ID Card Group Blog

ExchangeIT recently released a new upgraded version of its popular ID card software CardExchange® sold at IDCardGroup.com.

Filled with new features, improvements and fixes, the intuitive interface of CardExchange® 4.2 still allows you to create ID cards in just four simple clicks. This software allows you to configure any style card just once then simply import your identification data directly into that card style from your employee, visitor or member database.

CardExchange® 4.2 offers a more intuitive Windows-based print dialog that shows you the status of your printer, and it offers you the ability to select a number of records from the name list. It also allows you to create user authorization levels, based on how much information end-users are allowed to access. This new security feature allows you to protect the software connections and functionality from user errors. It also affords greater protection for sensitive ID data.

Read more about CardExchange® 4.2 ID Card Software or download a free trial version now at IDCardGroup.com!

Posted On: 06/22/2009
Label: Editorial

Perfect for on-demand applications, the new Pronto ID card printer by Magicard is one of the most affordable options on the market. The single feeder allows you to produce, personalize and print a single card anytime you need.

The new printer, which will be available to purchase through IDCardGroup.com this summer, is compact and portable, so it’s perfect for taking on the go. Even with it’s compact footprint and budget-friendly price, the Magicard Pronto still comes standard with Magicard’s patented security features, including:

HoloKote® -- A security watermark produced across the entire card surface that becomes visible when the card is viewed at an angle. The Magicard Pronto features four standard HoloKote® designs.

HoloPatch® -- A highly-visible gold seal that works on cards printed on HoloPatch® card stock and using the HoloKote® security watermark.

For added security, a magnetic encoding feature is optional on the Magicard Pronto.

Posted On: 06/17/2009
Label: Editorial

Zebra announced an exciting program where you can trade-in your existing ID card printer and get a mail-in rebate of up to $400 toward purchasing a new iSeries Zebra printer. This program makes owning and operating an in-house card issuance program even more affordable.

Redeeming your rebate through the GO Zebra09 Trade-in Program is simple. First, purchase one of the ten eligible Zebra iSeries ID card printers. Next submit a Zebra Rebate Form, ship your old printer to Zebra, then receive your rebate check.

Over 80 different ID card printer models from more than 10 different manufacturers – including Atlantek, CIM, DataCard, Evolis, Fargo, Magicard, NiSCA, Polaroid, and even Zebra -- are eligible for trade in through the GO Zebra 09 Trade-in Program.

Receive a $75 trade-in rebate when you purchase the following Zebra iSeries ID Card printers:

Zebra P100i Single Feed Full Color ID Card Printer

Zebra P110i Single Side Full Color ID Card Printer

Zebra P110m Single Side Monochrome ID Card Printer

Receive a $150 trade-in rebate when you purchase the following Zebra iSeries ID Card printer:

Zebra P120i Double Sided Full Color ID Card Printer

Receive a $200 trade-in rebate when you purchase the following Zebra iSeries ID Card printers:

Zebra P330i Performance Single Side Full Color ID Card Printer

Zebra P330m Performance Single Side Monochrome ID Card Printer

Receive a $300 trade-in rebate when you purchase the following Zebra iSeries ID Card printer:

Zebra P430i Performance Double Sided Color ID Card Printer

Receive a $400 trade-in rebate when you purchase the following Zebra iSeries ID Card printesr:

Zebra P520i Security Double Sided Color ID Card Printer and Laminator

Zebra P630i Security Double Sided Color ID Card Printer and Single Sided Laminator

Zebra P640i Security Double Sided Color ID Card Printer and Laminator

Find out more about the GO Zebra09 Trade-in Program at IDCardGroup.com.

Posted On: 06/09/2009
Label: Editorial

Times are tough. 2009 has been difficult year for many organizations, yet the need for secure ID cards remains. With these uncertain times in mind, IDCardGroup.com has recently added a cost-saving Specials Page to its main site so we can pass on additional savings to our customers. These specials are ideal for organizations that continue to need high-quality photo ID printing components at more affordable prices.

