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An ID card printer can deliver a lot of convenience and versatility. A high quality machine will remain in a good condition for a long period of time but sooner or later, you’ll need to make an upgrade. When is it time to buy a new ID printer? Here are a few signs that you can base the decision on.

Reduced Printing Quality

Several components of the ID printer will be responsible for fast and efficient functioning. They’ll also be determining for the quality of the final outcome. As these components age, the quality of the final ID card is going to deteriorate.

ID card printers that have become much slower over the years and the ones that don’t embed the image and the text on the card in the best possible way will need to be upgraded. On some occasions, it may be possible to attempt repairs. If this isn’t a viable option or if the repair is going to be an incredibly costly one, the time will be right to start looking for a new printer.

Lack of Compatibility with Current Technologies

Older ID printers are missing many of the characteristics that new machines come equipped with. While this doesn’t have to be a major issue, it can reduce productivity and make the printing process more challenging.

A contemporary ID printer will come with wireless connectivity, USB ports, several connectivity with peripheral devices possibilities, compatibility with new operational systems and security lock options. In some offices or organizations, such features will be of paramount importance for the effective printing of ID cards.

If you have a very old piece of equipment, you should definitely consider a change. A modern, efficient ID printer is rather affordable and the flexibility that stems from the introduction of new technologies will quickly justify the purchase.

Insufficient Print Speed and Capacity

Organizations change with the passage of time. Many of them will grow, which means that the old ID printer will become way too slow and incapable of accommodating for the company’s printing needs.

It’s a good idea to examine the print speed and capacity of an old piece of equipment. If these are insufficient, a change will be required.

Faster printers usually come with larger card input trays, which makes them somewhat bulkier. Such printers will make sense for bigger organizations that have more significant printing needs. High capacity ribbons will also be required to reduce downtime as much as possible.

A final convenience feature in this field is either a bin for cards with an error (that enables automatic sorting) or an automatic erase and rewrite option. Such features are particularly important for large organization’s that print numerous ID cards on a daily basis. Upgrading to such an ID printer will streamline the creation of the cards and save valuable time.

Poor Resolution

An older printer may have a lower printing resolution, which will impact the final outcome. While a lower resolution was the standard a few years ago, today’s ID card printers have gone a long way to ensure the quality of the printed images/text.

The standard today is 300 dots per inch or 11.8 dots per millimeter. Colours have also gotten a massive upgrade – the standard is 16.7 million colours for colour ID printers.

Printing technologies change rapidly and so do organizations. If you feel that you’ve outgrown the capacity and the quality of your current ID card printer, it’s time to consider a change. The good news is that the market has many beautiful and cost-efficient options to offer.

Looking for a new ID printer? Shop our selection at Avon Security Products today!

Just like any other piece of printing equipment, an ID card printer requires proper maintenance. Regular cleaning and a few other routine procedures will have to be performed to ensure the longevity and the impeccable functioning of the printer.

ID Card Printer Cleaning Frequency

Cleaning is one of the simplest, yet most important aspects of keeping an ID card printer in an ideal condition. Regular cleaning can reduce the risk of experiencing problems like card jams, broken ribbons and uneven printing.

There will be specific cleaning recommendations for every ID printer model. Usually, manufacturers suggest a thorough cleaning each time the ribbon gets changed. The printing volume can also be used to determine the frequency of the procedure. Low-volume printers can be cleaned about every 165 prints. For high volume ID printers, cleaning will be required approximately every 500 prints.

Cleaning kits for ID printers are available on the market. Most brands that make ID card printers also manufacture the supplies required for the thorough cleaning. These supplies come with detailed instructions that make it easier for beginners to master the technique.

Alternatively, a support team can handle the cleaning process. There are many companies that offer such services and make it easier for organizations to maintain their equipment in excellent condition.

Frequency of Ribbon Calibration

Ribbon calibration is essential to reduce the risk of colours being out of alignment. Many contemporary ID printers are self-calibrating. Some pieces of equipment, however, will necessitate periodic recalibration.

