Tag Archives: id card design

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.

Tips to Incorporate Security in your ID Card Design

custom id

It is easy to duplicate a white card with a logo and name on it. There are additional security measures you may wish to consider when designing your id card for maximum security.

1. To begin the graphic design process, you may find it helpful to divide your card up into a grid. Place the larger and fixed elements into the card first and determine whether the card will be veritical or horizontal. Remember to leave a placeholder for the badge slot punch if there will be one on your cards.

2. Use color in your card. Avoid extremes. Dark colors are hard to read and light colors make the card look washed out. Bright colors work best with variance in color to distinguish different levels of access or achievement.

3. A colored photo of the cardholder as large as possible on the card increases the security of the card. A colored photo is more secure than a black and white picture. Although high resolution is important, a picture size that is too large will be combersome in some computers and id badge design programs.

4. Choose a good font or fonts that appeal to the reader and are in good taste. Too many fonts on the card are distracting. Often a sans serif font is recommended for the text.

5. You may wish to incorporate a hologram on the card. The hologram can be clear, a standard pattern or custom. The protective overlay makes it difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce.

6. If your budget allows for an advanced printer, you may wish to consider a printer that uses reverse image printing technology. The security level of these cards are greater than a standard direct-to-card print. With the additional benefits of a better quality print and durability of the cards, some organizations choose to go this route.

If you have additional questions about id card printing, contact our id card experts at 888-485-4696. We provide and service Asure Software, ID Flow Software, EpiSuite, Fargo printer models, Evolis printer models, CIM printer models and Magicard printer models.

Black Bar Codes – How to Print True Black Bar Codes on your ID Badge

It is important for the correct working of your bar code that it print in a true black setting. Sometimes this will happen automatically, but it is best to double check your printer preferences prior to printing to make sure that you will obtain the bar code output desired.

The following instructions will provide a printed bar code that will print true black. The bar code in the following example is for a bar code close to the bottom edge.

1. Go to your computer and go to the start button in the left hand corner. Go to SETTINGS. Then go to PRINTERS and FAXES.

2. Right click on the correct driver for your printer and select PRINTING PREFERENCES>

3. Find the K PANEL RESIN tab. Click on the DEFINED AREA box.

4. Select PRINT K ONLY at the bottom of your form.

5. Double check to make sure that the X and Y axis settings are set to zero.

6. The height and width settings are found above the axis settings. If you have a vertical card, set the height for 2.11″. If you have a horizontal card, set the height for .500″. The width for both cards should be set at 3.377″.

Looking at your id card software design, you should see a black rectangle at the bottom of the card where you, hopefully, want the bar code to be placed.

For more information about designing id cards with id card software , contact our id card experts. We provide id card systems with Fargo printers, Evolis printers, CIM printers or Magicard printers.

Asure ID Card Software – Adding a Bar Code to your Design

SafeCardID.com offers a free training video which demonstrates how to add a bar code field to an id card design designing an id card layout in Asure software programs.

For additional information about Asure ID Express card printing software, ID-card systems, printing supplies or badge attachments and accessories, contact us for a free consultation at 888-485-4696.

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