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This post is the ultimate guide on the internet about the best dual-sided ID card and badge printers on the market. We have dug dip into the world of dual-sided ID card printers to bring you the information and recommendations in this post. As you read on, you will see our list of the top 10 best dual-sided printers for ID cards and badges. We also included a short description and review of each product.
Furthermore, we will show you the reasons why you may want to consider a duplex (or dual-sided) ID printer above single-sided printers. If you want adequate and valuable information that will help you choose the right dual-sided ID card for your needs, you should read this post to the end.
What Is The Best Dual-Sided ID Card Printer?
The best dual-sided ID card printer is fast and is capable of full-color printing on both the front and back sides of the card. Top-notch dual-sided ID badge printers can, however, print clear and high-quality cards and badges in monochrome or monochrome. What’s more, the best dual-sided ID card printer can handle large-scale ID printing programs.
✅ This specific product is our choice of dual-sided ID card printer. It is a high-speed, high-quality full-color ID badge printer. It also features multiple connectivity options and is easy to operate. Despite its stellar features, it is cost-effective.
Dual-sided ID printers are also called double-sided or duplex ID printers. The major benefit of these printers over their single-sided counterparts is that they allow for more customization while saving effort and time. They are, therefore, ideal for companies and organizations that handle high-volume printing of ID cards and badges.
As with other hardware products, there are several brands of ID printing machines. And each brand makes different models with different features and specifications. Adequate knowledge about these different models will help you determine which one is suitable for your ID program. But then, the models available are too numerous to sort through. That’s why we want to help you narrow down your choices.
Our research covered several duplex ID card printers. We compared the features and specifications of these different models. We also checked through expert opinions on each model, as well as reviews from verified customers. This is how we arrived at the list you are about to see below.
Top 10 Best Dual-Sided ID Card Printers
#1. Magicard Enduro 3E Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
This is your go-to option for ultra-fast printing of ID badges. It is an efficient printer that produces excellent card quality. Magicard Enduro3E is reliable and offers great versatility. There are four standard ID designs you can choose from to customize cards and badges for both security and visual purposes.
If you are printing full-color ID cards, Magicard Enduro3E can print 100 cards in one hour. For monochrome printing, it will print each card in just 7 seconds. It can also add a high-quality watermark to your cards for security and unique identification purposes. What’s more, this duplex printer connects easily to computer systems via either Ethernet or USB connections. It is, therefore, compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
#2. Evolis Primacy Dual-Side ID Card Printer & Badge Supplies
Evolis Primacy is reliable, fast, and has intuitive, easy-to-operate functionalities. It is compatible with different operating systems and can handle varying intensities of ID programs, ranging from small to large ID printing operations.
Some experts laud this model as one of the highest-speed ID printers out there. Evolis Primacy can produce as many as 210 dual-sided full-color ID badges per hour. If you are printing single-sided full-color cards, this printer will produce one card in just 19 seconds. And if the cards are monochrome, the printing time reduces further to just 4.5 seconds.
Evolis Primacy duplex printer has both Ethernet and USB connectivity for easy integration. It features an LED touchscreen that lets you know when there’s a printing error or when your color ribbon needs replacement. The screen will even show you real-time notification of how much ribbon you have left (in percentage).
#3. Fargo DTC4250e Dual-Side ID Card Printer
Fargo DTC4250e is a compact duplex ID printer made for medium-scale ID printing programs. It delivers top-quality, photo-grade full-color IDs at a remarkable speed. You can use it for diverse ID applications, including photo IDs and badges, gift cards, security access cards, membership cards, and loyalty cards.
This printer is small but mighty. It will produce a single-side card in just 20 seconds and a double-sided card in 45 seconds. Its input hopper can accommodate 100 cards for continuous printing. So you don’t have to feed each blank card into the printer manually for printing.
As with other options we have seen so far, this model also features both Ethernet and USB connectivity. It features a LED screen, an optional stripe encoder, and highly intuitive software. The software is easy to navigate and includes many top-notch design features. You can add your custom background or logo, as well as print barcodes on cards.