Usually, calibration can be performed as a driver option via a computer. The “printing preferences” toolbar will have the option available and the entire process can be completed in a matter of seconds.

How often should ribbon recalibration take place as a part of the printer maintenance process? Once again, the time frame varies from one ID card printer brand to another. A general rule of thumb is to undergo the calibration process two times per year.

Ribbon calibration is one of the first maintenance steps to undertake if the printer isn’t doing its job properly. Usually, the need for additional calibration is not a sign of a problem, unless you have to go through the necessary steps every time you need to print a batch of ID cards.

Printer Servicing

A final aspect of ID printer maintenance is professional servicing. The term refers to professional assistance that will keep the printer working like new.

Organizations that clean and calibrate their ID printers regularly will reduce the need for professional servicing. This is why some of the simplest maintenance steps matter the most.

There’s no need for regular servicing, like in the case of other pieces of equipment. Rather, the step is recommended whenever a problem is being experienced. A worn print head or a snapped belt are two of the common problems that will necessitate servicing by a professional team.

A perfectly maintained ID printer may never require professional servicing during its lifespan. Still, problems may occur that could potentially be fixed quickly and affordably. In such instances, you’ll need a reliable expert to identify the issue and carry out the servicing.

Keep in mind that quality ID card printers come with a manufacturer warranty. If something goes wrong with the equipment during this period, you’ll benefit from free of charge servicing.

Get in the habit of cleaning the ID printer regularly – this is the most crucial maintenance step. Once you master the cleaning, you’ll minimize the need for other procedures and save a lot of money that will otherwise have to be dedicated to servicing.

Looking for more information? Contact us today!

Security is a major concern for healthcare facilities across the country. Hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other types of medical offices have developed strict rules and regulations that make their buildings as safe and secure as possible. One such measure is the use of professional name badges. In many cases, every employee must wear a name badge while on duty.

Benefits of Name Badges

Name badges serve several purposes. First, they allow patients to know instantly who is and who isn’t a staff member. This also ensures that patients feel safe when interacting with your medical team. Secondly, name badges enable medical personnel to determine the credentials of other team members instantly. This is especially beneficial for larger facilities, where your medical personnel may not know each other. Finally, access name badges give medical facilities the ability to limit access to specific areas or technology to only certain members of the team.

Consistent Name Badge Use

Everyone from the physician right down to the cleaning staff should have their personalized name badge with them at all time. The use of name badge holders can make it easier for your staff to remember to wear their badge all the time. The name badge will fit perfectly into a vinyl or plastic protective sleeve, which can then be clipped onto shirt, belt, or lanyard. This allows your staff members to wear their badge throughout their entire shift without worrying about it interfering with their work.

Protection of Name Badges

Since name badges play a significant role in healthcare security, it is extremely important that they are kept in good condition at all times. Name badge holders provide a protective covering that will prevent accidental damages. This is especially important for access name badges because even the slighted damage could prevent the card from working properly. The name badge holders also fit snug around the badge to ensure it doesn’t slip out during even the most active shifts.

The use of name badge holders makes it more convenient for healthcare workers to wear their name badge no matter how demanding their workload is. These holders also will help to save your company money, by reducing the number of lost and/or damaged cards you have to replace every year. Whether, your employees like vinyl badge holders, plastic badge holders, or magnetic badge holders, they will create a professional look for your team while ensuring your facilities remain as safe and secure as possible.

Avon Security Products offers an array of affordable, yet high-quality name badge holders that are ideal for your team, contact us today!

Fargo is a well-known and respected name in the high resolution printing industry because their printers are capable of a much better quality and look than the majority of more common printers. Each Fargo printer delivers high quality prints for things such as badges and cards. If you have a complex image that needs to be of a clear crisp quality (such as barcodes), a Fargo printer is guaranteed to give you the results you need. From government agencies to higher education to healthcare facilities, Fargo offers a model that will meet your high resolution printing needs.

Depending on your needs, there is a Fargo printer that can give you the final image you need.

With all of the basic features required for high quality prints, this Fargo model has everything you need to produce clear images for security or readability.

