In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose ID card printer that will give you professional, durable ID cards. We’ll also help you decide whether having your cards printed professionally is a better option - it’s often cheaper, faster, and gives a better result than printing cards yourself. 

Why You Need ID Cards

Before we start talking about the best ID printer or how to choose ID card printers, how do ID cards work, and why use photo ID badges for employees? Whether for businesses, schools, government agencies, or events, ID cards offer several key benefits. 

Firstly, ID cards help control access to buildings, restricted areas, or equipment. They allow you to verify the identity of employees, students, or visitors, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or security breaches.

Secondly, they’re great for branding. ID cards featuring your company’s logo, colors, and design contribute to a professional image. They also reinforce brand identity, creating consistency across the organization.

Learning how to print an ID or how to make employee badges with added features like barcodes for payment can take your ID cards to the next level. Advanced ID cards can be linked to prepaid accounts, allowing for easy, cashless transactions.

First, Choose Between Buying Your Own Printer or Hiring a Professional Printer

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to invest in your own printing equipment or outsource the task to a professional printing service. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each approach. 

Pros and Cons of DIY Printing

Learning how to make PVC ID cards yourself can sometimes be more cost effective than hiring a professional printer. If you need to produce a large number of ID cards often, owning your own printer may save money in the long run.

Plus, an on-site printer allows for instant printing of your custom ID cards, which is important if you need cards quickly or frequently, such as for new hires, visitors, or event attendees.

With in-house printing of custom PVC cards, you also have full control over the design and customization of the cards, allowing for quick changes to layouts, colors, or employee information without waiting on a third party.

On the flip side, there are a few downsides to investing in a printer for your cards. Of course, there’s the upfront cost of a printer to think about. They’re expensive, and you’ll need a lot of add-ons, like card stock, ink ribbons, and laminates.

Then, there’s the training to consider - learning how to make your own security badge isn’t as easy as you’d think! You need to consider PVC ID card thickness, sizing, designs, and how to laminate PVC ID card at home - this can all take weeks to figure out. 

And finally, if you work in a sensitive or secure environment or need advanced features like high-resolution printing, holographic overlays, or built-in security functions, most at-home ID card printers don’t come equipped with this functionality. 

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing to a Professional 

Rather than learning how to make ID cards for staff, investing in professional printing services comes with several advantages. Firstly, professional printers use advanced equipment with many more features than your average ID card printer - better print quality, enhanced security like holograms, and durable finishes. 

But how much do ID cards cost if you’re printing professionally vs DIY? It varies, but the cost of professional cards is often actually lower than the cost of printing cards yourself, when you factor in the upfront cost of the printer as well as all the materials you’ll need, plus your time. 

There can be some cons that come with professional printing, though. If you work with an unreliable company, you might find yourself dealing with slow turnaround times, poor communication, or shipping delays. Do your research and find a company you can trust! 

Which Approach is Right For You?

With all that in mind, should you learn how to make event badges and ID cards yourself, or outsource to a professional? It ultimately depends on your needs, but most people prefer to leave it to the pros. 

DIY printing is fine if you require a high volume of cards on a regular basis or need frequent card updates and want full control over the process. However, it can be more expensive, comes with a steep learning curve, and you’re often limited in terms of features. 

Outsourcing to a professional is better suited for organizations that prioritize top-quality prints, enhanced security features, and don’t want the responsibility of maintaining equipment. It’s also a cost-effective option for smaller businesses or those with occasional ID card needs.

How to Choose ID Card Printer Machine

If you do decide to print your own cards, the first step is choosing a printer. Here are some tips on how to choose ID card printers, and some of the most important features you should be looking out for. 

Single vs Dual-Sided Printing

A single-sided printer prints only on one side of the card, making it suitable for basic ID cards where minimal information is needed. It’s often a more affordable option and works well for simple identification badges or membership cards.

A dual-sided printer prints on both sides of the card, offering more space for barcodes or security features. If your organization requires cards with a lot of data or branding elements, dual-sided printing is a more versatile choice, but may cost more.

Volume Requirements

If you only need to print a few cards per day or week, an entry-level or mid-range printer should suffice. These machines are cost-effective but may not handle large batches efficiently.

For organizations that need to print large quantities of cards daily, like schools, corporations, or event organizers, a high-capacity printer is necessary. Look for machines with larger input hoppers, automatic card feeders, and higher print speeds.

RFID or Magnetic Encoding

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) allows you to embed contactless smart chips into ID cards, making them ideal for access control systems, cashless payments, or tracking. If you need high-level security and advanced tracking capabilities, RFID-enabled printers are a must.

Magnetic stripe encoding is used to store data that can be read by swiping the card through a reader, commonly found in hotel key cards or membership programs. For simpler applications like attendance tracking or basic access control, a magnetic stripe encoder will suffice.

