things compress (data) so that big things can stand tall. Lab coats may mean business, but ID cards can be the literal key to business (when paired with RFID technology, and when compatible with a card reader).
So, if you’re keen to invest in some plastic ID cards for your business—whether you want them plain and simple or to literally open doors for you—you may want to purchase an ID card printer. Sure, you could outsource card production to a third party, but there are some serious perks to owning your own ID card printer. For one, you can say goodbye to waiting periods with your elected third-party vendor. For two—and this may be the most compelling argument of all—you will have full control over your card designs. If your business is producing a high volume of ID cards, an ID card printer will save you time and money. Here’s how to choose your ideal model.
How to choose ID card printers
Before you choose an ID card printer, you’ll need to review the multitude of options and features before locking down your final decision. An ID card printer is a cash-heavy investment, and you wouldn’t want to replace one prematurely unless you really had to. Get it right the first time and enjoy the control and efficiency that comes with dispatching cards made in-house. Here are some factors to consider.
Production volumes
How many cards do you intend to print per day or per year? Make a rough calculation and this can help inform how powerful a printer you may want to buy. If your business intends to pump out cards on a medium- to high-level basis, for example, you should purchase a printer with higher specifications. This larger investment will make for cheaper labour and supply costs down the road.
Single- or double-sidedness
If your business prefers to Keep It Simple, Stupid, then you may only need a printer with capacity for printing single-sided cards. Simple, single-sided card examples include photo IDs, or cards that needn’t display anything beyond a name, a membership number, a barcode, or similar. If, however, your cards will be displaying more information, you may need to invest in a printer with capacity for double-sided printing. Printers of this nature are efficient in the sense that they can print on both sides of the card simultaneously. They may also be a smart investment from a design perspective. Spread information over either side of the coin, so to speak, and your card will maintain a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
Capacity for lamination
Would you like lamination with that? Much like a garnish or side dish, capacity for lamination is an optional extra, but it is recommended for longevity. Without lamination (or any sort of protective barrier), a card will last one to two years if it is frequently used. With lamination, cards will be more secure and durable. That being said, ID card holders are an alternate way to preserve your card and protect it against the elements that are part and parcel with daily use. For this less permanent solution, check out Identity People’s ID card holders and lanyards.
Capacity for data encryption
As discussed earlier, the more high-tech ID cards will contain access control or RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology. Examples include one- and two-dimensional barcodes and magnetic stripes (if you’re unsure what this is, look at the back of your bank card). Printing these cards involves a process of data encryption, rendering printers with this capacity to be more high-tech overall, and therefore on the higher end of the budget. But, again, if you’re pumping out enough cards to justify the purchase, such a printer will pose a short-term monetary loss for a long-term financial gain.
Budget
Of course, your budget may ultimately determine which ID card printer you purchase. Prices range from $1,000 to $10,000, so you’ll want to consider what you can afford—or even establish a budget beforehand. You’ll need to perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine which features you will need, how often you will use them, and whether the extra features will justify the extra spend. What do you need that also will not break the bank?
Size
It’s easy to get caught up in an ID card printer’s fancy features and forget that you’re buying an object—an object that will be sitting in your office space for some time to come. Sure, you may have found something with everything you need, but will it fit in your office? Or can you access it with ease from the location in which you intend to plonk it? Just as you may approach the hunt with a predetermined budget, you may want to walk into it with a set of dimensions, as well. Take some measurements of your office space and see what size of ID card printer could slot into your world of work.
Recommendations
At Identity People, we have a host of ID card printers to suit your business needs. Whether you want the best of the basic entry-level printers or the top-of-the-range, industry-leading model, we’ve got you covered with our options from Fargo. Begin your search for the best ID card printer with Identity People. If you see something you like, contact us for a quote today!