By continually monitoring our customers’ needs, we identify and discount our most popular products from ID card printers and signature capture devices to plastic cards and lanyards. Because we sell in such large volumes, IDCardGroup.com is also able to pass on special pricing we receive to our customers.

Featuring a wide range of products, this page is updated constantly. Tracking your customer data, monitoring your employee and visitor access, and keeping your student and member populations safe has never been more affordable!

Find out what is up for Special Sale today in the Specials Page at IDCardGroup.com!

Posted On: 06/03/2009
Label: Editorial

IDCardGroup.com is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of a limited number of retailers to exclusively distribute CardExchange® ID Card design software programs by ExchangeIT.

IDCardgroup.com carries four standard versions of CardExchange® – Designer , Entry , Premium and Ultimate – so your software can meet your specific needs. In addition, CardExchange® can be designed to meet any other unique design or database needs with the addition of an external Plug-in designed directly from your specifications by ExchangeIT.

CardExchange® ID software programs allow users to manage and create ID Cards, Access Control Cards, Membership Cards, and Loyalty Cards using a simple, four-click interface. In other words, because these programs are so intuitive people generally need to use only four functions (four clicks) – selecting a card layout, choosing an ID data record, adding a photo, then printing the card – to create a card.

Some of the features in CardExchange® ID software programs include:

• Module design so you only buy the functionality you need
• Advanced database capabilities, including pushing and pulling from multiple databases, advanced queries and internal views, field customization, and direct database connections with MS Excel or Access or servers like MS SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, DB2 and PostgreSQL. For other proprietary databases, CardExchange® supports connections via ODBC.
• Expression statements which allow the ability to create powerful calculations
• Unlimited card layouts and database records
• Predefined card layouts and database connections to help get started
• Three levels of data filtering
• Creation of groups for different card layouts to sort cards by division, access level, management level and company
• Unique printer settings that can be attached to each card layout
• Contact & Contactless encoding
• Passe Partout image security
• Network printing, including printing to remote printers
• User authorization for different levels of access
• Customized plug-in’s that can be designed to meet your unique specifications
• Support of HTML tags, shrink to fit and fit to card features
• Batch printing
• Microsoft 2007 look and feel
• ImageExchange photo editor
• FaceFind tool to allow auto cropping of photos

Read more about CardExchange® ID Card Software or download a free trial version now at IDCardGroup.com!

Posted On: 06/17/2009
Label: Editorial

Team NiSCA recently announced they will be offering a Mac application driver for its popular PR-C101 ID card printer starting in June 2009.

The PR-C101 is an entry-level printer that is perfect for small-to-medium sized organizations such as police, libraries, K12 schools, member clubs and casinos that want to print plastic ID cards in house without high costs. With the new Mac driver, these organizations no longer need to purchase a PC just to make their ID badges. This is particularly helpful for organizations that are facing budget cuts. “The Mac OS/X compatible NiSCA PR-C101 demonstrates that there is low-cost common-sense measures each Mac-based” organization can use to increase security without increasing their bottom line, explains Rob Miskelly of Team NiSCA.

Because many of these organizations, especially K12 schools, do not have the latest Mac processors, the NiSCA Mac driver for the PR-C101 supports both Mac PowerPC and Intel hardware, and Mac OS/X 10.4 and 10.5.

Featuring a compact and light design, the NiSCA PR-C101 features a handy rotating LCD panel so it can adjust to any orientation and fit in the smallest spaces – an overhead bin, under a counter, on your desk, or in your reception area. The PR-C101 boasts high-quality print capabilities, producing 144 full-color single-sided custom cards per hour with 24-bit color, 300 dpi edge-to-edge image quality. It also offers as standard features an all-in-one ribbon cartridge with cleaning assist roller, entry-level badge creation software, 2-year hands-free warranty, and removable 100 card feeder. The PR-C101 can also be outfitted with optional encoding tools to produce ISO 3-Track Magnetic Stripe, Contactless encoded, and MiFARE cards.

Read more about the PR-C101 or other Team NiSCA printers.

