WHAT ID CARD PRINTER IS PERFECT FOR YOU BUSINESS?
Wide Range Of ID Badge Printers Available
ID card printers allow businesses, schools and organisations to print secure photo ID cards in-house. At cards-X, we supply professional ID card printers across the UK, helping customers create staff badges, membership cards and access control IDs with ease.
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UK BASED SUPPLIER
NEXT DAY DELIVERY
EXPERT ADVICE
INDUSTRY LEADING SUPPORT
LARGE RANGE OF CONSUMABLES
ID CARD PRINTERS
Cards-X UK Ltd supply of the biggest global brands of ID Card Printers from direct-to-card ID printers to retransfer ID card printers.
Official distributors for SwiftPro, Entrust, Zebra Technologies and Javelin ID badge printers, to name a few!
Buying your new Photo ID card printer doesn't have to be a complicated process, we are here to help you through the jargon and offer 25 years of advice to provide you with the best PVC card printer to suit your needs and budget.
Why not read our useful product guide to help you make the best decision on your ID card printer purchase. 3 Best ID Card Printers Of 2025
Entry Level
The Entrust Sigma DSE is an entry-level ID card printer designed for simple, secure in-house printing of professional photo ID cards. Ideal for small businesses, schools, and membership organisations, it offers reliable direct-to-card printing onto standard PVC cards. What makes it stand out is its ease of use and trusted Entrust security, allowing you to quickly produce staff ID badges, student cards, and visitor passes with consistent, high-quality results.
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Professional LEVEL
The Entrust Sigma DS2 is a professional-grade ID card printer engineered for organisations that demand high reliability, superior print quality, and advanced security features. Built for businesses with higher print volumes and more complex card programmes, the Sigma DS2 delivers exceptional direct-to-card printing with crisp text, vivid colour photos, and durable results every time. What sets the Sigma DS2 apart from entry-level ID card printers is its robust performance, enhanced security capabilities, and support for larger workflows. With faster print speeds, scalable validation options, and trusted Entrust build quality, it’s ideal for corporate ID cards, long-lasting staff badges, and secure access credentials where consistency and reliability matter most.
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HIgh Definition Printer
The SwiftPro K65 is a high-definition retransfer ID card printer designed for organisations that demand exceptional print quality, durability, and security. Moving beyond entry-level and standard professional printers, the K65 uses advanced retransfer printing technology to produce flawless, edge-to-edge ID cards with outstanding clarity, colour depth, and consistency on both PVC and smart cards. What truly sets the SwiftPro K65 apart is its ability to create photo-realistic ID cards with full over-the-edge coverage and enhanced resistance to wear and fading. Its reliable performance on contactless, RFID, and high-security card types makes it ideal for environments where image quality, card longevity, and secure credentials are critical. Built for demanding applications, the SwiftPro K65 delivers a premium, high-definition ID card solution you can rely on.
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COMPLETE CUSTOMISATION
The Zebra ZC10L is one of the most trusted event card printers for creating vibrant, oversized badges and passes directly on site. Designed specifically for large-scale events, it’s capable of printing edge-to-edge, full-colour cards (88mm x 140mm) in a single pass, perfect for producing VIP passes, crew credentials, and branded attendee badges quickly and professionally.
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HAPPY CUSTOMERS
Check our range of ID card printers available
VIEW ALL ID CARD PRINTERS
Simple One Sided Printing
Single Sided Printers
A single-sided ID card printer is a cost-effective solution for printing professional ID cards on one side of a PVC card. It’s ideal for staff ID badges, visitor passes, student cards, and membership cards where essential details are printed on the front only.
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Prints Both Sides
Dual Sided Printers
A dual-sided ID card printer is ideal for organisations that need to print professional ID cards on both sides of a PVC card. This allows additional information such as barcodes, QR codes, terms, or security features to be printed on the reverse, while keeping the front clean and professional.
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Cost-effective Printing
Direct-To-Card Printers
A direct-to-card ID card printer prints directly onto the surface of a PVC card, leaving a small white border around the edge of the card. This makes it a reliable and cost-effective solution for everyday ID card printing, ideal for organisations producing staff ID badges, student cards, and membership cards with standard designs.
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Over-the-edge Printing
Retransfer Printers
A retransfer ID card printer uses a two step printing process, first printing the image onto a clear film then bonding it to the card surface. This method delivers high ID card print quality, and over the edge coverage. Retransfer printers are ideal for organisations that require high-security, professional-grade ID cards.
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High Definition Output
High Definition Printers
A high-definition ID card printer delivers exceptional ID card print quality, producing sharp images with rich colour, and over the edge coverage. With 600 DPI printing, these printers can produce security features such as microtext, making them ideal for secure ID card applications. Using technologies like retransfer, high-definition printers are built for environments where card quality, durability, and security matter most.
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On Demand Printing
Event Printers
An event ID card printer is designed for fast, on-demand ID card printing at festivals, and live sport events. These printers allow badges to be produced quickly, often on pre-printed cards, ensuring efficient attendee accreditation. Event printers are ideal for high-volume, time-critical environments where speed, flexibility, and reliability are essential.
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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES?
Direct-To-Card (DTC)
Direct-to-card (DTC) ID card printers print directly onto the surface of standard PVC cards, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for organisations that need to produce professional ID cards quickly and in-house. This technology is ideal for businesses, schools, and clubs looking for a straightforward way to issue staff or student ID cards without a large upfront investment.
WHAT IS OUR DTC PRINTER RECOMMENDATION?
