If you are a small business that requires the use of an ID card printer, then you are in need of identification card printers education and training resources for your employees. ID cards can be used in many capacities. You can use them to simply identify a person, or provide a convenient method of making purchases. By understanding the full capability of your ID printer, you can take full advantage of your investment.

Training for a printer for making ID cards can take many formats, from written tutorials to industry articles. To achieve business success, you as a business owner should consider education and training a priority. Additionally, it would be wise to make ongoing training for identification card printers a necessary requirement for the following reasons:

1. Printers for creating identification cards are continually improved, so you would do well to mandate ongoing training if you decide to upgrade your machines.

2. If you are using ID cards for security purposes, you should endeavor to stay current with up-to-date identification card printers tips and techniques.

3. If your employees are not skilled in using a certain identification card printer, not only will product be damaged, but so will your profits and reputation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out the training available for photo ID card printers before adding it to your program

It is imperative that you review training and educational resources first, then create a list of required training for your employees. Providers of identification card printers can be helpful resources also. This way you can make sure your training resources are reputable and relevant to your application.

I recommend: DLSoft offers a variety of online video tutorials featuring lessons on using the dLSoft dlabel ID card printer. DataCard Group features a number of on-site training classes, as well as those specifically for training employees about the everyday applications of certain products.

Mandate a continuing training policy for printing ID cards

Continued training for your employees does not have to be an expensive policy since there are many free resources available online. Valuable information can be found on professional websites, as well as from peers in the same line of business. The size of the resource is not as important as how valuable or helpful the techniques are.

I recommend: Plastic Printers offers an online tutorial that includes setting up your file and printing different colors. YouTube features a four-part tutorial on using an ID card printer.

Stay abreast of the latest techniques in ID card making

If you want your business to compete in its industry, you need to stay current in your equipment, knowledge and skill. This means continually looking up relevant resources so you are familiar with every aspect of your business.

I recommend: Digital Identification Solutions provides an internet academy that contains a library of product information and an informational training center that includes e-learning programs. Alpha Card offers a wide variety of ID printers along with a learning center that features a section on printing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As your business grows, consider allocating the responsibility of researching educational resources for making ID cards to one individual or department.

Making ID cards for your company right on site can save you both time and money. By eliminating the middleman, you can reasonably expect your ID card-making efforts to pay for themselves in a relatively short time.

Owning your own specialized printer for making ID cards also means greater convenience for you. You'll not only be able to schedule your ID card making for the times that are best for you, but you'll be glad to have your cards ready on the spot--without waiting for delivery from outside identification card printing services.

Before you can determine which type of identification card printer will likely meet your company's needs, you'll have to figure out exactly what those needs are. So, before thinking "brand," consider the type of printer you'll need for printing ID cards. This will, of course, depend on the specific kind of cards your company needs. The following are a few examples of card-types your company might want to create:

1. Name badges

2. Single-sided ID cards

3. Dual-sided ID cards

4. Photo ID cards

5. Laminated ID cards

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide which types of identification card printers would most likely meet your needs

If you must create name badges for a meeting, conference or other business gathering, a badge maker might suit your needs. If you need standard ID cards, either a single- or dual-sided ID card printer should fill the bill, depending on whether you need to include any info on the back of the card or not. If security is an issue, you might want to look at photo ID card printers.

I recommend: The AlphaCard website describes the different types of ID cards and badges you might need for various purposes, as well as the types of ID card printers available. Their explanations can help clear up many of the questions you may have about printing ID cards yourself.

Look for websites that offer a variety of printer types from multiple ID card printer suppliers

Many websites assemble information about different types of identification card printers offered by various vendors. These sites allow you to compare the features of each vendor's products with all the others in the same category, to determine which is most likely to meet the needs of your business.

I recommend: ID Wholesaler and ID Card Group are two websites that provide a fairly large collection of vendor offerings.

Check price comparison websites

Certain websites provide extensive lists of all the available types of identification card printers, including photo ID card printers and discount identification printers. These sites often include links to specifications pages that contain all needed information about the individual products. A visit to one of these sites before making your final decision can help ensure that you have all the information you need to make the best possible decision.

I recommend: OfficeZone offers a comparison of photo ID card printer products and prices, each of which contains a brief description of the printer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think ahead when choosing a printer for making ID cards. Are the needs of your business likely to change in the near future, through company growth, for example? Planning ahead for your company's changing needs can help you save money in the long run by enabling you to buy the right ID card printer now, rather than having to upgrade later.

Identification card printers allow companies and schools to create and manage their own ID cards. These printers allow you to design and print as many cards as needed. This gives you the freedom to edit or change ID cards as needed. Before you purchase an ID printer make sure you understand what type of cards it prints. These key words will help you choose an appropriate card printer for the ID cards your company needs to use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Smart card

Smart cards are ID cards that contain microchips with both memory and a processor. With a smart card, you can add, change or delete information as needed. Smart cards are available in both contact and proximity types.

I recommend: Discover more information about smart cards at HowStuffWorks. The Progressive Policy Institute has detailed information on smart cards.

Magnetic strip

A magnetic strip, or stripe, is part of a contact ID card. When the card is swiped through the appropriate machine, the magnetic strip allows employees access to rooms or it can even clock them in and out. The magnetic strip holds all of the employee or student's relevant information.

I recommend: Read more about magnetic strip cards at Hackers Home Page. View an article concerning magnetic stripes on ID cards at High Tech Aid.

Proximity cards

Proximity cards are embedded with an antenna that uses a radio signal to activate doors or clock an employee's time card. Proximity cards cannot have the information on them changed or deleted.

I recommend: Learn more about proximity cards and their uses at Free Online Library.

Hybrid cards

A hybrid card has two or more forms of technology embedded in the card. A smart card may have a contact smart chip and contact pads, a contactless smart chip and an antenna, or a proximity chip with an antenna.

I recommend: ID Edge provides more information about hybrid cards and their functions.

Radio frequency identification

Radio frequency identification,or RFID, uses radio waves to identify employees or other people. RFID cards contain an antenna and are programmed with a number or name to identify the person.

I recommend: TechTarget supplies more detailed information about radio frequency identification.

Bi-directional USB

A bi-directional USB is used with many ID card printers. A bi-directional USB allows the printer to send and receive information about the ID card.

I recommend: Rad.com has more information about the functions and uses of bi-directional USBs.