3 ways to cheaply print plastic cards

Currently, the most popular method of printing PVC cards is printing on plastic card printers using retransfer printing technology. Unfortunately, this technology has several limitations that are worth paying attention to. In the article, I present alternative methods of printing on plastic cards that allow you to reduce the costs of printing contactless cards.

Plastic card printers

The first problem with purchasing a plastic card printer is its price. Depending on the model you choose, prices range from PLN 3,000. up to 20 thousand zloty. Printer prices are exceptionally high, especially considering the printing technology, which involves repeatedly rewinding the ink ribbon to transfer subsequent color components to the surface of the plastic card. In practice, we are dealing with a quite noisy mechanism, additionally susceptible to damage to the delicate ink ribbon.

Do we get high quality printing for a high price?

In my opinion, no. The most important reservations regarding print quality are:

- inability to print the entire surface of the card (from edge to edge)

- uneven color reproduction

- frequent deterioration of print quality due to uneven card surface or lack of sterile cleanliness of the card surface

- calibration of printers for printing cards manufactured by the printer manufacturer (such cards are available at prices several times higher than available substitutes)

Cost of printing plastic cards

Coloring ribbons capable of printing 200 cards can be purchased for approximately PLN 250. This value translates into the cost of double-sided printing of a plastic card in the amount of PLN 5. The price of PLN 5 does not include depreciation of the cost of the printer and the cost of purchasing the card itself.

Another disadvantage is the fact that printing graphics in the same color tone reduces the number of cards that can be printed using one ink roller.

Can you print plastic cards cheaper?

Of course you can. Below I present 3 solutions that allow you to significantly reduce the cost of printing contactless cards.

Offset printing

Full CMYK color printing in photographic quality is possible at the plastic card production stage. How are the costs?

An order of 200 pieces = approx. PLN 3 for a double-sided print on a proximity card

Order 500 pcs = approx. PLN 1.50 for double-sided print on a proximity card

Order 1,000 pcs = approx. PLN 0.4 for double-sided print on a proximity card

NFC24 offers:

Double-sided printed cards 125 kHz or 13.56 MHz [200 – 1000 pcs.]

MIFARE 1k cards with double-sided printing [1000 pcs.]

Advantages

Low printing cost

High print quality

Defects

Long waiting period (10 – 25 business days)

Need to order a large number of cards to be printed (from 200 pcs.)

Printing with INKJET technology

Card printing in photographic quality with perfect color reproduction. The print made with this technology is waterproof.

NFC24 offers:

Double-sided prints on 125 kHz proximity cards

Advantages

High print quality (covering the entire card surface, realistic color reproduction)

Possibility to order any number of printed cards (from one piece)

Defects

The need to use plastic cards adapted for INKJET printing

Susceptibility of printed cards to scratches (use of protective cases recommended)

Plastic card printing system in inkjet printers

Selected inkjet printers enable high-quality prints to be printed on plastic cards. Prints made using color inkjet printers are waterproof. The very low cost of double-sided printing of a plastic card using this technology (approximately PLN 0.10 when using original inks) makes it an increasingly popular technology. Specialized ink-absorbing cards must be used for printing.

NFC24 offers:

The plastic card printing system in Epson inkjet printers offers photo-quality prints

Unique 125 kHz proximity cards designed for printing in inkjet printers

Advantages

Very low printing price

High print quality (depending on the printer used)

Defects

Necessity to use specialized plastic cards

Susceptibility of printed cards to scratches

Longer than in the case of retransfer printers, the time to print one card

Printing on self-adhesive labels

An alternative to printing on plastic cards is to print self-adhesive labels, which are then placed on the surface of the PVC card. The solution is not as aesthetic as direct printing on plastic cards, but it allows you to significantly reduce costs.

NFC24 offers:

Labels printed in photo quality for placement on plastic cards

Advantages

Low costs of card personalization

Short order processing time

Defects

Susceptibility of the label to wear and tear (water, mechanical damage)

Summary

In the article, I presented 3 ways to minimize the cost of printing plastic cards:

1. Offset printing on plastic cards

2. Printing on INKJET plastic cards

3. Printing on self-adhesive paper labels

I hope that the information presented in the article will be helpful in choosing the most appropriate plastic card printing technology for your needs.