·         Minimal card management – With an input hopper that can handle two cards, this Fargo model makes it easy to manage badge creation in the shortest of time possible.

·         Increased speed – The HDP platform is part of the next generation, meaning you can print clear images in considerably less time.

·         Laminating – It may look compact, but this Fargo printer has both single and double-sided lamination capabilities.

·         Durability and quality – You do not have to sacrifice durability to get amazing quality. With this printer, you can get consistently beautiful images with one of several different protection options to ensure that the badge or card will have a long life span.

·         SmartScreen – The printer is also easy to use, including the LCD Control Panel that can prompt you in how to handle printing issues.

Fargo HDP5600

There are many benefits of this particular Fargo printer, starting with how reliable it is.

·         Resin printing with a high quality – This printer generates very clear and crisp images that are easy for scanners to read.

·         Cost effective – Both reasonably priced and reliable, this model gives you 600 dpi printing with each print.

·         Modular design that is versatile – If you need a little more functionality, you can add certain features while you are n the field, giving you the ability to print high quality pictures anywhere. The modular design makes it easy to transport

·         Encoding functionality – It is common to require certain types of encoding for cards and badges, which is what makes this particular Fargo printer so attractive to many businesses.

·         Security features – If you need better security from your printer, this model comes with additional features, such as a magnetic stripping.

·         Single or double sided printing – There are different versions of this model so that you do not have to compromise your images to fit the printer into your budget. If you need a simple single-sided print you can select from one of several choices so that you do not pay for a feature you do not need.

Fargo understands the different needs of the security industry and consistently meets those needs with their high resolution printers. Looking to learn more? Contact us today! 

How confident are you in the quality and the reliability of your company’s security system? The good news is that you have many options to choose among. They’re so diversified that picking the right one may even be a bit confusing in the beginning.

Proximity cards add a lot of convenience due to their contactless nature. Figuring out whether they’re the right option for your organization is all about taking several factors in consideration.

What is a Proximity Card?

Let’s focus on the essentials first. This type of access control card holds information about its owner and grants or denies access to certain premises on the basis of this information.

This means that such security cards can be used to grant employees different levels of access to company facilities. They’re perfect for restricted premises and specialized/high security areas.

There are many different types of proximity cards to choose among. Generic badges are cheap and quick to make. These are perfect for giving all employees access to a building or an office. There are also ISO-compliant access options, cards that offer limitless customization and heavy-duty options.

The Most Important Benefits of Proximity Cards

Before figuring out whether this product is the next logical step in your company’s security plan, it’s important to understand its most important benefits.

Companies that feature different buildings or offices will require highly specific authorization options for different groups of employees. A proximity card makes the process very simple because it can be personalized. Otherwise, the company will have to come up with a rather complex and expensive integrative security system.

Such cards can be programmed to be compatible with different kinds of readers. Thus, they can easily be added to an existing security framework.

Currently, electronic card access is considered one of the most secure options for corporate, governmental and administrative buildings. Pre-programming makes cards functional during a certain period of time, after which the building is completely locked down. There are limitless ways in which security can be customized and enhanced. Proximity cards are starting to replace traditional locks and the effectiveness is unparalleled.

The use of electronic cards is also great for companies that see frequent employee changes. Once a person leaves the organization, their credentials are simply erased from the database. There’s no need to ask for keys or have the respective office/building re-keyed.

The Proximity Card = More Effective Security Management

The use of electronic cards that feature employee ID information is wonderful for keeping control over access and getting some additional information about attendance. Data from card use is recorded in the main database, giving organizations tons of useful information. Such information can play a vital role in human resource management.

The security benefits stemming from the use of such security systems don’t need to be described any further.

Companies interested in modernizing and customizing their access systems should definitely consider the option. Getting such cards and readers in place will require a single investment. Once the initial items are purchased, the system will allow for limitless customization at a minimal cost.

