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Photo Identification Guide - ID Cards / Printers / Software
Photo ID is becoming an increasingly important security tool for corporations, schools and government. While there are some organizations stilling using old Polaroid cameras, many businesses are utilizing new photo ID technology and card creation software like Card 5 or Episuite that create ID cards rapidly using digital printers.
For your convenience, we offer a wide array of digital ID equipment and systems, including: ID cameras, digital photo printers and card creation software. If you’re not ready to upgrade we also supply traditional Polaroid cameras and photo ID systems and equipment, like cutters, pouch laminators, photo trimmers, and slot punches.
We have the photo ID creation equipment and supplies for you, whichever system you prefer. We also carry lanyards, badge holders, badge reels and other accessories. For more information to determine which photo ID system is best for you, please continue reading this guide or visit the photo id index.
Our selection of digital photo ID card printers is the best on the market. Brands we carry include: Fargo, Magicard and Eltron® / Zebra®. Digital photo printers are available that allow printing color or B/W printing on both sides of the card and can produce a card between 5-30 seconds.
Digital card printers are also available with an optional magnetic stripe encoder that encodes information into the stripe. The information, which could include names, employee numbers, etc, can be read when the card is swiped through a magnetic card reader.
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Card creation software enables companies to design and encode their own photo ID cards, eliminating the need for costly outsourcing. ID card creation software is able to encode cards to link with informational databases eliminating the need to encode redundant information on each card. The software will also enhance your office security by encoding cards with barcodes, magnetic stripes, and smart chips to limit access to sensitive information and areas. There are several brands of card software available, including Assure, Episuite, and Card 5.
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Magnetic writers encode data on the magnetic stripes on the backs of cards. The magnetic stripes, like the ones on credit cards, are ˝ inch bars, contain three-tracks for data encryption, and are available in high or low coercivity. High coercivity stripes are black, last longer, and can store data for longer periods. Low coercivity stripes are brown and designed for constant re-writing. Some models, like the 3170, can work as both, encoding low coercivity stripes and able to read high and low coercivity stripes.
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We have an excellent selection of Polaroid cameras for companies that still use them to take ID card photos. Our 2 lens cameras are perfect for passport photos. Cameras with 4 or 6 lenses are also available.
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There are several photo ID supplies you will need for your digital printer:
- PVC photo ID cards to print IDs on.
- Digital printer replacement ribbons.
- Print head & ink buildup cleaner to keep your pvc card printer from leaving streaks. This includes:
- Cleaning cartridge ribbons to run through the printer, keeping it from streaking while printing.
- Cleaning cards for cleaning the thermal print head as you run them through the printer.
- A cleaning pen to rub the print head with, removing ink.
- Cleaning pads will remove ink from your printer head. Soak the cleaning pad with cleaner then rub it across the print head.
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Slot punches put holes in the PVC cards so they can be held on badge straps, lanyards, badge reel or other clips. There are hand held or industrial slot punches available depending on the number of cards you will be punching. The Model 1500 LA is a heavy duty unit, able to punch seven 10-mil gauge cards at a time. Remember: ID cards should only be punched AFTER they are printed. Punching before printing can cause damage to the printer.
Photo ID Index | Slot Punches | Back to Top
Photo die cutters trim pictures to passport size quickly and accurately. There are electric or manual die cutters available.
Photo ID Index | Photo Die Cutters | Back to Top
Photo ID Index | Photo ID Supplies and Accessories | Back to Top
The LiteCut Photo Trimmer has a light on the cutting board that shines up through the photo so you can make precise cuts.
Photo ID Index | LiteCut Photo Trimmers | Back to Top
Pouch laminators will preserve photo ID cards printed on perforated ink jet paper or sheets of teslin. A wide selection of photo quality pouch laminators is available with pressure-sensitive (cold) and hot lamination settings.
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Digital signature capture units acquire signatures and digitally store them for use on ID cards and badges. A digital pen or stylus is used to sign on an electronic capture pad for storing. Biometric units that digitally store thumb, finger, and handprints are also available.
Photo ID Index | Digital Signature Capture | Back to Top
Glossary
Card creation software - Software used to design photo ID.
Die cutter - A cutter that cuts photos into passport size.
Digital ID card printer - The ID card printer that prints photo ID on PVC cards.
High coercivity - A high level of magnetic coding on a magnetic stripe. High-coercivity stripes are black in color and store information on a permanent basis.
Low coercivity - A lower level of magnetic coding on a magnetic strip. Low-coercivity stripes are brown in color and store information that is frequently changed.
Magnetic card reader - A machine that reads data off of a magnetic stripe.
Magnetic stripe - A brown or black stripe on ID cards, credit cards, gift certificates and more which stores information that is read by a magnetic card reader.
Magnetic stripe encoder - A machine that encodes a magnetic stripe with data.
Perforated ink jet paper - Paper used to print photo IDs using an ink jet printer.
Slot punch - A machine that punches a hole in the photo ID so that a lanyard, badge strap clip or badge reel can carry the photo ID.
Teslin sheets - Paper used to print photo ID using a laser printer.
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Eltron® and Zebra® are registered trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corporation.
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