How Often Should You Perform ID Card Printer Maintenance

Just like any other piece of printing equipment, an ID card printer requires proper maintenance. Regular cleaning and a few other routine procedures will have to be performed to ensure the longevity and the impeccable functioning of the printer.

ID Card Printer Cleaning Frequency

Cleaning is one of the simplest, yet most important aspects of keeping an ID card printer in an ideal condition. Regular cleaning can reduce the risk of experiencing problems like card jams, broken ribbons and uneven printing.

There will be specific cleaning recommendations for every ID printer model. Usually, manufacturers suggest a thorough cleaning each time the ribbon gets changed. The printing volume can also be used to determine the frequency of the procedure. Low-volume printers can be cleaned about every 165 prints. For high volume ID printers, cleaning will be required approximately every 500 prints.

Cleaning kits for ID printers are available on the market. Most brands that make ID card printers also manufacture the supplies required for the thorough cleaning. These supplies come with detailed instructions that make it easier for beginners to master the technique.

Alternatively, a support team can handle the cleaning process. There are many companies that offer such services and make it easier for organizations to maintain their equipment in excellent condition.

Frequency of Ribbon Calibration

Ribbon calibration is essential to reduce the risk of colours being out of alignment. Many contemporary ID printers are self-calibrating. Some pieces of equipment, however, will necessitate periodic recalibration.

Usually, calibration can be performed as a driver option via a computer. The “printing preferences” toolbar will have the option available and the entire process can be completed in a matter of seconds.

How often should ribbon recalibration take place as a part of the printer maintenance process? Once again, the time frame varies from one ID card printer brand to another. A general rule of thumb is to undergo the calibration process two times per year.

Ribbon calibration is one of the first maintenance steps to undertake if the printer isn’t doing its job properly. Usually, the need for additional calibration is not a sign of a problem, unless you have to go through the necessary steps every time you need to print a batch of ID cards.

Printer Servicing

A final aspect of ID printer maintenance is professional servicing. The term refers to professional assistance that will keep the printer working like new.

Organizations that clean and calibrate their ID printers regularly will reduce the need for professional servicing. This is why some of the simplest maintenance steps matter the most.

There’s no need for regular servicing, like in the case of other pieces of equipment. Rather, the step is recommended whenever a problem is being experienced. A worn print head or a snapped belt are two of the common problems that will necessitate servicing by a professional team.

A perfectly maintained ID printer may never require professional servicing during its lifespan. Still, problems may occur that could potentially be fixed quickly and affordably. In such instances, you’ll need a reliable expert to identify the issue and carry out the servicing.

Keep in mind that quality ID card printers come with a manufacturer warranty. If something goes wrong with the equipment during this period, you’ll benefit from free of charge servicing.

Get in the habit of cleaning the ID printer regularly – this is the most crucial maintenance step. Once you master the cleaning, you’ll minimize the need for other procedures and save a lot of money that will otherwise have to be dedicated to servicing.

Looking for more information? Contact us today!

The Importance of Name Badge Holders in The Healthcare Industry

Security is a major concern for healthcare facilities across the country. Hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other types of medical offices have developed strict rules and regulations that make their buildings as safe and secure as possible. One such measure is the use of professional name badges. In many cases, every employee must wear a name badge while on duty.

Benefits of Name Badges

Name badges serve several purposes. First, they allow patients to know instantly who is and who isn’t a staff member. This also ensures that patients feel safe when interacting with your medical team. Secondly, name badges enable medical personnel to determine the credentials of other team members instantly. This is especially beneficial for larger facilities, where your medical personnel may not know each other. Finally, access name badges give medical facilities the ability to limit access to specific areas or technology to only certain members of the team.

Consistent Name Badge Use

Everyone from the physician right down to the cleaning staff should have their personalized name badge with them at all time. The use of name badge holders can make it easier for your staff to remember to wear their badge all the time. The name badge will fit perfectly into a vinyl or plastic protective sleeve, which can then be clipped onto shirt, belt, or lanyard. This allows your staff members to wear their badge throughout their entire shift without worrying about it interfering with their work.

Protection of Name Badges

Since name badges play a significant role in healthcare security, it is extremely important that they are kept in good condition at all times. Name badge holders provide a protective covering that will prevent accidental damages. This is especially important for access name badges because even the slighted damage could prevent the card from working properly. The name badge holders also fit snug around the badge to ensure it doesn’t slip out during even the most active shifts.

