As an ID Professional, I frequently get this question when talking to my customers about ID card printers: “What is the life expectancy of the printer?” Unfortunately, there is no cut-and-dried answer to that question. I wish there were, because it
would make everyone’s life a lot easier. “Well Mr. Customer, your printer will break down on such and such date.” It just doesn’t work that way.
There is not one ID printer manufacturer that publishes the exact number of cards your printer will print or on what date the printer will start having quality issues. There are simply too many variables involved to be able to predict the exact life expectancy.
I can tell you that an ID card printer – like any other piece of hardware – will break or cease to operate at some point in time. They aren't designed to last forever.
Here are my recommendations to get as many years out of your printer as possible:
- Consider one of our extended warranty plans. We offer one-, two-, and three-year extended warranty plans. Not only does an extended warranty give you peace of mind; you'll also receive toll-free technical support, live chat support, total parts and labor replacement, and quick turn-around on printer repairs.
- Be proactive and plan ahead. If you can’t be without a printer for a few weeks, it’s imperative that you purchase loaner coverage. Most professional-grade printers include a three-year warranty and two-year loaner coverage. You
will want to purchase loaner coverage for year three to ensure that if you need to send your printer in to get repaired, you will be covered. Loaner coverage means that we will send you a printer to use while your printer is being fixed.
- Clean your printer after every ribbon change. Make this a habit – dust, debris, and moisture are your printer’s arch enemy! A clean printer is a happy printer. And a happy printer makes a happy customer.
- Protect your printer with a dust cover. Cover your printer with a dust cover that can be purchased for a small price for each printer we carry. This is especially important if you work in a warehouse or location where there is a lot of dust in the air.
- Keep the technology up-to-date. By ensuring your printer’s drivers and firmware are updated on a fairly regular basis, you’ll definitely prolong its life. All of our printers feature a "Support & Downloads" tab on the product description. The latest driver and firmware updates can be found here.
Should you decide to repair an older model printer, the fee to evaluate the printer is $125 plus parts and labor. Although ID card printers have come down quite a bit in price, it’s important to compare the cost of a repair to the cost of a new printer. Depending on the age of your printer, it’s sometimes more cost-effective for you to put your money toward a new printer.
Long story short, there is no real life expectancy for an ID card printer. But if you take the precautionary measures like the ones outlined above, your printer can be around a good, long time.
For more tips and ideas on prolonging the life of your ID card printer, call an ID Professional today at (800) 321-4405. We’re here to help you find the right solution for your ID card printing needs.
