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What goes into the cost of one printed card
Once an ID card printer is on the desk, the cost of each extra card comes down to two consumables: the ribbon and the blank card. Work those out and you have a figure to hold up against any quote for printed cards.
The formula is simple. Divide the ribbon price by the prints it is rated for, then add the price of one blank card. If every card goes into a holder or onto a lanyard, add that item as well.
A five panel colour ribbon (YMCKO) carries yellow, magenta, cyan, a black resin panel plus a clear overlay for each image. A monochrome ribbon prints one colour, so a roll lasts far longer.
The blank card we used
For every example below we used Fotodek Premium plain white PVC cards (336-8098). These are 760 micron CR80 cards at £12.00 for a pack of 100, which works out at 12p a card. You can compare other blank stock in our PVC cards range.
Prices ex VAT as at 16 October 2026; check the product page for today's price.
Worked examples: full colour cards
We picked three popular printers from our ID card printers section, each paired with its genuine colour ribbon from our printer ribbons range.
| Printer | Ribbon (part code) | Ribbon price ex VAT | Prints per roll | Ribbon cost per card | Card cost | Total per card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magicard 300 | Magicard MC300YMCKO colour ribbon (MC300YMCKO) | £61.60 | 300 | 21p | 12p | 33p |
| Zebra ZC300 | Zebra ZC300 YMCKO colour ribbon (800300-255EM) | £47.50 | 300 | 16p | 12p | 28p |
| Evolis Primacy 2 | Evolis Primacy 2 YMCKO ribbon (R5F208E100) | £54.95 | 300 | 18p | 12p | 30p |
- Magicard 300: £61.60 ÷ 300 = 21p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 33p per card
- Zebra ZC300: £47.50 ÷ 300 = 16p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 28p per card
- Evolis Primacy 2: £54.95 ÷ 300 = 18p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 30p per card
Worked examples: black only cards
Many staff passes and visitor badges only need black text or a barcode. A monochrome ribbon brings the ribbon share right down.
| Printer | Ribbon (part code) | Ribbon price ex VAT | Prints per roll | Ribbon cost per card | Card cost | Total per card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magicard 300 | Magicard MC600KO black with overlay ribbon (MC600KO) | £42.50 | 600 | 7p | 12p | 19p |
| Zebra ZC300 | Zebra ZC100 and ZC300 black ribbon (800300-301EM) | £18.18 | 2,000 | 1p | 12p | 13p |
| Evolis Primacy 2 | Evolis Primacy 2 black monochrome ribbon (RCT223NAAA) | £18.29 | 2,000 | 1p | 12p | 13p |
- Magicard 300: £42.50 ÷ 600 = 7p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 19p per card
- Zebra ZC300: £18.18 ÷ 2,000 = 1p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 13p per card
- Evolis Primacy 2: £18.29 ÷ 2,000 = 1p of ribbon, plus 12p of card = 13p per card
Before rounding, the Zebra and Evolis black ribbons both work out at 0.9p a print. The Magicard example uses a black ribbon with an overlay panel that protects the print, which is why it costs more per card than a plain black resin ribbon.
Colour or monochrome?
Across these three printers colour adds between 14p and 17p to every card. That buys a full colour photo plus your logo in its proper colours. If your design is text and a barcode, black is clearly cheaper. If the card carries a photo for security, colour is usually worth the extra pence.
What the per card figure leaves out
- Spare cards for test prints while you set up a template.
- Cleaning supplies for the print head.
- Holders, lanyards or clips if every card is issued with one.
- Printing on both sides, which uses more ribbon per card.
Adding the printer to the sum
The printer is a one-off purchase, so its share per card shrinks with every card you print. Our Zebra ZC300 single sided printer is £789.00 ex VAT before any options. Spread over 500 cards that adds £1.58 to each card. Over 2,000 cards it adds 39p. Over 5,000 cards it adds 16p.
Owning a printer pays off best for teams that issue cards steadily through the year.
Printing in house versus ordering printed cards
If you would rather not own a printer at all, our plastic card printing service produces finished cards from your artwork or one of our templates. Options include printing on both sides. The price per card falls as the order quantity rises, so a single large batch is often where ordering printed cards beats running your own machine.
Frequently asked questions
Are these prices with or without VAT?
Every figure here is ex VAT as at 16 October 2026. Each product page also shows the price with VAT, so check there before you budget.
Does one image on a ribbon mean one card?
Not always. Yields are quoted in images. Our worked examples assume each card is printed on one side only. If you print the reverse too, read the ribbon description to see how a double-sided job is counted.
Why is the black ribbon so much cheaper per card?
A colour ribbon uses five panels for every image. A black ribbon uses far fewer, so a roll holds many more prints. With black only, the blank card becomes most of what you spend.
How many cards before buying a printer makes sense?
Take the price of a printed card from a quote, subtract your in-house cost per card from the tables above, then divide the printer price by that difference. The answer is roughly how many cards it takes for the printer to pay for itself.
Talk to us about volume pricing
Planning a large run of cards or several printers? We can work out the cost per card for your exact design. Email sales@plastic-id.com or call 0203 744 2333 for a quote on volumes.