Top ID Card Printers of 2023

Are you searching for the best ID card printing technology for your business? With such a wide selection of models to choose from, it can be hard to pinpoint what is the best ID card printer for the job.

Our list picks out the finest models available in 2023 (For our 2024 update take a look at our latest article). These highly adaptable printers feature the most cutting-edge technology and the latest security features.

In recent times, ID printers have become even more affordable for businesses large and small. Increasingly, they are also giving organisations the flexibility to upgrade features of their machine as their needs for ID cards change and grow.

Because no individual’s requirements are the exact same, we’ve rounded up our top printers for four key categories. This will make it even easier for you to find the right ID printer for your business.

Contents

Budget ID Printers – Need to source a card printer on a tight budget? Look no further than our top list of entry level models, which will deliver the biggest bang for your buck.

High Security ID Printers – Is the security of your ID cards a key requirement for your company? These sophisticated machines will best protect your cards and data against the risk of fraud.

High Volume ID Printers – These speedy printers are the best choice for organisations who frequently produce a large amount of ID cards.

New ID Printers – You can be assured that these cutting-edge printer models offer the very latest ID printing technology. Browse our top picks.

The Best Budget ID Card Printers

1. Matica MC110

Price (Starting From):

£995.00 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single and dual sided printer
• Prints 150 colour cards / 700 monochrome cards per hour
• USB connectivity

Best features:

• Smart card encoding option
• User friendly, ‘plug & print’ operation
• Upgradable from single to Dual-sided

 

2. Zebra ZC100

Price:

£695.00 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer
• Prints 150 colour cards / 700 monochrome cards per hour
• USB, ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity

Best features:

• Ultra-slim design that fits anywhere
• Easy to set up with no configuration required
• Simple user interface makes printing a breeze

 

3. Evolis Zenius

Price:

£669.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer
• Prints 150 colour cards / 450 monochrome cards per hour
• USB and ethernet connectivity

Best features:

• Compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems
• Automatic or manual feeding
• 3-year warranty included as standard

 

4. HID Fargo DTC1250e

Price:

£1,109.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer
• Prints 150 colour cards / 600 monochrome cards per hour
• USB and ethernet connectivity

Best features:

• A wide range of add-on features available such as dual sided printing and WiFi
• Energy efficient performance with a GreenCircle certification
• 3 year warranty included as standard

 

5. Entrust Sigma DS1

Price:

£1,295 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer
• Prints 175 colour cards per hour
• USB connectivity

Best features:

• Secure boot up and data encryption
• Sleek design with variable light LED ring
• 3-year warranty included as standard

 

6. Dascom DC-2300

Price:

£901.95 (EX VAT)

 

 

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer (Dual available)
• Prints 180 colour cards per hour/ 900 monochrome cards per hour
• USB 2.0 and Ethernet connectivity

Best features:

• Edge-to-edge printing
• Built with a robust metal frame and compact design
• Easy to use

 

7. Javelin DNA

Price (Starting from):

£685.95 (EX VAT)

 

Key stats:

• Single to dual-sided field upgrades available
• 180-200 colour cards per hour / 800 monochrome cards per hour
• USB Connectivity (Wifi option)

Best features:

• Compact and streamlined desktop format
• LCD screen displays printer status and diagnostics
• Easy to change ribbon and thermal print head

 

8. Javelin DNA Pro

Price (Starting from):

£756.95 (EX VAT)

 

Key stats:

• Single to dual-sided field upgrades available
• 180-200 colour cards per hour / 800 monochrome cards per hour
• Automatic card feed as standard

Best features:

• Contact and contactless smart card encoding
• Input hopper 100 cards, output hopper 60 cards
• 30 month warranty

The Best High Security ID Card Printers

9. Matica MC660

Price:

£5,157.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• HD retransfer single sided card printer with built-in laminator
• Premium 600 DPI print quality gives you the ability to print micro text
• An industry leading retransfer printing speed of 170 cards per hour

Best features:

• Extra visual security with holographic watermarks and UV elements
• Giant capacity with a 250-card input and output hopper, suitable for all card types
• 3-year warranty and lifetime printer head warranty

 

10. Zebra ZC350

Price:

£1,133.00 (EX VAT)

Key facts:

• Dual sided edge-to-edge card printer
• Prints 150 colour cards and 500 monochrome cards per hour
• 300 DPI print quality

Best features:

• Government grade encryption and visual security elements printing
• A range of encoding options for contact, contactless and magnetic stripe cards
• Supports speciality print ribbons for card effects such as colour shifting graphics

 

11. Matica MC310 & MC-L2 Lamination Module

Price:

£3,822.95 (£1,395.00 for ID Printer and £2,427.95 for laminator - EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Single sided direct to card ID printer with built-in UV and watermark technology
• Prints 180 colour cards and 850 monochrome cards per hour
• Use Matica YMCKSc security ribbons to print extra visual security elements

Best features:

• Easy integration with MC-L2 for enhanced security and card longevity
• Easily upgrade to dual sided, WiFi connectivity and smart card encoding
• The printer comes with a 4-year warranty as standard

 

12. Matica XID8600

Price:

£5,232.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• HD dual sided retransfer ID printer
• Extremely high resolution 600 DPI print quality
• Prints up to 120 cards per hour (single-sided)

