Are you looking for a direct-to-card printer to save time and money on ID card printing? Our expansive selection of DTC printers offers high speed and exceptional print quality at an affordable price. Whether you choose a HiTi PVC card printer or a Magicard printer, you can trust that our direct-to-card printers are easy to use and offer reliable performance. Start streamlining your ID card printing process with a direct-to-card printer from our selection today.

Universal Smart Cards fully support the HiTi printers in the UK and Ireland as a main distributor and repair centre for HiTi in Europe. We offer full service and support and provide a range of support packages to give you peace of mind.

We stock the industry's leading brands, including HiTi, Entrust Datacard, Magicard, Evolis, Fargo, Matica and Zebra. Whether you're looking for a basic printer to handle small jobs or a more advanced model for high-volume printing, we have options to suit your needs.

For example, the HiTi PVC Card Printer offers direct printing on plastic cards with easy maintenance and low operating costs. You can find all of our HiTi card printers and ribbons here. Or perhaps you're interested in the Magicard Pronto — a compact printer that produces high-quality ID cards quickly and efficiently. You can browse our Magicard printers and ribbons to find the perfect choice for your business. 

No matter your requirements, we have the perfect direct-to-card printer for you. Check out our selection below!

About Direct-to-Card Printers

Direct-to-card printers are an excellent option for those who want to print ID cards quickly and easily. Popular direct-to-card brands include the HiTi PVC card printer and Magicard printer. These highly efficient printers offer high-quality prints with vivid colours and sharp images, making them perfect for creating professional-looking ID cards.

Overall, direct-to-card printers provide a cost-effective solution for printing ID cards that won't sacrifice quality. Direct-to-card printers are a fantastic option when it comes to printing ID cards for staff, students, and visitors. The ability to print directly onto PVC cards offers convenience and flexibility.

Whether you're looking for a high-volume printer like the HiTi or something more compact like the Entrust Datacard printer, direct-to-card printers can easily handle any ID card printing needs. With their straightforward design and user-friendly interfaces, direct-to-card printers are a breeze to operate.

So whether you need to print a few cards a day or dozens an hour, direct-to-card printers are the perfect solution.

Can Direct-to-Card Printers Be Used for Access Control Smart Cards?

While direct-to-card printers may work for some lower-security access control cards, a retransfer printer is recommended for higher security. At Universal Smart Cards, we offer both direct-to-card and retransfer printers for various levels of security needs.

However, direct-to-card printers are not equipped with the same features or durability as retransfer printers and may not be able to withstand the wear and tear of longer-term access control use. In addition, direct-to-card printers often have a shorter lifespan than retransfer printers due to their printing process. That’s because retransfer printers offer extra security features such as watermarks.

Direct-to-card printers often have a short life span simply because the print head comes into direct contact with the card. So if there’s debris on the card it can lead to the printhead needing to be replaced more often.

Regarding important identification and security, it’s worth investing in a top-of-the-line retransfer printer, due to the extra security printing options available. You can check out our complete range of printers and ribbons here.

Direct-to-Card Printers: Uses and Features

Regarding office ID card printing, speed and quality are often important considerations. That's where direct-to-card printers come in. These printers use low-cost printer ribbon that allows for fast print speeds, making them ideal for offices with a high demand for quickly producing good quality ID cards.

Plus, the direct-to-card printing process ensures that the image or text is directly transferred onto the surface of the ID card, meaning they won't fade or wear as easily compared to other printing methods. So next time your office needs an efficient solution for ID card printing, consider investing in a direct-to-card printer.

Regarding direct-to-card printers, some industry leaders stand out for their high print speeds and cost-effective printer ribbons. One example is the Magicard printer line, which boasts high print speeds and full colour ribbons capable of printing on single-sided cards dual-sided cards.

Another top brand is the Entrust Datacard printer series, offering extremely high print speeds and cost-efficient ribbons that can also print on single-sided cards or dual-sided cards. So, whether you need a few ID cards here and there or mass production for an entire office, direct-to-card printers are an excellent option for quickly producing high-quality ID cards at a lower cost.

What Is the Print Quality of Direct-to-Card Printers?

Direct-to-card printers excel in one important aspect: print quality. These printers use direct-to-card printing technology to produce sharp, vibrant images and clear text. And thanks to their smaller size, direct-to-card printers offer a space-saving solution for those with limited office space.

So, when it comes to print quality, direct-to-card printers deliver – be aware of their limitations with over-the-edge printing. Direct-to-card printers cannot print over the edge of a card, resulting in a white border around the design. This may not be an issue for simple membership or ID cards, but a retransfer printer may be necessary for more intricate designs. 

Retransfer printers use an additional step in the printing process, allowing for full edge-to-edge printing and higher image quality. So if you're looking for a more polished result, it's worth considering investing in a retransfer printer.

The best advice is to look at the type of artwork designs you’re printing, whether you’re using pre-printed cards, and whether you need full edge-to-edge printing. Just call and let us know what you are trying to achieve, and we can advise you on the best value. 

Why Buy from Universal Smart Cards?

​​Are you in the market for a direct-to-card printer? With over 20 years of experience in the security industry and offices worldwide, the Universal Smart Cards team have the expertise and customer service capabilities to meet all your needs. As the largest Omnikey distributor in EMEA and a valued NXP partner, you can trust us to provide high-quality products.

Plus, our dedication to excellence is demonstrated by our ISO accreditations for quality and environmental policies. So why buy from anyone else? Choose Universal Smart Cards for all your direct-to-card printing needs.

Need Help? Contact our Experts Today