Best ID Card printers: Reviews, Buying Guide, and FAQs 2023

Having a means of identification is a very big thing in the world we live in. Thanks, of course, to advancements in technology and data management.

Asides from being able to identify who an individual is, a means of identification also provides security assurances. As a result, a means of identification is important for everyone. Whether it is for individuals or businesses or organizations, an official ID is necessary.

ID Cards are often produced in large quantities or batches. Even more interesting is the fact that they are always in high demand. This situation means that the need to produce them as fast as possible takes precedence. Fortunately, we have ID card printers to solve this problem.

Many organizations often print ID cards for their organizations in batches. More often than not, they order their identity cards in high quantities from reputable vendors. Some organizations even have a technical department to produce their brand cards whenever it is needed.

ID Card Printers offer a handy alternative to businesses that cannot afford to make big orders at once. In such a case, having access to a printer that can produce a professional identity card helps save time and money. The only worrying issue with these printers is that there are too many different brands to choose from. Knowing the right one for your business or organization can be the difference between spending more money than you should.

Editors' Picks: Top ID Card Printers in 2023

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Magicard Pronto ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software -...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Fargo DTC1250e Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bronze...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Badgy100 ID Card Printer with Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software - Bronze...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Evolis Primacy Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Supplies Bundle Badge Machine (PM1H0000RD)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Magicard Pronto ID Card Printer & Super Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software, Camera,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Magicard 300 Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Magicard 300 Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 8
  
  Fargo DTC4500e Dual Sided ID Card Printer
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 9
  
  Matica MC320 Direct-to-Card Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 10
  
  Zebra ZXP Series 3 Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno...
  Rating:

  
  

This post complies with all the information you need to know about ID card printers. With this in-depth guide, you will be able to make informed decisions by taking other users' reviews of an ID card printer into account.

Top 7 Best ID Card Printer Reviews 2023

NOTE: All these printers are available for purchase on Amazon.

1. Magicard Pronto Printer - Link

Top Features:

• Best for personal and small to medium business use
• Custom watermark designs to prevent unauthorized copying
• Comes with a photo ID camera that makes printing images fast and easy
• Compatible with Mac and Windows PC
• Includes 300 PVC cards on purchase
• User-friendly software

When it comes to printing identification cards, this is arguably the best on the market.

It comes with every feature you need to make any variety of ID cards whilst having a compact size. Its compactness makes it easy to store around the house or office. From photo cards to ID cards, to membership and loyalty cards, Magicard Pronto lets you do it all without any extra dramatics.

This machine only prints on one side of the card at once. It uses a full-color ribbon and comes with user-friendly software. It also comes with 300 PVC cards on purchase. For cards that require adding individual photos, this printer comes with a dedicated camera just for that. In other words, you can either take an original photo with the machine or use a preexisting one.

One interesting feature we do love about this machine is its ability to print black and white cards as well as colored photo cards. Depending on the color format you want the printer to print in, it could take between 29 to 35 seconds to print a card.

Magicard Pronto comes with an informative user manual that details how to operate it. The printer is compatible with both Windows and Mac PC. Thanks to its LCD screen and dedicated USB port, connecting the printer to an external source is no problem.

For organizations that require extra security means to prevent unauthorized printing of their cards, the machine comes with four editable watermark designs.

Magicard pronto is only suitable for personal and small to medium business use. This is because it can only print about 500 cards a year before requiring maintenance. Regardless, all cards produced using this machine are very durable and of quality make.

The most common type of cards printed using this machine includes hotel and motels door key cards, student IDs, employee IDs, membership cards, promotion cards as well as gift cards.

2. Evolis Badgy100 Color Plastic ID card Printer - Link

Best Features:

• Encode cards
• Supports Mac and Windows computer
• Design save feature
• Patented software that regularly receives updates to increase efficiency.

For the best encoded plastic Identification card, the Evolis Badgy100 Color printer should be your number one choice.

