ID Card Printers
ID card printers are devices that are used to create identification cards, such as employee badges, student IDs, and access control cards. They typically use a thermal printing process to print images and text onto a blank PVC card. Having a card printer means that you can print a card anytime – at a moment’s notice. Printing a card immediately after taking the cardholder’s picture can greatly assist with employee management and site security, however, there are many card printers to choose from.
There are two main types of ID card printers: direct-to-card (DTC) printers and retransfer printers. Direct-to-card printers use a thermal printhead to melt the ink directly onto the card, whereas, retransfer printers use a thermal printhead to melt a ribbon of ink onto a transfer sheet, which is then pressed onto the PVC card.
ID card printers can be either single-sided or dual-sided. Single-sided printers can only print on one side of the card, while dual-sided printers can print on both sides.
Direct-To-Card Printers
DTC printers, also known as direct-to-card printers or dye-sublimation printers, are a type of ID card printer that prints images and text directly onto the surface of a PVC card. DTC printers use a ribbon of dye that is melted by a thermal printhead and then transferred onto the card. This process produces high-quality images with vibrant colours.
DTC printers are a good choice for businesses that need to print high-quality ID cards, such as employee badges, student IDs, and access control cards. They are also a good choice for businesses that need to print a lot of cards, as they are relatively fast and efficient.
Reverse Transfer Printers
Reverse transfer printers, also known as retransfer printers, are a type of ID card printer that uses a two-step printing process to produce high-quality images with vibrant colours. The first step is to print the image onto a transfer film using a thermal printhead. The second step is to press the transfer film onto a PVC identity card, which transfers the image onto the card. The transfer film is placed on the card in reverse (hence the name), and then heat and pressure are applied to transfer the image to the card.
This process produces high-quality images with vibrant colours, and the image is protected by a layer of transfer film, making the cards more durable and secure than DTC printers. Reverse transfer printers can also print on a variety of materials, including plastic cards, metal cards, and paper cards.
Printer Ribbons & Consumables
Card printer ribbons are the consumables that are used to print images and text onto ID cards. They come in a variety of colours and types, and they are designed to work with specific ID card printers.
There are two main types of ID card printer ribbons, Direct-to-card (DTC) ribbons, which print directly onto the surface of the ID card. They are a good choice for printing high-quality images and text, but they are not as durable as other types of ribbons. The second type are Retransfer ribbons. Retransfer ribbons are first printed onto a transfer sheet, before being pressed onto the ID card. This process produces high-quality images and text that are more durable than DTC ribbons.
Flippers modules are accessories that can be added to some ID card printers to enable dual-sided printing. They allow the printer to automatically flip the card over and print on the back side. This is a convenient feature for printing ID cards that need to have information on both sides.
Encoding is the process of adding additional information to an ID card, such as a barcode, a magnetic stripe, or a chip. This information can be used for security purposes, or it can be used to store data about the cardholder.
Card hOLDERS & lANYARDS
ID card holders are small, plastic or metal cases that are designed to hold ID cards. They typically have a clear window so that the ID card can be easily seen. Plastic ID card holders are a popular option because they provide a durable and cost effective solution. They can be either open-faced or enclosed, with open-faced holders often having a flap that covers the ID card, while enclosed holders have a snap-shut lid that protects the card from damage.
Lanyards are long, narrow cords that are used to wear ID cards around the neck. They typically have a clip or a snap that attaches to the ID card holder. Lanyards can be made from a variety of materials, including nylon, polyester, and leather. A lanyard with card holder is a convenient way to keep your ID card secure and visible.