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The world of printed ID cards comes with an almost overwhelming number of options. This is immediately apparent when it comes to the type of ID card. The ID card size is more significant than you think. The dimension of your ID card may be dictated by your ID printer, the card’s purpose and any required accessories.

At cards-x we offer a range of ID card dimensions to suit a variety of business and access control requirements. This can be anything from the credit card sized CR80 through to the CR100 which is mostly used for event passes.

Many smaller businesses are looking for new and smarter ways of meeting the ‘instant’ provision of services and solutions. This is being fuelled by the growth in digitisation and demand for enhanced security in all areas of people’s personal and work life.

Instant issuance ID cards are a printable solution that have a wide range of applications. They can be used for access and security, cashless payments, employee safety management, customer loyalty and many more to name but a few.

The average ID card printer costs in the region of £1,000. However, there are budget models available from as little as £550. The more advanced machines on the market meanwhile are priced between £3,000 and £5,000.

So why are card printers significantly more expensive than regular paper printers? The simple answer is that the printer head required to print onto a plastic card is much more sophisticated. It therefore costs a lot more for manufactures to develop, compared to key components in a paper printer.

Are you in need of some printed ID cards but unsure where to start? The biggest thing to consider is whether to invest in your very own ID card printer or get your ID cards printed by a third party.

Plastic card printing is considered by many to be a very specialised service. So it may come as a surprise how easily and cheaply printing ID cards at home can be. Commissioning a specialised printer will still be the best option for some. However, for the majority of businesses, purchasing a machine for printing plastic ID cards is the best investment in the long term.

It’s important to understand the differences between an edge-to-edge printer and over-the-edge machine, before you invest in a plastic card printer. The simplest difference is that an edge-to-edge printer leaves a plain border on the card, whilst an over-the-edge printer leaves no border at all.

The appearance of your card’s border is a key consideration but there are many more variables than this. That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to break down the key advantages and disadvantages of ETE and OTE printers. By the time you’ve read this, you’ll have a much clearer picture on the type of card printer that is right for your business.