from $1,358.95
The IDP SMART-31D Dual-Sided ID Card Printer Bundle is a thermal printer designed for creating professional-grade ID cards. This printer offers efficient duplex printing with speeds up to 720 monochrome cards per hour and supports a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi for monochrome and 300 dpi for color. Capable of printing on CR-80 sized PET and PVC cards with thicknesses from 15 to 30 mil, it also includes encoding options for magnetic stripe, contact smart cards, and contactless smart cards, making it suitable for a variety of identification and access control applications.
Buy a laser printer unless you regularly print high-quality glossy photos. For high-volume color, consider an ink-tank printer (Megatank/Ecotank) instead of traditional cartridge models to save hundreds on ink. Available from $1,358.95.
Inkjet printers have a razor-and-blades model: cheap upfront, but exorbitant ink costs. Laser printers cost more upfront but have a vastly superior and cheaper cost of ownership over their lifespan.
Common Failure Modes
Inkjet printers almost always fail due to dried and clogged printheads from infrequent use. Laser printers are much more robust but may eventually require fuser or drum replacements after thousands of pages.
Buy a laser printer unless you regularly print high-quality glossy photos. For high-volume color, consider an ink-tank printer (Megatank/Ecotank) instead of traditional cartridge models to save hundreds on ink.
Printers suffer from mechanical wear on gears and rollers. Cheaper inkjets may last a few years, while robust laser printers can last over a decade.
The IDP SMART-31D Dual-Sided ID Card Printer Bundle is available at bhphoto, starting at $1,358.95.
Inkjet printers have a razor-and-blades model: cheap upfront, but exorbitant ink costs. Laser printers cost more upfront but have a vastly superior and cheaper cost of ownership over their lifespan.
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