The use of a proximity card for every employee makes it extremely difficult for unauthorized individuals to enter a building or an office. Thus, larger companies that have a big number of workers or visitors should definitely consider the possibility. While proximity cards may not be an ideal option for smaller entities, such companies will also experience benefits from the introduction of such an innovative and customizable security measure.

Looking to learn more? Contact us today! 

As technology makes it easier for companies to manage many repetitive tasks that were once outsourced, it becomes increasingly necessary to learn about a much wider range of tools. The ID card printer is one of these amazing pieces of equipment that can save a substantial sum every year. However, you also have a lot of options.

The following are the best in the ID card printer business.

Evolis Badgy 200

The top spot goes to the product with the most obvious (and cartoonish) name, the Evolis Badgy 200. This ID card printer gives you a lot of options with a very small device. You can print in color or monochrome depending on your needs. It is incredibly
portable, making it ideal for use in the field. You can expect cards and badges to last between one and three years.

The only real limitation is that it does single-sided prints. Since most businesses and organizations don’t need double-sided prints, this is rarely an issue.  

Datacard SP25 Plus

Datacard has made it difficult to expect little from a printer with the SP25 Plus. With features that are far more advanced than were available just a few years ago, this handy little ID card printer can do a lot. You can print in color or monochrome, as well as reusing a card if you mess up. It is quick and has a resolution of 300 DPI. If you need tighter security, it comes with the ability to use smart card and magnetic stripe.

Magicard Enduro+

Falling between the capabilities of the top ranked printer on this list and the second, the Magicard Enduro+ has a lot to offer. With multiple printing modes, you adjust the settings quickly based on your badge or ID needs. If your printing needs are between low- and mid-volume, it is the perfect printer for single-sided printing with a few extra additions.

Evolis Tattoo 2Rewrite

This hardy little printer is capable of between 2,500 and 3,000 cards every year. Covering all of your basic badging needs, it has some additional security features too. One of the most portable ID card printers on the list, it is perfect for field work. The only real limitation is that it only prints in monochrome.

Fargo DTC1250e and DTC4500e

One of the leading names in high resolution printing, so it is no wonder they have two printers on this list.

The DTC1250e costs less, and offers fewer functions, but it is a great solution for smaller businesses that don’t need heavy duty badges and ID cards. With the ability to print 225 cards every hour (both color and monochrome), it is by no means inferior to the other printers on this list. The model prints single-sided cards, but you can use an add-on module for double-sided printing as needed.

The second printer, the DTC4500e is the costlier and far more advanced of the two Fargo models. It can print rapidly in color and monochrome, and is popular in schools, large organizations, and government facilities. The basic model prints single-sided cards with lamination and encoding. If you need double-sided cards, you can upgrade it and have pretty much every advantage you need to print a high-quality card.

Looking to learn more? Contact us at Avon Security Products today! 

Even though the movement has been around for well over a decade, many companies are still implementing membership card options to their customers. In large part, buyers across many industries enjoy all of the perks that come with these cards. If you haven’t started a membership card initiative because you don’t think it will benefit your business, you may want to reconsider this option.

The membership card has already helped a number of industries. If your business belongs to one of these industries, you may want to think about starting a membership card program. These industries are among the ones most likely to benefit from such a program.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

People love going to a café and getting a free item with their membership card. These programs have proven that customers are more likely to shop at a location where they can get discounts and unique offers. Cafés and coffee shops are places where people can make a quick stop while running around. A membership card makes it more likely that they will do just that.

Restaurants

Just like cafes, restaurants are more likely to earn loyal customers by offering a membership card program. When coupled with email campaigns, programs like this easily increase sales. For example, if your restaurant is typically slow on Tuesdays, you can offer free appetizer to your members on Tuesdays. A popular campaign for restaurant memberships is to offer either money off after a certain dollar amount is spent or a free entrée after so many entrées have been purchased.

Grocery and Food Stores

Even grocery and convenience stores benefit from offering a little bit more to their customers. You can use the cards to offer free food, additional coupons, better deals, and free items. People love being able to stretch their food budget a little bit further. These cards give them a way to do just that.

