Businesses everywhere are becoming increasingly concerned with incorporating sustainable supplies into the workplace. Most ID programs use standard PVC cards, which never fully degrade. Once you’re done with them, they stay in the landfill for a long time. If you’re looking to make your ID program environmentally-friendly then swap out your standard PVC cards for BioPVC or rewritable ID cards.

Eco-friendly BioPVC cards are made from a completely biodegradable material. While offering the same durability and print quality as standard PVC cards, BioPVC is much kinder to the environment. BioPVC cards stand up to everyday use but once thrown out they begin a natural biodegradation process.

Rewritable cards are another great option for ID programs looking to help out the environment. Not only do they eliminate waste, rewritable cards also cut down on supply costs. These ID cards can be erased and rewritten time and time again with a rewritable surface on one side and a PVC finish on the other.

Choosing between single and dual sided ID card printers all comes down to what you want your ID program to do and what features you want to include in your ID cards.

Single-sided printers are versatile enough that they meet the needs of entry-level applications right on up to advanced, high-security ID cards programs. Whatever the use, single-sided printers will still produce high-quality, professional ID cards. Single-sided printers come with the option for more advanced technologies as well, including magnetic stripe, proximity, and smart card encoding. As a more affordable alternative to buying a dual-sided printer, single-sided printers can print on both sides of ID cards as well. If the information on the backside of the card doesn’t change, you can print on ID cards in two runs, flipping them over when needed.

While dual-sided printing using single-sided printers works well for low-volume applications, organizations that are looking to print large batches of ID cards at one time will be better served using a dual-sided printer. Dual-sided printers print full-color, graphics, text and other design components to the front and back of cards in one pass. Like single-sided printers, dual-sided printers can be upgraded to include more advanced functions. Dual-sided functionality allows your organization to save time with batch printing while gaining more creative freedom.

ID card programs are essential for identifying who belongs to your organization. Security can be expanded with access control programs that restrict access to office buildings, government facilities, or college dormitories.  Access control ID cards, using a variety of card technologies, secure building entrances and control access to high-sensitive areas.

Access control ID cards eliminate the need for carrying around keys.  ID cards work with card readers that are placed at the entrances to buildings and high-security areas within buildings themselves.  Cards are either swiped or moved across the card reader to grant access.  Security worries are virtually eliminated with keyless entries.  If a card is lost or stolen it can simply be deactivated and a new card issued.

There are several card technologies used to create access control programs.  Magnetic stripe cards encode information on a magnetic stripe.  The card is swiped through the reader and the information is decoded.  Additional security is provided with proximity cards and contactless smart cards, which use RFID technology.  These cards secure and store encrypted information that is decoded once it is passed in front of the card reader.  Some larger organizations are turning to access control ID cards with embedded smart chips.  These high technology cards not only allow access to buildings and high-security areas they can also be programmed to access company computers and networks

ID cards are used in a number of different industries and in many capacities.  Instituting an ID program increases security measures as well as providing functional applications.  There are a number of different security features that can be added to ID cards to reduce the risk of replication or forgery.

Adding photos to ID cards protects against unwanted persons gaining access to restricted facilities.  Magnetic stripe and proximity technology are used to create access control programs.  Central computer systems grant or restrict access to individual users as needed.  If a card is lost or stolen, it can easily be deleted from the system.

Holographic overlays and laminates provide security and durability.  Holographic overlays create secure watermarks that make ID cards nearly impossible to replicate or forge.  Laminates ensure that ID cards hold up to everyday wear and tear.

Fingerprint and signature capture devices add another layer of security to ID cards and programs.  Signatures and fingerprints are additional measures verifying the identities of card holders.

ID card systems come in all shapes and sizes.  Each ID system can be tailored to the style and needs of any organization.  The most basic ID card systems come with a printer, ID card software, a camera and printing supplies including ribbons, blank ID cards and a printer cleaning kit.  ID systems are used for everything from the most basic applications to more advanced functions.

Printers included with each ID system can be set up with extra features to improve functionality and security.  Some printers come with optional magnetic stripe encoding, which print versatile ID cards ideal for loyalty programs, payment cards and more.  Other printers are equipped with the ability to laminate ID cards, protecting them from everyday wear and tear. Holographic watermark overlays also increase security making it nearly impossible to replicate, protecting your ID program from forgeries.

Additional security upgrades also customize any ID system.  Organizations concerned with security can add digital signature capture devices and digital finger print capture devices.  Software included with each ID system is used to customize an ID program adding features such as barcodes, color stylizing and photos.

If you’re running an ID card program that requires magnetic stripe encoding, it’s important to remember not all mag stripes are the same. There are actually two options to choose from: high-coercivity (HiCo) magnetic stripe cards, and low-coercivity cards. The main difference between these two card technologies involves how difficult it is to encode and erase the information stored on the magnetic stripe. While the amount of data that can be stored on each card type is the same, the level of security and durability is different.

HiCo mag stripes are darker in color than their LoCo counterparts. They’re typically black, while LoCo stripes are brownish in hue. High-coercivity cards are used more prominently than LoCo cards, and are especially ideal for applications requiring higher levels of security and card durability. This is because the data encoded on HiCo mag stripes is less likely to be erased when the card is exposed to an external magnetic field. The cards also stand up better to frequent swiping and everyday use. Examples of high-coercivity magnetic stripes in action include credit and debit cards, access control cards, time and attendance, library cards, and employee ID badges.

Low-coercivity cards are more common for temporary applications such as gift card programs, passes to theme parks or ski areas, and hotel room card  keys. The data on a LoCo mag stripe is encoded at a low intensity magnetic field, which makes these cards better suited for short-term applications. Low-coercivity cards are cheaper than HiCo cards however, so that’s something to keep in mind if you think you could go either way.

Probably the biggest factor when deciding between HiCo and LoCo cards is determining how long the cards will be used. If longevity of card life is a key concern, then certainly high-coercivity cards our the preferred option. For those more temporary application, you could save a little money by going the LoCo route.