The use of name badge holders makes it more convenient for healthcare workers to wear their name badge no matter how demanding their workload is. These holders also will help to save your company money, by reducing the number of lost and/or damaged cards you have to replace every year. Whether, your employees like vinyl badge holders, plastic badge holders, or magnetic badge holders, they will create a professional look for your team while ensuring your facilities remain as safe and secure as possible.

Avon Security Products offers an array of affordable, yet high-quality name badge holders that are ideal for your team, contact us today!

High Resolution Options for Fargo Printers

Fargo is a well-known and respected name in the high resolution printing industry because their printers are capable of a much better quality and look than the majority of more common printers. Each Fargo printer delivers high quality prints for things such as badges and cards. If you have a complex image that needs to be of a clear crisp quality (such as barcodes), a Fargo printer is guaranteed to give you the results you need. From government agencies to higher education to healthcare facilities, Fargo offers a model that will meet your high resolution printing needs.

Depending on your needs, there is a Fargo printer that can give you the final image you need.

With all of the basic features required for high quality prints, this Fargo model has everything you need to produce clear images for security or readability.

·         Minimal card management – With an input hopper that can handle two cards, this Fargo model makes it easy to manage badge creation in the shortest of time possible.

·         Increased speed – The HDP platform is part of the next generation, meaning you can print clear images in considerably less time.

·         Laminating – It may look compact, but this Fargo printer has both single and double-sided lamination capabilities.

·         Durability and quality – You do not have to sacrifice durability to get amazing quality. With this printer, you can get consistently beautiful images with one of several different protection options to ensure that the badge or card will have a long life span.

·         SmartScreen – The printer is also easy to use, including the LCD Control Panel that can prompt you in how to handle printing issues.

Fargo HDP5600

There are many benefits of this particular Fargo printer, starting with how reliable it is.

·         Resin printing with a high quality – This printer generates very clear and crisp images that are easy for scanners to read.

·         Cost effective – Both reasonably priced and reliable, this model gives you 600 dpi printing with each print.

·         Modular design that is versatile – If you need a little more functionality, you can add certain features while you are n the field, giving you the ability to print high quality pictures anywhere. The modular design makes it easy to transport

·         Encoding functionality – It is common to require certain types of encoding for cards and badges, which is what makes this particular Fargo printer so attractive to many businesses.

·         Security features – If you need better security from your printer, this model comes with additional features, such as a magnetic stripping.

·         Single or double sided printing – There are different versions of this model so that you do not have to compromise your images to fit the printer into your budget. If you need a simple single-sided print you can select from one of several choices so that you do not pay for a feature you do not need.

Fargo understands the different needs of the security industry and consistently meets those needs with their high resolution printers. Looking to learn more? Contact us today! 

Are Proximity Cards The Next Step in Your Business’s Safety Plan?

How confident are you in the quality and the reliability of your company’s security system? The good news is that you have many options to choose among. They’re so diversified that picking the right one may even be a bit confusing in the beginning.

Proximity cards add a lot of convenience due to their contactless nature. Figuring out whether they’re the right option for your organization is all about taking several factors in consideration.

What is a Proximity Card?

Let’s focus on the essentials first. This type of access control card holds information about its owner and grants or denies access to certain premises on the basis of this information.

This means that such security cards can be used to grant employees different levels of access to company facilities. They’re perfect for restricted premises and specialized/high security areas.

There are many different types of proximity cards to choose among. Generic badges are cheap and quick to make. These are perfect for giving all employees access to a building or an office. There are also ISO-compliant access options, cards that offer limitless customization and heavy-duty options.

The Most Important Benefits of Proximity Cards

Before figuring out whether this product is the next logical step in your company’s security plan, it’s important to understand its most important benefits.

Companies that feature different buildings or offices will require highly specific authorization options for different groups of employees. A proximity card makes the process very simple because it can be personalized. Otherwise, the company will have to come up with a rather complex and expensive integrative security system.

Such cards can be programmed to be compatible with different kinds of readers. Thus, they can easily be added to an existing security framework.

Currently, electronic card access is considered one of the most secure options for corporate, governmental and administrative buildings. Pre-programming makes cards functional during a certain period of time, after which the building is completely locked down. There are limitless ways in which security can be customized and enhanced. Proximity cards are starting to replace traditional locks and the effectiveness is unparalleled.