Best features:

• Easily configurable for any module such as smart code encoding
• Advanced security with electronic and Kensington locks and IPsec data encryption 
• High resolution supports printing of micro text and other sophisticated graphics

 

13. Matica MC-L Stand Alone Card Laminator

Price:

£2,427.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Single sided or dual sided laminator
• Prints up to 150 cards per hour (single-sided)
• Quick heating process laminates both sides of cards in less than 20 seconds

Best features:

• Provides an extra layer of security with holographic laminates
• Physical security with Kensington lock and hopper locks
• The lamination process extends the durability of ID cards

 

14. Dascom DC-7600

Price:

£2,845.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Dual sided, over the edge retransfer card printer
• Prints 144 colour cards (single sided) and 65 colour cards (dual sided) per hour
• Ultra-sharp 600 DPI image quality

Best features:

• The print quality is immense with photo quality 600 DPI imagery
• High-capacity input hopper with space for 250 ID cards
• Top security features including RFID ribbons, card feeder lock and watermarks

The Best High Volume ID Card Printers

15. Matica MC660

Price:

£5,157.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• An industry best retransfer printing speed of 170 cards per hour
• High definition retransfer single sided card printer with laminator
• Premium 600 DPI print quality

Best features:

• Giant capacity with space for 250 cards in both the input and output hoppers
• Extra visual security with holographic watermarks and UV elements
• 3-year warranty and lifetime print head warranty

 

16. Matica XID 8300

Price:

£3,287.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Capacity to print 120 colour cards per hour
• Matica’s best selling retransfer ID printer
• Print over the edge designs on plastic cards

Best features:

• Large 100 card output and 200 card input hoppers
• Prints on a wide range of materials (including PVC, ABS, PET)
• A 3-year warranty and lifetime print head warranty

 

17. Dascom DC-3300

Price:

£912.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct to card single sided ID card printer
• Prints 220 colour cards and 1,000 monochrome cards per hour
• A 100 card input hopper and 30 card output hopper

Best features:

• USB and ethernet connectivity
• Manual and auto card feeders
• RFID ribbon and custom watermarks security features

 

18. Zebra ZXP 7 Series

Price:

£1,699.00 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct to card single sided ID card printer
• Prints 300 colour and 1,375 monochrome cards per hour (single sided)
• A 200 card input hopper, 100 card output hopper and 15 card reject hopper

Best features:

• Very fast print speeds with reduced wait time and improved productivity
• USB and ethernet connectivity
• Fitted with a Kensington physical lock slot

 

19. Evolis Primacy

Price:

£1,215.00 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct to card single sided ID card printer
• Prints 225 colour and 900 monochrome cards per hour (single sided)
• A 100 card input hopper, 100 card output hopper, plus 50 card reject hopper

Best features: 

• Easily upgradable with additional lamination module and encoders
• Prints on a wide range of cards including PVC, PET and ABS
• 3-year warranty and lifetime printer head warranty

 

The Best New ID Card Printers 2023

20. Matica MC110

Price:

£995.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single and dual sided printer
• Prints 150 colour cards / 850 monochrome cards per hour
• USB connectivity

Best features:

• Smart card encoding option
• User friendly, ‘plug & print’ operation
• Upgradable from single to Dual-sided

 

21. Matica MC210

Price:

£1,195.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Upgradable from single to dual-sided
• Prints 180 colour cards per hour/ 1000 monochrome per hour
• USB and Ethernet capability

Best features:

• Multiple encoding options
• High Quality TruEdge 300dpi printing
• 3 years warranty

22. CX ECP-XL Event Card Printer

Price:

From £7,650.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer (Dual side available)
• Prints 180 colour cards per hour / 1400 monochrome cards per hour
• USB and Ethernet (optional) connectivity

Best features:

• Prints cards from 88 x 110mm to 140mm
• 300dpi Resolution
• Windows and Mac iOS Compatible

 

23. Dascom DC-2300

Price:

From £901.95 (EX VAT)

Key stats:

• Direct-to-card single sided printer (Dual side available)
• Prints 180 colour cards per hour / 900 monochrome cards per hour
• USB and Ethernet connectivity

Best features:

• 300 x 1200 dpi
• Automatic card feeder for 100 cards
• Edge-to-edge printing

 

Need more advice?

Contact us – Want to find out more about the best printers for printing on your ID cards? Speak to our friendly team today for expert, tailored advice, with no obligation to buy.  

ID Card Printers - Browse our full range of printers and learn more about the different card printer features.

ID card lamination - Learn more about the great benefits of laminating ID cards.

Choosing the right ID printer ribbon - Read our guide to printer ribbons, which explains how to choose the right consumables for your card printer.

Card printer pricing – Our expert guide will give you a better understanding of the factors that affect card printer prices and running costs.

 

About Andy Reeves and Cards-X

Andy has over 20 years of experience in the security and ID printing industry. He is Managing Director of Cards-X (UK). We are a trusted UK distributor of ID card printers, based in the Yorkshire town of Malton.

Cards-X offer a comprehensive selection of printers from the world’s finest manufacturers, as well as a low-price promise across our range. We can also offer a next day delivery service and free delivery on all orders over £250.

Disclaimer: All the printer prices stated above are correct as of 09/08/2023 and are based on standard packages with no additional printer options.