#4. Zebra ZXP Series 3 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
Zebra ZXP Series 3 can print a photo-grade, full-color ID in just 19 seconds. But it will produce a monochrome ID in only 6 seconds. What’s more, it has several intuitive features, such as its LCD screen, that make it super easy to operate. Its ribbons are “Load-N-Go”, meaning you can quickly replace the ribbon cartridge in a few simple steps.
This compact ID printer is durable and can handle various mid-size operations. It is ideal for medium-scale businesses, hospitality and healthcare industries, schools, clubs, and laundromats. The input hopper can accommodate 100 cards, which makes printing even faster. And aside from dual-sided full-color printing, this ID printing machine prints full-bleed, edge-to-edge ID badges.
#5. Fargo HDP5000 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
This is the second Fargo product on our list. Like the Fargo DTC4250e printer, this model is also compact and suitable for mid-range ID printing operations. This retransfer printing machine will deliver high-quality results for double-side, full-color ID badges. It allows you to print full-bleed cards with rich HD colors. Your cards will always be printed with superior image and text quality.
The Fargo HDP5000 can even make excellent prints on smart cards that have embedded chips. It also has an encoder that can embed information into RFID chips, as well as a laminator. What’s more, this printer is very durable, reliable, versatile, and cost-effective.
#6. Magicard Rio Pro 360 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
This Magicard ID printer can print full-color photo-grade IDs in just 19 seconds. Printing monochrome cards, on the other hand, will only take 6 seconds. With its high speed, it easily meets the needs of high-volume ID programs.
This high-performance ID printer features an LCD screen that makes it super easy to set up and navigate. It connects easily with Mac all versions of Windows drivers via Ethernet or USB. And its unique software ensures that images are printed just with the same quality as what the screen shows.
This printer can add watermarks to your cards for added security against fraudulent card copying. There are four preset HoloKote patterns you can choose from. The watermarks help secure against unauthorized card copying.
#7. Zebra ZXP Series 7 Dual-sided ID Card Printer
The Series 7 Zebra ZXP ID printer uses modern technologies to meet the ID printing demands of modern-day evolving businesses. Because of its innovative design, this printer can automatically adjust to varying card thicknesses. Besides, its control panel features a smart LCD screen that makes the printer easy to operate.
If you are looking for a high-performance printer for wide-ranging applications, you can count on this printer. Its durable design can fit well into different environments. And its printing system delivers an almost perfect photographic color depth and print quality. What’s more, it offers edge-to-edge printing of ID cards and badges.
This printer can handle three functions at the same time, namely: printing, smart card encoding, and card lamination. This singular feature leads to faster processing and increases the productivity of your business.
#8. ID Maker Edge Professional ID Card Printer
This printer is among the most recent printers and is very secure. It has features that suit the needs of any business owner, including fast printing, smart card encoding, and anti-fraud holographic watermarks. It also features digital shredding and 300 DPI print resolution. What’s more, you can upgrade the encoder as your business needs change.
#9. Pointman Nuvia N20 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
This printer delivers exceptional results that meet the standard quality for ID cards and badges. It produces cards with sharp, vibrant, and vivid colors. It is also capable of edge-to-edge card printing and allows you to pre-load 100 cards in the input hopper. This makes batch printing very easy because you wouldn’t have to feed blank cards into the printer manually.
If you prefer single print, you can feed the cards in manually through a second input channel that looks like an ATM input feeder. What’s more, Nuvia N20 dual-side printer is compact and lightweight.
#10. Zebra P520i Dual-sided Color ID Card Printer
This duplex color ID printer is a leading model in the card printing industry. It is designed to meet the needs of businesses that operate in highly demanding environments. It is also capable of both single-sided and dual-sided lamination. It’s a perfect blend of high-performance, reliability, affordability, and durability.
What Does Double-Sided Mean When Printing?
Double-sided or duplex printing simply means that you will be printing on both sides of the card. The double-sided feature on a printer means that the printer can automatically print on the two sides of the card. In just one run, the printer will print on one side, flip the card, and print on the other side too. Printers without this feature will print on just one side in one run. They are called single-sided or simplex printers.
How Do You Print A Double Sided Card?
To print a double-sided card, you should use a dual -sided printer and print with the appropriate setting In the printer settings, look for “Double-Side Printing”, “Print on Both Sides”, or “Flip Cards on Long Edge”. Select the option and click print. The printer will automatically print both sides.
