Plastic-ID.com Blog - id

A lanyard is a strap worn around the neck that keeps an ID card, pass or key where it can be seen and reached. In most workplaces it is the simplest way to keep photo ID on show through the day. This guide explains what the word means, the parts of a lanyard, the widths and fittings available and why so many lanyards now include a breakaway. What d..

Most access cards and key fobs look alike from the outside. The outside tells you very little about the chip inside. That chip decides whether a replacement will open your doors. This guide explains the three technologies we are asked about most often (125kHz proximity, MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire) along with a few close relatives. It also sh..

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 ..

Most ID cards, staff badges and membership cards in the UK are the same size as a bank card. This guide explains that size, the thickness options and the card materials we stock at Plastic-ID, so the blanks you order fit your printer, holders and readers first time. What size is a standard ID card? A standard ID card measures 85.60 x 53.98 mm. In e..

ID cards play a vital role in educational environments by ensuring that students and staff are easily identifiable, helping to restrict access to authorised individuals only. One of the most useful features of ID card management systems is their versatility and adaptability: our in-house experts know that each education setting has different requ..

A local authority council was looking for an easy, cost-effective solution for printing bus passes for their residents. With a high level of production required, the council needed a high-quality printing solution that still allowed them to overprint details on demand. They contacted Plastic-ID looking for an affordable, simple solution. The Ch..

Smart cards and readers are commonplace across a range of businesses. They offer a range of security benefits by allowing you to grant and limit access to certain areas, so if you handle sensitive information, only certified people can enter areas where it is stored.  These systems, often called access control systems, allow you to hand out smar..

If your business is looking to start printing and creating your own ID cards, it is important that you get the right kind of printer to suit your business needs.  Every business is different and has individual requirements from your ID cards. By understanding what each style of printer offers, you can make an informed decision on which type of ID ..

ID cards carry personal data: names, photos, staff numbers and sometimes dates of birth. Under UK GDPR that data must be protected at every stage, including printing and disposal. Two risks are often missed: used printer ribbons and old cards. Why used ID card printer ribbons hold personal data Dye sublimation printers print from a ribbon with sepa..

Most ID cards are the standard CR80 size, the size of a bank card. For events, venues and busy sites a bigger card can do a better job. Large format cards have room for a large photo, a site map, a schedule or a QR code. They can be read at a distance too. ID card sizes compared Card Size Typical use CR80 (standard) 85.6 x 54mm Staff ID, mem..

When it comes to your events, you need professional, high-quality event badges to ensure your event staff look professional and put together. Alongside boosting the image of your event, having visible name badges is important for event security for your visitors and staff. Here at Plastic-ID, we’ve got all the essentials you need to ensure you have..

As the Covid restrictions have come to an end and events can continue going back to their normal schedules, many companies that specialise in holding events may be facing financial difficulty. We have put together a list of low-cost solutions so you can still benefit from event badges, lanyards, cardholders and more to ensure your events run as ..