plastic card printer

Make your ID cards look stunning with our plastic card printer.

Looking to bring your ID cards or membership bags and gift cards to life? Say hello to the plastic card printer- your new favourite gadget for creating sleek and professional yet personalized cards in a few minutes! You may be running a business, managing a school, or planning an event. This little powerhouse makes printing high-quality plastic cards super easy and enjoyable!  No more outsourcing or long waits! Just plug it in, design your card and print it right away! With user-friendly features and vibrant colour output, it is the perfect solution for giving your brand or organization that extra touch of polish. Ready to see if you don't pop on durable plastic? Let us get you to print with some of InteractCards' best printers and turn your ideas into pocket-sized perfection! 

What is a plastic card printer?

Let us define a plastic card printer first to ensure that you know everything that you need to know. Well, have you ever wondered how cool and shiny IDs or Gift cards are made? That is where these printers come in. They are magazines for printing on plastic and paper! You can create your custom cards right at your desk, whether it is for your employees or students or any event. Just pop in a blank card, design your layout and hit print.  That is all that you have to do! You have got a professional-looking card in seconds. No more waiting on someone else to do it. It is quick and fun, and above all, it is super satisfying. Once you start using one, you will wonder how you ever managed without it. And when it comes to the printers of Edikio, your experience just gets better and better!  Our printer includes both credit card and long-format printing. You can print vibrant colours and take advantage of the USB connection features as well as the internet connection. Our load and output capacity are equally stunning, offering smooth and time-effective outputs effortlessly. 

What are the features of plastic card printers?

The following are the features of plastic card printers
  • You can print vibrant colour cards or simple black and white ones, depending on your needs. 
  • Some models can print both sides of the card in one go. It is great for information-heavy IDs
  • You can add magnetic stripes, smart chips, or barcodes for security and access control. 
  • Most printers are desk-friendly and do not take up much space 
  • They come with design tools that allow you to create cards with logos or photos and custom text easily. 

What are the benefits of plastic card printers?

The following are its benefits. 
  • You can print cards on demand without depending on external vendors. 
  • You can design every card with names and toles and even colours in just minutes. 
  • You can create sleek and high-quality cards that leave a strong impression. 
  • Add secure features such as holograms or chips, or encoded data for better security 
  • They can be perfect for schools or offices and even gyms and clubs, to name a few. 

How do plastic card printers work?

Here is how they work. 
  • It starts with card loading. You have to insert blank plastic cards into the input tray of your printer
  • Then comes sogn input. Use the included software to design your card with text or images, or barcodes. 
  • The printer uses a colour or monochrome ribbon to apply your design through heat. This is a ribbon transfer. 
  • This is an optional step, which is that of encoding. If needed, you can encode magnetic or chip data onto the card. 
  • Then finally comes the card output where the finished card pops out, which is printed, encoded and ready to use!

Why should you choose Edikio for plastic card printers?

Looking for a printer for plastic cards that is stylish and simple yet super liable to use? Edikio has got you covered. We are known for our sleek design and user-friendly features. Our card printers make printing price tags or ID cards and gift cards a total breeze. They are especially loved in retail and hospitality for creating eye-catching and professional cards right on the spot. With simple software with durable printing and options for single or batch printing, we make it easy! So, why Edikio? Because cards should be smart, smooth and stress-free!
Card Printers

Card Printers Explained: Types, Features And What to Look For

Opting for the right card printers is crucial. It is receptive to your purpose. It is necessary when you are issuing employee badges, membership cards, or student IDs. There are numerous options available. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Thus, we have offered you the discussion below, which breaks down the types of card printers along with key features to consider and tips for helping you make an infrared decision. 

What is a card printer?

Card printers are specialized machines designed for printing on PVC or plastic cards instead of paper. These devices are commonly used to produce the following:
  • ID badges
  • Access control cards
  • Loyalty cards
  • Gift cards, and more.
Card printers use dye sublimation or retransfer printing technology. This is unlike the regular printers. It is for producing durable and high-quality images on plastic surfaces.

