Check out the four points which you need to consider for buying a plastic card printer
It’s always requisite to have a better ID card security system in place that will help to keep your business, assets, and employees safe and secure no matter in whatever field your business is in! When it comes to ID cards, along with the newest automation there are several options obtainable now, which are usually been delivered by external service providers.
But, if there is an in-house option to install, maintain and print your own staff ID cards, it can be a more cost-effective and manageable approach. Although not under the condition that it will give you full-control of the system and assistance in issuing cards, having an in-house process means it always allows you to issue cards instantly at a much lower rate margin. That being said, the process of purchasing a plastic card printer is not as easy as you might have thought. Beyond the actual printer, there’s also a whole host of different considerations that makes sure that the printer is going to be a cost-worthy investment.
So here are some tips on buying printers from a printer supplier for plastic card manufacturing to help you weigh the various factors and make a sound investment for the organization’s security and future.
1. Quantity – How many cards do you need to print per-year?
The primary aspect that should be taken into account about plastic card printers is how many cards you need to print in a year. Several printers, along with ID card printers, practically have a monthly duty cycle, which provides an average estimation of the print output capacity. Hence, you ought to get a plastic card printer that serves your purpose of printing the number of cards you want every year.
Based on the size and nature of the business, this stat will definitely be going to alter. For instance, companies with high staff turnover, daily contractual employees, temporary staff, or visitors, might require a higher volume of ID cards each year. So, they need this product to print with greater capacity. Picking a printer with a lower duty cycle could probably become a false economy since it will erode swiftly by leading to repairs or complete replacement.
2. Reliability
Since with any materials you fuse in as a business then it’s highly prioritized to check – whether it’s trustworthy and remains in a better working condition when you need it. Hence, this proves that buying the right printer to fit your volume capacity is paramount. In case you overload a printer that isn’t meant for printing high-volumes, probably then it is more likely to break down and be unreliable.
Also selecting a reputable card printer brand that is known for its reliability and absolute print quality can be a better long-term investment. A small research and professional guidance from the oracles of plastic card printing can assist you to determine the hardiest and most reliable brands and models that possess all the technical specifications – which help you to print plastic cards.
3. Cost of Consumables.
Though these card printers may be a costly expense, however, it’s only a fraction of the total cost of ownership (TCO). Without the consumables, printers are almost futile (for example: – ribbons, ID cards, and cleaning kits) that goes with them. These consumables are the central element to function and support the preservation of better service life.
While looking to speculate on them it’s essential to financially estimate the total cost of printing that consists of with the printer consumables and electricity. Inexpensive models of plastic card printers often have more high-priced consumables than more sophisticated models, so they’re actually highly expansible. Also, if you want to include security features in your ID cards, the consumables will inevitably be cost more.
Several printers use various amounts of electricity that can boost up the cost of ownership considerably if you purchase one that guzzles energy. Take the time to create a rough TCO figure on an annual basis that includes consumables and electricity costs to get a better idea of what it will cost you as a business.
4. Size.
Size really matters like all things; while floor and desk spaces are considered premium real estate in most businesses. Printers are always-considered bulky pieces of equipment that take up a lot of space; similarly, you need to think about the size of your ID card printer.
These printers vary widely with different features, power, and functions. So to make sure your printer isn’t too big for the space it’s meant for, you need to measure the area you’re going to put it in and calculate the largest size you can comfortably accommodate.