A Plus ID

Why Should Students Wear Identification Badges?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of high schools require students to wear ID badges. The numbers get worse when we look at middle schools (13%) and elementary schools (6%). There are several reasons why we find this surprising.

Safety. Photo ID badges are considered a security industry best practice for large facilities. When ID badges are required, staff can identify students with a single glance. This is especially important for emergency personnel, who are unfamiliar with students.

Detect unauthorized visitors. When everyone is required to wear a badge, it becomes easier to identify potentially dangerous situations and intruders.

ID badges are affordable. 90% of schools utilize security cameras. And while we are entirely in favor of security cameras, we recognize that cameras are expensive. It is cost prohibitive to place a camera in every classroom and hire a team to manage surveillance operations. ID badges, on the other hand, are inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk.

ID badges can be used to purchase lunch. Students with free or reduced lunch will feel more comfortable swiping a card and their peers will not be able to identify income differences. Additionally, parents will be confident that students lunch money is going where intended.

Badges become library cards. Easily eliminate outdated borrowing methods with an ID badge. Popular library books and tools can be tracked. This data can inform staff on what materials might be needed for the future.

Event access. Instead of printing free tickets, allow students to use their ID badges to gain access to events. Sport, theater, and music events can be organized using student ID badges.

Access control. With ID badges, staff will not be required to attend every school entrance. ID badges let students to enter the building freely. School access can be controlled remotely and access hours can be set and changed with a few clicks. Additionally, access control allows staff to track truancy more easily.

Interestingly, most schools (70%) require faculty to wear IDs at all times. Why shouldn’t students be afforded the same protections as faculty? With so many different options available for badging, we highly recommend that schools implement an ID badge program.

For more information about badges for your school, give us a call 866-433-9737 or [email protected]

Your 7 step guide to choosing an ID card printer

Choosing an ID card printer may take some time and research, but finding the right ID card printer for your organization’s unique card needs makes it pain-free to print cards for years to come. Our seven step guide will walk you through every decision you’ll need to make when purchasing an ID card printer.

Step One: Determine Your Budget

ID card printers can range in cost from under $1,000 to over $5,000 – and once you add in card design software, blank cards, printer ribbons, and cleaning kits, the costs will continue to add up. Knowing your budget going into the purchasing process will help you narrow down your search.

Step Two: Single or Dual-Sided Printing

Before you buy a printer, you should have a general idea of the card design you want to print – or at the very least, if you want single or dual-sided printing. While some printers can be upgraded later on to dual-sided printing if you change your mind, that’s not an option on every printer.

Step Three: Select Print Method

Most ID card printers use one of two printing methods – dye sublimation or reverse transfer. Which type of printing technology you want will depend on your card design and how you’ll use the cards.

Step Four: Volume Requirements

Are you a small organization that will only printer a few cards at a time? Or are you a large organization or school and you need to print hundreds of cards at a time? Knowing how many cards you’ll printer in a year will help you find a printer designed for your expected uses.

Step Five: Lamination, Visual Security & Encoding

Do you want to laminate your cards to make them last longer? Will you encode your cards so they can be multi-functional cards that can pay for parking, lunch, or printing? These features often cannot be added after you purchase the printer, so knowing what you want before you buy is important.

Step Six: Determine Connection Type

How will you set up your new ID card printer? Will it be used by the same person at his or her desk, connected only to one computer? Or do you need multiple people to print cards from several different computers? Depending on your office setup, you may need USB, Ethernet, or a WiFi connection for your printer.

Step Seven: Other Considerations

Finally, you’ll need to consider some other options including field upgrade options if your card printing needs change down the road, operating system compatibility (not every printer is Mac compatible, for example!), and the manufacturer warranty.

What Can You Do With an Old Printer?

If you’ve ever owned or operated an ID card printer, you’ve probably wondered, “When should I replace my ID card printer?” “What should I do with my old printer?” or “How can I recycle or donate my printer?” Dispose of your old machine responsibly with an organization that will recycle the components or upcycle it into a refurbished unit that will live to see another day. Here are answers to common printer recycling questions.

When Should I Replace My ID Card Printer?

Because of ever-advancing technology and business needs, it’s typical for most organizations to upgrade to a new badge machine every 3 to 5 years. Reasons to buy a new badge card printer vary, but often it’s because newer printer technologies become available – technologies that utilize better energy consumption and greener supply components that result in an eco-friendly printer. Besides the satisfaction of owning an environmentally responsible printer, the latest ID badge printers come with enhanced card security features, plus conveniences like easy operation and faster production speeds. An aging printer can result in costly repairs – and costly interruptions to your badge issuance program – that make a new investment the logical choice.

What Should I Do with My Old Printer?

You’ve made the decision to ditch your old card printer, but did you know you can recycle your printer and upgrade into an improved model at the same time? Better yet, you can save money while doing it. A Plus ID offer printer trade-in promotions. When you purchase an eligible ID card printer, we will accept your existing printer and even offer a credit toward your new printer purchase. Card printer discounts for trade-ins can range from $100 – $700, depending on the model. The manufacturer will ensure the printer is either refurbished, reused for parts, or recycled appropriately. What could be better than getting new and improved equipment that better suites your needs while also helping planet Earth?

Protect your company with ID Badges

With security on almost everyone’s mind these days, Photo ID badge systems have become relevant for everyone. Photo ID badges are the first line of defense in many organizations’ security programs. Fulfilling the basic need to know “who’s who” is just the starting point: Additions like printed bar codes and encoded magnetic stripes help these organizations get the most out of their badges.

ID cards help resolve security and efficiency issues for governmental entities. Organizations are using Fargo Card Identity Solutions to make ID badges, time and attendance tracking, payroll processing, and access control of facilities and information more secure and cost-effective. ID card printers are great for fitness centers, health clubs, schools, retirement homes, hospitals, and any organization that needs to know “who is who”.

Let us help find the right ID system for your needs, we have the knowledge and experience. We stock a large variety of ID systems, including the Fargo Electronics line. Fargo ID badge printers are top of the line and have a great warranty.