This printer not only lets you print all types of IDs, but it also lets you seamlessly encode the card. The machine is mostly used to print photo IDs as well as on-demand cards needed within a short deadline. On purchase of this printer, you also receive 50 blank printable cards to get you started.

Among the many features the printer comes with, one handy feature you'll quickly fall in love with is its notification system. The system notifies you when anything important is happening. For instance, you get notified if the printer's ribbon is about to run out. The printer has an ergonomic build that makes it easy to handle or carry around.

Another cool feature we can't but mention again is the printer's patented software that lets it encode a card. From photos to name to signatures to barcodes, the software gives you all the tools you need to design your cards to your taste. The software even has a database system where you store designs for future re-use.

The only downside of this printer is that it takes a while to print out full-color IDs. A card can take at least 45 minutes. That aside, it is an easy-to-use printer that you do not need any technical know-how to operate. Besides, it comes with a detailed manual to get you through any issues you might encounter while operating it.

As with most of the popular ID card printing machines on this list, the Evolis Badgy100 supports both Windows and Mac PC.

3. Magicard Enduro 3e ID Card Printer - Link

Top Features:

• Prints very fast. Can print monochrome cards within 7 seconds
• Easy to use software
• Supports Ethernet and USB
• Free 100 printable cards included on purchase
• Can do monochrome and multi-colored prints
• Can print on both sides of a card at once

The Magicard Enduro 3e printer is mostly suitable for printing membership cards, loyalty cards, and student ID cards. However, it is an efficient printer and would print other types of cards you need. It can do both single and double-page color printing at the same time.

It comes with software that enables it to print multicolored images on cards. It offers value for money for any small or medium-sized business that can afford it.

On purchase, 100 printable cards are included in the package. It has simple, easy-to-use software and uses a full-color ribbon. It prints cards very fast and often takes about 25 seconds to print a card. The Magicard Enduro 3e ID card printer can also print cards in monochrome color at an even faster speed. The printer speed is due to its use of DTC technology.

One cool feature you will enjoy on this machine is its Ethernet and USB capabilities. With the two, you can use the printer with any computer, provided they are connected to the same network.

For businesses looking to add a touch of security to their cards, Magicard Enduro 3e lets users add watermark to the print thanks to its HoloKote technology. What's even better is that you do not have to pay any extra dime to do this.

When it comes to ID card customization, there are so many options to choose from. You can also add as much information as you want to your card by editing preloaded design templates.

Asides from being easy to use, the printer also comes with a webcam. The webcam lets you take sharp photos to be used for an ID Card. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.

4. Fargo DTC1250e ID Card Printer - Link

Best Features:

• Can print up to 150 badges within an hour. Has a printing speed of about 16 seconds (full-color print)
• Provides crisp and clear IDs
• Comes with an HD camera to take pictures
• Connects to ethernet and Wi-FI
• Optional use of Eco cartridge ribbons

As the name implies, the Fargo DTC1250e printer uses direct-to-card technology when printing cards. In other words, it prints images, photos, or text directly on a PVC card.

The DTC1250e printer is just one of many ID card printers from the Fargo brand. Fargo is reputed for producing the fastest ID card printing machines on the market. Coupled with quality graphics rendering, the DTC1250e is a reliable business machine.

The Fargo DTC1250e comes in both monochrome and color versions. This means you will have to purchase the one that bests support your needs. It is capable of printing only on one side of a card at a time. It can print about 600 monochrome cards in a year.

The machine supports USB connectivity as well as ethernet capabilities. This means you can transfer data from your PC to the printer without any issues. The machine also has an HD camera to take clear and crisp images when a photo is required on the card.

One cool thing we particularly loved about this printer is that it can print on almost any time of card. However, depending on the thickness of the cards, it could take longer to complete printing.

