Blogs — CCSPI

Landscape VS Portrait: Card Orientation

Let’s start by defining our terms. 

Landscape refers to the orientation that is wider than it is tall. (Horizontal Layout) 

Portrait is taller than it is wide. (Vertical Layout) 

Designing ID cards can be displayed landscape (horizontally) or portrait (vertically). The orientation of your ID cards will impact how they are used and differ in content value. Many companies utilize both orientations. 

Let's explore both portrait and landscape orientations. 

Portrait 

• These are better for photo ID card badges (student badges, badges of the sales staff in the shops, badges of exhibition and other different events visitors). 
• This layout is great for those that want to keep it simple with minimal text, a photo and a nice company logo. 

• Worn only as an ID card requiring limited cardholder data. 
• Printing large readable fonts for single line data is restrictive with a vertical design 

Landscape 

• These are carried in a purse or pocket (e.g., bank cards, membership cards, loyalty cards). 
• It allows for a little more room in terms or text space. 
• Longer logos or text fields will look better on a horizontal orientation since you won’t have to shrink the font size or wrap the text to fit in the allotted card space. 
• Used with swipe readers. 
• Horizontal formats are oriented better so the slot punch does not go through larger printed graphics on the top edge. 
• Carried as a wallet item requiring detailed cardholder data. 
• For membership cards, horizontal designs allow you to place larger amounts of data if needed. 

Don’t Forget! 

The simplest ID card designs are often the best. Avoid over-complicated designs with too many images or fancy fonts. Instead, focus on developing a clear ID card design. 

If you would like to learn more about our ID layout or doing a customized ID design, give us a call! Our ID experts would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our products. 

Introducing Magicard PRONTO100: THE FASTEST & SMALLEST ID CARD PRINTER

The Magicard Neo 100 is the perfect printer for smaller organizations printing low volumes of cards. The Neo 100 is one of the best in class offers high quality prints at fast speeds with added security options.  

Fast 

With full color print speeds of just 18 seconds per card, it'll save you time on both operation  and set up. Its plug and play style set up and simple interface means you'll be ready to print in a  matter of minutes. 

Quick Setup, Easy to Use. 

With full color print speeds of just 18 seconds per card, it'll save you time on both operation  and set up. Its plug and play style set up and simple interface means you'll be ready to print in a  matter of minutes. 

HD Print, as Standard! 

This leaves you with a beautifully crisp, ultra-realistic colors that can be printed edge-to-edge,  providing you with outstanding quality cards. 

Security 

Digital data shredding means that every piece of data sent to the printer is fragmented after  the print job is complete. Holokote watermark can be printed on every card, increasing security  - and you can choose from three new designs. 

Small foot print, light weight. 

It's packed full of features but doesn't compromise on size and convenience. Its footprint is  smaller than an A4 sheet of paper and it weighs just 2.9kgs, making it portable and able to fit  easily into any environment. 

For more information on this printer please see the attached datasheet or call a member of our team. 

Edge-to-Edge Printing vs. Over-the-Edge Printing

What is edge-to-edge printing? 

• Edge-to-edge printing is a common print style with direct-to-card ID card printers.
• It leaves a slim border around the surface of your printed ID card. 
• The border isn't printed; rather it's a small area of the card to which no print was applied. 
• It is generally more affordable. 
• Cards with a white border tend to look a little less professional than their border-free counterparts. 

VS 

What is over-the-edge printing? 

• This print method is available on reverse-transfer printers, also known as retransfer printers. 
• It leaves no visible border around the edges of your printed ID card. 
• The film fuses to the entire surface of the card, leaving no border.
• It is a more expensive option, but it produces a higher-quality, more professional ID card. 

Now that you know the difference between edge-to-edge printing and over-the-edge printing, it's time to get yourself a new machine! 

Checklist - for your ID Card Printer

You already have your ID card printer. What other items should you consider to complete your ID card system? 

Here’s a list to use as a guide! 

• Card Printer Training - learn from our ID expert, a peace of mind knowing you have been trained by a professional and had all your questions answered 
• Ribbons, Cleaning Kits & Supplies – ensure high printing quality with genuine supplies 

• Plastic Cards – stock up on cards so that you won’t run out 
• ID Software – allows you to easily design ID cards, manage and store cardholder information, communicate with databases, and add functionality.  
• Camera – professional-looking photos for your IDs 
• Signature Pad - capture your user’s signature quick and easy 
• Lanyard & Lace - to ensure that your ID is visible at all times 

• Card Holders – keep your ID protected and increases the lifespan of your cards 
• Slot Punch – punch a hole or slot in your ID card – it can hang from a strap clip, lanyard, lace or reel. 

We’ll help you figure out which card printer supplies you need to keep your ID card program running efficiently and effectively! 

Card printer with wide range options

Card Printers have a wide range of options so you can select the printer that best matches your organization’s needs.  

Card printers are not just in single use but you can turn into a multiple and cost-effective card programs. An ID card printer can do much more than print your identification cards. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

1. Visitor Passes 

It is used by businesses to control access and increase security by identifying the visitors entering the  facility. By issuing your visitor with a badge, it ensures that no unauthorized people are on your office. 

Visitor Passes might seem like a small thing, but they make a big impact. The best companies know that  paying attention to these kinds of details can make all the difference.  

2. Calling or Business Cards 

Most businesses have a traditional paper business card. Business cards are a way to make a quick first impression on the recipients.  

So, stand out from the crowd with a unique business card printed on a plastic card. Give a personal touch and make an impression so that your clients will keep it. It can result to business opportunities. 

Also, printing your own business cards; you will have the complete control over the design and the quantity printed. 

Take note in in-house printing you don’t have to worry about sensitive information or data leaving your organizations. You don’t open yourself up to potential risks from outside sources. 

To get the most out of your investment, it is important that you select ID card printers that are best equipped to meet your needs. 

The final decision is down to you and if you're ready and you’d like to chat with one of our identification experts about our ID card printers don’t hesitate to get in touch! 

Perfect time to upgrade your card printer

ID card printers play a role in many organizations. So how do you know when is the perfect time for your organization to invest on a new ID card printer?  

Here are the helpful recommendations to guide you in making your decision. 

It’s time to replace and upgrade your ID printer if: 

1. IT DOESN’T WORK WITH YOUR CURRENT COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM 

Unfortunately, your computer operating system will come out with an “upgrade”. These upgrades and patches can cause whole host of issues.  

As a result, you’ll either need to run your ID system on an old PC or look into trading in that old machine and upgrading to a printer that is compatible with your current operating system. 

2. NO LONGER MEETS YOUR PRINTING REQUIREMENTS 

Oftentimes organizations outgrow their ID card printers. But the good news is that there are card printers – such  as Magicard Enduro3E or Rio Pro 360 are upgradeable. It means it can easily upgrade the machine as your  requirements or needs change. 

For example, upgrading to dual-sided printing and encoding capabilities. Some of the card printer models do not  offer upgradeable features, and they require you to purchase a new model or trade in their old one. 

3. ENCOUNTERING REPEATED PROBLEMS 

Over time, other components may begin to wear out. This time you need to determine whether it's more cost- effective to repair or if it’s time to purchase new one. Continual repairs to an outdated card printer can add up  or downtime for your card production. 

If you use an ID card printer numerous times per week and you get anywhere between three to five years out of it, you are getting good worth for your money. QUICK TIP: Be sure to check out also the valuable discount or trade-in offers in the market to save big and take advantage of the promo for a better card printing experience. 

As always, if you have questions about our current ID card printers, you can contact us and we are happy to help you out!