Buying guide: how to choose an ID card printer
Think about how many cards you print, whether you need both sides, and how secure the cards must be.
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Single-sided: photo, name and logo on the front. Ideal for staff and visitor badges, event passes and membership cards. See single-sided printers.
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Dual-sided: adds a back side for barcodes, terms or emergency contacts. Common for schools, hospitals and corporate IDs. See dual-sided printers.
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Retransfer: prints onto a film that is then fused to the card, giving edge-to-edge, near-photo quality that also works on smart and proximity cards with uneven surfaces. See retransfer printers.
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Encoding: choose a model with magnetic stripe, contact or contactless (MIFARE, iCLASS) encoding if cards are also used for doors, attendance or cashless payments.
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Running cost: budget for ribbons, blank PVC cards and card design software, not just the printer.
Frequently asked questions
Which ID card printer is best for a small office?
A single-sided direct-to-card printer such as the Zebra ZC100 or Evolis Zenius is usually enough for staff and visitor badges in small volumes.
What is a YMCKO ribbon?
YMCKO is the most common colour ribbon: yellow, magenta and cyan panels for colour, a black (K) panel for sharp text and barcodes, and a clear overlay (O) that protects the card.
Can these printers print on access control and smart cards?
Yes. Most models print on standard CR80 PVC cards, including proximity and smart cards. For the best results on cards with embedded chips, choose a retransfer printer.
Do you sell blank cards and ribbons?
Yes. We stock genuine ribbons for Zebra, HID Fargo, Evolis, Magicard and Datacard printers, plus blank PVC and access cards.
Do you offer demos?
Yes. We can demo printers and print sample cards with your design. WhatsApp us or call +971 56 544 0892.
