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ID Card Printer and Photo Identification News from ID Wholesaler

Are Corporate 1000 Cards Right for You?

If you spend a lot of time making sure that you are not ordering duplicate access cards and want to boost your card security, Corporate 1000 cards may be a good option.

Corporate 1000 cards offer a number of benefits. For one, they are flexible and secure in that you have complete control over the card format. Each Corporate 1000 customer is guaranteed strict confidential protection for a minimum of one million uniquely formatted cards. With over 137 billion unique codes, you can rest easy knowing that your card format is ultra secure.

In addition to the exclusive ownership rights, Corporate 1000 cards are durable and resistant to cracking and breaking, offer an extremely consistent read range, and are easy to administer. An external number provides easy control and identification while a cross-reference list correlates the external card number to the programmed ID number.

Ordering Corporate 1000 cards is easy! ID Wholesaler will work with HID on your behalf to establish a format that is unique to your organization. You simply need to provide written authorization for us to source the cards for you. Before switching to Corporate 1000 cards, you will need to confirm that your access control system is capable of supporting the 35-bit Corporate 1000 format.

To learn more about Corporate 1000 cards, give an ID Professional a call at (800) 321-4405. If you’re ready to make the switch, shop Corporate 1000 cards now!

How to Choose an ID Card Printer {Video}

ID Card MakerThere many options when it comes to choosing an ID card printer. Choosing the right ID card maker for your needs can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re new to card printing.

To make the process of shopping for a card printer a bit easier, watch this short video! It addresses the the top five questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a printer.

To learn more about the options available in ID card makers, visit the ID card printer page on ID Wholesaler or contact an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405.

New Edition of Fargo HDP5000 Now Available

A new and improved edition of the ever-popular Fargo HDP5000 ID card printer is now available at ID Wholesaler! The new edition sports the same tried and true features of the original edition with the following updates…

What’s Different in the New Fargo 89600 HDP5000?

  • Greater peace of mind for users – new industry-leading, three-year warranty
  • Simplified management of multiple card types – field-upgradable single or dual card input hopper option
  • Increased card throughput – faster print speed with up to 150 cards per hour
  • Greater data security – AES256 data encryption and resin ribbon erase
  • Improved regional compatibility – upgraded LED displays status in multiple languages
  • More economical prints – new low-cost, YMCK half-panel ribbon

More on the Fargo HDP5000

Fargo HDP5000 printers offer the ultimate in versatility and flexibility, making them ideal for a variety of applications. HDP5000 features retransfer printing technology, also known as reverse transfer printing. Retransfer printers print card images to clear retransfer film that is then fused to the surface of a card with intense heat. This type of printing process allows the HDP5000 to print rich, vibrant images that flood the entire surface of your cards. It also allows you to print images to cards with uneven surfaces, such as prox cards, smart cards, perforated cards, and more.

Want to Learn More?

Both editions of the Fargo HDP5000 ID card printer are currently available at ID Wholesaler, although the original edition has a limited supply at a slightly lower price. If you have questions about the HDP5000 or would like to discuss if the HDP5000 is the best fit for your organization, call one of our friendly ID Professionals at (800) 321-4405.

What Does CR8030 Mean?

I am often asked: “what exactly does CR8030 mean in regard to ID cards?” Instead of my stock answer (“it’s credit card-sized”), I thought I’d go into a little more detail.

The “CR80″ part usually refers to a card that has the dimensions of 85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.370 × 2.125 in) and rounded corners with a radius of 2.88–3.48 mm. (Thanks, Wikipedia.) Back in the day, there were also CR90 and CR100 cards, but those cards are virtually extinct.

Are you following me so far?

Next,  the “30″ part is actually a mil thickness. It is not a metric measurement and does NOT equal a millimeter as some may think. A mil is actually equal to 0.001 inch. So, a 30 mil card is 0.030 inches thick. That’s 3/100 of an inch thick.

Now that I have laid out the facts about CR8030 cards, you may be asking yourself: self, how does this apply to my card printing?

Quite simply, almost all of the card printers we carry accept a standard CR8030 card size. Once you realize this, you can then start investigating some of the numerous options we carry for cards, such as proximity cards, colored cards, technology cards, etc. ID Wholesaler even offers pre-printed card options for your bulk card and special project needs.

If you are interested in exploring the wonderful world of CR8030 cards, feel free to contact one of our ID Card Professionals at (800) 321-4405 x 2.

Five Steps to Great ID Card Photos

Does your driver’s license photo make you cringe? Fortunately you can bury your license in your wallet. ID cards, on the other hand, will be worn every day for all to see. If you are responsible for taking your organization’s ID card photos, ensure great results with these simple tips.

1. Put Your Subject at Ease

Many people are uncomfortable about having their photo taken. If possible give the person advance notice about the photo session. Chat with the person for a few minutes before snapping the picture. Allow the person to preview their photo before printing the ID card.

2. Remember… Location, Location, Location

Set up the camera in a private area with good lighting, preferably natural sunlight. If possible, avoid fluorescent lighting as it can wash people out and result in photos with a bluish tint. A photo backdrop allows you to set-up a “photo studio” practically anywhere!

3. Use a Tri-Pod

A tri-pod not only keeps the camera steady to avoid blurry pictures, it also keeps the photographer’s hands free. By using a tri-pod, you can focus on the person, and hopefully get him/her to smile!

