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Outsource your identity card related printing to us.
Your outsourced ID card printing partner
For businesses and organisations across a range of industries, ID cards are essential for security and identification purposes. We understand the importance of identification, and are committed to making the process of securing your site and keeping your team safe as seamless as possible. This is why we offer custom ID card printing with an easy to use online service. When configuring your ID cards, we make the process as simple as possible with three simple steps.
This is made easy thanks to our online ID Card builder, which allows you to create your design, order your cards, and submit any relevant information we require to ensure your needs are met every time.
We print your ID cards
Our in-house printing bureau team then take the uploaded information to quickly produce and print your professional, high-quality secure ID cards within the timeframe you require.
We send your ID cards
Once printed, we will undertake any additional checks that need to be carried out, and your order will be dispatched for delivery using one of our dedicated courier services.
Build Your ID Cards and Place an Order
If you're ready to start configuring your ID cards, you can use our online builder. Here you'll be able to select all the options you require, such as card material, print options, and speed of delivery to see the associated costs. You can also place your order directly from this page, making sure the order process is as seamless as possible.
We offer a wide range of materials to suit all needs and sustainability goals. Create your own personalised ID cards, right down to the media that your design will be printed on.
We provide plastic cards, a versatile option that balances cost-effectiveness with robust performance, alongside 100% plastic free paperboard cards. With these options, we cater to both functional and environmental considerations, ensuring the perfect match for your ID card needs. All cards can be printed in either portrait or landscape orientation.
PVC Plastic
Traditional PVC cards are the typical industry standard, providing durability, vibrant print quality, and compatibility with various printing technologies. With a thickness of 760 microns, these cards are sturdy enough to withstand any daily wear and tear.
Recycled PVC
For eco-conscious solutions, we offer recycled PVC cards, which retain the same durability and print quality as standard PVC but are made from 100% recycled PVC, reducing environmental impact and preventing any new PVC being introduced to the environment.
Paperboard
Our paperboard cards are a biodegradable option, ideal for short-term use or events, offering an eco-friendly alternative with excellent print clarity. These cards are entirely plastic free, meaning they can be recycled in your regular recycling waste collection.
PVC with Holo Image
Add security to your printed ID requirements with holo patches. These patches are difficult to copy, reducing the risk of your ID cards being cloned due to the shifting colours that are presented under different light sources.
Print Processes and Options
When printing your personalised ID cards for your business, we use a number of different reliable methods to ensure your order is completed quickly and to the highest standard. The printing process is chosen depending on the quantity you order, the configuration options you choose, and your ID card design.
Dye Sublimation
Dye sublimation uses heat to transfer dye from a ribbon onto the card, creating vibrant colours and sharp text. This method is suitable for simple designs and photo-quality images, and offers a cheaper print per card, making it a popular choice for creating plastic ID cards. While it ensures accurate colour replication, it does not support Pantone colour matching.
Retransfer
Retransfer printing applies the design to a transparent film, which is then fused to the card using high heat. This method ensures high quality edge-to-edge printing, durability, and excellent results on uneven surfaces, like smart or proximity cards.
Digital Printing
Digital printing offers fast, custom ID cards using inkjet or laser technology. It’s ideal for bigger jobs, producing sharp text, vibrant images, and variable data like photos or barcodes.
Litho Printing
Litho printing, is ideal for large quantities, prints at 1200dpi as opposed to standard 300dpi. It uses plates to transfer ink, ensuring consistent, high quality results with rich colours and detailed designs, allowing for highly intricate designs that can be fully Pantone matched.
Hot Foil
Hot foil printing uses heat and pressure to apply metallic or pigmented foil. It adds a premium look and enhances security, making it ideal for high-security or fancy designed ID cards. Hot foil can only be applied during the digital printing or litho process.
Spot UV
Spot UV printing adds a layer of UV to your card in specific designs. It adds security whilst giving your design a premium look, and works best on cards with matt lamination. Spot UV can only be applied during the digital printing or litho process.
ID Card Encoding Options
When printing and designing your photo ID cards, you can incorporate access control features to enhance security, tailored to the specific type of ID, on both landscape and portrait designs.
Access Control
We offer various types of encoded printed ID cards, including magnetic stripe and contactless encoding. For printed access control cards, please get a quote here.
Barcodes
Barcode encoding converts data into barcodes, which can be easily scanned for quick access. It’s commonly used in inventory, ticketing, and loyalty programs due to its simplicity and efficiency.
QR Codes
QR code encoding prints 2D barcodes onto the cards surface that can be scanned with smartphones and other devices. Like barcodes, it is typically used in ticketing and loyalty programs.
ID Card Centre has over 20 years of experience designing and printing ID cards. We know that owning and operating your own ID card printers isn’t always the preferred solution, whether that's due to the upfront price or the time it takes to create and design and produce cards in-house.
You may already be printing your own ID Cards but don't have the facilities to print specific features, a high quality template or may be facing a close deadline for a higher batch of cards that isn't possible to reach.
We provide a wide range of printing and security options to help prevent card cloning, along with flexible encoding solutions to suit your needs.
Completely customisable ID cards and badges
A range of card types, including secure and smart technology cards
Encoding to suit any system
Pantone colour matching for branding accuracy
Flexible printing options
Full design printing services
Our ID card and badge printing bureau service produces millions of cards and badges each year for schools, universities, hospitals, membership clubs, event organisers, and retailers.
Whether you need 10 cards or 1,000, we have no problem fulfilling your order. Our in-house facilities allow us to produce orders quickly and affordably, from basic PVC cards to advanced smart cards with complex encoding. If you’re providing your own artwork, we also offer a photo proofing service so you can preview your design before printing.
Please note that we reserve the right to refuse any artwork we deem to be any form of fake ID, official government documents, or to be used for criminal activity. Please do not be offended if we require additional information from you to confirm the authenticity of your order.
Recycling
To ensure we do our part for the environment, we recommend using Terracycle's Zero-Waste Box for recycling any ID Cards, name badges, vinyl wallets or lanyards when you no longer require them. The Zero-Waste Box allows you to collect and recycle easily with a pre-paid return label on the box once it has been filled.
