The Zenius 2 is a compact, single-sided ID card printer designed for organisations that need fast, reliable, and high-quality card printing in small batches. Built by Evolis, it combines professional print quality with a simple desktop design, making it ideal for offices, schools, clubs, and membership organisations that want to produce cards on demand.

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Evolis Zenius 2 Review

Evolis Zenius 2 - Front View


Contents


This review is based on product specifications, manufacturer data, internal ID Card Centre specialist survey data and industry experience with ID card printing systems.

The Zenius 2 is a compact, single-sided ID card printer designed for organisations that need fast, reliable, and high-quality card printing in small batches. Built by Evolis, it combines professional print quality with a simple desktop design, making it ideal for offices, schools, clubs, and membership organisations that want to produce cards on demand.

Using dye-sublimation and resin thermal transfer printing technology, the Zenius 2 produces edge-to-edge cards at 300 dpi resolution, ensuring crisp text, detailed graphics, and vibrant colours. Despite its small footprint, the printer delivers impressive performance with speeds of up to 180 full-colour cards per hour or 700 monochrome cards per hour, helping teams issue cards quickly when needed.

The Zenius 2 is by far one of the best entry-level ID card printers on the market for organisations printing up to 500 cards per month, offering reliable performance, strong print quality, and simple operation.

Best For: Reception Desks, Schools and Membership Clubs, Small Healthcare Organisations and Visitor Badges


Zenius 2 at a Glance

Metric Performance Data
Print Speed (Single-Sided, YMCKO) 180 cards per hour / 20 seconds per card
Print Speed (Single-Sided, Monochrome) 700 cards per hour / 5 seconds per card
Printer Technology Dye sublimation / direct-to-card
Input Hopper Capacity 50 cards
Output Hopper Capacity 50 cards
Manual Input Supported
Card Types Supported PVC, Composite, PET, Paper*, Rewritable
Card Thickness 0.25mm to 0.76mm (10 to 30 mil)
Card Size CR80 (ISO 7810)

*Evolis paper cards can be printed with a specified ribbon.




Overview of the Evolis Zenius 2

An improvement on the original Evolis Zenius ID card printer, the Zenius 2 offers card printing with better speeds, higher quality, and more security options. Sitting just below the Primacy 2 in the Evolis range of badge printers, it offers value for money for organisations who need to produce professional photo ID badges without adding complexity to their security routines. 

The new Evolis Zenius 2 offers a compact footprint, making it ideal for most environments – even those with restricted space, or customer-facing applications. However, in day to day use, the Zenius 2 is particularly effective for reception environments where cards are printed individually rather than in large batches. Its quiet operation and compact footprint make it suitable for customer facing desks.


Key Features and Benefits Explained


  • Print Speed

    The Zenius 2 will print up to 180 full colour ID card per hour and up to 700 monochrome cards over the same time frame, making it perfectly suited to small batch badge production.

  • Print Quality

    The Zenius 2 provides 300dpi printing. This is suitable for colour matching and producing high quality photo ID cards and crisp text.

  • Encoding Options

    The Zenius 2 Classic does not come with encoding options. The Zenius 2 Expert however, offers encoding options with Mag Stripe, Contact and Contactless.

  • Usability

    Complete with an LED control panel, the Zenius 2 is easy to use with more advanced settings and features accessible through the printers driver.

  • Reliability

    Zenius 2's reinforced printhead, improves durability and reduces downtime in low volume print environments.


The Evolis Zenius 2 is available in two variations, Classic and Expert, designed to suit different card printing requirements. It comes bundled with free ID-ALL Starter ID card software to help users design and print cards straight away, and is backed by a comprehensive three-year warranty that includes the printhead. The printer is compatible with both Windows and macOS systems, making it easy to integrate into most work environments. It also features built-in rewritable technology, which is ideal for producing temporary passes or reusable cards. For organisations with more advanced needs, the Expert version adds enhanced functionality such as access control integration and physical card security features.


