Human beings don't live forever, and neither do card printers. And the reality is that regardless of the quality (and the price), every card printer has its day. Typically coming with a standard warranty of 2 years on parts and labor, there is some variation, as some come with a warranty of 3 years. However, retransfer printers come with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, including the print head. The reason for this is that they utilize a unique printing method that functionally eliminates the need to factor in the cost of a replacement print head.

What's the difference, you ask, between a direct-to-card printer (DTC) and a retransfer printer? During the DTC printing process the print head comes into repeated contact with rigid cards. Typically-speaking, a company printer can print on the order of thousands of cards per month, gradually wearing down the print head.

The retransfer method avoids this deterioration by retransferring the image onto the retransfer film, hence its name, thereby significantly extending its lifespan. What's more is that print heads cost between approximately $500-$900 and is considered to be a commonly-replaced part in DTC printing. Using a retransfer card printer also often translates into higher return on investment, which means that you can save your company a good deal of heartache and money.

There's also the question of to replace or not to replace. Many factors can affect this decision, such as the decreased cost of ID card printers and technological improvements that necessitate system upgrades that necessitate system upgrades, as well as changing styles and customer demands. It's also noteworthy that a printer evaluation fee, minus the cost for the actual repair, figures in the ballpark of $120 or more. Not exactly a walk in the park itself, though tolerable. It's also noteworthy that an evaluation fee, minus the cost for the actual repair, figures in the ballpark of $120 or more. Not exactly a walk in the park itself, though tolerable.

Finding the optimal card printer can be an easy, and even enjoyable, process. Given the amount of different things you can possibly use a printer for, be it printing ID cards, books, or magazines, it's important to identify what type of printer is the right one for you. Keep in mind that printers also come with a variety of different prices and warranties, which as stated earlier, are more-or-less fixed depending on the type of printer. Keep in mind that you should not hesitate to search around until you find a warranty that suits your needs; even though there is a standard warranty, some companies adopt separate policies.