Plastic Card Printers

Plastic card printers are often used in businesses and corporate organizations to print plastic cards for various purposes. These printers work to quickly and efficiently add personalized details such as barcodes, photographs, and text to cards. Plastic cards are useful for creating access control passes, payment cards, and identification cards.

Features of Plastic Card Printers

The features of plastic card printers vary depending upon the make and model, however the primary features are typically as follows:

• High-speed printing
• USB connectivity
• On-screen design
• Secure access control protection
• A wide range of customizable card formats

Benefits of Plastic Card Printers

The main benefit of a plastic card printer is it helps create customized plastic cards efficiently and quickly while also providing the following advantages:

• Greater cost-effectiveness as it eliminates the need to manually enter in each card's details
• Faster production cycles with quicker turnaround times
• Increased data accuracy with less human error
• Enhanced security with greater data control

Pros Cons of Plastic Card Printers

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a plastic card printer are outlined below:

Pros

• Provides real-time customization
• Better capacity for security features
• More reliable with less downtime
• Faster card printing speed

Cons

• High initial cost
• Not suitable for low-volume printing
• Require regular cleaning
• Difficult to maintain

Case Studies

There are numerous examples of organizations utilizing plastic card printers including the following:

Petroleum Company

An oil and gas company implemented a plastic card system to allow staff to quickly transfer products and materials between their different sites. The system was designed using a plastic card printer, and it was able to record and monitor all transfers whilst also providing accountability.

IT Company

An IT software development company installed a plastic card printer to help manage their employee access control system for their new office building. By implementing an access control system, the company was able to ensure the safety and security of their employees.

Card Printer Accessories

In order to maximize the performance of plastic card printers, several accessories may be necessary. Here are some of the most popular plastic card printer accessories:

• Ribbon cartridge
• Adhesive film rolls
• Magnetic stripe cards
• Card encoders
• Lanyards and clips

Frequently Asked Questions

To help potential buyers get a better understanding of plastic card printers, here are some frequently asked questions:

What types of plastic cards are used with plastic card printers?

The type of plastic card used depends upon the printer model but, generally, these printers can print various types of plastic cards including ID cards, magnetic cards, smart cards, and access control cards.

What is the cost of a plastic card printer?

The cost of a plastic card printer can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It is important to choose the right type for the specific application and to consider the long term cost savings due to reduced printing and set up fees.

Can a plastic card printer print color cards?

Yes, certain models of plastic card printers are capable of printing full-color cards. Not all card printers are designed to print in color, so it is important to check the specifications before purchasing.

Mistakes People Make When Purchasing a Plastic Card Printer

Here are some common mistakes people make when buying a plastic card printer:

• Not researching the different models available
• Not considering the features required for the application
• Not considering long-term costs such as maintenance and cleaning
• Not assessing the customer service and technical support offered
• Not comparing prices among different brands

Best Practices When Developing an Access Control System Using Plastic Card Printers

Here are some best practices for developing an access control system using plastic card printers:

• Conduct a thorough review of the required features and functions before purchasing a card printer
• Ensure that the card printer has the necessary number of encoding capabilities
• Select a printer that is compatible with the existing software or other systems
• Verify the necessary accessories are available to use with the card printer
• Ensure the printer is suitable for the environment and application

Final Notes

As the use of plastic card printers continues to increase, it is important for organizations to consider the features, benefits, and costs associated with these printers before deciding on which model to purchase. With the right printer, organizations can enjoy increased speed, accuracy, and security when creating personalized cards.