ID Card Printers come with different features and specifications. Each varies in price, speed, quality and overall features. Every business or organization will have different needs for their card printer, and this is particularly dependent on the amount of cards they will need to print annually. Let’s go over three quick reviews for some of the top card printers in each class of low, medium and high volume printers: 

Great Pick for Value ID Card Printer: Badgy 200

The Badgy 200 is a fantastic pick if you're in need of an ID card printer but have low annual printing needs. As an entry-level printer, it’s ideal for a volume of 200 or less cards-perfect for small schools, gyms, and other small businesses. 

Features 

The newer model Badgy 200 is different from its predecessor in several ways, one of the more significant changes is that its input hopper is now 25 instead of 100. However, it now also comes with a 25 card output hopper. So yes, there is less input amount but this provides hands-free printing for low volume batches. 

Because of a lower input, this means a typical pack of 100 blank ID cards will have to be separated into smaller batches. Always remember to not touch the face of your cards when placing them into the hopper, any oils or grime can affect print quality and the overall health of your printer. 

Print Quality 

The Badgy 200 now also features edge to edge printing in 300 dpi. This increase in surface-size means cards are more durable and professional quality, without dipping into the budget for a high-output premium printer when it isn’t necessary. 

In order to print cards with edge-to-edge surface coverage you’ll need a 100 print YMCKO ribbon or the new 500 print monochrome ribbon. The ability to use this monochrome ribbon in the Badgy 200 means that pre-printed cardstock is also now an option. Cards with the same general format will just need information filled in, saving you time and money purchasing multi-color ribbons. 

 

Print Speed 

With this printer, you can print cards using either 20 mil or 30 mil CR80 cardstock. The speed of printing is not particularly quick, but overall the Badgy 200 is a more affordable, low volume option anyways. Here are some quick specs:

Full color per card takes 38 seconds/ 95 per hour. Monochrome takes only 11 seconds, translating to 325 cards per hour. 

Printer Compatibility and Warranty 

The Badgy 200 from Evolis is fully compatible with the Windows XP, Windows 8, and Mac OSX operating systems. Intuitive and user-friendly, This printer can be up and running in no time. 

This printer also comes with the Evolis standard 1 year warranty. If you would like an extended warranty, you can purchase it through Bodno. For any additional details or help we offer tech support/customer service to answer any questions and meet your ID card needs. 

Overview

All in all, the Badgy200 is a simple to use ID Badge printer for those with low volume needs. The Bodno Badgy 200 Kits come with everything you need to get started printing professional ID badges on demand. 

Professional Standard Printing Review: Evolis Zenius Card Printer

The Evolis Zenius is an excellent choice for the standard professional printing needs of 1,000 to up to 5,000 cards per year. 

Features

The Evolis Zenius is perfect if you want to purchase a printer, but may be unsure about just which features you will need. This is because this model boasts several field upgrade capabilities. If you find yourself in need of magnetic encoding, contactless encoding, and/or smart card encoding, these can all be added as upgrades. 

As one of the first Evolis models to feature RFID chips within its cartridge ribbons, this model ensures that the ribbon is easily inserted- an ultra user-friendly feature!

Print Speed

Located at the front of the printer, the Evolis Zenius offers a convenient 50 card input hopper. In full-color, this printer can print up to 120 cards per hour. In monochrome it boasts a whopping 400 cards per hour! To top this off, it is one of the quietest ID card printers available on the market.  

Print Quality

At quick speeds, it may seem like the quality could be diminished, however, the Evolis Zenius prints in full color, coverage, and clarity to maintain a professional-looking end result. 

Printer Compatibility and Warranty

Connected through USB, this printer comes with software that is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. When you purchase with Bodno, the Evolis Zenius comes with a 2 year warranty and full customer support. 

Overview

Quick, quiet, compact, and quality sum up the Evolis Zenius ID printer. User-friendly and upgradeable, this printer can be quickly set up to undertake professional medium to large print batches. Interested? Try one of Bodno’s Evolis Zenius complete packages with software, supplies, and more!

 

High Performance Printer Review : Magicard’s Rio-Pro 360

If you're looking for a high-speed, quality and capacity printer, this Rio-Pro Model from Magicard offers all three. This direct-to-card dual-sided id printer is perfect for business and professional organizations with large volume printing needs.

Print membership cards, ID badges, access cards and more with the Rio-Pro 360 and its panel of access to an array of security features. 

Features

With its patented HoloKote visual watermarking technology from Magicard, the Rio Pro can print an anti-counterfeiting holographic watermark. This can be all over the card or in an exact position. The best part? This comes at no extra cost per card. 

For added security, this model is also capable of magnetic, smart card and contactless encoding.  

Print Speed

One of its downsides is that it has a 100 card input hopper, yet its output hopper is only capable of holding 70 cards. However, it prints at amazing speeds while maintaining a low decibel sound output. For full color cards it prints in 18 seconds, and in monochrome it takes a mere 5 seconds. Quiet and quick is always ideal, especially in an office environment. 

 

Print Quality

Designed for high speed/high volume printing, the Rio-Pro and its Ribbons are designed to ensure that the printhead does not overheat and affect the quality and vibrancy of the cards. 

This printer can print on both PVC and Peel-Off cardstock. Being able to print on both CR80 and CR79 cardstock means that you can choose both permanent or reusable options. This is particularly useful if you're looking to save money and want to reuse more expensive cards such as proximity cards.

Printer Compatibility and Warranty

The Rio-Pro 360 comes with both USB and Ethernet connectivity. The Ethernet isn’t some kind of add-on either-its included as it’s standard. 

The Magicard Rio Pro 360 is also compatible with both Windows and Mac OSX. Several years ago, Magicard ID Card Printers were not compatible with Mac operating systems, but this compatibility is now standard for their models, especially the Rio Pro 360. 

 

This printer is also backed by the UltraCoverPlus three year warranty, with more available if desired. If your printer has to be sent to the factory for repairs, you can be eligible for a loaner printer while you await its return. 

  

Overview

The 360 printer from Magicard’s Rio Pro generation is an ultimate pick for large volume printing needs. It is quick and boasts several field upgrades including a variety of security features. Get a complete package or purchase field upgrades at a later time with Bodno. 

 

All in all, each of these printers came with different pros and cons, but offer overall incredible value to those with their various print-volume needs. Each is available with Bodno. Check out our complete kits including accessories and software to have your printer up and running quickly and easily.