The simple answer is: It depends on the supplies.
Ribbons and cleaning kits are manufacturer-specific. You shouldn't try to swap out less expensive or generic options because these two factors greatly affect your ID card printer's veracity and quality. ID card printer manufacturers engineer both printer ribbons and cleaning kits for their specific models. You're best served to choose manufacturer-recommended ribbons and cleaning kits to keep your ID card printer in tip-top condition for years to come.
Where you can finagle a bit is with the PVC cards you use.
Why use manufacturer ribbons and cleaning kits
ID card printers are geared to perform through a certain amount of "prints" or cards. Manufacturers created cleaning kits to use after a certain production level, whether it's 700 or 1,000 prints. They manufacture these cleaning kits to perform consistently at a high level for their brand. They're specified manufacturer kits designed to clean specific printers every time you change the ribbon. Use these manufacturers recommended cleaning kits because they're designed to comprehensively clean your make and model printer.
Instead of relying on a generic kit to clean your ID card printer, choose the manufacturer's recommended kit. You don't want to skimp on this step because it pays in the end to have your ID card printer maintained according to manufacturer's regulations.
The same goes for ribbons. Each ribbon works with a specific brand/make/model of ID card printer. While printer ribbons have a specific shelf life, you'll know what to expect when you purchase your ID card printer's manufacturer recommended ribbons. Off-brand ribbons won't work properly. In addition, they can seriously damage your ID card printer, rendering it unusable and outside of warranty. Don't take the risk because manufacturers competitively price their ribbons and cleaning kits and make them easy to get.
The supplies you must order according to manufacturers' specifications are: printer ribbons and cleaning kits. Each is geared specifically for your printer model to produce the best results time and time again. Printer ribbons and cleaning kits are brand specific; you can avoid costly mistakes by purchasing and using printer make/model specific ribbon and cleaning kits.
Test generic PVC cards
The difference is when purchasing PVC cards. You need blank, plastic cards for your employee or student ID card program. You can choose between branded cards or generic PVC cards. The key is to make sure the generic ID cards you're choosing are from a reputable retailer. Low quality cards most often result in printer jams and poor print quality.
It's a good rule of thumb to try out a few generic ID cards before widely issuing your cards. If you're unsure of your retailer's generic PVC cards, buy a small amount and test them. Some plastic cards from not-so-reliable retailers are low quality which means your ID card printer jams and prints horrible quality cards. Take care of these issues on the front end so every card you produce is up to your quality standards and security needs.
Eliminate personnel errors by always handling your blank cards with care. You should only ever touch the outside edges to prevent dirt and debris from contaminating your cards. Even the smallest fingerprint or speck of dirt creates lines or abnormalities in your printed ID cards.
More importantly, generic cards not produced or handled correctly can irrevocably damage your ID card's printhead. Not only does this reduce your printer's lifespan, but can cause high-cost damage repair and replacement.
When you follow the manufacturer's printer maintenance procedures, using generic blank PVC cards has less of an impact on your ID card printer's lifespan. While a fleck of dirt can cause major damage to your printer's printhead, using manufacturer's recommended ribbons and cleaning kits keep the printer functioning at the optimal level. A well-maintained ID card printer extends your card program and keeps is running for years.
Final thoughts
Your first step in extending the life of your ID card program is to maintain your printer according to manufacturer's recommendations. That includes using make/model specific ribbons and cleaning kits. You must protect your ID card printer from dirt, debris, dust, and other harsh environments. Keep your printhead clean and operational by using manufacturer-recommended ribbons and cleaning kits.
Then work with a reputable retailer's generic PVC cards to see what produces the highest quality at the best price with the least wear and tear on your ID card printer.
Contact Idesco's ID Experts at 212-889-2530 to discuss your needs and what fits your budget. We guarantee the lowest price available amongst reputable online retailers, so you know you're getting the best bang for your buck when you partner with Idesco for all your ID card program needs.