How Secure Are Your ID Cards? Why Printer Choice Matters

When it comes to protecting your team, your premises, and your data, ID card security plays a bigger role than many businesses realise. A low-quality or basic ID card can be easily copied, damaged, or manipulated - making your access control system vulnerable. The good news? The ID card printer you choose directly affects how secure your cards really are.

Here’s why your printer choice matters and how to make sure your cards aren’t putting your organisation at risk.

1. Visual Security vs Functional Security

There are two types of security when it comes to ID cards:

• Visual: Photo, logo, colour, text, holograms

• Functional: Chip encoding, magnetic stripes, RFID/NFC

Your printer must support both - especially if your cards are used for building access, payments, or time tracking.

2. Low-End Printers Can Be a Risk

Basic printers may seem like a money-saver, but they come with drawbacks:

• No encoding options (e.g. no smart card or RFID support)

• Easy-to-duplicate designs

• Limited resolution, making it harder to print clear ID photos

• No lamination or overlay for tamper resistance

If someone can copy a card with a desktop printer and walk into your building, your security system is broken.

3. How Your Printer Improves Security

Upgrading your ID card printer unlocks features like:

• Smart card encoding – for secure access control

• UV or watermark printing – invisible marks only visible under UV light

• Lamination – protects against tampering or photo swapping

• Custom holographic overlays – make your cards extremely hard to fake

• Edge-to-edge or retransfer printing – no white borders to exploit or alter

These features deter cloning, prevent misuse, and help you spot fake or outdated cards instantly.

4. Match the Printer to Your Risk Level

Ask yourself:

• Do our cards grant physical access to secure areas?

• Could a fake card cause financial or safety risk?

• Are we in education, healthcare, or government?

If yes, go for a retransfer printer with encoding and lamination options - like models from Magicard, HID Fargo, or Zebra.

5. Don't Overlook Staff Support

Even the best printer won’t help if the system isn’t used correctly. That’s why we offer:

• Free setup support

• Staff training options

• Help choosing encoding options for your needs

Final Thoughts

Your ID card printer isn’t just a tool - it’s part of your security infrastructure. Choosing a model with the right security features protects your people, property, and reputation.

Need a secure ID card printer? Browse our secure printer range or if you prefer to have staff ID cards created by us, in-house, check out our ID card printing service CardHero to find the best option for your organisation.