Gyms and Recreation Centers

Membership cards are advantageous to gyms and recreation centers for several reasons. It helps to easily identify patrons who are members during the check in process. The cards are incredibly easy to scan as members enter. They are easy to track, so that patrons don’t end up having something large to store while they are exercising. Finally, they make it easy for the gym to track who visits, how often, and when. This is important for offering discounts, classes, and during membership renewal.

Retail Stores

Whether you are locally owned and operated or are part of a larger group of retail store, membership card programs are incredibly beneficial. They are easy for customers to track while giving you a lot of useful data about shopping patterns. Like the food industry, customer love to get stuff for free and get better discounts than none members. Stores who have implemented these programs are more likely to build loyal customer bases.

Gas Stations

With as uncertain as the price of gas has been over the last couple of decades, people love to know that they can get a better price. Gas stations that have membership programs are more likely to be visited than those without because even if your gas is a little more expensive than a competitor, customers can get it cheaper with their card.

Looking for more information on membership cards? Contact us at Avon Security Products today!

Bigger isn’t always better, but things can be just a bit easier when size is on your side. If you are in charge of coordinating a large public event, you may be struggling with keeping your attendees and their property safe and secure.

For Your Local Festival

From the Carrot Fest to the Tecumseh Corn Festival and everything in between, a small town celebration can span multiple city blocks and sprawl outside of the courthouse square. For both managing the parade and keeping the vendors’ area running smoothly, oversized ID cards become an asset that saves time and money. Any security personnel who are working the festival will have a difficult time telling who has access to which areas. A large amount of people and area that need to be covered don’t leave them time to monitor anything but suspicious movement, so highly visible badges can let them quickly spot out someone lurking around the wrong tent without harassing every festival goer into a poor mood for a party.

Under the Stadium Lights

Whether it’s soccer, rugby, or football, sports events can turn into a logistical nightmare as students are bussed in from out of town, overeager parents fight for the best seats, and the teams have to share space on the practice fields and in the locker rooms. Tournaments can be especially hectic, so team spaces should be reserved for anyone that is wearing a uniform or that has one of the oversized cards bearing a team logo.

At the Talent Show

A raging Battle of the Bands or a grab-bag of student performances at a talent show can become chaos incarnate with multiple groups moving on and off stage after a single song or terrible puppet act. Even the most steady-handed and stoic theater director will be on edge and in need of assistance moving the thespians to their proper spots. By assigning the group with colored and numbered oversized cards as a badge for each member, the support staff can wrangle wandering teens or alert you to an unauthorized presence amongst the support staff the kids are using for the show.

For the Conference

When the hotel lobby and event rooms are crawling with both conventioneers and other guests, conference security benefits from having readily visible identification. Hobby conferences are frequently populated by vendor booths full of valuable merchandise, and any keynote event may contain proprietary content. Both of these deserve stringent protection against unauthorized access.

At Any Outdoor Event

IDs the size of credit cards are sufficient in an office environment, but they quickly lose relevance as the size of the venue increases. A busy golf tournament, a sprawling concert in a natural basin, or a car show at a race track are some examples of outdoor venues that could benefit from oversized cards.

Make Visible Gains in Your Security Level

While you can defend yourself from threats you can’t see, having a high level of visibility helps make it that much easier to keep control of a large crowd of people. The managerial and security staff of any major event can agree that going with oversized ID cards is the responsible and sensible solution.

To learn more about oversized cards, or to purchase the items you need to print yours, contact us today!

When it comes to ID cards, your company has two options – buy an ID printer or outsource the process; both have their benefits and shortcomings. The size of the company, the number of ID cards you need and the staff changes will all have a profound impact on the decision. These are the factors to take into consideration before choosing an ID printer or opting for an outsourced service.

The Benefits of Owning an ID Printer

Having an ID badge printer on premises is certainly linked to tons of convenience. Once you invest in the machine, you can have ID cards printed quickly and on demand. You’ll be free from having to cooperate with another entity on the process. ID printing equipment is easy to operate and a single card will be produced in a manner of seconds.