Types of card printers

When you are shopping for a printer for plastic cards, you will typically come across the following three main types.
  • Direct to card or DTC printres
They are the most common and affordable options. They work by printing directly onto the surface of the card. STC printers are perfectly suitable for most organizations requiring simple photo ID cards or access cards. However, since the printhead touches the card surface, the image quality can be affected by imperfection. 
  • Retransfer (Reverse Transfer) printers
Retransfer printers first print the same onto a clear form. It is then fused onto the card, creating a full bleed, edge-to-edge print. This method is ideal for high-definition printing and works particularly well on card-sharing chips or smooth surfaces.
  • Inkjet card printers
It is a newer entry to the market. The inkjet card printers use specially coated cards along with standard inkjet technology. They are evolving but are a cost-effective option for businesses that already use inkjet systems.

Key features that you must consider

The following are the essential features that you must look for when selecting a card printer.
  • Print resolution
Resolution determines how sharp your images, as well as texts, will be. Search for such printers with at least 300 dots per inch or dpi. Higher resolutions, such as 600 dpi, are advised for photo-quality prints. It is especially for employee IDs. 
  • Encoding options
Your cards might require magnetic stripes or smart chips, or RFID technology. In such cases, opt for a printer which supports card encoding. It is essential for securing access cards to payment systems. 
  • Print speed
Print speed matters if you are producing cards in bulk. Entry-level printers might handle around 100 cards every hour. In comparison, the high-end models can print hundreds. 
  • Software compatibility
Check that the printer is compatible with your ID software as well as your operating system. Maximum printers include basic software. However, enterprise users might require advanced design or database integration tools. 

How can Edikio offer you the best quality printer cards?

The following are our best products, which guarantee the best quality printed cards. 
  • Edikio Access printer
  • Edikio Flex printer 
  • Edikio Duplex printer
The Edikio line of card printers is made to make product labelling more fashionable and effective. For small businesses seeking an easy-to-use, cost-effective way to quickly create professional price tags, Edikio Access is ideal. The Edikio Flex is perfect for bakeries, delis, and boutiques that require versatile display options because it can handle both standard and long cards for greater adaptability.  With double-sided printing and a higher output for optimal efficiency, the Edikio Duplex is designed for larger operations. All variants are ideal for retail and hospitality settings since they have food-safe cards and user-friendly software. With Edikio, you may use elegant, personalized cards that enhance your brand in place of handwritten labels. For quick, hygienic, and expert price tag printing, go with Edikio.

Having the best card printed with Edikio

Your particular needs will determine which plastic card printer is best for you; factors like volume, print quality, security, and cost all come into play. Use Edikio's all-in-one card printing solutions to upgrade your price tags.  Edikio printers enable you to quickly produce hygienic, long-lasting, and professional tags for your bakery, deli, shop, or hotel. Edikio adds flair and clarity to your displays with its streamlined designs, food-safe cards, and user-friendly software. Custom cards that represent your business will leave a lasting impression. Bid adieu to handwritten labels.
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE EUROPEAN INCO REGULATION

A new European regulation named “INCO” makes it mandatory for food retailers to provide consumers with clearer information about the food products they sell.

WHAT IS THE INCO REGULATION?

The regulation (N°1169/2011) took effect on December 13, 2014, and impacts all food professionals selling unpackaged foods: bakers, pastry chefs, fish sellers, butchers, restaurant owners, food manufacturers and so on.

The purpose of the legislation is to help consumers make well-informed choices about the food they consume.

Specifically, the regulation requires professionals to indicate the country or region of origin of meats and to declare certain allergens present in their prepared foods.

The 14 allergens it is mandatory to declare:

Pictograms allergenic regulation sulfitePictograms allergenic regulation soyPictograms allergenic regulation sesamePictograms allergenic regulation fishPictograms allergenic regulation nuts
Pictograms allergenic regulation eggsPictograms allergenic regulation mustardPictograms allergenic regulation molluscsPictograms allergenic regulation lupinePictograms allergens gluten regulation
Pictograms allergenic regulation milkPictograms allergenic regulation crustaceansPictograms allergenic regulation celeryPictograms allergenic regulation peanut

According to the latest scientific research, these fourteen substances are the chief causes of food allergies.

WHY LABEL ALLERGENS?

An increasing number of people are intolerant of or allergic to certain foodstuffs, with

the principle food allergens being gluten, lactose and certain additives.

