Subscriber Discussion

Badge Printer - Access Control

JS
John Saunders
•Aug 25, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I'm looking for suggestions regarding the best value / quality access badge printer. Client will be using S2 access control. Unit needs to be colour; initial run maybe 100 cards, after that 2-5 cards per week. I see several Fargo printers listed for anywhere from $3K - $10K. Seems a bit high, but maybe that is the rate. Thanks.

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Brian Rhodes
•Aug 25, 2017
IPVMU Certified

In terms of print detail, will there be printing picture ID images/thumbnail portraits?

One side print or two side?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Aug 25, 2017
In reply to Brian Rhodes

Smart Card or magnetic stripe encoding option?  Clear laminate?  Card thickness?

JS
John Saunders
•Aug 25, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Brian Rhodes

All good questions, I should have anticipated. 

No photos.

One sided.

Probably HID IClass, possibly HID Prox.

No mag strip required

Smart encoding - eventually, yes. 

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Brian Rhodes
•Aug 25, 2017
IPVMU Certified

You might check out Zebra printers.  The ZXP series supports your basic requirements and runs about $800.  In general, Zebra is lower priced than Fargo, but tech support/badge maker integrations/and replacement supplies may be more costly.

JS
John Saunders
•Aug 28, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Brian Rhodes

Thanks Brian. I've looked and the Zebra seems to fit my needs.

JC
Jason Choy
•Sep 18, 2017
Welcome Gate - Global

These printers all seem to print at 600dpi.

I was speaking to one of the leading manufacturers today and they mentioned that ALL the print heads are manufactured by the SAME company.

Now I'm not sure if that's entirely true but it does make me wonder why they all print at the same resolution.

 

We have never been able to justify buying Fargo printers.

 

The ones we use most are the Magicard range (from Ultra Electronics). Either the entry level Enduro range or ideally RioPro, which benefits from "hot-swap", meaning our clients always have a card printer if there are any issues (again please check if this applies outside of UK)

 

If you are really tight on budget then the Evolis range seems quite good but not sure if they are available outside of the UK.

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