When purchasing your card printer, it’s important to know what the security requirements are for your application. If you do
not know what the security requirements are at your organization, you might consider purchasing a printer that is upgradeable. An upgradeable printer can change your printing capabilities at a later time; for instance, a single-sided printer that can be upgraded to a dual-sided printer.
If you’re debating which connectivity you’ll be using, consider that if you choose an entry-level card printer with only one connection option. Whether it’s either a USB or Ethernet connection, you’ll be limited to that option. If you decide later that you want to switch to a different connection, you may be forced to purchase a new card printer. In this case, you may want to invest in a card printer is armed with both a USB, an Ethernet, or a Wi-Fi connection port so that you have the option to switch between the two connections should you need to.
A lot of entry-level printers are not able to be upgraded because the manufacturers do not provide an upgrade path for the printer model. Entry-level printers might be more appealing (at first anyway) because they are cheaper. However, if your company’s security requirements change down the road, you might be stuck with a printer that does not meet your needs.
The great thing about upgradeable printers is that you can start at a base model and upgrade at a later date! The mid-level and advanced printers have
more upgradeable options. Upgrades can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but depending on the make and model of the printer,
upgrades include:
- Single-sided to dual-sided printing
- Magnetic encoding
- Smart card encoding
- Lamination modules
- Locks so cards can’t be tampered with
- Wi-Fi accessories for wireless-enabled printers
- Custom visual security with HoloFlex or HoloKote (similar to a watermark)
- Tactile impressors (a die that puts a tangible stamp on the card’s surface)
It’s important to consider your current company needs as well as your future needs when purchasing a new ID printer. Going with the cheapest option may not be the cheapest in the long run! Buying a unit that can be
upgraded at a later date ensures that you can be flexible with your card security needs. Call an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405 if you’d like to talk about your organization’s current and future security needs.
