Direct-to-Card and Retransfer Card Printers – the Difference

Human beings don’t live forever, and neither do card printers. And the reality is that regardless of the quality (and the price), every card printer has its day. Although a typical card printer comes with a standard warranty of 2 years on parts and labor, there is some variation, as some come with a warranty of 3 years. However, retransfer printers come with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, including the print head. The reason for this is that retransfer printers utilize a unique printing method that functionally eliminates the need to factor in the cost of a replacement print head.

What’s the difference, you ask, between a direct-to-card printer (DTC) and a retransfer printer? During the DTC printing process the print head comes into repeated contact with rigid cards. Typically-speaking, a company printer can print on the order of thousands of cards per month, gradually wearing down the print head. The retransfer method avoids this deterioration by retransferring the image onto the retransfer film, hence its name, thereby significantly extending its lifespan. What’s more is that print heads cost between approximately $500-$900 and is considered to be a commonly-replaced part in DTC printing. Using a retransfer card printer also often translates into higher return on investment, which means that you can save your company a good deal of heartache and money.

There’s also the question of to replace or not to replace. Many factors can affect this decision, such as the decreased cost of ID card printers and technological improvements that necessitate system upgrades. It’s also noteworthy that a printer evaluation fee, minus the cost for the actual repair, figures in the ballpark of $120 or more. Not exactly a walk in the park itself, though tolerable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a Printer

Finding the optimal card printer for your company can be an easy, and even enjoyable, process. ID Security Online’s experts will listen to your needs and help you find the best printer for your organization or business.

Choosing an ID Software

ID Security Online’s consultation team also helps you determine the best software system for your application, walking you through the installation process and teaching you how to operate it on your own.

Troubleshooting

Our technical support group will help you deal with any printing system issues so you can experience the best possible usage from your card printer.


Contact us at IDSecurityOnline today at (800) 897 7024 to discuss your card printing needs.