Are you in search of an ID card printer for your employee, student, visitor, attendee, or other badging program? One of the first things you must consider is whether a direct-to-card or retransfer printer works best for your business needs and budget.
What is a direct-to-card printer?
Direct-to-card printers are sometimes called "dye sublimation printers" because they use colored ribbons and glass pixels to print ink directly on a PVC card. It leaves a small white border around the edge of your cards because it cannot print over edges or it damages the printhead.
The advantages of direct-to-card printers are a lower cost for the printer and a faster printing time. You get wonderful, full-color ID cards at a cheaper price per card, and these printers work well with both PVC or adhesive-backed cards. Disadvantages are the small white border, if presentation is important, and the possibility of damaging chips and antennae if you print on smart cards.
What is a retransfer printer?
Sometimes called "reverse transfer" or "over-the-edge" printer, these ID card printers were designed specifically for printing on cards that need a gentle hand like technology cards and cards with an uneven surface.
Rather than printing your images, text, and more directly to the card's surface, the retransfer printer prints on the reverse side of a clear film that is heat transferred to the surface of your cards. The print head never comes in contact with the cards, and you can print over the edge for full edge-to-edge coverage.
Advantages of retransfer printers are you can print on virtually any card without damage to technology or your print head. You get full bleed, which means it prints your card design on the entire surface of your cards. And retransfer printers offer the highest quality images and more durable cards.
Disadvantages include a higher per-card cost to print thanks to more consumable printing accessories and a slower printing speed. You need to use composite cards instead of PVC cards because of the high heat used in the printing process, which costs a bit more.
Next, the following questions will help you decide which printer meets or exceeds your requirements.
1. Is cost one of the highest priorities in your ID card printing solution?
If your budget is the highest priority, you need a solution that provides professional employee or student ID cards at a reasonable cost. You need a direct-to-card printer. Not only does it print faster, but it prints high quality cards at a cheaper cost-per-card rate. The consumables are less expensive for direct-to-card printers and you can print faster, using less employee time to issue cards and badges.
2. Are you using a technology card such as cards with chips and antennae?
If you need proximity/door access cards or cards with chips and antennae, choose a retransfer printer. Not only will your technology be safe during the printing process, but you'll get a higher quality and better looking badge upon completion. Thanks to the retransfer film, you'll get longer card life for highly used or swiped cards.
3. How many cards do you print a year?
If you print a high volume of ID cards a year, speed might be top on your list of must-haves for a printer. You should choose a direct-to-card printer with faster printing speeds than a retransfer printer. For example, colleges and universities that process tens of thousands of new students each year need a solution that prints fast and reliable. They need a direct-to-card printer.
4. Is edge-to-edge printing a high priority?
If highly professional looking cards are one of your top priorities, consider a retransfer ID card printer that prints over the edge. You may irrevocably damage a direct-to-card print head by printing to the edge of ID cards, so your best choice is a retransfer printer. You'll get the highest quality photos, graphics, and more printed over the edge. This lets you take advantage of the entire real estate on the front and back of your ID cards, making the maximum impression possible.
Final thoughts
You know your organization's needs and budget best, so contact an Idesco ID Expert at 212-889-2530 to discuss your options. We are here to help you understand your options and choose the best solution that meets business, security, and budgetary requirements.
The advantages of working with an Idesco ID Expert is that we're vendor agnostic. This means we have expertise and experience with each vendor's products, but we're not tied to one. We help you find the best solution for your needs, regardless of the brand or the printer system offered.