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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