An organization’s budget is the first and most important factor to consider. The budget you set will determine the range of printers you can buy. The lower-budget printers start at around $2,000, while the higher-budget printers start at $10,000. Keep in mind, there are ongoing costs associated with your printer budget. These costs include printer ribbons, cleaning kits, and blank cards.
There are two types of printing methods: Direct-to-Card (DTC) and High Definition Printing (HDP). A DTC printer heats a print ribbon beneath a thermal print head. As a result, color from the ribbon transfer onto the blank card.
Benefits of using a DTC printer:
An HDP printer transfers an image onto retransfer film before applying it to the card. This type of printing technology is a two-step process. In the first step, the printer prints an image in reverse onto a clear layer of film. In the second step, the printhead heats up and bonds the imaged film to the card’s surface by applying heat and pressure.
Benefits of using an HDP Printer:
The number of cards you print will determine the printer you buy. Consider the number of cards you will print each year. If you are printing a low volume of cards, you can get by with a less expensive printer. If you are printing a high volume of cards, it is a good idea to invest in a more expensive printer. Over time, investing in a new printer can save you labor costs and material costs.
When investing in an ID card printer, it is important to consider long-term factors. First, are you buying a printer that you can upgrade? Some printers come with field upgradable options, such as a lamination module or a dual-side printing module. If you buy a printer you can upgrade in the future, you are allowing your printer to scale with your business needs.
Second, does your printer have a warranty or preventative maintenance plan? A warranty or preventative maintenance plan is important to protect your printer. If your printer has a critical failure, it can be costly to fix. Keep your printer protected, so when the time comes for a repair, you are covered.