The use of electronic cards is also great for companies that see frequent employee changes. Once a person leaves the organization, their credentials are simply erased from the database. There’s no need to ask for keys or have the respective office/building re-keyed.

The Proximity Card = More Effective Security Management

The use of electronic cards that feature employee ID information is wonderful for keeping control over access and getting some additional information about attendance. Data from card use is recorded in the main database, giving organizations tons of useful information. Such information can play a vital role in human resource management.

The security benefits stemming from the use of such security systems don’t need to be described any further.

Companies interested in modernizing and customizing their access systems should definitely consider the option. Getting such cards and readers in place will require a single investment. Once the initial items are purchased, the system will allow for limitless customization at a minimal cost.

The use of a proximity card for every employee makes it extremely difficult for unauthorized individuals to enter a building or an office. Thus, larger companies that have a big number of workers or visitors should definitely consider the possibility. While proximity cards may not be an ideal option for smaller entities, such companies will also experience benefits from the introduction of such an innovative and customizable security measure.

Looking to learn more? Contact us today! 

The Top ID Card Printer Brands

As technology makes it easier for companies to manage many repetitive tasks that were once outsourced, it becomes increasingly necessary to learn about a much wider range of tools. The ID card printer is one of these amazing pieces of equipment that can save a substantial sum every year. However, you also have a lot of options.

The following are the best in the ID card printer business.

Evolis Badgy 200

The top spot goes to the product with the most obvious (and cartoonish) name, the Evolis Badgy 200. This ID card printer gives you a lot of options with a very small device. You can print in color or monochrome depending on your needs. It is incredibly
portable, making it ideal for use in the field. You can expect cards and badges to last between one and three years.

The only real limitation is that it does single-sided prints. Since most businesses and organizations don’t need double-sided prints, this is rarely an issue.  

Datacard SP25 Plus

Datacard has made it difficult to expect little from a printer with the SP25 Plus. With features that are far more advanced than were available just a few years ago, this handy little ID card printer can do a lot. You can print in color or monochrome, as well as reusing a card if you mess up. It is quick and has a resolution of 300 DPI. If you need tighter security, it comes with the ability to use smart card and magnetic stripe.

Magicard Enduro+

Falling between the capabilities of the top ranked printer on this list and the second, the Magicard Enduro+ has a lot to offer. With multiple printing modes, you adjust the settings quickly based on your badge or ID needs. If your printing needs are between low- and mid-volume, it is the perfect printer for single-sided printing with a few extra additions.

Evolis Tattoo 2Rewrite

This hardy little printer is capable of between 2,500 and 3,000 cards every year. Covering all of your basic badging needs, it has some additional security features too. One of the most portable ID card printers on the list, it is perfect for field work. The only real limitation is that it only prints in monochrome.

Fargo DTC1250e and DTC4500e

One of the leading names in high resolution printing, so it is no wonder they have two printers on this list.

The DTC1250e costs less, and offers fewer functions, but it is a great solution for smaller businesses that don’t need heavy duty badges and ID cards. With the ability to print 225 cards every hour (both color and monochrome), it is by no means inferior to the other printers on this list. The model prints single-sided cards, but you can use an add-on module for double-sided printing as needed.

The second printer, the DTC4500e is the costlier and far more advanced of the two Fargo models. It can print rapidly in color and monochrome, and is popular in schools, large organizations, and government facilities. The basic model prints single-sided cards with lamination and encoding. If you need double-sided cards, you can upgrade it and have pretty much every advantage you need to print a high-quality card.

Looking to learn more? Contact us at Avon Security Products today! 

6 Businesses That Could Benefit from Membership Cards

Even though the movement has been around for well over a decade, many companies are still implementing membership card options to their customers. In large part, buyers across many industries enjoy all of the perks that come with these cards. If you haven’t started a membership card initiative because you don’t think it will benefit your business, you may want to reconsider this option.

The membership card has already helped a number of industries. If your business belongs to one of these industries, you may want to think about starting a membership card program. These industries are among the ones most likely to benefit from such a program.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

People love going to a café and getting a free item with their membership card. These programs have proven that customers are more likely to shop at a location where they can get discounts and unique offers. Cafés and coffee shops are places where people can make a quick stop while running around. A membership card makes it more likely that they will do just that.