Fargo also gives users a couple of refilling options for the first time they run out of ribbon. In addition, the company also includes 300 high-quality PVC cards so you can get started as soon as you unbox the printer.

Lastly, the printer has a premium package that lets you encode data on a magnetic strip of your cards. There is even an option in the premium package that makes the printer print on both sides of the card at once. To use any of these features, you will have to pay.

5. Evolis Primacy Dual-Sided ID Card Printer - Link

Best Features:

• Suitable for large batch printing.
• Can print 100 cards at once.
• Supports USB and Ethernet usage.
• Compatible with Bodno Silver Edition

Evolis printers are one of the best brands on the ID card printing machine market. Their printers are notable for being powerful, reliable, and even impressive in terms of design.

The Evolis Primacy printer is suitable for medium to large businesses as it can efficiently handle large batch printing. It can literally print 100 cards at once.

The machine is capable of printing 210 colors ID cards in an hour. It is super easy to use and it comes with an impressive notification system. It also has an LED screen that lets you know whatever process is going on in the machine. Even error codes appear on the LED screen so you can know what to troubleshoot for.

It comes with Ethernet and USB capabilities as well as premium features that you have to pay to unlock. Some of the premium features include encoding, dual-sided printing, etc.

6. Complete AlphaCard ID badge Printer - Link

Top Features:

• Fast printing tanks to DTC technology.
• Comes with 100 printable blank cards.
• Supports Encoding.
• Can Prints a card within 7 seconds.
• Perfect for low-volume business or individual printing.

The AlphaCard ID badge printer should be your go-to if you are mostly concerned with printing captivating membership and loyalty cards. It is suitable for small, and medium-sized businesses. It is pretty efficient and is quite portable to handle.

The machine can print a card in monochrome within 7 seconds. However, it takes about 35 seconds to print a card in full-color mode. The biggest downside to this machine is that you have to insert each card one after the other for printing.

On purchase, the brand includes 100 high-quality blank cards to get you started. The printer uses DTC technology since it prints directly on cards using dye sublimation.

To prevent the illegal reprinting of cards, you can customize a watermark to your print design. Even with its limitations, the software allows data encoding on cards to further secure them.

That said, the printer comes with pretty limited software. In other words, the software does not have any internal database. You cannot save your designs and reuse them when next you want to print. This marks it as a machine that is not suitable for heavy-duty office work. Unless of course, you are ready to key in the same data multiple times per day.

7. IDP Smart-21 ID card printer - Link

Top Features:

• Fast and efficient.
• Enhanced fine image technology for edge-to-edge card printing.
• Can print up to 156 single colors every hour.

Easily one of the best printers on the market, the IDP Smart 21 ID card printer is a quick and reliable machine. It comes with intuitive software that lets you do QR code mapping among other things.

It does not come with an integrated camera, but it has a port where you can connect an external camera to. It also supports uploading photos. The printer software comes with a database that you can remotely update and use whenever you want to print a card. The default software does not support Mac PC. However, you can always install compatible Mac OS software to use your Mac PC with the printer.

The printer is suitable for printing Employee and student IDs, as well as membership cards.

Buying Guide for the Best ID Card Printer

Before our in-depth discussion of the different brands of ID card printers, it is important to know what to look for. Yes, the basic thing you need the printer to do is print identity cards. By this criteria, all the ID card printers on this list check that box. However, there are other factors to consider before buying a printer that prints ID cards.

Size of Printer

As ambiguous as this might sound, it doesn't make it any less important. Assessing the amount of space you have to keep the printer will go a long way in helping you manages your office or room. The available space must be easily accessible to make using the machine convenient. You don't want to keep your printer on the floor or in a dusty area when it is not in use. s

Quantity of cards to print

How often you want to plan to use any tech gadget is always important to consider. It can help go a long way in deciding which gadget offers the best value for money. It would not be a wise decision to purchase an expensive gadget with more capabilities than what you need.