Evolis Zenius 2

Evolis Zenius 2 - Left View


Feature Breakdown


Usability
Easy to set up and intuitive when it comes to printing.
Cost of Ownership
Good choice of monochrome and colour ribbons available.
Print Speed
The Zenius 2 is slower than other similar printers.
Print Quality
The Zenius 2 uses colour matching and 300dpi quality.
Encoding Features
Encoding features are only available on the Zenius 2 Expert.
Reliability
The Zenius 2 is manufactured with quality in mind.



Who Is It Best For?


Corporate Organisations

To issue ID cards from a single reception in your office space, choose the Zenius 2 Classic. If access control cards are in use, the Expert is more suited.

Education

For schools who print cards from devices in multiple locations, the Zenius Expert is the ideal printer. It can also programme cards for print release, cashless catering and more.

Healthcare

For small care homes with a centralised reception desk, choose the Classic variation. If your facility has multiple sites across one location, the Expert is suitable.

Local Authority

If you need to print membership cards or visitor passes as and when required, the Classic is ideal. It offers fast speeds and rewrite for temporary ID.

Events & Leisure

For fast, simple event passes, choose the Classic. If you require additional features such as UV security overlays or access control, the Expert is better suited.

Still Unsure?

Speak to our experts who can help you find the right printer for your organisation.

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Pros and Cons of the Zenius 2 Badge Printer

Pros

  • ✔ Compact and lightweight
  • ✔ Easy to use
  • ✔ High-quality printing
  • ✔ Comes with free design software
  • ✔ Batch printing or single card feeding
  • ✔ Quiet operation levels of 46 dB

Cons

  • ✖ Single-sided printing only - no automatic double-sided printing
  • ✖ Small input capacity
  • ✖ Limited optional modules available



Evolis Zenius 2

Evolis Zenius 2 - Open Panel


Technical Specifications


Print Technology Dye-sublimation / Rewrite
Resolution 300 dpi
Print Speed Up to 180 full-colour cards per hour
Card Types PVC, Composite PVC, PET, Paper, Rewritable
Encoding Options Magnetic stripe, Contact smart card, Contactless smart card
Connectivity USB (cable included), Ethernet (Expert only)
OS Compatibility Windows, macOS
Dimensions 195mm (h) x 205mm (w) x 315 mm (d)
Weight 3.3 kg
Warranty 3 years (printer & printhead)
Recommended Monthly Volume Up to 500 cards per month



Zenius 2 vs Zenius Comparison


The Zenius 2 builds on the strengths of the original Evolis Zenius card printer by offering improved connectivity and throughput, while keeping the compact, user‑friendly design that made the Zenius printer popular. Key differences and similarities include:


  • Design: both models share a compact, desk-friendly footprint
  • Print technology: both printer models use dye-sublimation technology at 300dpi with edge-to-edge printing
  • Connectivity: the Zenius 2 adds Ethernet to the Expert version, and offers more modern USB interfaces
  • Usability: both printers are easy to use with straightforward ribbon loading, with updated driver support on the Zenius 2
  • Upgrades: The Zenius 2 offers better long-term support and compatibility with other Evolis products, such as drivers and software

Overall, the Zenius 2 is an evolution of the original, offering improvements in connectivity and usability while preserving the simplicity and reliability that made the original Zenius a strong entry-level plastic ID card printer.


Zenius Zenius 2
Connectivity USB Upgraded USB interfaces, Ethernet*
Compatibility Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, Android*, iOS*
Card Loading Front Front + Rear
Technology Dye Sublimation Dye Sublimation, Rewrite
Print Quality Standard 300dpi Enhanced 300dpi
Speed (YMCKO) Up to 150 cards per hour Up to 180 cards per hour
Security None Digital data erasing
Warranty 2 years 3 years

*Expert variant only



Alternatives to the Zenius 2


If the Zenius 2 isn't powerful enough for your needs, consider these alternative printers:


  • Magicard 300: This single-sided printer offers strong security options and encoding for access control cards.
  • IDP Smart 31S: A reliable mid-range printer, this model offers more feature than most entry-level models.
  • Zebra ZC100: A sleek desktop printer designed for reception desks, with reliable printing for small batches.
  • HID Fargo DTC1250e: A popular card printer that offers dependable performance and flexible encoding options.


