What's the Best Oversized ID Badge Printer?

Are you responsible for special events like concerts, trade shows, conferences, sporting events, and more? Whether you're in the hospitality or event management industry, an oversized ID badge printer can be a game-changer for credentialing guests at your event. If you're looking to upgrade a current ID card printer or invest in a new one, you want the top oversized ID badge printer for your needs. But with several oversized ID card printers to choose from, how do you know which is the best? Here's what to consider when choosing a printer to buy.

Do You Want Plastic or Paper?

Deciding to use plastic or paper cards is your first important decision. It comes down to durability. Will your guests use their cards often, such as seasonal passes to a water park? Or do you need a single-day, use-only-once kind of ID badge? If durability is a concern, choose an oversized ID badge printer that prints plastic cards.

You can also choose from direct-to-card, re-transfer, or ink-jet printers, depending on whether you need the entire card's surface on which to print. We have an excellent resource to help you narrow down the oversized ID card printer you need.

What Size Card Do You Need?

The size of your event badge will limit the type of ID card printers from which you can choose. Some common sizes of event ID credentials include:

• 3 inches by 1, 1.5, or 2 inches
• 4 inches round
• 2.5 or 3 inches by 4 inches
• 3 inches by 5 inches
• 4 inches by 6 inches

Usually, larger format cards cost more per card to print and take a specific type of printer. However, you can also have larger card surfaces pre-printed, leaving a space the size of a normal ID card you can customize yourself.

What Display Attachment Will You Use?

There are a variety of accessories you can choose from, depending on the size event badge you print. Large event badges are meant to be displayed, whether for security or identification purposes. First, decide how you want your ID cards displayed. For example, you could print a plastic card, slot punch it at the top, and connect it to a lanyard your attendees can wear around their necks. But if you want to make an impression, you can choose a credential wallet. A wallet displays the attendees' credentials and lets them store other items behind their ID card in an enclosed pouch. These wallets come with an attached string for wearing around the neck.

Similar to regular ID cards, event badges can be displayed in clothing-friendly vinyl badge holders that clip on or badge holders that connect to badge reels or lanyards. There are even vinyl badge holders with a small slot at the bottom to slide in a note identifying the cardholder as a presenter, speaker, visitor, volunteer, etc.

Do You Need Credential Technology?

If your event requires door access to different workshops or rooms, you may need technology cards like those with bar codes or chips. Bar codes or QR codes are easy to scan quickly with a hand-held digital scanner. But if you're processing large groups of people through doorways, you might consider a chip/antenna card. Technology cards help move large numbers of individuals easily without each person needing to present their cards to scan.

What is Your Budget?

Budget is a consideration but shouldn't be your first. Your card's quality and its use are most important to consider. Still, add together the cost of the printer itself, card supplies, ink or ribbons, and attachment choices. You can determine a cost per card depending on which ID card printer you choose to help you decide. Considerations that impact your budget include:

• Volume of cards printed annually
• Dual-sided or single-sided cards
• Print speed
• Number of images per ribbon
• Card thickness
• Accessories

Final Thoughts

So what's the best oversized ID badge printer? While you don't have a large selection of oversized ID card printers from which to choose, you still need to compare each one based on the above considerations. Make a chart of the printers you're considering, paying particular attention to the specs for each printer. Each printer on your list must meet your needs for quality, volume, card size, technology, and budget. This should help you narrow your choices to a select few.

Then when it's time to make a final decision, talk to an ID Expert at Idesco. We have in-depth experience with all printer makes and models. Let us help you determine the best oversized ID badge printer for your business needs and your budget.

Call us today at 800-336-1383 to find the right solution for you.