ID cards are available in different types and rewritable ID cards are one among them. These are plastic ID cards that can be erased and reused. Rewritable ID cards have a glossy side that can be printed on using any desktop ID printer. The other side will be a matte surface that contains a thermosensitive material that can be printed on, erased and reprinted up to five hundred times.

To print on a rewritable ID card printer, a card printer that has erase and rewrite technology is required. Other types of ID card printers cannot be used to utilize the reusable side of a rewritable ID card. Magicard, Datacard and Evolis offer ID card printer models with erase and rewrite technology. ID card printers that have rewritable printing technology do not need a printer ribbon to print on the rewritable surface of ID cards, as they print information by heating a thermo-sensitive material on the surface of the rewritable card. On the other hand, regular ID card printers make use of a ribbon of color panels to print images on the surface of ID cards. 

Working Of Rewritable ID Cards 

The working of rewritable ID cards is very clever. They are layered in the factory with a thermo-chromatic material that can be visible only when heated to 180 degree Celcius or 456 degree Fahrenheit. Also, applying a reduced temperature between the range of 110 to 160 degree Celsius or 230 to 320 degree Fahrenheit makes the thermochromic material invisible, erasing the ID card, and making it available for reuse. The heating and cooling of the rewritable ID card are done by a thermal head present inside the ID card printer. 

Application Of Rewritable ID Cards 

These cards are perfect for a situation where the information of the ID card holder is frequently updated. Hence, these cards are much more suitable for businesses that process and accept visitors regularly in high volume. Making use of rewritable technology reduces, if not completely eliminates the cost associated with the issuance of conventional ID cards that requires the use of new printer ribbons and plastic ID cards. 

Rewritable ID cards are a great option for businesses that are concerned about their carbon footprint. These cards are eco-friendly and promote recycling. When you opt for rewritable ID cards, you need not throw away or dispose of used ID cards, you can simply erase and reuse them.