ID cards are used for a variety of purposes. This could range from identifying employees, students, and visitors in the building to managing access control to specific areas and confidential information in an organization. ID cards and badges are also a way to monitor access to service tools or product inventory and more. That means you need to incorporate robust visual security features to enhance the safety measures of the ID card system in your company. Below are some of the different ways in which you can create more secure and reliable ID cards.

Printing Design

You can generate a unique and complex card design using the ID printer’s ID card software, which is hard to duplicate. This should be the first step to make your enterprise ID cards more distinguishable as well as visually secure. You can use different design software features to create an exclusive pattern or style that can be easily identified by the security personnel at the site.

Digital Photos

A clear digital photo is another basic ID card element that enhances its visual security. While many organizations do not include a photo for convenience or printing ID cards quickly, skipping this step can cause security problems down the line. On the other hand, a color photo with a minimum of 300 dpi resolution can make the ID card system more effective.

Ghost Images

A ghost image refers to a semi-transparent copy of the main digital photo on the ID card. This could be a slightly bigger or smaller image embedded in the background with other design elements. Including a ghost image in the ID cards makes it very difficult to create a replica, even if someone changed the primary photo for gaining unauthorized access.

Watermark

Many ID printers’ ID card software allows you to include watermarks when you create the card design. Some even let you design a custom watermark with your company logo or other exclusive elements. This can be a cost-effective solution to strengthen the visual security of your ID cards. You just need to ensure that the ID card printer offers a good quality overlay so that the printed imagery does not wear off quickly. Magicard ID card printers have several printers that offer watermark technology with their patented HoloKoteⓇ watermarks.

Biometric Data

Biometric data, such as digital signatures and fingerprints, can be easily added to the ID cards. This not just reinforces the security features of the ID card, but can also be used to manage access to different facilities or utilities in the company. The additional verification with biometric data cannot be duplicated that easily, which reduces the risk of fraud.

Micro Text

A micro text refers to the keywords included in the ID cards as a thin line in a very fine print. This could be anything like “authentic”, “genuine”, or “valid”. The micro text will not be apparent to the naked eye but will be readable in the card system. Micro text is very difficult to replicate and is added as a security feature in currencies and passports as well. You can ask your ID card printers manufacturer for blank cards preprinted with the micro text as required when ordering the stock.

Tactile Impression

This process refers to adding a specific stamp on the ID card’s laminate when the card is being printed. It leaves a physical impression on the ID cards and badges, which can be felt on touch. You can use the stock tactile impression or customize that as per your needs. However, it will need a special mechanical die to be included with your ID card printer’s lamination unit.

UV Printing

UV or fluorescent printing is a feature, which is available with a few ID cards printers only at present. It requires a specific ribbon with a UV/fluorescent panel that places an image or text on the ID cards and badges. This image or text can be customized during the designing process. The UV/fluorescent print will not be readily visible but only appear under a black light. This makes it very complicated to duplicate, in turn creating a highly secure ID card system for your organization.

Holograms

Many ID card printers come with the ability to add a holographic laminate on the cards as they are printed. It usually includes a 3D image, text, or pattern, which can be customized as per your needs. This adds an advanced layer of protection to the ID cards and allows quick visual authentication as well. You can even include micro text within the holographic laminate to boost the visual security and fraud protection.

Encoding Options

There are a lot of encoding options available these days, such as barcodes, QR codes, magnetic stripes, and embedded chips, which are very complex and difficult to forge. The information included in the encoding can also be a valuable asset to the enterprise in managing their employees and access control. Including barcodes is the most affordable encoding option. However, you will need to choose magnetic stripe encoding or proximity cards with embedded chips to enhance the functionalities of your ID card system.

Find some of the greatest security options available for ID cards with the Magicard Rio Pro 360 found here.

And the Magicard Enduro 3e here.