How Do I Print An ID Card On Both Sides In Word?
Design the ID card in Word, using your desired template. Page 1 should contain the front side while the backside should be on page 2. Click on the “Files” tab and choose “Print”. But before printing the card, check the options under “Settings”. Make sure to select double-sided and your printer will print each of the two pages on either side of the card.
Can I Use a Single-sided Printer to Make Dual-sided Cards?
While you can print dual-sided cards with single-sided printers, it is not advisable. To print a dual-sided card with a single-sided printer, you will have to flip the card manually. This can contaminate the blank card with dust or oil, thus reducing print quality. In some cases, the contaminants can cause abrasion and damage the printer’s printhead. Besides, it takes more time and effort to print double-sided cards with a single-sided printer.
What Is The Size Of ID Card In Microsoft Word?
The appropriate size for ID cards in Microsoft Word, as well as in any other software, is 3.375 inches wide by 2.125 inches long. This specification is according to the standard guidelines set by ISO (the International Standards Organization) for ID cards. Any card that doesn’t have this dimension is not a standard identification card.
Fargo DTC1250e Dual-Sided ID Card Printer
Fargo DTC1250e is one of our top 10 best dual-sided ID badge printers. This well-featured printing machine uses dye sublimation to produce quick ID cards and badges. It prints at a resolution of 300 dpi. What’s more, it can handle edge-to-edge printing and make full-color badges.
✅ Video – HID FARGO DTC1250e – Full Color Credentials
ID Card Printer Machine
ID card printing machines are special printers designed to make imprints on PVC plastic cards. These printers use a different technology from the regular inkjet printers. Instead of liquid ink, they use special print ribbons, which are applied to the cards by dye-sublimation technology, a form of thermal printing.
Card printers can feature single card feeders or allow continuous feed from a hopper that can accommodate several cards at once. Furthermore, some ID card printers are single-side (or simplex) printers while some others are dual-sided. Simplex printers print on just one side of the card but dual-side printers can print on both sides.
Color ID Card Printer
ID badge printers can either be monochrome or color printers. Monochrome printers can only print one color, which is usually back. But color ID printers can print full-color IDs. They do this by using colored ribbons to create imprints on plastic cards. These printers have only a few color panels, but they can still print photo-grade colors.
While computer screens display colors by mixing RGB color display panels, ID card printers mix colors using CMYK panels. This sometimes causes some problems in color appearance after printing. But most ID printers still print with a great degree of color accuracy. Lower-end printers may, however, not produce crisp colors.
Smart Card Printer
Smart card printers, a type of ID card printer, can print on cards while encoding them at the same time. They are used for ID badge programs that need wide-ranging card utilities and strong security. Smart cards contain smart chips and sometimes antennas embedded in them. A smart card printer will encode these chips to create a card you can use for diverse purposes, including cashless transactions and access control, among others.
Key Card Printer
Key cards are a type of smart card. So a smart card printer can also print key cards. These cards offer better security, reliability, and convenience. They are used mostly by residential complexes and hospitality businesses.
A good key card printer will make perfect and impeccable key cards for your business. It will customize the card and encode it for you. Key cards are also known as keyless security cards, access control cards, or simply access cards.
5 Benefits of Dual-sided ID Card Printers
Using a dual-sided ID card printer has many benefits. In the section that follows, we will show you some of the key benefits you stand to enjoy when you choose a dual-sided printer for your ID cards and badges.
Time-Saving
This is arguably the biggest advantage of using a dual-sided printer for your ID badges. It saves time because both sides of your cards will be printed in one run. Those that print ID badges for visitors at commercial venues or large organizations that employ new staff regularly will benefit greatly from the time-saving advantage of dual-sided printers.
Saving one or two minutes per card may not seem significant until you have to handle large-scale ID operations. By the time you are printing 10 or more cards, the accumulated time you could have saved becomes significant.
Less Stress
It could be frustrating when you are using a single-sided printer for double-sided printing. You would not only spend extra time feeding the other side of the card, but you would also have to change over the template. This can be very stressful if you are not printing in bulk. Besides, this leaves a lot of room for human error.
