Seeking Your ID Card Printer Recommendations!

[Jaan]

We're looking to replace our Zebra ZC300 ID card printer and would love to hear about your experiences and recommendations.

 

Our current ZC300 is about four years old and has seen a lot of use. It's developed card feeding issues even after cleaning and now needs a new printhead. Given its age and the issues, we're thinking it's time for a complete replacement rather than repair.

 

We have a high card turnover, printing around 900-1000 cards annually for our Year 7 group, new staff, and replacements for lost or damaged cards. We're currently considering a Zebra ZXP model as a replacement, but we're open to other brands and models that might be a better fit for our needs.

 

One consideration is that we have 8 spare rolls of ribbon for our current ZC300, which would be an additional loss if we switch to a different model or brand. We also use Zebra CardStudio software, but we're not tied to it and can easily transition to something new.

 

What ID card printers do you use, especially those with a high print volume? Have you found a particular brand or model to be reliable and efficient? Any thoughts and suggestions would be great before I make a decision!

 

Cheers

[Andycat]

We've used Evolis for the last 10 years or so, high volume and only change when they stop making the ribbons!

[6Foot2]

A similar (earlier) thread from 2023:

 

Link: ID Card Printers - What Do You Use? | How do you do....it?

 

[TechMonkey]

Currently using a MagicCard but we are low volume, and I can't really recommend it.  Odd way of installing, goes into power save mode very quickly and the only way to wake it up is to press buttons

Used Evolis in a past life and had no problems but I can't remember the model.

[STK91]

We use EasyBadge. No complaints.

[MisterTechMan]

We have had x3 HiTi CS-200e in operation for the last 4 years - they have done us well and haven't had any issues, apart from general maintenance and replacing ribbons. They have probably done around 6,000 cards between them. 

 

I can't comment on the software as we use our MIS system to create the badges. 

[Gongalong]

We've had an Evolis Primacy the last three years, still working fine and will have had several thousand cards through it.

[Andycat]

1 hour ago, Gongalong said:

We've had an Evolis Primacy the last three years, still working fine and will have had several thousand cards through it.

 

Us too, but apparently it's end of life now as far as supplies go, so get stocked up!