Consider a Fargo Printer for Your ID Card Needs

Posted by on May 13, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

The different Fargo Printer models that are available have various capabilities. Depending on your business or organization, you should decide which Fargo Printer would be best one to purchase. Answer the following questions to find out which Fargo printer would suit your company or organization.

1. Does your company operate in more than one office building?
2. Are there one hundred or more employees working for your business?
3. Does your office building or buildings have restricted areas for authorized personnel only?
4. Does your company or organization have a computer database network full of important or confidential information?

If you answered “yes” to question number 1, then the Fargo DTC550 would probably be the best printer for your company or organization. This printer has an internal print server and Ethernet port, so with a LAN, your company or organization could securely print ID cards at any of its locations. Purchase several Fargo DTC550 printers for all of your office locations for convenient ID card printing.

If you answered “yes” to question number 2, then the ideal Fargo printer for your company or organization would be the Fargo HDP5000 because it the fastest printer that Fargo manufactures. Ink cartridges could be replaced quicker and more efficiently, allowing users to produce ID cards at an optimal speed.

If you answered “yes” to numbers 3 and 4, the Fargo printer that would best for your company or organization’s needs is the Fargo DTC4500, which has the ability to produce ID cards with contact and contactless smart cards and magnetic stripes to for a HID proximity card, in order to provide you with a high level of security for your office building or buildings and computer network databases, if you choose, with the options of single-side and dual-side printing. It also produces your basic plastic ID card. This printer also has the ability to work within a network, thus you could purchase several Fargo DTC4500 printers to install in numerous office locations.

Although each Fargo printer is unique, most of them have the same capabilities. For instance, the Fargo DTC550 is not the only Fargo printer able to work with a LAN. Also, many of the Fargo printers are able to produce secure ID cards like a HID proximity card, and the majority of them are able to mass produce at a fast speed, although some print more quickly than others.

The decision to purchase one or a few Fargo printers should be left up to the management team, along with the finance, human resources, or IT departments of your company. The management team would obviously need to have input in this decision. However, the finance department should provide a copy of the budget and funds available to purchase Fargo printers. Also, it would be able to determine if purchasing printers would be less expensive than hiring an outside company. The human resources department should be part of the decision-making process because they would eventually have to be the ones who would possibly be producing these ID cards, if an IT department does not exist at your company. Otherwise, the IT department would be the ideal department to be responsible for using the Fargo printers.

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Is a Fargo Printer Better Than an Evolis Printer?

Posted by on October 30, 2010 · 4 Comments 

It can be difficult to compare specific brands of ID card printers, especially when you are trying to compare two major brands.  For example, comparing a Fargo printer and Evolis printer can seem like a tough proposition.  With so many new developments within the industry, increased price-based competition, and variety of solutions available, the differences can seem minimal.  However, there are still some key indicators that you can use to choose which printer is right for.

The first thing that you need to look at is the features that are offered.  While there are comparable models between all major brands, there are also some differences.  A Fargo printer will often take up less space and be a little less expensive than a similar Evolis printer.  However, when trying to compare models, the features are often different.  This is primarily because Fargo offers a larger number of printers to choose from.  That means that they may have two or three models that are comparable to a single Evolis model.  With this is mind, it is important to focus first on the features that you need.  By doing this, you will be able to choose a printer that is designed for your specific type of situation rather than a one-size-fits-all solution that will likely not have everything that you need.

The next thing to look at is overall cost.  In many cases, a Fargo printer will slightly less expensive than a similar Evolis printer.  However, you run into the same issue that you see when comparing features.  There are going to be several Fargo products that fit within a specific price-point, whereas there will likely only be one Evolis product in this range.  Additionally, because there are more options from Fargo, there is a higher chance that you will get certain accessories that you need, such as holographic printer ribbon included with your purchase.  When looking at total cost, you should also consider how much maintenance, additional products (such as the ID card), and other variables can affect your long term expenses.  Warranties are also something to keep in mind when comparing these two brands as well.

Finally, you should look at customer service/support.  When it comes to support, a Fargo printer may carry a slight edge.  This is because HID, the creator of the Fargo line of printers, has a separate website dedicated solely to customer support.  While this is not to say that Evolis offers little support, because they do seem to have a solid track record of keeping their customers satisfied.  However, if you do have a problem, there is a good chance that HID will be able to respond a little quicker.

When it comes to comparing a Fargo printer and Evolis printer, the final decision will often be based upon your specific needs rather than solely on which brand is superior.  Both offer products with a variety of features and at a variety of different prices points.  If customer support is you number one concern, then Fargo might carry the edge, although it should be considered a slim one.  In making your final decision, it is almost entirely dependent on your needs because both brands seem to offer excellent products.

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What is the Best Way to Purchase ID Card Software?

Posted by on October 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

When it comes to purchasing ID card software there are a variety of different avenues that you can choose from.  Depending on where you are at in your purchasing process, one option tends to stick out as the best option.  The three most basic options are purchasing a complete printing system, purchasing a brand specific software, or purchase “universal” software.  All of these options have specific benefits and drawbacks depending on your current situation.  Here is a closer look at all three options and what they have to offer.

The most common route that many businesses take is to simply purchase an entire printing package.  This will include not only ID card software, but also a printer, camera, cables, and some accessories.  This is ideal solution if you currently don’t have anything that you need to get going.  Not only to get everything all at once, but it is often much more inexpensive than purchasing everything separately.  Plus, you don’t have to worry about software compatibility.  For example, if you purchase a Zebra printer package, then you know that everything will easily integrate together seamlessly  The only potential drawback is if you need to upgrade a certain item.  While substitutions can sometimes be made, it isn’t always an option.