4. Invest in a High Quality Camera

A high quality ID camera = great images. If the photo is a prominent and important element of the ID card, it’s important to use a high quality camera that will produce life-like photos for easy identification. The new Credential Cam Pro has proven to be a great option for a variety of businesses.

5. Use ID Software

ID badge software often includes tools that allow you to crop and edit the photos. With practice, you’ll be able to easily enhance the look of your images.

Taking great photos isn’t just about making the ID cardholder happy; it’s also a matter of security. The photo should be crisp and have the closest likeness to the person possible for clear identification.

What Can I Put on My ID Card?

The question may seem silly to some, but it is actually very common. If you are new to card printers and ID card software then a list of printer and/or software specifications may look like a foreign language to you. Keep in mind that if you can print it on paper, you can print it on plastic!

To your computer, the card printer is no different than your paper printer. You have the same flexibility in regards to printing options such as orientation and color management. You can even print from any Windows-based application just like you can with your paper printer. Using ID card design software will simplify the process and allow you to easily import your company logo and/or a background image. You can add text labels (static information) and data fields (variable data).

When importing images into your card design try to use vector artwork such as an .AI or .EPS file. This will ensure that when you change the size of the image it will maintain its original appearance and not become distorted. 300 DPI is sufficient given the size of the card. Colors should be converted to CMYK when possible; this will ensure the closest match to what you see on the monitor. Keep in mind that how things look on the monitor does not guarantee how it will look on the card. It will appear different when printing on paper as well.

If you have very specific requirements for the appearance or exact PMS color requirements, perhaps ordering part of the card pre-printed is the best option for you.

The hardest part about starting an ID card program is determining what will go on the card, which as you now know is pretty much anything. ID Wholesaler can help guide this process. Call an ID Professional today to discuss the possibilities: (800)321-4405 x2.

Why Would I Need to Laminate a Plastic Card? {Video}

You might wonder why you’d need to laminate a plastic card. After all, ID cards are made of PVC plastic. That’s durable, right?

Yes, but depending on how and where you will use the cards, the images printed on the cards may require additional protection. In short, lamination helps printed cards last longer and reduces costs by:

  • Protecting from wear
  • Protecting from fading
  • Reducing time spent reprinting cards
  • Reducing card reprinting costs

Watch this short video to see lamination in action and determine if lamination is for you!

ID Cameras: Why Go Pro?

Why is a professional camera so important? Consider this… Why invest in a card printer that can print excellent images but then not provide the printer with an image that is excellent?

If you insert a photo that is low quality, low resolution, and pixilated into your ID software template, that’s exactly what type of photo ID you’re going to get.

The Credential Cam Pro ID Camera

Give your printer what it wants: a high quality image so that it can print a professional photo ID that you and your company can be proud of!

ID Wholesaler has developed a NEW option for a professional level photo ID camera. The Credential Cam Pro was designed for to give you a professional level photo with the most flexibility. The Credential Cam Pro is USB based and provides you with the capability to operate the camera without the need for any third party software. This camera will automatically recognize that it is plugged in and will show you the controls and features for the camera. Not only is it flexible and designed with you in mind, it comes with an LED flash for consistent high-quality images for any environment.

Don’t want to mess with extra steps? The CanonIDBundle takes all the guess work out of the photo ID. This camera is perfectly paired with inPhoto ID software that will find the face of your subject and automatically cut, crop and place the photo into your ID template. This eliminates the steps of adjusting the zoom, uploading the photo to your computer, cropping the image, and importing it into the ID software.

If image quality of your photo ID is of the utmost importance to you then you need the VALCam. Used most frequently in government and driver’s license issuance applications, the VALCam is available in two versions. While both offer superior image quality, the VALCam 8500-630 offers advanced camera funtionality that the VALCam 9000-628 does not offer, including PC-controlled pan and tilt.

 

Evolis Primacy Now Available with WiFi

You can now operate your card printing program wirelessly with the Evolis Primacy, eliminating the need to place the printer next to a USB or a wired network connection! This convenience provides several benefits:

Cost savings: wireless printing enables on-site, on-demand printing with minimal IT infrastructure. It eliminates the expense, time, and hassle of adding or moving cables.

Increased productivity: wireless card printing increases employee productivity, allowing employees to print from anywhere in the facility.

Reduced clutter: no more cords! Plus, a printer’s cable length no longer dictates the printer’s placement.

The Primacy with WiFi option is available as a factory-installed option only. Contact an ID Wholesaler account manager at (800) 321-4405 for more details.

Get Ready for the 2013-2014 School Year

As the 2012-2013 school year starts winding down, it is a good time to plan for your 2013-2014 ID badges.

If you are planning to install a new photo ID system, make your decisions early so that you will have time to get trained and ready to go before the new school year begins.

It is also always better to have your supplies – such as printer ribbon, cards, clips, and lanyards – well ahead of the time you need to make badges to avoid the stress of checking inventory and having to choose expedited shipping to get your supplies in time.

Now is a great time to order lanyards customized with your school name or logo. We are running a free set-up special that runs until the end of August that allows you to save up to $240!

As always, contact an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405  if you have any questions or need help placing your order.









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