For instance, you could feed the card in the wrong orientation. You may also forget to change to the appropriate design for the other side. A dual-sided printer eliminates these problems.
Better Customization
Some organizations have the same information at the back of their ID cards. It could be a disclaimer, contact information, or certain instructions. Single-sided printers can still handle these kinds of ID programs. But you may have to print the opposite side with the uniform information ahead in batches.
But in a case where you have to customize both sides of the card, a duplex ID printer would be most suitable. It will reduce the chances of human errors and decrease your production.
Economic Benefits
When you have to flip cards manually, you are likely to touch the surface of the card before printing on it. This can contaminate the cards with dust or oil, which can cause an improper application of dyes on the cards. Worse still, they can damage the printer’s printhead.
Improper dye application means you would be wasting both card and print ribbon. And if the printhead damages, you will spend a fortune to replace it. You can prevent these unnecessary expenses by using a dual-sided printing machine.
Advanced Features
Duplex ID badge printers are better than single-sided printers if you are printing cards with more data fields. You can easily split information between the front and back sides. This will keep your cards looking uncluttered and highly professional. Many dual-sided printers also feature smartcard printing, magnetic stripes, and the ability to add digital signatures.
FAQs
Which Ribbon Should I Use To Print Double-Sided?
You can use any ID printer ribbon for dual-sided printing so long as the ribbon is compatible with your printer. Just make sure to select “dual-sided printing” in the settings before printing. If you are printing colored ID badges, the ribbon options available include the following:
YMCKO/K
This dual-printing ribbon type makes color prints in front and only black monochrome prints behind.
YMCKO/YMCKO
This ribbon type makes color prints on the two sides of the card.
YMCO/K
This ribbon type makes color prints and adds an overlay of varnish in front and monochrome prints behind.
YMC/KO
This ribbon type makes color prints in front without any varnish overlay and only monochrome prints behind. It adds overlay printing behind.
What Can I Do If My Ribbon Gets Cut?
If your ribbon cuts while printing is ongoing, check for the contrast settings in the graphic menu or driver properties. If the contrast level is too high, you should bring it down. Some printers use “Quality Values” instead of contrast settings. So check for that if you can’t find contrast settings.
If your contrast settings are okay, check the ribbon to see if it’s expired or faulty. If that’s the case, replace it. Sometimes also, ribbons get cut when you are not using the recommended ribbon for a printer. If you have checked all of these and the ribbons keep on cutting, you should contact an expert.
How Do You Print On PVC Cards?
The ideal printer type to use for printing on PVC cards is an ID card printer. ID card printers are designed specially to print on plastic PVC surfaces. Some inkjet printers also have a feeding tray for PVC cards. If your inkjet printer has this tray, it means it is also equipped to print on PVC cards. But you must use Inkjet PVC Cards, which have a special top-coating that makes them absorb inkjet inks.
How Does ID Card Printing Software Work?
All printing software programs for ID cards and badges work in three phases – template design, data entry, and printing. Some ID card software programs use another name for templates, but it’s still the same principle. The template contains the basic frame and all the elements that will be on your finished ID.
After choosing a template, you will have to enter the data of your cardholder in the appropriate places. Some software programs allow you to store cardholder data. So if anyone loses a badge, you can pull up their record from the software database and make a reprint. Once you have entered the data, the final step is to print the badge with your printer.
What Can ID Badge Printers Print?
ID badge printers can produce a wide variety of badges and cards. You can use them for any printing program that requires you to print on plastic cards. A few examples of printing programs that you can use ID badge printers for include student IDs, transit passes, loyalty cards, and security cards.
End
Using a dual-sided ID card printer and appropriate software will help simplify your ID production process and keep a database of your members or employees. They are helpful for business applications, as well as for government establishments, education, and hospitality industries. But make sure to check the printing technology, print speed, capacity, resolution, and media compatibility before you buy an ID badge printer. That way, you can compare the printer’s qualities with your ID program needs.
Some other things to check out for include whether the printer has an encoder and a laminator, and whether it can create holograms. We have listed the top 10 best dual-sided ID card printers in this post. The list contains duplex ID badge printers with different functionalities and price range. We hope you find the list and all other information in the post helpful as you shop for an ID card printer.
