--- title: Pre-Punched Cards Can Damage Your Printer! description: Printing with pre-punched cards is ill-advised because it can cause severe damage to the printer and print media. image: https://info.jobrien.com/hubfs/pre-punched-id-cards-issues-with-id-card-printers.png --- 🚚 Free Standard Shipping on All Orders [![JOB Logo and Tag JPG HIGH RES](https://info.jobrien.com/hs-fs/hubfs/JOB%20Logo%20and%20Tag%20JPG%20HIGH%20RES.jpg?width=267&height=57&name=JOB%20Logo%20and%20Tag%20JPG%20HIGH%20RES.jpg "JOB Logo and Tag JPG HIGH RES")](https://www.jobrien.com/) - [ID Card Printers](https://www.jobrien.com/id-card-printers) - [ID Card Printer Supplies](https://www.jobrien.com/id-card-printer-supplies) - [ID Badge Accessories](https://www.jobrien.com/id-badge-accessories) - [Software](https://www.jobrien.com/software) - [Access Control](https://www.jobrien.com/access-control) - [Visitor Management](https://www.jobrien.com/visitor-management) - [Capture Devices](https://www.jobrien.com/capture-devices) - [Workspace Solutions](https://www.jobrien.com/workspace-solutions) - [Learn](https://landing.jobrien.com/learning-center) Go [![jobrien-security-logo-2017](https://info.jobrien.com/hs-fs/hubfs/May%202019/jobrien-security-logo-2017.png?width=267&name=jobrien-security-logo-2017.png "jobrien-security-logo-2017")](https://prod.jobrien.com/) - [ID Card Printers](https://www.jobrien.com/id-card-printers) - [ID Card Printer Supplies](https://www.jobrien.com/id-card-printer-supplies) - [ID Badge Accessories](https://www.jobrien.com/id-badge-accessories) - [Software](https://www.jobrien.com/software) - [Access Control](https://www.jobrien.com/access-control) - [Visitor Management](https://www.jobrien.com/visitor-management) - [Capture Devices](https://www.jobrien.com/capture-devices) - [Workspace Solutions](https://www.jobrien.com/workspace-solutions) - [Learn](https://landing.jobrien.com/learning-center) - [Blog](https://info.jobrien.com/) - [Solutions](https://landing.jobrien.com/services) - [Videos](https://landing.jobrien.com/videos) - [Guides](https://landing.jobrien.com/buying-guides) ### Top Categories - [Case Study (2)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/case-study) - [Document Scanners (3)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/document-scanners) - [ID Badge Accessories (12)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-badge-accessories) - [ID Card Printer (29)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) - [Label Printers (1)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/label-printers) - [Mobile Access (12)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/mobile-access) - [News (8)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/news) - [Physical Access Control (27)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/physical-access-control) - [Technical Support (4)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) - [Visitor Management (15)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/visitor-management) See all ### Top Categories - [Case Study (2)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/case-study) - [Document Scanners (3)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/document-scanners) - [ID Badge Accessories (12)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-badge-accessories) - [ID Card Printer (29)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) - [Label Printers (1)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/label-printers) - [Mobile Access (12)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/mobile-access) - [News (8)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/news) - [Physical Access Control (27)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/physical-access-control) - [Technical Support (4)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) - [Visitor Management (15)](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/visitor-management) See all ## Popular Posts ### [Beginners Guide to Access Card Formatting](https://info.jobrien.com/beginners-guide-to-access-card-formatting) [Physical Access Control](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/physical-access-control) 3 MIN READ ### [4 Ways to Display Your ID Card in Your Facility](https://info.jobrien.com/4-ways-to-attach-an-id-card-to-yourself) [ID Badge Accessories](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-badge-accessories) 4 MIN READ ### [How Fake ID Scanners Work: Thales Scanners Explained](https://info.jobrien.com/how-fake-id-scanners-work-thales-scanners-explained) [Document Scanners](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/document-scanners) 3 MIN READ ## SECURITY TIPS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX ### We’ll never share your info, EVER. ### Subscribe Here! 