If you are running a business and need to print ID cards, you might be considering buying an ID card printer. A majority of the people who need to print ID cards for the very first time will take into account the different models of ID card printers available, ID card printing software, compatibility of the printer with various operating systems, and many more. After carefully considering the aforementioned factors, they underestimate the cost of ID card printers.
ID card printers usually cost much higher than other models of printers. A conventional paper printer can be purchased for 50 dollars from your neighborhood big box store. There is no reason for the average person to think that ID card printers will cost more than conventional printers. However, the reality is that they do. The cost of ID card printers can range from $1,000 to $10,000, and this does not include the software, ID camera, lanyards, and printer supplies, etc.
ID card printers like Magicard Rio Pro are much more advanced and specialized than conventional paper printers. The technology used by ID card printers to print on plastic is much different from that used by the basic printers to print on paper, which explains the higher cost of card printers.
Determining the Cost of ID Card Printers
One must understand that the terms - cheap and expensive are correlative. A $50 paper printer can be considered a cheap printer, whereas a cheap ID card printer can cost $1,000. You cannot expect a fifty dollars printer to last very long or perform very well and this applies in some ways to ID card printers too. While $1000 dollars is a lot of money for most people, it is a standard price for card printers. High quality budget-priced card printers are available, like the Evolis Badgy100, but they are usually intended for low-volume printing needs.
The main point to understand here is that you should never skimp on money while buying ID card printers. For any business, a large investment requires careful considerations. And the same is applicable to printers as well. Optimum performance has to be ensured at all costs. Moreover, you need to find the right printer for your application. Are you in need of a single-sided ID card printer or do you need a dual-sided card printer? You might have to spend between 2,000 and 3,000 dollars to have a dual-sided ID card printer. On top of that, you will need to spend about 1,000 dollars on other items like a camera, ID card software, and printer supplies, etc. If your ID card needs are low, like just a few dozen cards per month, then you’ll be perfectly happy with a budget-priced printer.
View Bodno’s printing software here: Bodno Printer Software
Looking for a high-quality mid-range printer? Check out the Magicard Rio Pro 360
The Evolis Badgy100 is an excellent low-budget printer: Evolis Badgy100
