Card Printers
Printer, FARGO, DATACARD, EVOLIS, ZEBRA , DASCOM
Card printers are specialized devices used to print high-quality identification, access, and loyalty cards on PVC or composite plastic. They’re essential for secure, professional card issuance across industries.
🖨️ What Is a Card Printer?
A card printer is a machine designed to print directly onto plastic cards, typically made of PVC. These printers are used to produce:
- Employee ID badges
- Access control cards
- Membership and loyalty cards
- Student IDs
- Government-issued credentials
They support full-color or monochrome printing and often include encoding options for magnetic stripes, smart chips, or RFID.
🔍 Key Features of PVC Card Printers
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Direct-to-Card (DTC) | Prints directly on the card surface. Fast and cost-effective. |
| Retransfer Printing | Uses a film to transfer the image, ideal for edge-to-edge and smart cards. |
| Single or Dual-Sided | Dual-sided printers print on both sides automatically. |
| Encoding Options | Magnetic stripe, contact/contactless smart card, barcode, QR code. |
| Security Add-ons | UV printing, holograms, lamination for tamper resistance. |
🏢 Popular Use Cases
- Corporate: Employee badges with photo, name, and access credentials.
- Education: Student IDs with library access and payment features.
- Healthcare: Staff and visitor badges with secure access.
- Retail: Loyalty and gift cards with branding and barcodes.
- Government: National ID, driver’s licenses, and voter cards.
🛠️ Maintenance & Best Practices
- Regular cleaning of rollers and print heads prevents streaks and misprints.
- Use compatible ribbons and cards to avoid damage.
- Adjust settings for card thickness and material to ensure optimal print quality.
🏆 Recommended Models
According to recent reviews, top-performing printers include:
- DASCOM DC-340: Affordable simplex printer for small batches.
- Evolis Primacy 2: High-speed dual-sided printing with encoding options.
- Fargo HDP5000: Retransfer printer for smart cards and high-security applications.
If you're sourcing in Milan, badgedoc.com offers competitive pricing and support for badge printers. I can help you draft a message to request quotes or compare models based on your volume and security needs.