Card personalization has been a cornerstone of the world’s larger organizations’ card issuance programs. Card personalization encompasses the encoding of technology cards to enable a variety of cardholder permissions and/or uses beyond the simple card customization with personal information and an individual’s photo. Membership cards, access cards, customer cards, and student ID cards are some examples of card applications that are personalized with a photo and/ or name. Personalized cards are individualized, secure, and fit for different applications. Printing methods for personalization include embossing, scratch-off panel, barcode, picture, and name. For every kind of personalization, there is an individual printing technology suitable. The following are 4 main printers that are used for personalized printing.
1. Re-transfer printer
These printers are also known as over the edge printers. They offer an unmatched print quality for secure and durable ID badges and cards. The printers personalize the entire card’s surface, print on uneven surfaces such as smart cards or proximity cards, and offer both single or dual-sided printing capabilities. The retransfer tape which is printed on has a protective layer that translates into more brightness, a longer useful life, and better color registration that is comparable to that of a pre-printed card. For personalized cards, re-transfer card printers ensure a professional edge-to-edge print with no white border which leaves a great impression.
2. Inkjet printer
New approaches to inkjet printing are now bringing the broader benefits of personalized, secure cards to smaller organizations, enabling them to realize the full potential of card personalization. Inkjet card printing recreates texts and images by propelling droplets of ink onto a surface via a printhead and cartridge. For high-quality graphics on your cards, consider inkjet printers. Many inkjet card printers can print on thick cards because they are versatile enough to print photo lab-quality photos and graphics. The printers also offer full card coverage such that the unsightly white borders around the edge of your cards would be a thing of the past. The even displacement of ink ensures a full edge-to-edge covering and a professional-looking card design. This kind of personalization is applicable for PET, PVC, and PET-G cards.
3. Thermo transfer printer
This is a particular type of digital printing between the thermal print head (a special color foil) and the card which should be printed on. The foil and the card move synchronously through the printhead. This printing process achieves a very high and lasting print quality, therefore, it’s suitable for printing logos and fonts. However, for cards, color-binding printing and full surface printing are not technically possible with this printer. Contrarily, with flat embossing, personalization on the card is possible in thermal transfer. Four-colored or monochrome types of personalization can be done and the cards are used as either ID cards or loyalty cards.
4. Laser printer
With this card printer, names or numbers are engraved into the card layers with a laser, therefore, personalization is distinguished from the card surface. This kind of personalization is applicable for PET, PVC, and PET-G cards. The printer has innovative color and fiber laser personalization system that delivers full color, highly secure personalized cards in a single pass. Accelerated speed and advanced protection are crucial for the effective issuance of highly secure cards.
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