There are dozens of printers to choose among on the basis of company needs. Spare parts and additional supplies are incredibly cost-efficient and they can be bought effortlessly online. Once you invest in these, you’ll be free from having to spend more money in the future.

The ownership of an ID printer frees you from some additional costs. There’s no need to pay for shipping and handling. If your organization needs numerous ID cards on a regular basis, spending money one time on the purchase of a printer would be the smartest thing to do.

Having a printer on premises also allows for immediate modifications in the case of staff changes. The ownership of a printer allows for the execution of top-notch security measures. Companies and institutions that deal with sensitive information or own expensive equipment should definitely prioritize the purchase of an ID printer.

Printer ownership enables full control over data encoding and the issuance process. Thus, governmental organizations, companies that issue membership cards and licenses and large corporations will get the best price and service from the purchase of ID printing card equipment.

Outsourcing ID Card Printing: When and Why?

While almost all businesses will benefit from having a printer on premises, there are a few small exceptions. The purchase of an ID printer does not make sense for companies that issue a small number of ID cards every now and then and don’t expect a lot of growth in the future.

There’s also no need to hire staff and invest in their training by opting for ID card printing outsourcing. The company responsible for offering such services will handle the design, production and the delivery of the finalized product.

Depending on the type and the number of cards, some printing companies may offer additional discounts. In this case, the process will become even more cost-efficient.

Before opting for outsourcing, however, remember that a third party will be handling personal employee information. Also, the costs will be ongoing. Once you invest in a printer, you’ll get to use it in the long run. A printer allows effortless control over changes and it’s a money-saving tool in the long run.

Final Verdict

Larger companies and entities that deal with highly sensitive information will definitely benefit from the purchase of an ID printer. The same applies to businesses interested in a cost-efficient solution.

Startups are typically the ones that will get the biggest number of benefits from outsourcing. In all other instances, owning ID card printing equipment will bring tons of convenience and long-term savings to the table. Thus, businesses interested in flexibility and cost-efficiency should definitely pursue the purchase of card printing equipment. Contact us today to learn more!

If you’ve ever watched a photographer work then you know the importance of minimizing background distractions. In fact, this is one of the hallmarks of professional work: the use of backdrop stands or effective substitute to ensure the audience’s focus remains on the subject of the shot.

Although it’s possible to substitute a make-shift backdrop background, you’ll never realize the full potential of your photographs without the benefit of a sturdy stand and a quality backdrop. You must be able to easily arrange the sheet behind the subject, and it needs to be seamless so that it doesn’t take any attention away.

The Portable Photo Backdrop Stand with Backdrop

This popular option from Avon Security Products is excellent for small and medium-sized spaces. Since it measures 28in by 34in, with an adjustable stand that scopes from 28in to 78in, it is quite enough to fill up the background for photo ID shots such as passports and other government credentials. Of course, it functions just as well if you run a school and need to photograph students, or an office with a policy of employee photo badges.>

As you would expect, the portability of this backdrops derives from how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble. Despite the sturdiness of its construction, it is surprisingly lightweight and can easily be handled by one person. The polyester sheet comes with the option of different solid colors:>

·         Grey

·         Black

·         White

·         Green

·         Yellow

·         Red

·         Light Blue

·         Royal Blue

There are also reversible color options with the white and two blue colors for a small extra fee, allowing you to use one backdrop stand for several different photo ID applications.

The Standing Retractable Backdrop

This Avon Security Products option is even more robust than the previous backdrop; it has dimensions spanning 35in x 50in, has a portable tripod stand, and comes in green, grey, light blue, royal blue, red, white and yellow. This one is a lot lower to the floor, also, and because of its size, can accommodate a larger room for photo shoots.

For ease of transport, Avon Security Products also sells a soft nylon carrying case that can accommodate both the background and the tripod or straight stand. The latter must be collapsed in order to fit, but they come with this functionality – so this isn’t a problem.

Ramp up the quality and professionalism of your photos – Avon Security Products carries everything that you’d need. Contact us today to learn more!