7 benefits of in-house plastic card printers

7 Benefits of In-House Plastic Card Printers

The technology found in modern ID cards, membership cards and loyalty cards has advanced significantly, making them more useful across a wide spectrum of applications. Whether you’re looking to improve customer engagement or streamline business operations, having in-house plastic card printers is the most effective way to unlock the utility of these cards. So, in this article, we’ll learn about the benefits of in-house plastic card printers to help you decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

Keeping costs down is a core aspect of running a streamlined operation. In many cases, investing in an in-house plastic card printer is a great move in terms of cost-effectiveness as you’ll be in control of the printing process.

Reducing Long-Term Expenses

While the initial investment in an ID card printer might be a turn-off, the long-term savings are substantial. Businesses that produce a high volume of cards can avoid the per-card fees charged by external printing services. What’s more, owning a printer eliminates the shipping costs associated with outsourcing.

Bulk Printing and Material Savings

In-house plastic card printers allow businesses to purchase printing supplies and materials, such as blank cards and ribbons, in bulk, which can significantly reduce the cost per card. Economies of scale can be realized quickly with higher production volumes.

2. Enhanced Security

If security is a priority for your business, then you can beef things up by taking control over how you obtain your ID cards. Using in-house printing services to generate cards removes a layer of risk by keeping this process internal.

Control Over Sensitive Data

As many types of cards contain sensitive personal information, the security surrounding their generation is important. In-house card printing puts the control of sensitive information solely in the hands of the business. This reduces the risk of data breaches that can occur when data is transmitted to third-party vendors.

Immediate Issuance of ID Cards

For industries where security is critical, such as banking or healthcare, being able to issue ID cards immediately upon employee hire or customer registration enhances security protocols. It prevents potential delays and risks associated with sending information out for processing.

3. Flexibility and Customization

Another area where in-house card printing can offer a tangible benefit is the ability to customize the cards in a way that suits your needs. Whether that’s for branding purposes or to include new details to the cards, you have total control over the process and can make tweaks as often as you like.

Tailored Design and Instant Revisions

In-house printing solutions provide businesses with the flexibility to design and modify card templates as needed. You can quickly update branding or change the information layout as modifications can be made instantly without the need to wait for proofs or revised batches from an external supplier.

Specialized Card Features

Businesses can also take advantage of advanced encoding technologies to incorporate features like smart chips, magnetic stripes, or RFID technology directly during the printing process, offering enhanced functionality tailored to specific needs.

4. Speed and Convenience

When you use an external service to obtain ID cards or membership cards, there is always going to be a delay from when you make your order to when you receive it. If your business values speed and convenience, bringing this service in-house can really speed up the process.

Immediate Printing On-Demand

The ability to print cards on demand is a significant advantage of having an in-house printer. This is particularly useful for businesses that need to replace lost or damaged cards quickly to maintain security and functionality.

No More Waiting for Batch Processing

Unlike outsourced solutions where you must wait for the printer’s schedule, in-house printing means no delays. Cards can be printed as soon as they are needed, improving efficiency and giving you the power to control how often new cards come through.

5. Quality Control

Quality control is another sticking point when it comes to finding a good vendor for plastic cards. By doing the work internally, you have the final say over what cards pass the quality test and which fail.

Ensuring Consistent Quality

With in-house printing, businesses have direct control over the quality of every card produced. This hands-on approach ensures that each batch meets the specific standards set by the organization and that any quality issues can be addressed immediately.

Regular Maintenance and Upkeep

Owning the printing equipment also means that the business can maintain the printers regularly, which helps in producing high-quality prints consistently. You can trust the process when you’re in control of it, which is exactly what in-house printing allows for.

6. Environmental Impact

More companies than ever before are placing a strong focus on environmentalism. One way to function in an eco-friendly way is to take charge of your card printing needs as this can lower your carbon footprint and create less waste.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

By printing in-house, companies can reduce the carbon footprintassociated with shipping cards from external suppliers. This supports corporate sustainability goals as you can cut down on the associated environmental burden that comes from receiving cards from a third-party vendor.

Waste Reduction

In-house printing also allows businesses to print exactly what is needed, reducing waste associated with overordering or storage of excess pre-printed cards from external vendors. You won’t have to buy in bulk for cost-savings when you don’t need to, keeping operations agile and eco-friendly in the process.

7. Branding and Marketing Opportunities

The power of good marketing is not something to overlook, as it can spur customers to choose you over the competition and help you build a strong brand. One way that you can enhance your branding efforts is to use in-house card printers to create cards just the way you want.

Enhanced Brand Presence

Owning an in-house plastic card printer allows businesses to incorporate their brand elements directly and prominently on each card. This is particularly important for customer-facing cards like loyalty or membership cards. The ability to frequently update and personalize the design keeps the brand image fresh and engaging.

Promotional Flexibility

Businesses can quickly produce cards for specific promotions or events without the lead times required by external suppliers. This responsiveness can be a significant advantage in dynamic market conditions where timing and brand visibility are key.

Unlock the Benefits of In-House Card Printing Today

The benefits of in-house plastic card printers extend beyond simple cost savings and convenience. They empower businesses with improved branding opportunities, greater integration into business operations and increased control over production. These factors collectively contribute to a robust infrastructure that supports operational efficiency and strategic marketing and customer engagement initiatives. If you would like to learn more about investing in in-house card printing technology or would like assistance in selecting the right type, please get in touch with our team at ID Cards Direct today.