The increase in food allergies can be explained by several factors, primarily:

  • The more varied types of food we eat and
  • The increased amount of processing by the agri-food industry.

It is important that you display this information clearly.

In response to the new mandatory regulations, professionals in the food sector must clearly identify any allergens used in the food they sell to consumers. Failure to do so is considered an offence and may be subject to a fine.

EXAMPLE OF FOOD-COMPLIANT LABELING:

The labeling of fresh, unpackaged food products must include certain information, such as:

  • The exact name of the product sold
  • Price Tag FishThe list of ingredients
  • The presence of allergens
  • The weight
  • Country/region of origin (meat and dairy, etc.)

This information must be easy to see and read, and must be indelible.

Important: The minimum height of non-capitalized letters must be 1.2 mm.

While French law stipulates the principle of obligation to inform consumers, it leaves the method used to provide that information up to the food professional concerned.

A new European regulation named “INCO” makes it mandatory for food retailers to provide consumers with clearer information about the food products they sell.

 
Solution-impression-etiquettes-de-prix-2

Evolis has the simple answer to your labeling obligations

The Evolis design-and-print price tag solution lets you display all the statutory information required.

Evolis offers an all-inclusive package that makes it easy to entirely customize your price tags. By defining your “text” fields where you include things like allergens, country of origin or specific information, you automatically comply with all the statutory labeling requirements by providing full, clear and easy-to-read product information.

COMMERCIAL PRICE SIGNS

Application of the INCO regulation: displaying prices, ingredients, and allergens.

Price Tag King Crab created with Edikio food labelling solutions

THE CHALLENGE

Facilitating the daily price tag update, in order to limit the risks of commercial losses from sales carried out with out-of-date prices.

THE SOLUTION

Kortho, an Evolis distributor in Holland, put together a package deal

Zenius-imprimante-carte-plastique-300x225

 especially aimed at retailers to optimize, simplify, and professionalize price signs. The offer includes:

  • An Evolis Zenius card printer
  • eMedia CS badge design software
  • All the required consumables: ribbon, pre-printed cards

The process involves users opening price tag templates which are connected to an Excel spreadsheet, containing all the products. In a few seconds, Zenius prints the new noticeboard on a plastic card.

“More than 160 retailers have already chosen our solution and demand is growing. We haven’t had any products returned to date, which confirms the high quality of Evolis solutions.” Jan van Vliet, Account Manager, Kortho

USA NEW FOOD LABELING LAW

By May 5, 2017 the new regulation on menu labeling issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require restaurant chains and food establishments with more than 20 points of sale in the U.S.A to clearly display nutritional information on menu boards of prepared food.

FACILITATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. MENU LABELLING REGULATION

Calorie information should be listed on menus and menu boards to help consumers make informed decisions about meals and snacks. The menu labeling final rule also requires calorie labeling for certain alcoholic beverages and certain foods sold at entertainment venues such as movie theaters and amusement parks. Evolis sample price tag card for USA new food labeling lawThe menu labeling final rule also requires establish ents to provide, upon consumer request, written nutrition information about total calories, total fat, calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, fiber, sugars and protein.

Price Tag Chicken Hot Pie created with Edikio price tag solution

Food establishments include sit-down and fast-food restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and grocery and convenience stores. According to the FDA’s analysis, a total of some 300,000 establishments, includ­ing grocery stores that sell meal items to go, will be covered un­der the law.

Besides facilitating compliance with the regulation, a clear and esthetic signage communicates a professional brand imageWhile food professionals might be concerned about the mean and the costs to implement these new requirements, one affordable and innovative solution exists in the market.

EVOLIS SYSTEMS TO CUSTOMIZE AND PRINT PRICE TAGS ON PLASTIC CARDS

The solutions from Evolis enable grocers and restaurant managers to create their own price tag design showing all information they need and print them in a few seconds.

The all-in-one desktop solutions, consisting of design software, a printer, plastic cards and a ribbon, enables fast and independent label printing on plastic cards.

The price tags can therefore be changed at any time, directly at the point of sale, individually or by batch. The instant printing of price tags implies important time savings and increased reactivity in managing the labeling.

