Which ID Card Printer is Right for You?

Have you ever found yourself googling, "How to choose the right ID Card Printer"? With an overwhelming list of options available, choosing the right printer can feel like a daunting challenge and a painful experience. Thankfully, I work in an office with printer experts here at IRIS; let me share what I learned with you so that you can find your perfect printer solution!

Direct-to-Card vs. Retransfer

The first thing that you need to consider is whether you will be printing technology or non-technology cards (learn the difference here).

Direct-to-card printers will be most suitable for printing on non-technology cards. These printers yield high-print quality for a reasonable price.

Retransfer printers are best for printing on technology cards, as they are equipped with edge-to-edge printing.

Dots-Per-Inch (dpi)

Dots-per-inch should be considered when purchasing a printer. It effects the overall image and text quality of the card produced. The higher the DPI the higher the quality/resolution.

If you anticipate that your designs will include a lot of information, small text, or higher-detailed images, you may want to consider an option with a higher dpi rate.

We sell printers at 300 and 600 dpi to ensure high-quality prints with every card.

Best Sellers

Sometimes its best to stick to the tried and true. The IRIS Companies' has been in the ID Industry for 40+ years. Here are a few of our recommended best sellers:

IDP Smart-51

• Dye sublimation

• Single or dual-sided

• 300 dpi

• USB with Ethernet option

• High-quality imaging

Swiftpro K30

• Dye sublimation

• Single or dual-sided

• 300 dpi

• USB and Ethernet option

• Edge-to-edge printing

  
  

Entrust Sigma DS2

• Dye sublimation

• Single or dual-sided

• 300 dpi

• USB and Ethernet

• Interactive dashboard

Shop by Brand

IRIS is a distributor of all major identification brands. Well-known and trusted, you may want to choose a printer based on a brand you're familiar with. Click the logos below to explore each brand!

Hopefully this has been a helpful reference! Still feeling stuck? Reach out to us, an IRIS staff member would love to walk you through the process.