How Much Do ID Card Printers Cost?

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 about $800 to $5,500 — and with Bodno, that price already includes the design software, since every printer we sell ships with a Bodno software license (currently lifetime on top models like the A-Series, Seaory S- and R-series, Magicard 250X/400X/D, and Matica MC320X; 3-year on other models). You will still want to budget for extras like an ID camera, lanyards, and printer supplies.

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. This is why investing in a reliable Plastic Card Printer is essential for businesses that need durable, professional-quality ID cards.

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 about $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 Bodno A10, 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? If your business mainly produces staff IDs, visitor passes, or event credentials, choosing the right Name Badge Printer becomes even more important to ensure print quality and long-term reliability. You might have to spend between 2,000 and 3,000 dollars to have a dual-sided ID card printer. Design software is already included with every printer we sell, so the extras to budget for are items like a camera and printer supplies. 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 design software editions here: Bodno ID Card Software

Looking for a high-quality mid-range printer? See our full framework: The Complete ID Card Printer Buying Guide

The Bodno A10 is an excellent low-budget printer: Bodno A10