Black cards with white printed text and white cards with color printed text from Evolis have gone through laboratory tests carried out by the international body TÜV Germany and are compliant for food contact compatibility according to US Chapter 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (FDA)

Evolis launches Edikio

Evolis, the worldwide leader in plastic card personalization solutions, has developed three new all-in-one solutions for price labeling on plastic cards that meet the diverse needs of small, independent food retailers up to large retail outlets.

No more hassles of illegible and unattractive labeling! With these office solutions for the design and printing of price tags, the retailer can display all the necessary consumer information that complies with the European regulations: ingredients, prices, allergens (INCO). The Edikio plastic card printing system creates and prints durable, easy-to-clean price tags within seconds. In addition to saving time and respecting hygiene rules, Edikio solutions also offer the opportunity to rethink price tags as true marketing tools: a harmonized display, clearly legible, clean and aesthetic that reflects the professional image of a shop.

THREE SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL RETAILERS

All Edikio solutions are comprised of card design software, a card printer, blank plastic cards and a print ribbon, enabling cards to be printed quickly and independently onto a plastic card. Price tags can thus be created at any time, directly at the point of sale, individually or in batches. Evolis offers three solutions adapted to the needs of all food retailers:

  • Edikio Access, the affordable solution for single-sided card printing in credit card format for small volumes.
  • Edikio Flex, the flexible solution for printing price tags in long format as well as credit card format to fit different display needs.
  • Edikio Duplex, the advanced solution for double-sided and high-volume card printing. The reverse side allows the display of information dedicated to the sales staff.

The printers operate just as easily as an office printer. The plastic cards and the print ribbon included in the Edikio pack are installed in a single gesture.

INTUITIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE

The software, unique in the market, is the only one dedicated to price management and printing of price tags on plastic cards and has been specially designed for food professionals (butchers, bakeries, delis, caterers, fishmongers, …). All versions of the software are simple to use, customizable and allow the import of price data via an Excel file. The most advanced version of the software, «Edikio Pro» available with the Edikio Duplex solution, is able to manage multi-user rights, a requirement of most large food retail outlets.

A RANGE OF FOOD CONTACT COMPLIANT CONSUMABLES

Evolis also offers various supports for presenting price tags. These devices exist in several formats, they can fit standard narrow or wide shelves. Some have magnetic bases, some can be spiked directly into food and some allow for joint card presentation. They are specific to different retail professions such as bakeries, butchers, caterers, fishmongers or cheesemongers.

WHERE TO BUY IT ?

The Access and Duplex solutions will be available from April 2017 within the Evolis distribution network in each country; the Flex solution from July 2017. Resellers of Evolis systems offer on-site or remote installation of products as well as technical support. On average, half an hour is enough to install the system and train the user to use it. No IT expertise is needed. It is possible to utilize the printer for many other print applications.

“Thanks to Evolis printers, a customized plastic card can be used in other applications such as loyalty cards, gift cards or ID badges,” explains Nathalie Clément, market developer at Evolis.

Where To Buy?

New paper cards: an alternative for short-term uses

A sustainable alternative to PVC for a variety of applications

The paper card, made from cellulose fibres with no added plastic, completes the Evolis range of consumables. It therefore offers an alternative to PVC cards for certain specific uses in the retail and hotel trades.

Paper cards are ideal for short-term use:

  • event cards (participants in seminars, table placements, etc.)
  • luggage tags,

 or cards for occasional use with little handling:

  • Gift or VIP cards,
  • loyalty cards, etc.

Compatibility

These CR80 standard-dimension cards (0.76 mm thick) are compatible with the following printers:

  • Edikio Flex
  • Edikio Duplex

The paper cards can be printed with the black monochrome ribbon “BlackFlex RCT019NAA” and are available in two packages (Ref. C2501 and C2511).

They are also compatible with the Edikio Price Tag and Edikio Guest accessories.

Low environmental impact

The cards have the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label: the paper used comes from forests that are certified as sustainably managed.

At end of life, paper cards are biodegradable and compostable. As paper is recyclable, it can be disposed of in recycling bins.

Using paper cards for specific applications reduces the contribution to global warming, reduces the contribution to water pollution and reduces the potential exhaustion of non-renewable fossil resources," says

Sonia Chauvet, Product Manager at Evolis.

For pricing information, please contact your Evolis Sales Rep.
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