Printer Speed and Efficiency

The speed of the printer affects how quickly you can produce cards, which is important for organizations that need to print a large number of badges in a short period. For high-volume environments where time is critical, a faster printer with advanced automation features will ensure seamless operations.

You might also want to look for additional features that improve efficiency, such as automatic card feeders, batch printing capabilities, or ribbon-saving modes that reduce material waste.

Ease of Use

The ease of use is an important factor, especially if multiple employees will be operating the printer. Features such as intuitive control panels, easy-to-navigate software, and quick card-loading mechanisms can make a big difference in productivity.

Ensure that the printer’s software is user-friendly and compatible with your current operating system. If you don’t have a dedicated IT team, choose a printer that offers simple, straightforward operation and good customer support.

Durability, Support, and Warranty

A high-quality ID card printer should be built to last, especially if you’re printing cards in bulk or in challenging environments. Ensure the printer comes with a comprehensive warranty and access to technical support. This will be important in case of any malfunctions or issues.

Initial Cost and Consumables

While some printers may be more affordable upfront, it’s important to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes consumables like ink ribbons, card stock, and laminates (depending whether you choose laminated vs non laminated ID cards). 

Also, you’ll either have to learn how to make badge holders or find the best ID badge holder for your cards - make sure you factor holders or custom ID card lanyards into your budget. 

What to Look for in a Professional ID Card Printer Service

If learning how to make ID cards for students or employees seems like a headache, don’t worry! There are plenty of professional printing companies out there who will help you out. Here’s what to look for if you’re outsourcing your ID cards to the professionals. 

Ease of Customization

Can you customize ID cards if they’re being printed professionally? Yes - make sure you work with a company that offers specific colors, branding elements, or security features like barcodes, RFID chips, and holographic overlays. 

Printing Quality

Poor-quality printing can result in faded images, unclear text, or low-resolution graphics, which can make your cards look cheap and unprofessional. Ask about the types of printers the company uses and whether they offer advanced features such as UV printing or lamination for added durability.

Turnaround Time

In many cases, ID cards are needed on short notice - for new employees, event attendees, or access control purposes. A slow turnaround time could disrupt operations or cause unnecessary delays.

Choose a company with a proven track record of fast and reliable turnaround times. Make sure they offer options for expedited services in case you need cards printed quickly. Verify their lead times for both small and large orders, so you’re not caught off guard.

Pricing and Value

Outsourcing ID card printing can be cost-effective, but only if the service provides a balance between price and quality. Compare pricing between different services, and make sure you understand what is included in the cost, such as card design, materials, and shipping. Ask about bulk order discounts if you have large printing needs.

Customer Support

In case of issues with design, printing errors, or shipment delays, having responsive customer support can make a significant difference. A professional service should be able to answer your questions and resolve issues quickly via phone, email, or live chat.

Save Time and Stress While Guaranteeing Results With CustomLanyard.net!

When it comes to creating high-quality ID cards for your organization, time and precision matter. With CustomLanyard.net, you can eliminate the hassle of in-house printing and enjoy a stress-free experience while getting top-notch results. Here’s why millions of customers work with us for quality, durable ID cards.

Why We’re Your Trusted Choice for ID Cards

From easy customization to quick delivery, we take the guesswork out of the ID card production process so you can focus on what really matters - running your business. With affordable pricing, incredible customization options, and next-level support, you won’t find better ID cards anywhere else. 

Tips on Customizing Your Cards

At CustomLanyard.net, you can customize every aspect of the card design process, including: 

  • Sizing - how big is an ID card? We offer sizing options from 2.12" x 3.38" to 6.5" x 4.75"
  • Card finish - glossy, matte, holographic, and more 
  • Thickness - standard and premium options available 
  • Holes - depending on how to put an ID card on a lanyard, you might want oval holes, circles, double holes, or no holes
  • Card design and colors - create from scratch or use our premium templates 

Once you’ve perfected your card customization and design, we’ll get to work printing them! And don’t forget, we also offer holders and custom lanyards - choose from a custom badge holder, acrylic badge holder, clear plastic card holder, and many more options! 

Final Thoughts on How to Choose ID Card Printer

That wraps up our guide on how to choose ID card printers! Most people stick with the pros when it comes to printing ID cards - you’ll get more professional cards, save yourself so much time, and might even come in cheaper - those printers and materials can be so expensive!

At CustomLanyard.net, we offer the best prices on premium, fully customizable ID card printing. Whether you want to save time with our templates or create your own design, we can accommodate your needs, from basic ID cards to advanced, secure, options. 

Professional, durable ID cards are just a few quick clicks away - start customizing your cards to take your company’s professionalism to the next level!