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Affordable ID Card Printers for on a budget
Looking for a good ID card printer on a smaller budget? You’re in the right spot! After thorough research on price, performance, and features from our experts, we’ve rounded up the top 3 budget-friendly ID printers that deliver consistent, high-quality card printing.
Whether you need to produce employee ID cards, student badges, or membership cards on a budget, these affordable PVC card printers will get the job done.
Best affordable PVC plastic ID printer machine
£499
£474.05
The Smart 21s ID Card Printer is the most popular ID card printer, for its low cost and amazing quality for a standard printer.
Positives:
- Prints on PVC plastic ID cards
- Lowest cost printer available
- Full colour printing
- Low costing security
- 24s or less to print a full colour ID card
Drawbacks:
- Cannot print on access control cards
- Cards must be hand fed
- Direct-to-Card printers leave a small outline on the edge that cannot be printed on
Overall verdict
If you don't require access control cards or watermark films, and are happy to feed the cards yourself, this affordable ID card printer will be an excellent choice! However, if you will be printing on a card type other than pvc plastic, you will need a retransfer printer which are typically more costly.
Best low cost, fast issuance ID printer with security encoding features
£599
The Magicard Pronto 100 is a cost-effective solution with encoding options for security. Additionally, it's eco-friendly, made with over 75% recycled or recyclable materials. If this sounds like the kind of printer for you, learn more from an official Magicard Momentum Partner here!
Positives:
- Prints on PVC plastic ID cards
- Made from over 75% recycled or recyclable materials
- Optional MagStripe encoding options
- Full colour printing
- Low costing security
- 35s or less to print a full colour ID card
- Input hopper with a capacity of 50 cards
- Output hopper 50 hand-feed
Drawbacks:
- Cannot print on access control cards
- More costly than the Smart 21
- Direct-to-card printers leave a small outline on the edge that cannot be printed on
Overall verdict
The Magicard Pronto 100 is ideal if you're looking to print entry level on a small scale and smaller budget, but still require security features. You can learn more and purchase here.
Best affordable Plastic ID Card Printer Bundle Deal
£520
This bundle contains everything the Smart 21 box includes, and essentials for printing, such as the colour ribbon, cards and software can be costly. When you buy the Smart 21s bundle, save a further £24 on these essentials!
Positives:
- Includes all you need to get started printing
- Includes a 100 prints, full colour ribbon
- Includes 100 blank pvc cards to get you started
- Includes Free design software
Drawbacks:
- Eventually, you will need to purchase more ribbon and ID cards
- A printer cleaning kit will need to be purchased separately, essential to keeping your printer in the best condition and keeping warranty valid.
Overall verdict
The bundle is ideal for starting out. The bundle includes ID cards, design software, and a coloured ribbon which are essential to print id cards. If you're looking for an amazing deal, this is it! You can learn more and purchase here.
Best Value Low Cost Dual Sided Printer
£950
The Smart 31d ID card printer is an affordable dual sided printer. Perfect if you require more capabilities than a single sided printer provides.
Positives:
- Prints Dual sided
- 80 card holder capacity - no need to manually enter cards one by one
- Fully customisable security watermark features
- 23s or less to print a full colour ID card
Drawbacks:
- More costly than a single sided printer
- If you do not need the additional features, you may be spending more than necessary.
Overall verdict
The Smart 31d ID Card printer is the best low costing alternative if you require a dual sided printer. It's good value for money for dual sided printing needs.