Restaurants

Just like cafes, restaurants are more likely to earn loyal customers by offering a membership card program. When coupled with email campaigns, programs like this easily increase sales. For example, if your restaurant is typically slow on Tuesdays, you can offer free appetizer to your members on Tuesdays. A popular campaign for restaurant memberships is to offer either money off after a certain dollar amount is spent or a free entrée after so many entrées have been purchased.

Grocery and Food Stores

Even grocery and convenience stores benefit from offering a little bit more to their customers. You can use the cards to offer free food, additional coupons, better deals, and free items. People love being able to stretch their food budget a little bit further. These cards give them a way to do just that.

Gyms and Recreation Centers

Membership cards are advantageous to gyms and recreation centers for several reasons. It helps to easily identify patrons who are members during the check in process. The cards are incredibly easy to scan as members enter. They are easy to track, so that patrons don’t end up having something large to store while they are exercising. Finally, they make it easy for the gym to track who visits, how often, and when. This is important for offering discounts, classes, and during membership renewal.

Retail Stores

Whether you are locally owned and operated or are part of a larger group of retail store, membership card programs are incredibly beneficial. They are easy for customers to track while giving you a lot of useful data about shopping patterns. Like the food industry, customer love to get stuff for free and get better discounts than none members. Stores who have implemented these programs are more likely to build loyal customer bases.

Gas Stations

With as uncertain as the price of gas has been over the last couple of decades, people love to know that they can get a better price. Gas stations that have membership programs are more likely to be visited than those without because even if your gas is a little more expensive than a competitor, customers can get it cheaper with their card.

Looking for more information on membership cards? Contact us at Avon Security Products today!

Five Venues that Need Oversized Cards

Bigger isn’t always better, but things can be just a bit easier when size is on your side. If you are in charge of coordinating a large public event, you may be struggling with keeping your attendees and their property safe and secure.

For Your Local Festival

From the Carrot Fest to the Tecumseh Corn Festival and everything in between, a small town celebration can span multiple city blocks and sprawl outside of the courthouse square. For both managing the parade and keeping the vendors’ area running smoothly, oversized ID cards become an asset that saves time and money. Any security personnel who are working the festival will have a difficult time telling who has access to which areas. A large amount of people and area that need to be covered don’t leave them time to monitor anything but suspicious movement, so highly visible badges can let them quickly spot out someone lurking around the wrong tent without harassing every festival goer into a poor mood for a party.

Under the Stadium Lights

Whether it’s soccer, rugby, or football, sports events can turn into a logistical nightmare as students are bussed in from out of town, overeager parents fight for the best seats, and the teams have to share space on the practice fields and in the locker rooms. Tournaments can be especially hectic, so team spaces should be reserved for anyone that is wearing a uniform or that has one of the oversized cards bearing a team logo.

At the Talent Show

A raging Battle of the Bands or a grab-bag of student performances at a talent show can become chaos incarnate with multiple groups moving on and off stage after a single song or terrible puppet act. Even the most steady-handed and stoic theater director will be on edge and in need of assistance moving the thespians to their proper spots. By assigning the group with colored and numbered oversized cards as a badge for each member, the support staff can wrangle wandering teens or alert you to an unauthorized presence amongst the support staff the kids are using for the show.

For the Conference

When the hotel lobby and event rooms are crawling with both conventioneers and other guests, conference security benefits from having readily visible identification. Hobby conferences are frequently populated by vendor booths full of valuable merchandise, and any keynote event may contain proprietary content. Both of these deserve stringent protection against unauthorized access.

At Any Outdoor Event

IDs the size of credit cards are sufficient in an office environment, but they quickly lose relevance as the size of the venue increases. A busy golf tournament, a sprawling concert in a natural basin, or a car show at a race track are some examples of outdoor venues that could benefit from oversized cards.

Make Visible Gains in Your Security Level

While you can defend yourself from threats you can’t see, having a high level of visibility helps make it that much easier to keep control of a large crowd of people. The managerial and security staff of any major event can agree that going with oversized ID cards is the responsible and sensible solution.

To learn more about oversized cards, or to purchase the items you need to print yours, contact us today!

Buy an ID Card Printer or Outsource It? What Canadian Organizations Need to Know Before Choosing

Canadian workplace onboarding and access control environment featuring an ID card printer, employee badges, visitor credential issuance, and secure entry systems comparing in-house badge printing versus outsourced ID card production

ID card printing is the process of producing employee badges, visitor credentials, membership cards, and access cards used for identification and security purposes. Organizations can either manage printing internally with professional equipment or outsource badge production to a third party vendor depending on their operational needs, security requirements, and printing volume.

