Photo ID Card Printers

DTC PROS

The most cost-efficient way to produce ID badges where only a ribbon supply is needed. The hardware itself is more cost-efficient than a reverse transfer printer.

Faster printing speeds than the reverse transfer method.

It is easier to operate for someone who is not technically inclined.  Troubleshooting is often more straightforward as well.

Repairs and extended warranties tend to be less than those for HDP printers.

DTC CONS

A DTC printer cannot produce a full edge-to-edge color printed badge. You can expect a thin white border around all edges of a card because the printhead is not passing over each edge.

It can only produce up to 300 DPI resolution. In certain scenarios where marketing and or leadership departments have a higher expectation for quality and or color-matching capabilities, a DTC printer is very limited in meeting said expectations.

You must be conscious of designing around the badge if you’re printing on an RFID/proximity card. The embedded chip of an RFID card can be microns higher than the rest of the card surface. When the printhead comes into direct contact with these raised areas, it can “bounce” resulting in poor print quality when
images are printed in the same area.

HDP PROS

HDP printers are designed to print onto RFID card stock, which produces an almost blemish-free ID badge.

Produces a higher quality and more professionally appearing badge because it prints up to 600 DPI high-resolution, full-color, edge-to-edge printed. When color matching is paramount and graphic quality is held to a higher standard, by selecting an HDP reverse-transfer printer will help you meet your marketing management’s expectations. 

HDP CONS

Supplies costs tend to be slightly higher per badge than DTC printers due to increased consumables, such as a combination of color ribbon and retransfer film.

The printers themselves require a higher initial investment, as their technology is more advanced than DTC printers.

HDP printers have more moving parts to break because of the additional process of the transfer ribbon.  However, eXpress badging finds them very reliable.

The lifecycle cost of maintenance can also be higher, as more technically inclined and trained personnel are needed. Plus, extended warranties and repairs are higher as well.