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A Slot Punch for Every Organization

slot punchesA slot punch provides the rectangular slot in the printed plastic ID badge so that it can be worn by use of a badge attachment such as a lanyard or badge reel. The punch will provide a consistent hole in a PVC card or an HID prox card without cracking the card.

Slot punches are manufactured with our without edge guides. The guide is an important device that allows for a consistent hole. The punch eliminated the guess work it takes to measure the center point of each plastic card when hole punching either a vertical or horizontal card. Use of a slot punch provides a uniform slot in each ID card that increases the professionalism of the printed card.

Hand held slot punches are designed for use in a small organization where only a few cards may be punched at a time. These punches are heavy duty and designed to last.

Stapler style slot punches are easier to use than the hand held punch. Designed like a stapler, this slot punch provides a professional hole with a push on the top lever of the punch.

Table top slot punches are the choice for many medium to large card production groups. The lever is easily pulled and the movement causes a consistence slot punch with ease.

The electric slot punch can be operated by electric operation directed from a foot switch. Insert the card and press the foot pedal with your foot to discover a perfectly punched ID card.

Slot punches are designed to restore themselves by spring load so that the punch is ready for the next card. The slot punch is a high quality product that is designed to last for many years.

Tips for Printing on Your HID Prox Card

PROXCARD
When printing from an ID card printer directly to your HID prox card (1386 cards), it is important to load your cards into the ID card printer hopper in the correct way. When the card prints and ejects the card from the printer, it is important that the image of the card is printed on the correct side with the correct edge at the top.

If you are going to be slot punching the HID prox card to wear the badge with a badge holder, punching the card correctly is critical. There are four small, usually blue, colored dots on the upper back side of the HID cards. The dots indicate where a slot punch can be safely placed.

If the HID card is slot punched at a different location than where the dots are located, the internal functioning of the card can be damaged. The internal electronic mechanics of the card run throughout the inside of the card. If part of the functioning pieces are damaged by the slot punch, the HID prox card will be non-functional.

Learn how to use an HID prox card as an identification card without directly printing on the card.

Using an HID Prox Card as an Identification Card

PROXCARDWhen you want to use a 1326 proximity or clam shell card as an access card and identification card, you can purchase a pressure sensitive overlay that can be printed on your ID card printer.

Depending upon the printer manufacture and printer specifications, you will need to purchase a 10 mil or a 24 ml pressure sensitive card or a 10 ml pressure sensitive card with a mylar back.

Directions for applying this card to the access card:

1. Using your direct to card printer, print a single sided photo ID card to the pressure sensitive card.
2. Before removing the backing, adjust your slot punch to align the hole in the pressure senstive card to the hole in the prox card.
3. Peel the backing and apply with printed card to the clamshell card.

The benefit of using the pressure sensitive card on the proximity card is that you can remove the pressure sensitive card and replace it with a new identification card when needed.

If you are using a HDP5000, this option is not available.

For more information about HID prox cards and photo ID card systems, visit our plastic card printer store online.

ID Card Printer System Components

Evolis Pebble Printer SystemThe decision has been made. An ID badge system is needed for your organization. Important decisions will need to be reviewed and made at this time to get started. Specific requirements of your badges may call for a special module in the printer or a special software version to make sure that your badge needs are met. Prepackaged systems are perfect for most small businesses and organizations, however, it is important to take a peek at the options to make sure that your organization is set up not only for today, but for future badge printing requirements.

ID Badge Software – Choosing the correct software may be one of the most complex decisions in choosing an id card printer system. There are multiple manufacturers with a variety of software versions that can accomplish anything you could need on a card. Current and future needs of your organization will provide you with guidance as to which software best meets your needs.

ID Card Printers – The selection of a printer is also worth reviewing. There are a number of manufacturers as well for high quality printers. Printers can vary in the ability to print a basic badge to those with a high level of security with embedded information. You don’t want to over purchase in this area, but it is important to make sure that your selected printer has the capabilities to meet card printing needs both now and in the future. Some printers will ease the budget crunch a bit as they allow you to add card printing modules in the field at a later time. These printers can expand as your needs require.

ID Card Camera – It is important to have a camera that will provide the level of quality you want on your badges. Some companies do not really care about the quality of picture on the card. A simple camera that will print a black and white photo on the card is sufficient. Other organizations us the card as a visual identification and are specifically interested in a quality photo on their cards. A good digital camera is often sufficient for this. If a specific level of quality is needed, a consultation with an id card integrator may be beneficial.

