Improving the Security of an ID card while increasing its Lifespan

As ID Cards are increasingly used as a security measure, there is an increased need to ensure that ID cards cannot be tampered with. As such, one of the common steps to eliminate tampering is to apply a laminate on top of the finished ID card to ensure that the underlying information on the ID card cannot be tampered with. An added side benefit is that this topcoat also provides a level of UV protection and scratch protection. It is also worth noting that holographic and other custom artwork can be embedded into the laminate to provided added security.

In general, there are two basic ways to apply a laminate topcoat to ID badges: 1) in-line when the card is printed or2) post-applied after the card is printed. The "in-line" method option involves the use of an applicator inside the body of the id card printer (or attached to the side of the ID card printer) to apply the laminate on top of the ID badge as it is being printed.

An example of an ID card printer that provides "in-line" id badge lamination is the Fargo HDP5000 ID card printer. This badge printer not only provides the basic color ID card printer features such as 300 dpi printing and dual-sided printing with edge-to-edge capability, but also features a modular lamination unit that can be added to the badge printer in the field or at the factory. The HDP5000 color ID card printer provides edge-to-edge printing by utilizing a reverse transfer printer that first prints the image to a film and then transfers this image to the ID card. This approach allows the ID card printer to support many different ID card types (e.g. badge thickness) and materials. In terms of laminate overlays, the HDP5000 can provide single-sided or double-sided lamination using topcoats that can be as thick as 1 mil. Customers can choose from standard off-the-shelf laminates from Fargo's PolyGuard product line, or work with a Fargo Partner (such as IDCardPrinterSavings.com) to develop a custom laminate that increases security by making counterfeiting more difficult. As noted earlier, these Fargo PolyGuard overlaminates not only help eliminate tampering, but can also increase the lifespan of an ID badge by giving the ID badge a layer scratch resistant protection.
For additional information on Fargo ID Card Printers or photo ID badge system products, visit my recommended website at IDCardPrinterSavings.com or contact an ID Card printer specialist at (714)922-1140.