Card printers for different needs

A card printer is used to print plastic cards for example ID cards, access cards, membership cards, company cards and visiting cards. For some, a simple printer is sufficient for smaller volumes, while others need a more advanced model with higher capacity, better connectivity or support for more features.

When choosing a card printer, it's a good idea to consider how many cards you'll be printing, whether you need single-sided or double-sided printing, and whether the printer will be used for simpler card production or more regularly in your business.

How to choose the right card printer

• How many cards do you print per month?
• If you need single-sided or double-sided printing
• If you want USB, Ethernet, or other connections
• If you need support for magnetic stripe, smart cards, or other technologies
• Which ribbons, cleaning kits and accessories are suitable for the model

The difference between DTC and retransfer

When choosing a card printer, it is important to understand the difference between direct-to-card, often abbreviated DTC, and retransfer. Both technologies are used to print plastic cards, but they work in different ways and suit different needs.

DTC, direct to card

A DTC printer prints directly onto the card surface using a print head and ribbon. It is the most common type of card printer and a good choice for those who want a fast, flexible and cost-effective solution for everyday card production.

The advantages of DTC are that the printers are often faster, easier and cheaper to purchase than retransfer printers. A disadvantage is that the print often leaves a small white border around the outer edge of the card, which may be less desirable for designs that will cover the entire card.

Retransfer

A retransfer printer first prints the card design onto a transfer film which is then attached to the card using heat and pressure. This produces a very nice result with printing across the entire card surface, without the white border common with DTC printers.

Retransfer is often a good choice when you want high print quality or are printing on cards with an uneven surface, such as certain types of access cards or other specialty cards. The technique produces a more exclusive result, but the printers are often more expensive and the printing usually takes a little longer.

The main differences between DTC and retransfer

Printing process: DTC writes directly to the card, while retransfer first writes to film which is then transferred to the card.

Card coverage: DTC may leave a narrow white border. Retransfer normally provides full card coverage without a white border.

Area of use: DTC is suitable for fast and cost-effective card production. Retransfer is suitable when print quality and edge-to-edge results are particularly important.

Price level: DTC printers are often cheaper to purchase, while retransfer is usually a more advanced option.

Support for various card technologies

Our card printers support different technologies and card types depending on the model and needs. These can include plastic cards with magnetic strips, smart cards, chip cards and other variants used for identification, access control, membership or internal management.

For some businesses, the ability to print and handle magnetic stripe cards is important, while others need support for smart cards or other technologies. Therefore, it is important to choose a printer that suits your intended use.

Software, ribbons and accessories

To get a complete solution, it is rarely enough to just have the printer. You often also need the right software for card design and printing, the right ribbon for the model, and cleaning kits to keep the printer in good condition over time.

With us you will therefore also find ribbon & retransfer, cleaning kit and software and software which fits several of our card printers.

Quick help finding the right model

If you are unsure which card printer is best for your needs, we are happy to help. We will guide you based on application, volume, features and accessories so that you get a solution that works well in practice.

Explore our range of card printers and find the right model for your business. Whether you're looking for a simple printer for smaller needs or a more advanced solution for continuous card production, we'll help you get started right from the start.