Cards and Consumables – Standard PVC cards are used for most card printing. There are situations based on access needs and security needs that a specialize card is required. Print ribbons are specific to the printer selected. Normally, each model of printer has a number of ribbon types that will fit the application required. The card may be worn by the card holder. If so, a slot punch may be needed to make an attachment hole in the badge. There are numerous badge attachments that can provide a specified way to wear badges while on the job.

iCLASS and MIFARE Authentication Process

Proximity Badges

The HID iCLASS and MIFARE cards have embedded information inside to activate a door so that the cardholder is able to access the area to complete authorized tasks. The cards are considered contactless smart cards.

The basic process of authorization is almost identical to the process in our How an HID card works blog post. The card is read by the appropriate scanner or reader. The reader transfers the internal binary code to the access controller which interprets the card information in accordance with it’s programming and the database of cardholder information. The controller reviews the length of the data string and the format of the information prior to proceeding further in the sequence. If the format and data string pass, the card is analyzed for facility and site codes. Card numbers are reviewed for access authorization.

In addition to the above processes, an iCLASS and MIFARE card will go through an additional security step. These cards will compare security keys found in both the card and the reader. This process is called mutual authentication. This process happens prior to the forwarding of information from the card reader to the access controller. If the security keys match, the reader activates the process of forwarding the information. If they keys do not match, the reader does not forward the information to the controller as the card is not able to be activated.

For more information about proximity cards or smart card badge holders, contact our id card experts toll free at 888-485-4696.

How HID Prox Cards Work

Proximity Badges

An HID prox card allows a card with information embedded inside to activate and open a door so that the cardholder can enter a secure area. The proximity card does not have the capability of accessing an area within itself. The card with additional components, provides a complete system that provides security for a controlled area.

The card is normally combined with three other items to complete an access system. In addition to the cards, a system consists of a card reader, an access control panel and a computer. In combination with each other, the system is able to function as a security officer allowing authorized persons into a building at authorized times of the day or night.

The card does not have any additional item in it over an embedded binary code (ones and zeros) that are used in a specific sequence to identify the card holder. The format of the coding is able to be picked up by the card reader and transferred to the control panel for deciphering. The card usually does not have additional information stored in it outside of the formatted code. Occasionally, the card may contain an additional code that some readers will strip off and possibly use. The format however, transfers to the access control panel.

When the controller receives the data from the card reader, the controller begins the process of the information. Various steps are completed to determine whether the cardholder has access to the building. Some of the criteria a controller uses are to review the length of the data string and the format of the information. It may be possible that a card held up to a reader is in a different format that the controller can not process.

The controller then checks the facility code and site code for a match. If so, the card number is reviewed for a match in the database. If there, the card may be reviewed to see if it is authorized for that specific time frame and date. If so, the lock relay will be activated to allow the door to open.

If the card is not able to activate the door opener, some systems will provide a specific response from the controller. Other systems may not provide any response at all.

The computer which hosts the controller will provide a software application allowing authorized personnel to update cardholder information, configure the hardware that allows door access and provides reporting functions regarding the system use.

For more information about HID prox cards, proximity cards or smart card badge holders, contact our id card experts toll free at 888-485-4696.

Need to select the right ID Card Printer?

Fargo Fargo DTC400e

Trying to figure out which of the many id card printer options is the best one for your current and future needs. Followin are tips for the right id card printer selection:

1. The design of the badge – Does the card require full color photos and logos? Does the card need to be printed only on the front of the badge or on both sides? Does the card require full color printing or will single color options work for your badging? Answers to these questions will guide you into certain models of printers and exclude others from available options.

2. The function of the badge – Is the card only for identification by humans or does it need to have the capabilies of being read by machine scanners and readers for access and enterance requirements. Some basic level printers do not have options for encoding.

3. The environment of the badge -Where will the badge be used? Will it endure harsh conditions? Will it be carried safely in a cardholder wallet? How many years is the expected lifespan before replacement is acceptable to the organization.

4. The number of badges printed – Some printers are made for light card production environments. Hand fed printers do not have the capabilities of production like high volume industrial printer models where thousands of cards may be needed daily.

5. Security requirements of the badge – Will the badge need to be highly secure and not able to be counterfeited? Is there a need for biometrics, access control features or holographic laminates on the badge.

6. Where is the information that will be printed on the badge – Will each badge be hand typed in? Is there information in an Access database or MySQL database that can be imported into the database? Will the printer system be on a network or be on a stand alone computer?

With the answers to the above questions, an id card expert can provide you with options that would perfectly fit the requirements of your organization. We provide and service Asure ID Software, ID Flow Software, EpiSuite, Fargo printer models, Evolis printer models, CIM printer models and Magicard printer models.