For many organizations, the decision seems simple at first. Outsourcing appears convenient. Buying a printer feels like a larger commitment. But once onboarding delays, security concerns, rush fees, and ongoing badge updates start piling up, the equation changes quickly.

At Avon Security Products, organizations across Canada regularly ask the same question: is it smarter to outsource employee badge printing, or bring everything in house? 

The answer depends on more than just upfront cost.

At a Glance

  • In house ID card printing gives organizations faster turnaround times, stronger security control, and better flexibility.
  • Outsourced ID card printing may work for businesses with very low print volume or infrequent badge updates.
  • Organizations with growing teams often save money long term by investing in professional ID card printers.
  • Secure credentials, visitor badges, and access cards are easier to manage internally when immediate reprints or updates are needed.
  • Canadian organizations increasingly prefer in house printing for operational efficiency, onboarding speed, and data protection.

Why More Organizations Are Bringing ID Card Printing In House

The biggest shift happening across Canadian workplaces is not just about convenience. It is about control.

Organizations are realizing that employee badges are no longer simple plastic cards. They often connect to building access systems, visitor management platforms, attendance tracking, payment systems, and security infrastructure.

As workplace privacy expectations continue evolving across Canada, many organizations are reassessing how employee credentials, identification systems, and personal data are managed internally. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada also provides broader guidance on workplace privacy considerations for employers managing employee information and access related data.

Waiting several days for an outsourced provider to process badge updates no longer works for fast moving teams.

With modern ID card printer systems, businesses can issue secure credentials immediately without relying on external production schedules or shipping timelines.

For growing companies, schools, healthcare facilities, government organizations, and industrial operations, that flexibility matters more than ever.

Outsourced Badge Printing Sounds Easy Until You Need Speed

Outsourcing can absolutely make sense in some situations. If a company only prints a handful of cards each year, using a third party provider may reduce equipment investment and maintenance responsibilities. Small organizations with limited badge requirements may find outsourcing practical in the short term.

But problems often appear once badge needs become more frequent. A new employee starts tomorrow. A contractor loses an access card. A visitor badge needs updating immediately. A department changes branding. A credential expires unexpectedly.

Now the organization is waiting on:

  • Vendor processing times
  • Shipping delays
  • Reprint approvals
  • Rush production costs
  • Communication back and forth

That delay creates operational friction that many businesses underestimate initially. Employee onboarding slows down. Temporary workarounds appear. Security gaps increase. Staff waste time managing badge requests instead of solving higher value problems. Convenience disappears quickly once organizations need real time flexibility.

The Real Cost Comparison Most Businesses Miss

The conversation around cost is often framed incorrectly. Many organizations only compare the upfront purchase price of a printer against the per card pricing of outsourced printing. That comparison misses the operational costs attached to delays and dependency.

Outsourced printing may include:

  • Per card production fees
  • Design setup fees
  • Shipping costs
  • Rush order charges
  • Replacement badge fees
  • Ongoing vendor pricing increases

Meanwhile, in house printing creates predictable long term costs tied primarily to supplies and printer maintenance.

Organizations printing badges regularly often discover that producing cards internally becomes significantly more cost effective over time.

The math becomes even more favorable when organizations manage:

  • Employee badge printing
  • Visitor credentials
  • Temporary contractor badges
  • Membership cards
  • Student IDs
  • Parking permits
  • Access credentials

The more cards issued throughout the year, the more valuable in house printing becomes financially.

Infographic comparing outsourced badge printing with in-house ID card printing, highlighting stronger branding control, faster updates, improved flexibility, and long-term value for Canadian organizations

Security and Data Privacy Are Becoming Bigger Concerns

This is where many organizations completely rethink outsourcing.

Employee badges often contain:

  • Staff names
  • Photos
  • Department information
  • Security clearance levels
  • Access permissions
  • Barcodes or QR codes
  • Encoded smart card data

Sending sensitive employee information to external vendors introduces additional privacy and security considerations.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has also emphasized the importance of protecting employee information in workplace environments, especially when organizations manage sensitive identification and access related data.

For industries handling regulated information, secure facilities, healthcare data, or controlled access environments, maintaining internal control over credential production can significantly reduce exposure risks.

