ID Printers With Lamination Features

Many of today’s ID printer manufacturers offer topcoat ribbons to add a varnish layer to cards. However, for maximum protection it is recommended to finish IDs with a full thickness laminate instead. Tests have shown that a simple varnish overcoat can be stripped using chemicals. This allows the data and text on the surface of the card to be manipulated. With actual lamination, any attempt to remove the top layer will destroy the surface underneath. This makes tampering immediately obvious. Thicker versions also deliver UV protection and scratch resistance. Holographic varieties are even more secure and offer an attractive, eye catching appearance.

There are several different ways to apply laminates to ID cards. The in-line method may feature the applicator inside the body of the printer itself (this is referred to as built-in). This option is factory installed at the time of order placement. Modular laminators are attached to an existing printer and can simply be snapped or slid into place. These can be installed in the field by a technician or by the end user. Since the module represents an extension of the existing printer path, it may also be referred to as “in-line”. Double sided lamination can be achieved by running a card through the machine twice, or by adding a flip-over station that performs this step automatically. Stand alone units are also available, but the list below will cover only those that come as options on ID printers.

Available Models

The Magicard Tango+L is built to last with a full metal casing. This model comes standard with Ethernet, USB, and parallel connectivity to make it flexible for many applications. The Tango offers both single and double sided printing and lamination. Advanced encoding modules for contact and contactless smart cards can be selected from among many available options including HID-iClass and MIFARE. A 3 year warranty makes this sturdy model an especially good buy.

Evolis offers the Securion dual sided printer with built-in lamination. This unit features a flip-over station to make processing hands free. Several types of security come standard on the Securion including a supply lock, password protection, and a Kensington slot (cable and lock not included). A smart chip programming station can be added on request to comply with any of today’s most popular encoding standards. The warranty covers the laminator, printer, and printhead for 2 years or 100,000 prints.

The Fargo HDP5000 can be upgraded with a modular lamination unit at any time. The Fargo’s intuitive printer design makes training easy. This means an ID enrollment program can be set up and started running quickly. High definition printing offers excellent image quality. The HDP5000 is a reverse transfer printer that can handle many different card types and materials. Fargo carries the PolyGuard® laminate patches up to 1 mil thick in plain and holographic styles. The equipment has a 2 year warranty but the print head is covered for life.

A laminator is also available for the Nisca PR5300 series. This is a drop-in addition that can be attached and plugged into the ID printer in just a few minutes. The DataCard RL90 single-sided module can be purchased for use with the RP90 and RP90 Plus models.