Card Printing Questions
Questions to Consider Before Purchasing a Card Printer
What kind of cards do you need
to print?
see
card uses page
Do you want to print Color or
Monochrome cards?
All Zebra
card printers (formerly Eltron Card Printers) can be used for
both color and monochrome printing. The Zebra P310F single-sided
monochrome card printer is optimized for fast, easy, economical
monochrome card printing.
Do you need to print on both
sides of the card (front and back)?
Zebra models P420 (P420i) and P520 (P520i) support dual sided
printing.
Do you need to encode magnetic
stripes or smart card chips?
All Zebra P Series card printers feature optional magnetic stripe
encoders and/or smart card contact stations.
How many cards will you need to
print per year?
All current Zebra card printers support print volumes up to 25,000
cards per year.
How rugged and durable must the
cards be?
Zebra models P310 (P310i), P420 (P420i), and P520 (P520i) all have
the capability to apply protective overlay varnishes with or without
holograms. For higher levels of durability, the Zebra P520 (P520i)
features a hot roll laminating station for the application of .6 or
1.0 mil overlaminate patch materials, with or without holograms.
How long do you need your cards
to last (card life)?
For cards that need to last less than two years, Zebra's P310
(P310i) and P420 (P420i) are recommended. The model P520 (P520i)
produces cards lasting up to five years.
How often will the card be
swiped through a bar code or magnetic stripe reader?
The Zebra P520 (P520i) is recommended for abrasion intensive
applications such as frequent bar code or magnetic stripe card
reading.
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Printing Section
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Zebra
(formerly Eltron) Card Printers Section
