Businesses with an in-house printing setup for ID cards should always invest in a quality and feature-rich ID card printer. When a company gets a reliable printer, it saves time, money, and trouble in the future.
But how does an organisation know what features to look for in an ID card printer? Thanks (or not) to different factors, it’s more challenging than it sounds.
For businesses who still need clarification, this article will explain everything an organisation should know before purchasing a new ID card printer for their premises.
Print Quality
The equation is simple. Print quality is crucial and depends on a business’s ID card printer.
Higher print resolution, measured in dots per inch (dpi), improves the sharpness and clarity of printed text, barcodes, and pictures. Therefore, the first thing a business can look out for is printers that can print at least 300 dpi for good results.
Colour Printing
If a business needs to print more than basic, monochromatic ID cards, it will need a colour printer.
Colour ID card printers allow an organisation to print design, photo, and branding elements in vibrant shades. A business can choose from direct-to-card or retransfer ID card printers based on their needs.
Print Speed
A business should carefully audit the speed it needs according to its preferences. Print speed is measured in prints per minute (ppm) or cards per hour (cph).
Higher print speeds mean organisations can more quickly batch-print multiple ID cards. It is vital for big organisations or events that require many temporary badges to be printed quickly.
Card Encoding
ID card printers can sometimes include encoding for magnetic stripes, barcodes, QR codes or smart chips such as RFID/iCLASS during printing.
An organisation that uses cards with such security features must check this feature before purchasing their in-house ID card printer.
Connectivity
It’s a no-brainer, but a company should always get a printer with various connectivity options.
For instance, businesses should ensure the printer has USB, Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. This way, the company can place the printer anywhere without losing the system connection.
User-Friendliness
A printer should be easy to use so a company can easily teach its staff.
Features such as LCD panels, intuitive software, and all-in-one ribbon cartridges make it simple for anyone to print professional ID cards without difficulty.
So, an organisation should buy user-friendly printers that don’t need much training to use them correctly.
Holding Capacity
Businesses that print a large volume of unattended prints should pay attention to the capacity of input/output hoppers in the ID card printer they are getting.
Some printers can hold more than 100 cards in the input and 200+ cards in the output. This is beneficial for maximising run times without constantly monitoring them.
Conclusion
When buying an ID card printer, organisations should consider their printing needs, budget, and potential future requirements. The above-mentioned features would help them select a printer that can produce professional identification for years to come.
Remember, the initial investment will be worthwhile. It will result in efficient printing operations without wasting money on low-quality cards or experiencing downtime periods in the future.
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