Organizations looking to print ultra secure ID cards often prefer internal production because it allows tighter control over badge issuance, data handling, encoding, and inventory management. Security is no longer just about the card itself. It is about the entire credential lifecycle.

Better Branding Starts With Better Control

Employee badges are part of a company’s visual identity. When organizations outsource printing, even small design changes can become frustratingly slow. Revisions may require additional setup charges or minimum order quantities.

In house printing allows organizations to control:

  • Branding updates
  • Logo changes
  • Department colors
  • Visitor badge variations
  • Seasonal credentials
  • Temporary access cards
  • Event specific designs

That flexibility becomes especially important for organizations managing multiple locations, evolving branding standards, or large employee populations.

Many companies also use badges to reinforce professionalism during onboarding, conferences, customer visits, and internal events. Strong visual consistency matters more than many businesses realize.

Faster Onboarding Creates Real Productivity Gains

Every delay during onboarding creates friction for both employees and administrators.

New hires often need:

  • Building access
  • Parking permissions
  • Time tracking credentials
  • Department identification
  • Visitor clearance
  • Security authentication

Waiting days for outsourced badges slows the process immediately. Organizations with in house badge printing can create credentials during onboarding itself, allowing employees to start fully equipped from day one.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security also identifies physical access controls and credential management as important components of broader organizational security strategies, especially in environments managing employee access and secure facilities.

That speed improves:

  • Employee experience
  • HR efficiency
  • Security compliance
  • Facility access management
  • Administrative productivity

For organizations experiencing growth, frequent staffing changes, or contractor turnover, those productivity improvements become substantial over time.

This is one reason businesses increasingly invest in access control cards for employee badge systems alongside internal printing infrastructure.

Technology Has Made In House Printing Easier Than Ever

Years ago, professional ID card printing systems felt complicated and expensive. That is no longer true.

Modern printers offer:

  • User friendly interfaces
  • Faster print speeds
  • High definition printing
  • Encoding capabilities
  • Secure authentication features
  • Cloud connected management tools
  • Integration with access systems

Organizations can now manage secure credential programs internally without maintaining massive production departments.

The RCMP’s Access Management Guide also highlights how credential management and access control systems play a critical role in protecting facilities, authorized users, and secure operational environments.

Solutions like the Entrust Sigma series have also improved both security and operational simplicity. Businesses exploring advanced credential protection can learn more about how the Entrust Sigma DSE strengthens ID card security for modern badge environments. Technology has closed much of the operational gap that once made outsourcing seem easier.

Support and Maintenance Matter More Than Most Buyers Expect

One reason some organizations hesitate to buy printers is fear around maintenance. But reliable support changes everything.

Working with a Canadian supplier means organizations can access:

  • Technical troubleshooting
  • Product recommendations
  • Genuine ribbons and supplies
  • Replacement equipment guidance
  • Setup assistance
  • Ongoing system support

That support infrastructure dramatically improves the experience of managing in house printing.

Avon helps organizations build complete printing ecosystems that include printers, software, ribbons, encoding technology, and blank plastic cards for in-house badge printing without relying on disconnected vendors or uncertain supply chains.

The goal is not simply selling hardware. The goal is creating sustainable, scalable badge printing programs.

Professional ID card printer producing employee credentials with badge supplies and access cards, illustrating the benefits of in-house ID card printing for security, flexibility, onboarding efficiency, and scalability

So, Which Option Is Better?

There is no universal answer. Outsourced ID card printing may still work well for organizations that:

  • Print very few badges annually
  • Rarely update credentials
  • Do not manage access control systems
  • Have minimal onboarding activity

But organizations with growing teams, security requirements, ongoing credential management, or operational complexity usually benefit far more from in house printing.

The long term advantages often include:

  • Faster badge issuance
  • Lower long term costs
  • Better security oversight
  • Greater operational flexibility
  • Improved onboarding efficiency
  • Easier branding control
  • Reduced dependency on third party vendors

Most importantly, organizations gain the ability to respond immediately instead of waiting for someone else to manage critical credential needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Outsourced ID card printing may work for low volume organizations, but growing businesses often benefit more from internal badge printing systems.
  • In house ID card printing improves onboarding speed, operational flexibility, and security oversight.
  • Professional ID card printers now offer easier setup, stronger integration capabilities, and advanced credential protection features.
  • Managing badge printing internally creates more control over branding, access credentials, and employee data privacy.
  • Organizations unsure which solution fits best should request guidance on choosing an ID card printer based on their print volume, security needs, and long term growth plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is buying an ID card printer cheaper than outsourcing?