This same notion goes for ID card printers. Each printer comes with a different production capacity. It is best to understand how many cards you plan to produce and how fast you would want them.

TIP: The type of cards you want to produce might not only be limited to identity cards. If your organization also offers loyalty cards to recurring customers, you need to consider them when making your decision. How many cards you plan to print each year is important to note.

Printing Speed

This is basically how fast the printer can print out cards. All ID card printers have varying printing speeds. Some take less than 10 seconds to complete printing a card. Others take as long as 40 seconds to do it.

Each printer also has varying speeds depending on how many colors the card will have. In other words, whether the card would have monochrome or multi-colored print.

NOTE: The speed of many printers often affects how many cards they can print before needing maintenance.

Card Design

The designs you want to have on your card also influence the type of printer to buy. Some printers can do double-sided printing while others can only do one side.

So depending on how much information you want your organization card to hold, it is best to understand the capabilities of each printer.

Color

As earlier stated, the color a printer prints in affects the speed. As a result of these, some brands simply make their printers print in a single color. Some printers can only even print in black. Some printers can print in as many colors as you can think up.

Software model

Each printer comes with software that allows it to operate the way it is. The type of software helps determine the templates you can select for your ID cards.

All printers either use Direct-to-Card (DTC) or reverse transfer technology.

Printers using DTC technology can print very fast. The printers use a process known as dye-sublimation to print on cards. With this process, DTC printers can print directly on printing material. The only drawback is that there is always a thin white border around the content printed on the image.

Reverse transfer technology printers on the other hand do not print directly on cards. Instead, they transfer text, image, or both onto clear films. The image or text is always printed in reverse or mirror form. Next, the printer applies heat and enough pressure to transfer the intended graphics to the card.

DTC Printers allow users to control the color and temperature of the printer during printing. Reverse transfer printers though only print sharp and bright images. There is no setting to control their sharpness. Reverse transfer printers also do not print cards as fast as DTC printers.

Card encoding

This is the ability of printers to store crucial data inside an ID card. Most printers do not come with this feature. It is a premium feature and only for organizations that can churn out the money for it.

Thus, if for whatever reason your organization needs a card that stores the information of the holder without giving too much information on the surface, printers with encoding capabilities are your best bet.

The Different Types of ID Card Printers Available on the Market

There are a few different types of ID card printers available on the market. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a breakdown of the different types of ID card printers:

Dye-sublimation printers

Dye-sublimation printers are some of the most popular types of ID card printers. They are affordable and produce high-quality cards. However, they can be slow and require expensive ribbons.

Thermal transfer printers

Thermal transfer printers are faster than dye-sublimation printers and don't require expensive ribbons. However, they can be more expensive and the quality of the cards may not be as good.

Laser printers

Laser printers are the most expensive type of ID card printer, but they produce the highest quality cards. They are also very fast and can be used to print both sides of the card. However, they require special toner that can be expensive.

Choose the type of ID card printer that is right for your needs by considering the speed, cost, and quality of the cards.

The Benefits of Using an ID Card Printer

An ID card printer can provide a number of benefits for your business. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Increased security

An ID card printer can help you create custom ID cards for employees and other authorized personnel. This can help increase security by ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to your building or facility.

2. Convenience

With an ID card printer, you can create ID cards on demand, which can save you time and hassle.

3. customization

You can use an ID card printer to create custom ID cards with any information you need, such as employee names, photos, contact information, and more. This can help you create a more professional and streamlined appearance for your organization.

4. Efficiency

An ID card printer can help you streamline your identification process, making it faster and easier for employees to access the information they need.

5. Cost savings

By using an ID card printer, you can save time and money by printing ID cards in-house rather than outsourcing the task. This can also help you ensure that your ID cards are consistent in appearance and quality.

As you can see, there are many benefits to using an ID card printer for your business. If you're looking for a way to improve security, convenience, and efficiency, an ID card printer is a great solution. Contact us today to learn more about our printers and how they can benefit your organization.

