A Guide to Upgrading Your Outdated ID Card Printer
Firstly, do you need to upgrade your printer?
Upgrading your printer on time is essential. There are many risks associated with using outdated id card printers, such as the security issues it prevents that may be causing you to not be GDPR compliant. The most common issues are inadequate printer security, poor quality print, expensive repair bills (that may end up costing you more than the actual printer), and consumables that are less accessible and more costly.
Some indicators that its time for that upgrade are:
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Your printer breaks down often,
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The cost for purchasing and maintaining your printer is more than the cost for a newer printer,
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Your printer's print speed is too slow,
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The operating system is no longer compatible with the printer after update,
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The warranty has expired,
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The printer is hard to repair - parts are hard to find and discontinued.
So you’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade. Now what?
There are a few things you should consider when deciding what printer you need. The most important factors are card design, DTC or retransfer, single-sided or dual sided and the connection type.
Card design
The first thing to consider is the card design. The design of the card is crucial and arguably the most important factor. You’ll need to think about a few questions. Firstly, do you have a card design in mind? Different printer types will produce different results and may not be suitable for your design. Secondly, is this design likely to change in the future? And lastly, is your card type standard PVC or an access control card?
If these aren’t considered, the model you purchase may not be able to print the design and result in a poor-quality finish, or may be unusable for that design and require you to buy a new printer.
DTC or Retransfer?
Retransfer printers deliver the highest quality card print possible. They use a two-step process to transfer your image onto a retransfer film first, and then onto the card. Retransfer printers cover over-the-edge printing and provide quality you won't find in low-resolution cards.
Direct-to-card printers are the most common printer type for basic ID card printing, using thermal heat to print images directly onto the ID card. But DTC only prints edge-to-edge so a small white border is visible around the side of the card - which may not be ideal for some customers, however this is the cheaper alternative.
Single-Sided or Dual-Sided?
A single-sided card printer is a type of ID card printer that prints the information on one side of the card. A dual-sided card printer is a type of ID card printer that prints information on both sides of the card.
The most significant difference between these two types of printers is in their ability to print both sides of a card at once. A single-sided ID card printer can only print information on one side at a time, while a dual-sided ID card printer can print information on both sides simultaneously.
This means that the time it takes for each machine to produce an ID badge varies greatly depending on which type it is.
Connection Type
The benefits of using an ID card printer are many, but the most important is that it can help you save time. When you need to print out a lot of ID cards and badges, you will not have to spend your time printing them out one by one. You can just use the ID card printer to print them all out in a matter of minutes. There are three different connection types for the printers: USB, Ethernet and WiFi. The type of connection depends on what you need it for and how much money you want to spend on it. If you want a portable printer that can be used anywhere, then USB is your best option since it is less expensive than Ethernet or WiFi and does not require a power outlet. However, if you want a stable connection that will always work no matter where you are and no matter how many people will be printing, then Ethernet is the better option. WiFi is best for mobile printers because it does not require a power outlet and can be used with a variety of devices.
Considering all these factors, you can decide which id card printer is best for you. Still unsure? Our team of experts are happy to help you! We promise to match any competitor price, so rest assured you’re getting the best quality, and the best price. Get in touch with a quick and easy message here.