Plastic card printers: how to choose and use in your business
- 20.04.2023
Plastic card printers: how to choose and use in your business
Plastic card printers have become an essential tool for today's businesses. They allow you to create ID cards, discount cards, gift certificates and other types of plastic cards. In this article, we will look at the main aspects of choosing and using plastic card printers in your business.
1. Determining Your Business Needs
Before choosing a plastic card printer, it is important to determine for what purposes you will use it. Consider what types of cards you need, how many cards you plan to print, and what features might be useful for your business. This will help narrow down the list of suitable models and choose the best option.
2. Printing Technologies
There are two main printing technologies for plastic card printers: thermal printing and sublimation printing. Thermal printing offers a fast and economical way to print, but is limited to single color printing. Sublimation printing produces better, brighter images with gradients, but it takes more time and higher consumables costs. The choice of printing technology depends on your needs and budget.
3. Encoding options
Some plastic card printers offer the ability to encode magnetic stripes, smart cards, or contactless chips. This can be useful for creating cards with additional features, such as access to restricted areas, payment for goods and services, or participation in bonus programs. If you need these features, make sure the printer you choose supports them.
4. Software
Plastic card printers often come with card design and print management software. Make sure the software integrates seamlessly with your existing system and has an intuitive interface. It's also important to check if the software supports mass printing, automatic card personalization, and exporting data from your databases.
5. Print speed and tray capacity
The print speed and tray capacity of your plastic card printer affect the productivity of your business. If you need to print a large number of cards in a short time, choose a printer with a fast print speed and a large card tray. Otherwise, you can save on printer cost by choosing a model with lower print speed and tray capacity.
6. Consumables
Consumables for plastic card printers, such as cards, transparencies, and ribbons, can be a significant part of the cost of using a printer. When choosing a printer, consider the cost of consumables and their compatibility with different types of cards. Also consider using universal consumables, which can lower your printer's operating costs.
7. Warranty and technical support
When choosing a plastic card printer, pay attention to the terms of the warranty and the availability of technical support. A good warranty and support can save you time and money if you experience problems with your printer. Also consider training staff and getting advice on using the printer and optimizing card printing processes.
Conclusion: Plastic card printers are a useful tool for today's businesses, allowing you to create ID cards, discount cards, gift certificates and other types of plastic cards. When choosing a printer, consider your business needs, print technology, encoding options, software, print speed, tray capacity, supplies, warranty, and technical support. A careful study of all these factors will help you choose the best plastic card printer that will fit your requirements and budget.
When a plastic card printer is selected, pay attention to proper operation and maintenance of the equipment. Regular cleaning and replacement of consumables will help maintain print quality and prolong the life of your printer. The introduction of a plastic card printer in your business will help simplify management processes and increase customer efficiency, improving their satisfaction and loyalty to your company.