HID Prox Cards – Increase Safety and Eliminate Proximity Card Cloning

Proxcard II

Proximity cards are contactless integrated circuit cards that are used to access a secure area or network. The increased security of these cards make them imperative in the operations of many organizations with confidential areas and databases of personal information.

Although technology can provide a high level of security. The cards will not, within themselves, provide complete security without proper policies and procedures implemented throughout the organization.

HID corporation recommends implementing the following procedures with the use of prox cards to maximize security and eliminate the possibility of cloning the cards for improper uses.

  1. Require immediate reporting of lost or stolen cards (so they can be deleted from the system)
  2. Prohibit sharing or lending of cards
  3. Encourage employees to shield their cards from public view when not at work (this makes sense from a privacy perspective as well if a name and picture are printed on the card)
  4.  Encourage reporting of suspicious activity at the facility
  5. Discourage “tailgating” where one employee uses a card to gain access and others follow without using their own cards.

HID also recommends using RFID shielding products to increase the security level of HID cards not in use.

Current Fargo printers that will allow encoding of proximity cards are the Fargo HDP5000, Fargo DTC550 and Fargo DTC400e. For information about cards that can be integrated with identification applications, visit our HID prox card page.

ID Card Software – Why It is Needed

ID Card software helps you make your organizations unique custom ID cards. The software is easy to use and makes it possible to make simple or complex id badges right at the convenience of your own desk. The software is designed to allow you to create a professional looking badge that can be updated or changed with a few keystrokes.

Many ID card software packages allow multiple designs to be saved for a number of unique badges that your organization may need to print in a large quantity or even just one. By having your own software, the organization does not have to hire a custom id card company to make additional badge designs or change current badge designs to updated company requirements.

The software needed to make the badges offers the card designer the ability to import logos and other files to create a custom badge. Most software offers a database of employee photos and information that is managed by your card printer operator. Your company has control over who makes badges, when they are printed and how many times. The software will often be able to download needed data from other databases which helps in creating the badges quickly and easily.

All badge software from dependable software companies allow the printing of barcodes and encoding of magnetic strips which produce increased functionality of the cards. Prior to purchasing the software, contact a company representative or review a software specification sheet to make sure that the capabilities needed are available with the selected software.

There are two parts to most standard ID card software. The first is the design component. This section of the software allows you to design the badge layout. You can choose to have the card layout in a horizontal or veritcal format. Where the photograph, name, title and additional information will be placed on the badge is determined in this area. The company name, logo and possible bar code can be added in the design section to produce the perfect look for your ID card needs.

The database section of the software is where all of the text and photgraph information is imported and stored for making a unique badge for each card holder. The database information is merged with the design elements upon choosing the print command to produce a custom badge for each file in the database. The database stores the information for use to make a card with a different design or to reprint in case of card loss or damage.

Dependable manufacturers, such as Asure ID software, ID Flow and EpiSuite provide dependable solutions for card design and printing. Various versions of each software provide basic and advanced capabilities for card design and printing needs. A id card expert from Safe-Card ID would be happy to provide a free consultation for your id card software needs.

Field Upgradeable Printer by Technician

Note

Legacy models of PVC card printers were “what you see is what you get.” If you wanted a dual sided printer or mag encoder in the printer for future use, the original purchase of the printer needed to encompass every function that would be needed throughout the lifetime of the printer.

More recent models of ID card printers allow organizations to purchase a base model and upgrade the printer as needed. Several printers from various manufacturers allow purchasers to purchase, at a reasonable price, a basic single sided id card printer. If the card making organization wishes to change the card with a module not included on the printer at a future time, modules can be obtained individually and added to the base model printer to increase the fuctionality of the printer and provide an increased capable card for additional requirements.

Some of the modules that can be purchased and installed at your location are:

  • Dual sided flipping module- This module will allow a card that has been printed on the front side to be flipped internally in the printer and refed through the printing module to print on the back side of the card.
  • Magnetic stripe encoder- This module will allow a PVC card with a magnetic stripe to be encoded with information that can be read by an appropriate reader. This function allows for additional information to be stored on a PVC card.
  • Lamination station- The lamination function on a printer provides an overlay, with or without a design, on the card. The overlay protects the surface of the card and produces a level of security. The lamination can have a unique design embeded in it. If someone tries to remove it from the surface of the card, the card will be defaced.

The Fargo HDP5000 printer is an example of a card printer that allows modules to be upgraded in the field.

Please contact us for a free consultation about which printer may be best for your application. Safe-Card ID services the following: Fargo printer, Evolis printer, Magicard printer, CIM printer, Asure Software and ID Flow.