Photo Identification Cards

Photo ID cards are generally produced using either a traditional film based method or digital printing technology. The older, more traditional way to produce personal ID cards is a multi-step cut/paste/laminate process consisting of:
• Taking an instant photo of the person, then cutting and trimming the picture to fit the card
• Separately printing the person's ID information on a card-sized piece of paper or card stock
• Laminating the picture and card together

Student or employee ID badges, club membership cards and driver's licenses are a few examples produced by this method. However, such cards are easily counterfeited or altered, and the card-making process can be both labor intensive and time consuming.

In contrast, digital card printing is a one step process in which text, graphics and pictures are printed directly on a card from a computer system. These cards are usually the same size as a standard credit card and made of a plastic called Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. Plastic cards can be printed single or dual sided, and in monochrome or full color.

Digital access control card with photo image, hologram and fingerprint scan Digital access control & stored value debit passenger card with photo ID and smart chip Digital club membership card with photo ID, membership number and bar code