Should I order pre-printed ID cards or print them in-house?
In most cases, it's more cost-effective for you to print your plastic cards in-house, using an ID card printer, especially if it’s a photo ID card. There are service bureau companies who offer photo ID card printing services, and they typically charge anywhere from $5.00-$10.00 per card plus possible art service fees. Printing yourself, in-house, would cost you 32¢ - 54¢ per card depending on the card type you use.
In the case of gift cards, loyalty cards, and membership cards, it may be more cost-effective to order all or part of them pre-printed. ID Wholesaler offers a wide variety of pre-printed card services as well as high-speed monochrome card printers, to meet all of your card needs.
Ordering your ID cards pre-printed on the back is also an option, either with your company logo, or a standard message such as "If lost please return to...” or "This card is the property of …” Not having to print this portion in-house could save you precious time later, especially during a re-badge where every minute counts.
It's very important to consider your corporate color and design requirements as well. If a specific PMS color is required, it may be difficult to get an exact match when printing in-house.
What you see on the screen is not what you will get on the card, and there may be some trial and error involved with getting the correct color match. In this case, you can order your card pre-printed with the company logo, and then you can add the photo and personal data in-house.
Also, consider the background image. Unless you're using a retransfer card printer, such as the Fargo HDP5000, you'll have a 2-pixel white border around the edge of the card. This is because the technology behind direct-to-card printers is different than retransfer printers. While this is not an issue for most, it can be quite the eyesore if your graphics were meant to bleed over the edge of the card.
Whatever the requirements may be, there are several options available and card/printer combinations we can configure to meet your needs. There is no perfect off-the-shelf solution for everyone.
Discussing your options with one of our seasoned ID Professionals can create some new options for you. We can custom-tailor a photo ID system to fit your unique needs, which may or may not include ordering your cards pre-printed. For help with all of your plastic card printing questions, contact our experienced ID Professionals at (800) 321-4405.