Posted On: 05/29/2009
Label: Editorial

Evolis recently announced that it will offer the entry level Tattoo 2 printer at an attractive new price while, at the same time, adding exciting new features.

New optional features include:

• Ethernet portv
• LAN-enabling
• Magnetic encoding

In addition, Evolis is guaranteeing the reliability of the Tattoo 2 with an outstanding two-year warranty.

Read more about the Tattoo 2 printer or other Evolis printers.

Posted On: 04/21/2009
Label: Editorial

Zebra’s release of the ZXP Series 8, its highly anticipated entry into the world of re-transfer printers, allows you to get the benefits of re-transfer print technology without sacrificing speed and affordability.

Re-transfer printing allows you to print full-color images without the problems associated with traditional dye-sub card machines. While efficient, inexpensive and quick, dye-sub printing – which prints directly onto a card using a standard ribbon – cannot produce a truly edge-to-edge card, always leaving a thin white border around each card, and leaves cards subject to wear-and-tear problems.

Re-transfer printers, on the other hand, combine a traditional dye-sub ribbon with a re-transfer film. Rather than printing directly onto a card, a re-transfer machine prints a reverse image on the film then bonds this material to the card. This process allows for crystal-clear print quality, true edge-to-edge printing, and more durable cards. As with traditional dye-sub cards, re-transfer printed cards can still use overlays for added card security.

According to Zebra, the ID card industry and its customers have been slow to warm to re-transfer printing technology because it is slower than traditional dye-sub methods and because the printers tend to be more expensive.

Zebra has responded to these challenges by creating the ZXP Series 8 which will produce photo-quality cards at nearly twice the speed of other re-transfer printers currently on the market and at a price that is comparable or even lower than competing machines. Furthermore, the ZXP Series 8 will allow you to print on many different types of cards – not just PVC composite – including Smart Cards, biopolymer cards, polycarbonate cards, and cards with uneven surfaces.

Zebra also developed a new XML-based software development kit, called ZMotif, which will allow for expanded functionality and ease of use for businesses or individuals looking to integrate their Zebra printer with a wide range of software applications.

Standard and optional features include: photo-quality printing; best-in-class throughput for printing; encoding and laminating; magnetic stripe encoder; combination smart card contact and contactless encoders; contact station; USB or Ethernet connectivity; ZMotif software platform; and security mechanical locks.

The Zebra ZXP Series 8 will be available during the second quarter of 2009. IDCardGroup.com carries the full line of Zebra printers and supplies. Read more about Zebra Printers and Genuine Zebra Supplies.

Posted On: 04/20/2009
Label: Editorial

The Fargo HDP5000 re-transfer printer/encoder has been selected by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) within the U.S. Department of Defense. Fargo’s HDP5000-LC units will support Identity Protection and Management projects throughout the DMDC. The primary application of the HDP5000 printer will be in supporting the 3 million+ technology cards produced annually within the DoD’s Common Access Card program.

Selected after a rigorous lab-testing and field-evaluation process, HDP5000 printers will be installed at over 1,000 sites worldwide. The HDP5000 offers advanced security features and light-weight, modular components in a compact package. Using patented High Definition Printing technology, the HDP5000 prints images onto a special re-transfer film that transfers dyes and resins without a printhead ever coming in contact with the card surface itself. This process increases print quality, since surface imperfections in the card itself do not affect the process. Additionally, smart chips are unaffected by heat from a printhead.

Read more about the HDP5000 re-transfer printer.

Posted On: 04/06/2009
Label: Editorial

We offer Price Matching on all our products. Please find brief explanation what is eligible for price matching and we'll be glad to work with you to get you good price.

Your purchase is eligible for a price match if your request meets the following conditions:

• The online store must have the identical product in-stock and priced accurately at the time the price match is submitted.
• Our Low Price Guarantee does not apply to out-of-stock or special order items.
• All price matches must be submitted prior to order.
• Quoted prices and quantity discounts cannot be considered for price matching.

You can read more about price match on our site.

Posted On: 03/14/2009
Label: Editorial