    • Evolis Zenius 2

    Evolis Zenius 2 - Ribbon Cartridge



    Zenius 2 Compatible Consumables


    Consumable Details Product Link
    YMCKO Ribbon 200 prints per ribbon View Product
    KO (Black, Overlay) Ribbon 600 prints per ribbon View Product
    Cleaning Kit To be used after every 1,000 prints View Product
    Blank Cards CR80 format View Products
    Lamination Overlay Not compatible with the Evolis Zenius printer




    Frequently Asked Questions


    What is the typical lifespan of the Zenius 2 ID card printer?

    The Zenius 2 is designed as a reliable entry-level ID card printer with a long operational life when properly maintained. In most office environments, the printer typically lasts 5–7 years or longer, depending on usage levels, maintenance routines, and environmental conditions.

    What kind of cards can the Zenius 2 print?

    The Zenius 2 supports a wide range of standard plastic cards used for identification and access control.

    Compatible card types include:

    • PVC cards
    • Composite PVC-PET cards
    • PET cards
    • ABS cards
    • Rewritable cards (special ribbons required)

    The printer supports the standard CR80 card size (credit card size) with thickness typically ranging from 0.25mm to 0.76mm. This makes it suitable for printing:

    • Employee ID cards
    • Student ID cards
    • Membership cards
    • Visitor badges
    • Loyalty cards

    What is the difference between the Zenius 2 Classic and Zenius 2 Expert?

    The Zenius 2 Classic and Zenius 2 Expert use the same core printing technology but differ in expandability and connectivity.

    Zenius 2 Classic

    • Designed for simple desktop card printing
    • USB connectivity only
    • No internal encoder support
    • Ideal for basic ID card printing environments

    Zenius 2 Expert

    • Supports optional encoding modules
    • USB and Ethernet connectivity
    • Suitable for smart cards and access control cards
    • Greater flexibility for growing organisations

    In short, the Classic model focuses on straightforward printing, while the Expert model provides more advanced functionality.

    Does the Zenius 2 support card encoding?

    Yes. The Zenius 2 Expert supports optional card encoding technologies, allowing organisations to personalise both the visual design and embedded data on cards. The Zenius 2 Classic does not support internal encoders.

    Can the Zenius 2 be shared over a network?

    The Zenius 2 Classic connects via USB only and is typically used as a single desktop printer. The Zenius 2 Expert includes Ethernet connectivity, allowing the printer to be shared across a network.

    What software comes with the Zenius 2 printer?

    The Zenius 2 includes ID-ALL Starter card design software. This software allows users to create and print basic ID cards and badges, and it can be upgraded to more advanced versions if additional features are required.

    Can I print cards from a mobile device?

    The Zenius 2 Expert supports printing from Android and iOS devices, providing greater flexibility for organisations that need mobile printing capabilities.

    Does the Zenius 2 support UV overlay printing?

    Yes. The Zenius 2 Expert supports UV overlay printing when used with a compatible ribbon. This feature allows organisations to add additional security or branding elements to printed cards.

    Where can I download drivers for the Zenius 2?

    Drivers, firmware updates, manuals, and additional documentation for the Zenius 2 can be downloaded from the official support page.



    Final Verdict and Summary


    Zenius 2 is an upgrade on the original Zenius printer, this model offers fast throughput, high quality output, and everything you need for small batch and entry level printing of high quality cards. It's compact, easy to use and built with reliability in mind. It's a low volume card printer for small to medium sized organisations.

    If you're looking for a compact, affordable, and reliable single-sided ID card printer for low-volume printing needs, the Evolis Zenius 2 is a solid and practical choice. So with that in mind, should you buy it?

    You should buy the Zenius 2 if you:

    • Print less than 500 cards per month
    • You need a compact, easy to use desktop ID printer
    • You don't need double sided printing

    You should avoid the Zenius 2 if you:

    • Need high volume batch printing
    • Require automatic double sided printing



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