For organizations printing badges regularly, in house printing often becomes more cost effective over time. Outsourcing may appear cheaper initially, but ongoing production fees, shipping costs, rush orders, and replacement charges can add up quickly as badge volume increases.

When does in house ID card printing make the most sense?

In house printing works best for organizations that frequently onboard employees, manage visitor credentials, update access cards regularly, or require immediate badge production. Businesses with ongoing credential needs usually benefit from faster turnaround times and better operational control.

Is outsourced badge printing less secure?

Outsourcing is not automatically insecure, but it does require sharing employee information and credential data with external vendors. Organizations handling sensitive access credentials or regulated information often prefer internal badge printing to maintain tighter control over security and privacy.

What equipment is needed for in house badge printing?

Most organizations need an ID card printer, printing software, ribbons, blank cards, and potentially encoding technology for smart cards or access credentials. The exact setup depends on print volume, security requirements, and integration needs.

Can modern ID card printers integrate with access control systems?

Yes. Many professional ID card printers integrate with access control platforms, visitor management systems, employee databases, and encoding technologies. Modern systems are designed to support secure credential management across multiple operational environments.

The Bottom Line

The decision between outsourcing and in house printing is really a decision about operational control.

Organizations that value flexibility, faster onboarding, stronger security oversight, and long term scalability increasingly choose to manage badge printing internally.

With the right equipment, support, and supply infrastructure, in house printing becomes less about managing cards and more about improving how the organization operates every day.

For Canadian businesses building secure credential programs, Avon Security Products provides the hardware, supplies, expertise, and long term support needed to create reliable in house ID card printing systems that scale alongside the organization.

Which Type of Backdrop Stand is Right for You?

If you’ve ever watched a photographer work then you know the importance of minimizing background distractions. In fact, this is one of the hallmarks of professional work: the use of backdrop stands or effective substitute to ensure the audience’s focus remains on the subject of the shot.

Although it’s possible to substitute a make-shift backdrop background, you’ll never realize the full potential of your photographs without the benefit of a sturdy stand and a quality backdrop. You must be able to easily arrange the sheet behind the subject, and it needs to be seamless so that it doesn’t take any attention away.

The Portable Photo Backdrop Stand with Backdrop

This popular option from Avon Security Products is excellent for small and medium-sized spaces. Since it measures 28in by 34in, with an adjustable stand that scopes from 28in to 78in, it is quite enough to fill up the background for photo ID shots such as passports and other government credentials. Of course, it functions just as well if you run a school and need to photograph students, or an office with a policy of employee photo badges.>

As you would expect, the portability of this backdrops derives from how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble. Despite the sturdiness of its construction, it is surprisingly lightweight and can easily be handled by one person. The polyester sheet comes with the option of different solid colors:>

·         Grey

·         Black

·         White

·         Green

·         Yellow

·         Red

·         Light Blue

·         Royal Blue

There are also reversible color options with the white and two blue colors for a small extra fee, allowing you to use one backdrop stand for several different photo ID applications.

The Standing Retractable Backdrop

This Avon Security Products option is even more robust than the previous backdrop; it has dimensions spanning 35in x 50in, has a portable tripod stand, and comes in green, grey, light blue, royal blue, red, white and yellow. This one is a lot lower to the floor, also, and because of its size, can accommodate a larger room for photo shoots.

For ease of transport, Avon Security Products also sells a soft nylon carrying case that can accommodate both the background and the tripod or straight stand. The latter must be collapsed in order to fit, but they come with this functionality – so this isn’t a problem.

Ramp up the quality and professionalism of your photos – Avon Security Products carries everything that you’d need. Contact us today to learn more!

How to Choose Between Varying Zebra Printers

It doesn’t matter what mind of a business you run; whether you are a corporation, a small business, or you work from home, having the right tools available to you makes all the difference. With today’s technology you have capable, efficient, and quality tools such as Zebra printers to help you with all of your printing needs. However, because there are so many Zebra printers available, it’s hard to discern which one you should buy for your specific business needs. Below, we will be going over a few of the best printers from Zebra, as well as what businesses they work best for .