The next option is to purchase ID card software based upon your specific brand of printer.  For example, if you have a Zebra printer, then you would choose software designed by the same company.  The biggest benefit of choosing this option is that you know that you won’t have any problems integrating the software with your printer.  Another benefit is that brand-specific software will often work with all of the printers made by that brand.  This is particularly useful if you will be using the same software in multiple locations or having multiple projects running on multiple printers simultaneously.  A final advantage is that the software will be designed to communicate directly with the card printer, which means that you won’t have to deal with the middleman (the Windows or Mac general printing prompts).

The final option is choose a universal ID card software.  This is software that has been designed by a third party and has the ability to communicate with a wide variety of printers directly.  The biggest potential benefit is that third party software will sometimes be more inexpensive.  Another potential benefit is that the software will likely have a lot more options.  However, if your printer does not have the ability to do something, such as print on both sides, then having software that allows you to create dual sided cards is fairly useless.  The same is true with other features as well.  The biggest potential problem is integration.  While most universal software should quickly integrate with most major printer brands, it isn’t a guarantee.  However, the customer support for the software will normally walk you through any additional steps that you need to take.  While this may be a hassle, it can pay off in the long run.

As you can see, each option has specific benefits and drawbacks that you should consider when purchasing ID card software.  If you don’t have anything, then a full printing package will normally be your best choice.  However, if you already a specific printer, such a Zebra printer, then you will likely get the most utility out of either a brand specific or universal software instead of a full package.

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Quality Card Printers

Posted by on June 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

ID card printers provide custom printed plastic cards for many applications.  The most popular usage for the cards are identification cards for students, employees, contractors and visitors.  These cards can have a photo or may be printed without photos and be used more as a name tag.

These printers are much improved over the old cut and paste laminated cards that were popular just a few years ago.  The card printers provide a thicker card that does not peel and lasts much longer than the laminated paper card.

PVC cards are used to print id badges in these card printer systems.  The cards must be image grade or higher and they are the standard size of your credit card or driver’s license. Cards printer systems provide full color or monochrome printing depending on your card needs.  For this article, we will focus on dual sided full color printing.

The print ribbon normally used in a direct to card printer is the YMCKOK print ribbon.  The six panels are all used for each card printed.  This means that weather the card is a full color print or has a couple of colors printed on the card, the same amount of ribbon is used in the printing.

The YMC is the color portion of the ribbon.  The three separate panels in conjunction provide a full color look to the cards. Yellow, magenta and cyan contain combinations of millions of colors that are able to be burnt onto the card surface for permanent

The K portion of the print ribbon is a black print.  This panel is used to print black over the YMC printing for text and bar codes.  The O panel is a clear overlay panel that provides a protective overcoat over the entire portion of the front of the printed card.

To print a card, PVC cards are placed in the card input hopper. As the printer is instructed to begin printing cards, the PVC card advances into the card printer. The YMCK panels pass over the card one at a time.  The hot print head has many heat elements in it.  As the each panel arrives on top of the card, specific heat elements burn the appropriate Y, M or K coloring to each small section of the card.  The K panel then is passed over the card and the correct black portion from the panel is heated and transferred directly to the card.  The O panel is then applied to the front of the printed card for the overcoat.

At this point, a dual card printer has the capability to flip the card over for printing on the back side of the card.  The only remaining panel, the K panel, is used to print black text or bar codes on the back of the card.

Once the black back is printed, the card is ejected to the ID card printers output hopper. Fargo printer systems and Zebra badge printers are common in many businesses.  Quality printers that provide this direct to card method of printing come from Evolis, Fargo, Magicard, Datacard and Zebra.

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Card Printer Basics

Posted by on June 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

You are researching ID card printer system options for your new start up business.  Initially, the process seems hard as there are so many great manufacturers to choose from and so many printer options.  The jargon seems like a foreign language and you many wonder how you will process through this task with the capability to move on to other projects

The first task you want to spend time on when researching photo ID card printer systems is to understand the needs and goals or your organization.  Do you want to identify your employees and visitors?  Do you want to provide an advanced method for payroll?  Will some areas of your company be secured so that an access card is needed to allow authorized users to enter?

These and other questions should be understood prior to looking at all of the pictures, marketing materials and suggestions made by sales people in the field.  It is important to know your exact outcomes so you cannot be swayed by the available bells and whistles on today’s printing machines.

A brand that has been available for a long time in the identification market is Zebra.  Also known in its early days as Eltron, the Zebra print ribbon is made to last.  Made in the United States, the Zebra brand is a popular business printer manufacturer.  Making other printers such as bar code label printers and other business printers, the Zebra printer lineup is extensive and is sure to have a Zebra Card printer that will be the solution for the specific needs that you have.

Fargo printer models are another brand to spend some time with.  Fargo printers are constructed to provide versatility and are easy to use.  Most of the newer direct to print model printers use a single easy to load print cartridge saving both time and money for the uses.  Hot swap warranties with the professional model printers provide continuous usage and a minimum amount of down time for printers that need warranty service work.

Evolis printer models are sleek, up to date technologically and are well constructed.  This brand is European and has a durability that is outstanding. The first manufacturer with a three year warranty, this manufacturer provides a reliable printer that will produce colorful personalized cards time and time again. Single sided, dual sided, rewritable and high security, high volume printers are available for all types of custom card printing.

Other brands of printers that are important to analyze are Datacard and Magicard.  Both of these printer manufacturers have a large repertoire of printer options that can be customized to the specific needs that your organization has for custom ID card use.

Besides a good quality printer, you may also need card design software.  Software packages from eMedia, Asure, Card Five and ID Flow provide versions of card design from the most simple to a highly complex card that needs to obtain information from a networked database.  Sample software downloads are available for most software packages for a try before you buy experience.

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