A lot of environmental factors can affect your ID cards like strong sunlight, frequent swiping and handling, high heat environments, dust and dirt, and so much more. For example, some employees toss their ID cards on their car's dashboard which can cause cards to fade or the dye and images to seep. Combined, these factors reduce your ID cards' lifespan, meaning you reprint cards more often, adding to the total of your employee ID card program costs.
While both overlays and laminates can extend your ID cards' lifespan, they have their differences. Let's look at what makes each a distinctive choice to keep your ID cards safe from wear and harsh environmental factors.
What is an overlay?
Overlays are actually an extra panel on your ID card printer ribbon. For example, most companies use the standard YMCK ribbon, where each letter corresponds to a color, with the K being a special black resin. You can also get a YMCKO ribbon, where the O comprises an overlay that's a clear barrier the ribbon prints over top of your ID cards to protect them from wear and tear and fading, scratching, and more. You can even get holographic overlays to add an element of security to your ID cards.
What's important to know about an overlay is that it's printed on your cards during the printing process. You don't, in fact, need any extra equipment or modules to print an overlay on your ID cards to offer a bit more protection.
It's important to note that overlays can protect the printed information on your card from extra wear and tear, but it can't protect the card itself. But since it doesn't involve excess heat like a laminate, you can use plain plastic PVC cards when you print an overlay. And you can print overlays using any standard ID card printer available today.
What is a laminate?
Like an overlay, laminates protect your ID card from wear and tear and environmental issues, but it goes a step further. Lamination uses excess heat to seal a clear protective layer of film to your card, front and back, to not only protect the printing but also the card itself from scratches, abrasion, exposure to chemicals and other hard environmental factors.
You can choose holographic lamination that’s impossible to tamper with, forge, or alter. This adds an extra layer of security to your cards and prevents illicit copying or altering.
Laminates require a special module for your printer, however; a standard ID card printer can't laminate. You must purchase a laminate film besides your ID card printer's ribbon, and it's also an additional step during the printing process that uses high heat to seal up your ID cards. But you can choose from various thicknesses depending on your needs.
You may need to purchase special composite PET cards because they better handle the high heat used to apply a laminate film. Standard PVC cards might not withstand the temperatures laminating modules generate.
Final thoughts
Ultimately it comes down to the level of protection your ID cards need. If a thin layer which keeps the printing safe on your employee ID cards suffices, then a standard ID card printer with an overlay ribbon (YMCKO) will do just fine.
But if you need a thicker layer that not only protects the printing but the card itself, you need a laminating module.
Either solution will keep your employee ID cards from bleeding or sticking to the plastic of an ID badge holder. But only lamination will protect the card itself from scratches and more that could affect its use.
Still uncertain? Contact an Idesco ID Expert at 212-889-2530 today to discuss your options and decide which is the best solution for your business needs and your budget. Remember, we have the guaranteed lowest prices of any reputable retailer, so you'll never go wrong with Idesco.