Slot punches provide a simple, effective way to create an attachment point on your ID cards to use with badge accessories like a lanyard or badge reel.
But before you use begin using a slot punch, it's important to know how and when to use it. Here are three important, cost-saving tips to keep in mind:
Tip #1: Slot punch printed cards only
Slot punching makes the surface of ID cards uneven and can damage your printer’s sensitive printhead. If you slot punch an ID card and then feed it through your ID card printer, you may leave a small sliver of plastic behind that could possibly puncture a hole in one of the heat elements on the printhead.
Damaged printheads result in distorted and poor quality images on your cards and can be very costly to replace. Slot punching the photo ID cards after they have been printed will not only ensure the quality of the card, but also the longevity of your ID card printer.
Tip #2: Take extra care with proximity cards
Proximity cards have an antenna embedded into the card, so you will need to be sure to punch the slot in the correct spot on the card so as not to damage the antenna or chip. If the antenna is damaged, your proximity card will not work.
Since prox cards can cost anywhere from $3 to $5+ per card, it’d be a waste to damage them because of a mistake that can be easily avoided!
To help more effectively prevent these issues, a great attachment method option is a gripper attachment. These handy attachments grip ID cards using a friction fit. Best of all, they can hold cards with up to five pounds of vertical force and greater than five pounds of horizontal force.
Tip #3: Print test cards
You don't want to print hundreds of cards and then realize that the slot punch will interfere with the design of the card. Instead, try testing the slot punch while you're developing your badge design. That way, you can use a test card to ensure the proper placement of the slot punch hole before finalizing your design.
| The type of slot punch you ultimately choose will depend on the volume of cards you'll need to process. The slot punches we carry come in a variety of styles and prices, so give one of our knowledgeable ID Professionals a call at (800) 321-4405 to learn more or chat now. |