When printing ID cards in house, there are several factors that have to be taken into account, not least of which is the necessary equipment to do the job efficiently. It is not just a matter of getting the right ID card software or printer, but the little items too.
In most cases, the list is dictated by the likely requirements of the system, with a Javelin card printer with single card feed ideal when low card production is needed. If the production is expected to be much higher in volume, then one of the Magicard printer range is likely to be better. So, here is a basic list of the most important items needed to build a complete ID printing system in an office.
Software
There are several types of ID printing software available, but it is, of course, important to choose a software package that meets the relevant needs.
That is why there can be versions designed specifically for business, educational and public sector users.
The chief reason for the difference is the capabilities required to meet the sector demands, which includes the option to further define the software, so that aspects such as picture positioning, sizing and quality, security barcode, and ID layout can be fully suitable. Some considerations are detailed below:
Printer
Of course, a printer is needed if an ID card is to be printed. However, a common office printer is not sufficient to do the job since it works with paper and not plastic. Instead, a specially designed printer is needed, of which there are several variations and several highly respected brand names, including Javelin, Evolis and Magicard. A printer is also available in a variety of sizes, to suit the needs of the user.
For a medium sized business, for example, the number and frequency of card printing will be much less than a university with thousands of new students arriving each year.
Therefore, a more modestly sized printer with a capability of printing small batches is fine. For the university, a printer capable of handling larger batches at one time is ideal.
Options that one should look for include single and double sided printing capabilities, and encoding options for metal strips, contact and contactless technologies. It is also necessary to know whether a printer only allows cards to be fed into the system singularly, or if they can accommodate multi card loads, with features like a 100 card hopper or 500 card hopper. This, of course, relates to the degree of usage.
Blank Cards
Obviously, without cards there cannot be ID cards. PVC and Mifare cards are the most common. The PVC card is named after the material that the card is made from, and is easily identifiable as the thin, flexible plastic card that has a black magnetic strip on its back. It is commonly used in universities and offices where low level security is sufficient.
Mifare cards are also made of PVC, but are different in that they are sturdier in design, with a more rigid quality of plastic, and have a memory chip implanted in it where information is stored. This type of card, which is typically available with 1k or 4k of memory space, is used for a far wider scope of purposes, including prepaid cards such as those used on public transport systems. As an ID, it can store information on the bearer and specific codes to allow him or her entry to restricted areas.
Printer Ribbons
Which printer ribbon to buy depends mainly on the particular brand of the printer being used, as the printer manufacturers also supply their own ribbons. While there are many cheaper counterfeit ribbons on the market, it is important to note that the quality of printing is severely diminished by them in comparison to genuine ribbons.
Cleaning Kits
Every office machine needs to be cleaned regularly, but perhaps none more so than printers. Taking care of these machines ensures a longer life span, so it is worth investing in cleaning kits just as much as ID card software. Some kits come in the form of pre saturated cleaning cards, which are put through the printer to clean its internal mechanism.
Swabs and cloths are also available, as are extra cleaning rollers to replace the cleaning rollers already installed inside the Javelin card printer, Fargo printer or Magicard printer that is being used in the office.
