The Basics of ID Card Printing
ID card printers have become more advanced in recent years. Less than ten years ago, most organization identification badges were made by creating a design in a computer in the shape of a badge, attaching a Polaroid picture somewhere on the badge and then laminating the badge and picture together by putting the items in a laminating pouch and running it through a hot laminator. Although many organizations still use this type of system, it requires manual labor that is unnecessary and also allows for easy duplication encroaching upon the security requirements of the badge to the organization it belongs to.
Today’s id card printers make badges that print directly on to plastic cards by using a high heat as the text and information is printed on the badge. These PVC id badges wear longer and are more secure. Duplication is possible with basic badge printing, but almost impossible with some of the high tech modules available on today’s printers.
Almost anything can be imported into current badge design software and will be printed out on the badge. The common phrase “junk in, junk out” applies to this application. High quality, full color graphics print out clear and colorful. Although the printers print in a maximum of a 300 DPI mode, they can provide a positive branding to the organization.
To design a badge, it is important to know what is required on the badge. A photo of the card holder, the person’s name, organizational name, logo, bar code and other information may be required on the badge. It is important to gather items needed to design the badge prior to beginning the design on the id software. If a background is desired on the badge, usually it will be imported and adjusted prior to adding additional features. Many groups use a white background to allow the logo, photograph and text to stand out to those looking at the card.
Once the background is determined, the logo can be imported and placed in the proper location. If the logo is too large, it may need to be sized appropriately. Most badge design software will allow the adjustment to be made while arranging the card components. After the logo, the photograph and text boxes are added to fill out the badge and provide a professional look. Bar codes or other specialized features can be added at this time as well.
When the custom id badge design looks fine on the computer screen, it is time to test the look by printing the design through the id card printer on to a PVC card. If the design is acceptable on the card, it is ready to go. If adjustments need to be made, just return to the software program and adjust the fields that do not look right on the printed card. Additional printing of the test card may be needed for final approval of the card design.
If a number of different cards are to be made, usually a database is set up to merge the design with the text for each badge. Pictures are imported into the database and a merge takes place. Most software can print a badge at a time or offer the ability to print all cards in the database through a batch print.
Once the badge is printed, the card printer operator may make a hole in the card for the card holder to wear the badge. If needed, a slot punch is used to make a long horizontal hole through the badge so that a clip, lanyard or other badge attachment could be used with the badge.
The badges are then ready for the id badge holders. Distribution of the badges is made by whatever method the organization has agreed on. Often the card maker will keep a manual or computer compiled list of those that have received badges.
Replacement badges can be easily made if the software used to make the badges contains a database. It is easy to query the database and find the badge information. A reprint of the badge would be able to be printed to replace the lost badge. To compensate the organization for the replacement badge, many groups charge the card holder a fee to obtain a replacement badge. The fee may range from just a few dollars to $20 or more dollars. The higher the fee, the more significance is placed on the badge and the more likely the card holder is to protect the badge and keep it from harm.
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