Which IDP ID Card Printer Is Right for You?
Choose by the work you actually need to do: occasional badges, everyday card issuance, automatic two-sided printing, or durable laminated credentials. This guide compares the IDP printers available from All Things Identification without burying you in technical jargon.
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All of these models print professional full-color ID cards. The important differences are how cards are fed, whether the back prints automatically, how heavily the printer is built, and whether lamination is included.
SMART-21S
SMART-31S
SMART-51S
SMART-51D
SMART-51L Bundle
SMART-70DL
Published speeds are manufacturer maximums. Actual output varies with card design, print settings, encoding and lamination.
SMART-21S: print a badge when you need one
The SMART-21S fits a small office, church, club or business that needs professional photo IDs without an automatic card hopper. Feed cards individually and print full-color or monochrome designs from a compact desktop printer.
- Best for occasional printing
- Single-sided, hand-fed operation
- USB connection and straightforward setup
- Starter kit makes the first purchase easier
SMART-31S: automatic everyday card printing
Step up to the SMART-31S when you want to load a stack of cards instead of feeding them one at a time. Its 80-card input hopper and compact footprint suit businesses, schools, healthcare offices and membership organizations.
- Up to 180 full-color or 720 monochrome cards per hour
- 300 dpi color; higher resolutions available for monochrome details
- Optional Ethernet, encoding and SMARTMarkâ„¢ UV printing
- Three-year advanced-exchange warranty
SMART-51S or SMART-51D: the professional workhorse
The SMART-51 series adds a rugged metal frame, a 200-card input hopper and faster color output. Choose the 51S for front-only cards or the 51D when information such as policies, emergency instructions, signatures or barcodes belongs on the back.
- Up to 212 full-color cards per hour
- Single- and automatic dual-sided choices
- Optional network and card-encoding configurations
- Three-year advanced-exchange warranty
SMART-51L or SMART-70DL: add lamination
Lamination applies a protective film after printing. It makes sense for cards used daily, credentials expected to remain in service for years, or programs that need a visible security laminate. The SMART-51L bundle suits professional departmental issuance; the modular SMART-70DL is the enterprise choice.
- Automatic two-sided printing and lamination
- Better resistance to abrasion and handling
- SMART-70 supports high-capacity, modular workflows
- Ask All Things Identification to confirm the correct configuration and laminate
Remember the supplies
Your printer is only part of the system. Match every printer with the correct ribbon, printable card stock and routine cleaning supplies. Genuine, correctly matched consumables help protect print quality and prevent avoidable downtime.
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All IDP printers include card-design software
IDP SMART iDesigner is included with IDP SMART-series printers at no additional charge. It supports card layouts with photos, text and barcodes, plus cardholder data management. Encoding capability depends on the printer configuration you purchase.
IDP printer questions
Which IDP printer is best for a small business?
Choose the SMART-21S for occasional, one-at-a-time printing. Choose the SMART-31S when you want an automatic card feeder or expect a steadier flow of employee, visitor or membership cards.
When should I move from the SMART-31 to the SMART-51?
Move to the SMART-51 when faster output, a larger 200-card hopper and metal-frame construction justify the additional investment. It is the stronger choice for routine batches and a growing card program.
Can these printers print proximity or smart cards?
They can print on compatible printable card surfaces, but card composition and thickness matter. Encoding a magnetic stripe, contact chip or contactless chip requires the correct optional encoder. Contact All Things Identification before ordering so the printer, credential and encoder are matched correctly.
Do I need a laminating ID card printer?
Usually not for ordinary short-term visitor or membership cards. Lamination becomes valuable for badges worn every day, cards expected to last several years, and credentials requiring a protective or security laminate.
Which ribbon should I order?
Ribbon compatibility depends on the printer model and the type of card you want to produce. Start with All Things Identification’s IDP ribbon collection or call 800-560-8158 before ordering if you are unsure.