The Entrust DSE – A dependable, entry-level ID card printer designed for everyday badge printing, offering simple operation for small to medium card volumes.
Affordable entry-level and mid-range options to suit most budgets
Fast print speeds for efficient day-to-day card production
Simple setup and user-friendly operation
Ideal for staff ID cards, student badges, and membership cards
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RETRANSFER
Retransfer ID card printers deliver premium-quality results by printing the image onto a clear retransfer film before bonding it to the card surface. This advanced printing process produces sharp, vibrant, edge-to-edge prints, making retransfer technology the ideal choice for organisations that require high-security, professional-grade ID cards.
WHAT IS OUR RETRANSFER PRINTER RECOMMENDATION?
The SwiftPro K65 – A powerful retransfer ID card printer designed for secure and demanding environments, offering outstanding image clarity, over-the-edge printing, and reliable performance for professional ID card programmes.
Over the edge printing with no white borders
Superior image quality for detailed photos, logos, and text
Reliable printing on smart cards, RFID, and contactless media
Highly durable cards with increased resistance to wear and fading
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INKJET
Inkjet ID card printing technology uses advanced inkjet systems to produce high-resolution, full-colour ID cards, often at high speeds and low running costs. Designed for high-volume environments, inkjet printers are well suited to organisations that need to issue large numbers of cards quickly without compromising on image quality.
WHAT IS OUR DTC PRINTER RECOMMENDATION?
The Swiftcolor SCC4000D – A dual-sided inkjet ID card printer capable of producing vibrant, high-quality cards at speed, making it ideal for events, visitor management, and high-volume issuance.
Brilliant print quality with rich colours and smooth gradients
Low cost per card for large-scale printing
High-speed production for busy environments
Supports environmentally friendly inks and recyclable card options
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WHat are the benefits of Purchasing an ID card Printer VS OUTSOURCED ID CARDS?
Investing in your own employee ID card printer gives your organisation complete control over the ID badge process, allowing you to create secure, professional cards whenever you need them. Instead of relying on external suppliers and waiting for delivery, an in-house printer lets you issue cards instantly, protect sensitive data, and reduce long-term costs. Whether you're onboarding new staff, replacing lost cards, or updating designs, having your own printer ensures fast, flexible and reliable card production tailored to your business needs.
Immediate Replacements – Quickly reprint lost, damaged or updated cards without waiting for a supplier.
Enhanced Security – Keep all employee data in-house and eliminate external handling of sensitive information
Lower Long-Term Costs – Reduce cost per card significantly compared to outsourced printing.
Full Design Flexibility – Easily update branding, layouts, security features, or card technology whenever needed.
Instant Card Issuance – Print brand new or replacement cards on demand with no delays.
Improved Efficiency – Streamline onboarding and internal processes across HR, security and facilities teams.
Professional, High-Quality Output – Produce durable, consistent and visually polished ID badges in seconds.
Scalable for Any Size Organisation – From small offices to large enterprises, print as many cards as you need, whenever you need them.
FAQs
Depending on the voulme of cards printed the best ID card printer for small businesses can vary If you are looking for a extremly secure option the Entrust DSE is your go to. However if you are looking for effciency and cost effectiveness then the Zebra ZC100 is a great option with our bundle coming with everything you need to start printing.
The cost of an ID card printer goes beyond the initial purchase price and includes ongoing running and consumable costs. One of the main factors is printer consumables, as costs vary depending on the printing technology used.
For direct-to-card ID card printers, ribbon costs typically range from £30 to £60, allowing you to print around 250 card sides. Retransfer ID card printers require two consumables, a print ribbon and a retransfer film, both of which are needed to produce a card. Combined, these usually cost between £180 and £400, enabling the printing of 1,000 card sides.
Additional costs such as cleaning kits and maintenance consumables should also be considered, as regular cleaning is recommended when changing ribbons to maintain print quality and extend printer lifespan. If you’d like help understanding the true running costs, our team is happy to assess whether an ID card printer is a cost-effective solution for your organisation.
ID cards are generally printed using specialist ID card printing software that works with an ID card printer to design, personalise, and manage card production. For most organisations, CardPresso is a popular choice thanks to its intuitive design tools, database connectivity, and compatibility with leading ID card printers. For larger organisations or those with advanced security and centralised control requirements, Entrust’s IDaaS cloud solution offers a scalable, enterprise-level platform for managing secure ID issuance across multiple locations.
Yes, modern ID card printers are designed with security in mind. Professional and high-end models offer features such as secure data handling, user authentication, and compatibility with secure software platforms. When combined with trusted ID card software and proper access controls, ID card printers allow organisations to produce secure photo ID cards and access credentials safely in-house.
Printing an ID card typically takes between 20 and 40 seconds, depending on the printer type and card design. Entry-level and professional direct-to-card printers are ideal for fast, everyday badge printing, while high-definition retransfer printers may take slightly longer due to their advanced print process. For most organisations, ID cards can be produced quickly and on demand.
ID card printers require minimal maintenance when used correctly. Routine tasks such as cleaning the printer and replacing ribbons or consumables help ensure consistent print quality and reliable performance. Most modern ID card printers are designed for easy upkeep, and with regular care, they will continue to produce professional ID cards for years.
If you need your ID cards to store data for access control or security, it’s important to choose an ID card printer that supports card encoding. Look for printers that can encode magnetic stripe, smart cards, or contactless RFID cards, depending on your system requirements. Not all ID card printers include encoding as standard, so you should also consider compatibility with your access control software and the level of security needed. Choosing the right encoding options ensures your ID cards can be used seamlessly for identification and secure access.
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