Expert Tips to Keep Your ID Card Printer in Good Working Conditions

An ID card printer is a great investment for any business. Not only do they allow you to create professional-looking IDs for your employees, but they can also be used for a variety of other purposes, such as creating membership cards or loyalty cards.

If you have recently purchased an ID card printer or are thinking about doing so, it is important to know how to care for it properly. Here are some expert tips:

1. Keep the printer clean

The printer should be cleaned on a regular basis using a soft cloth and a mild detergent. Be sure to avoid getting any liquid inside the printer itself.

2. Never touch the printhead nozzles

If dirt or dust gets on the nozzles, it can cause printing problems.

3. Keep the printer in a cool, dry place

Excessive heat or humidity can damage the printer.

4. Never use alcohol or other solvents to clean the printer

These chemicals can damage the printer's internal components.

5. Make sure that you always have the latest driver and firmware updates for your printer

Updating the driver and firmware can help improve printer performance and fix any potential issues.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your ID card printer lasts for many years to come.

FAQs about ID Card Printers

What type of ID card can a printer print?

The type of ID card your printer prints depends on the type of Printer it is. For the most part, a big percentage of ID card printers on the market can print on PVC cards. Some unique ones can print on cards with magnetic chips embedded in them.

Is Laminating ID Cards good or bad?

There is no simple answer to this question as the benefits and drawbacks of laminating ID cards depend on the specific situation. In some cases, laminating an ID card can improve its durability and security, while in others it can make the card more susceptible to damage. As with most things, there are pros and cons to laminating ID cards, so it is important to consider all of them before making a decision. Here are some of the key benefits and drawbacks of laminating ID cards:

Benefits:

• Laminating an ID card can improve its durability, making it less likely to be damaged or destroyed.
• Can also improve its security, making it more difficult to forge or tamper with.
• Can make it easier to read and identify.

Drawbacks:

• Laminating an ID card can make it more susceptible to damage, such as scratches or tears.
• Can also make it more difficult to update or change information on the card.
• Can be expensive and time-consuming.

So, is laminating an ID card a good or bad idea? The answer to that question depends on the specific situation. If you are looking for a way to improve the durability and security of an ID card, then laminating it may be a good option. However, if you are looking for a way to make the card easier to update or change information, then laminating it may not be the best choice. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not laminating an ID card is right for you.

Can I use my design on my ID Card printer?

Most of the ID card printers on the market come with USB and Ethernet support. This means you can design stuff yourself on your PC or download them online and use them in designing your ID card.

IS Encoding better on ID cards?

Encoding only helps further secure the information or identity of the person that owns the card. Only a decoder can decrypt the information encoded on a card's magnetic stripes.

Which is better? Single-Sided Printer or Dual-Sided Printer?

None takes precedence over the other. It is simply down to personal preference and the type of card you want to produce.

Buy on Etsy, Walmart, eBay (quality guaranteed)

Magicard Pronto ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software - - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Fargo DTC1250e Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bronze - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Badgy100 ID Card Printer with Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software - Bronze - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Evolis Primacy Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Supplies Bundle Badge Machine (PM1H0000RD) - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Magicard Pronto ID Card Printer & Super Supplies Package with Bodno ID Software, Camera, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Magicard 300 Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Magicard 300 Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno ID - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Fargo DTC4500e Dual Sided ID Card Printer - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Matica MC320 Direct-to-Card Single Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Zebra ZXP Series 3 Dual Sided ID Card Printer & Complete Supplies Package with Bodno - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Conclusion for ID Printer Buyers

We have looked at some of the best ID card printers on the market and what you need to consider when purchasing one. We also took a look at some frequently asked questions about ID card printing. Hopefully, this article has helped you make an informed decision about which printer is right for your needs. Do you have any questions that we didn't answer in this article? Let us know in the comments below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.