There are many who would, upon being asked about certain particulars on ID printing, respond to the questions by saying "it's just ID printing, how hard could it be?" While this statement may have been true a decade ago, it certainly does not ring true today. Innovations on security and personal identification have come to a point where the creation of seemingly mundane things, such as an ID, require more than just a little thought.
Single-sided or Dual-sided printing
ID printers come in either single-sided printing capacity, which only prints on one side of the ID at a time, or in dual-sided printing capacity, which can print on both sides of the ID at once. Depending upon the amount of information that is needed on the ID itself, those not needing much info can choose to stick with the ID printer that does single-sided printing, since this is definitely more affordable than the printer that does dual-sided printing. Should there be a need for a large volume of ID cards to be printed and with more information on both sides, then a printer with dual-sided printing capability is needed.
ID Lamination
Most ID cards found today are usually made of PVC, a material that is significantly more durable than the old materials used in traditional IDs. In itself, and depending upon use and wear and tear, a PVC ID card may still be in decent condition for a couple of years. By applying a laminate on the card itself, it may even last longer, as the overlay will serve to reinforce the inherent durability of the PVC card. This process, however, is not done with the usual ID printers, but with a laminating ID card printer. As an added security feature, some laminates may even be embedded with specific images or information, creating a holographic feature, which creates an indelible additional marker to the ID, making it proof against forgery or duplication. The laminates also serve to extend the quality of the images on the ID, helping to delay the fading that happens over time.
Magnetic stripes and embedded chips
Higher up the innovation levels are the IDs that feature either magnetic stripes and embedded memory chips, able to hold specific data about the owner of the ID. These features, however, can only be added by specific printers and peripherals, which is why it is always a good idea to talk to the ID printer distributor, seller, or even the manufacturer about the capabilities and specialized functions of the ID printers that they carry, and how best they can work for you and your purposes.
Would you like to know more about ID printers and how these can bolster your security and visitor management systems? Call 1-800-667-1772 now to talk to one of our professionals, or if you prefer, you may also reach us via e-mail.
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