What to Consider When Lanyard and ID Card Printing is Done In House or Out of House

In both cases, decisions are ruled by needs. While with ID cards, printing requires a considerable amount of setting up and designing, lanyard printing requires a clear knowledge of what is wanted, as this type of process is still generally outsourced. And, given the proper consideration, an impressive ID card and ID lanyard combination can be produced.

Printing an ID Card

This is where the right software comes into play, with highly regarded brands providing a range of options to create the desired design. Of course, the photo option must always be available, since it is a standard expected by users. So, it is important to have a camera that is capable of taking good quality photos. Usually, a high grade webcam can do the trick in unison with the particular software chosen.

The ability to increase and decrease the size of the photo to fit the card, and placement options to match the card design are also important, as is the overall quality of the reproduction.

Of course, not all ID cards require a photograph. At some conventions and sales fairs, for example, all that is necessary is a name printed on a custom designed card that sports the same colour and logo of the particular host company. Therefore, the ability to accurately recreate a logo though the right fonts etc, is also essential.

However, while all of these aspects are important, it is the overall function of an ID card that is perhaps most important. Understandably then, another vital aspect is the ability to encode the magnetic strip on the back of the PVC card. This option allows for the computers running the security system to effectively read the identity of the bearer, log their entrance or registration, or to prevent entry because the code on the card is not registered. This is particularly useful in the hospitality industry where key cards contain specific codes to allow entry into a room.

Other features of importance to security are the printing of unique bar codes on the cards, and contactless smart cards.

Printing on an Lanyard

While it is perfectly feasible to have an ID card printer in an office, it is somewhat rarer to find a company with a lanyard printer. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, the lanyard is not specific to one person and therefore does not require unique information and, secondly, because the machines used to carry out quality printing on lanyards are significantly bigger than a card printer.

The fact that a lanyard does not need to be unique means that any number of them can be printed in one order. When it comes to cards, each card will require a different name, a photo and a code. However the custom printed lanyard only needs the company, venue or event name, and hundreds can be printed in one go and used over an extended period of time. Meanwhile, the fact that the machine itself is significantly bulkier than a card printer, means that most administrative offices have no room for it.

Of course, there are specific lanyard printing techniques to choose a preference from. Lanyards can be purchased that are pre printed, with classifications such as contractor, visitor or student on them. However, if a customised version is required, then these can be ordered in a range of widths with either dye sublimation or screen printed techniques used.

The difference in technique is that dye sublimation vapourises ink on the ribbon with the ink vapour then cooling and hardening on the lanyard. This is the method that is also used in ID card printing. The screen printing technique, however, uses no heat and is, instead, a matter of imprinting ink onto the lanyard material itself.

It is always possible to get plain lanyards, but the advantage of customising them is that they become part of the identification process itself. An ID lanyard, then, can enhance the security value of the ID card.

Kathryn Dawson writes articles about ID Pro, where you can find some of the best ID card printing services in the UK. ID Pro has many years experience providing llanyard printing for all types of companies, businesses and requirements, as they are an integral part of any operations these days. An ID lanyard is a great form of access control, identification and also provides the necessary security with a marketing twist, helping others to identify your brand easily.

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