Seamless, Secure ID Card Printing Systems

With direct-to-card (DTC™) printing technology, images and text are printed directly onto the card surface, making it ideal for standard ID badges and cards that use minimal or no embedded electronics. With retransfer (also referred to as reverse transfer) printing technology, images and text are first printed onto a clear film which is then fused to the card, making it ideal for applications that include embedded technology such as smart chips or antennae. Because images and text are printed onto high definition film instead of directly to the card, the often uneven surface of technology cards won’t compromise image quality. HID FARGO’s retransfer printing method is referred to as HDP® (High Definition Printing).

Yes. The total print area of the finished card is slightly smaller with DTC printing than with retransfer printing if pre-printed cards are not used. DTC printing provides what is referred to as “edge-to-edge” coverage where images and text can be printed just up to the edges of the card. Because there is a slight margin between the card’s edge and the print ribbon, finished cards usually have a slight (but barely visible) blank/white border at the outer edges.

Conversely, retransfer printers print over the entire card’s surface. This is known as “over-the-edge” coverage. With retransfer/HDP printing, there is no white border at the outer edges of finished cards because this method provides complete card coverage. 

Yes. Barring any additional visual security features and/or overlaminates, retransfer/HDP-printed cards are considered inherently more durable than DTC-printed cards because the retransfer film or HDP film (also known as InTM film) that is applied during the printing process acts as a natural, durable barrier between text/images and the outside world. Cards produced by retransfer/HDP printing solutions are also considered more secure than other types of cards because they are inherently tamper-evident — if a counterfeiter tries to peel apart the layers (peel the printed film from the card’s surface), the image essentially destroys itself rendering the card unusable.

HID offers both DTC and HDP/retransfer printers to meet a variety of security requirements and aesthetic needs.

Our printers can produce a wide range of credentials including employee badges, student IDs, membership and loyalty cards, transit and parking passes, government-issued IDs such as driver’s licenses and more. Optional contact and/or contactless card encoding can be employed to integrate with a variety of applications including physical access/entry, cashless vending, time and attendance, and/or logical access to computers/networks. HID FARGO printers also support various card materials and the application of overt, covert and even forensic security elements via holographic overlaminates, holographic foil cards and/or fluorescent printing for enhanced credential protection.

HID FARGO’s versatile printing solutions benefit many industries. Across virtually all industries, they facilitate secure employee identification, access control and visitor management. Depending on the industry, FARGO solutions are further leveraged to meet a variety of specific needs. For example, in healthcare, they enable reliable patient and staff identification. For education, they provide student, faculty, and staff IDs, enhance campus safety, and provide exceptional convenience to a multitude of on-campus services by performing a variety of functions such as physical access to classrooms, labs, offices, residence halls and recreational facilities, cashless transactions for school stores, food service, vending machines and laundry, logical access to workstations, networks and information, tracking time and attendance, facilitating library checkout and more. In government, applications span secure identity credentials, driver’s licenses, vehicle and voter registration cards and health cards. The retail and hospitality industries use FARGO solutions for loyalty cards and guest access systems. Financial services benefit from printed debit and credit cards, while transportation relies on these solutions for transit passes.

Very secure. Depending on the printer model, FARGO printers offer advanced security features like password protection, data encryption, secure encoding, physical lock options and resin scramble data protection — ensuring credentials and your organization's sensitive information are protected.

HID FARGO printer card encoding modules enable organizations to print and encode credentials in a one-step, inline process. By combining printing and encoding within a single device, organizations can rest assured that their company-, employee- or student-specific data is included on each user’s card, further extending the overall security of the card issuance program.

Available options include those for contact, contactless and magnetic stripe encoding. Users can select from a variety of modules to extend read/write capability for third-party applications such as physical access, time and attendance and cashless vending, among others. What’s more, with the programmer card encoding module, users can create and program cards that are specifically compatible with HID physical access solutions. This can prove especially beneficial to organizations desiring to upgrade existing card populations for use with the higher security platforms. 

Better yet, HID FARGO encoding solutions are fully field-upgradeable so they can be added or changed at any time to support new card personalization and security needs as your requirements change over time. 

First and foremost, HID FARGO printers boast efficient energy consumption and depending on printer model, include support for eco-friendly (ECO) refill ribbons, rewritable cards and even wasteless lamination — all of which reduce material waste thus lowering environmental impact.

When selecting an ID badge printer, there are several factors to consider. Start with the anticipated printing volume to ensure the printer meets your program’s requirements. Evaluate the desired print quality, including image sharpness, color vibrancy and resolution. Assess the desired durability of the cards, factoring in their lifespan and exposure to wear, UV light or chemicals. Determine your encoding needs by considering how cards will be used and with what systems. Explore both the level of printer security and physical credential security your issuance program demands. Eco-friendliness is another important aspect. Printing solutions that require fewer resources, use fewer consumables and create less waste will not only support your organization’s green initiatives, but also have the potential to significantly lower card program costs. Finally, balance your budget by comparing the initial investment with long-term costs, including consumables and ongoing maintenance. For additional insight, we invite you to read our white paper, Top 10 Considerations: Selecting an ID Card Printer That Will Meet Your Needs.

Card type significantly affects printer compatibility and durability. Direct-to-card (DTC) printers work with PVC, PVC/PET (composite) and polycarbonate cards, although PVC/PET is preferred for its superior heat resistance. In contrast, retransfer printers and laminators are not compatible with PVC as they require more resilient card materials, such as PVC/PET or polycarbonate, to prevent warping during the heat-intensive printing and/or laminating processes.  

Regarding durability, PVC cards typically last about one year, making them an excellent choice for short-term applications, such as temporary IDs, gift and loyalty cards. PVC/PET composite cards offer greater durability, lasting 3–4 years, and are well-suited for applications like employee IDs, student IDs and financial cards. Polycarbonate cards are the most durable, with a lifespan of 5–10 years, making them ideal for high-security uses such as driver’s licenses or laser-engraved cards.