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[ID Card Printer](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) [Technical Support](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) By [The J. O'Brien Experts](https://info.jobrien.com/author/the-j-obrien-experts) June 25, 2023 ![Pre-Punched Cards Can Damage Your Printer!](https://info.jobrien.com/hubfs/pre-punched-id-cards-issues-with-id-card-printers.png) Pre-punched cards (or slot-punched cards) are plastic cards that have slot holes on either the top or the side where a badge reel, lanyard, strap, or clip can be attached. Slot holes are created using slot punches. Printing on pre-punched cards is NOT recommended. If slot punching is necessary, the cards should only be slot punched **after** they have already been printed on. Printing with pre-punched cards is ill-advised because it can cause severe damage to the printer and print media. Possible harmful consequences include: - Broken ribbons/ribbons sticking to cards - Improper operation of the sensors causes card jams and other problems - Uneven, jagged edges around the punched hole can cause damage to the print head Pre-punched cards frequently have uneven surfaces that may leave slivers of plastic in the printer. These pieces of plastic can cause significant damage to the print head. If print head damage becomes significant enough, an extremely costly replacement would be required. Slot punching can be avoided altogether by using alternative badge display products such as badge grippers, badge holders, or clamp clips. HID carries a full line of ID Accessories that allow you to display your badge without requiring a slot punch.     ### About Author ![Default Author Image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/476360/Blog%20Template/Images/default-author-thumbnail.jpg) The J. O'Brien Experts - - - - [Previous Post](https://info.jobrien.com/how-to-fix-transfer-smudge-on-an-hdp5000) [Next Post](https://info.jobrien.com/components-of-hid-mobile-access) ### Related Posts [![Pre-Punched Cards Can Damage Your Printer!](https://info.jobrien.com/hubfs/pre-punched-id-cards-issues-with-id-card-printers.png)](https://info.jobrien.com/pre-punched-cards-can-cause-severe-damage-to-the-printer-and-print-media) ## [IDP and J. O'Brien Join Forces: Introducing the SOLID-UX Line](https://info.jobrien.com/idp-and-j.-obrien-join-forces-introducing-the-solid-ux-line) [ID Card Printer](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) [Technical Support](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) 1 MIN READ ## IDP and J. O'Brien Join Forces: Introducing the SOLID-UX Line Pre-punched cards (or slot-punched cards) are plastic cards that have slot holes on either the top or the side where a badge... [Read Article](https://info.jobrien.com/pre-punched-cards-can-cause-severe-damage-to-the-printer-and-print-media) [![Pre-Punched Cards Can Damage Your Printer!](https://info.jobrien.com/hubfs/pre-punched-id-cards-issues-with-id-card-printers.png)](https://info.jobrien.com/pre-punched-cards-can-cause-severe-damage-to-the-printer-and-print-media) ## [Comparing the SOLID-UX Printer Line](https://info.jobrien.com/comparing-the-solid-ux-printer-line) [ID Card Printer](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) [Technical Support](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) 1 MIN READ ## Comparing the SOLID-UX Printer Line Pre-punched cards (or slot-punched cards) are plastic cards that have slot holes on either the top or the side where a badge... [Read Article](https://info.jobrien.com/pre-punched-cards-can-cause-severe-damage-to-the-printer-and-print-media) [![Pre-Punched Cards Can Damage Your Printer!](https://info.jobrien.com/hubfs/pre-punched-id-cards-issues-with-id-card-printers.png)](https://info.jobrien.com/pre-punched-cards-can-cause-severe-damage-to-the-printer-and-print-media) ## [VALCam Discontinued? Videology ID Cameras Are the New Standard](https://info.jobrien.com/valcam-discontinued-videology-id-cameras-are-the-new-standard) [ID Card Printer](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/id-card-printer) [Technical Support](https://info.jobrien.com/topic/technical-support) 1 MIN READ ## VALCam Discontinued? Videology ID Cameras Are the New Standard Pre-punched cards (or slot-punched cards) are plastic cards that have slot holes on either the top or the side where a badge... 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