Photo IDs are used almost everywhere. You need identification for employment, as a student, for driving, for getting into clubs and more. Photo IDs usually consist of a name, a picture, a birth date and other relevant information. Creating a photo ID, for legal purposes, is simple and easy. This guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to create a simple photo identification.
The first item you will need to create a photo ID is a camera (preferably digital). For an identification to look good, it is recommended that the subject being photographed be in front of a backdrop. There are many inexpensive backdrops available to purchase, typically available with a wide variety of colors. If a backdrop cannot be purchased, a sheet or a white wall can work. The backdrop makes the face easy to see and eliminates background distractions.
The second item needed is photo ID software. There are several software packages available from Card Five, EpiSuite, Asure ID and others. These software packages typically come with a few standard templates and feature a “wizard” that makes it easy to create your own custom template. This usually involves choosing a color for the card, some text, a picture and sometimes a logo. The software makes it easy to import clipart and photographs.
Other options that can be added to an ID card are a bar code or magnetic stripe. Most ID card software includes the ability to encode this information. Bar codes are the easiest to produce and do not require a special ID card printer. Simply enter the information you want in the bar code, choose the bar code format you would like to use and the software generates the bar code for you.
Encoding a magnetic stripe is just as easy, but your printer has to have a card encoder built into it. If you don’t have an encoder in your printer, separate magnetic stripe encoders are available as stand-alone units. If your printer has an encoder in it, the stripe will be encoded with the necessary information as the card is printed.
Now that you have a design, pictures and software, you can print the cards. This is done using a digital ID card printer. These are printers specifically designed to handle CR80 PVC cards. These cards are typically white, but can usually be ordered in special colors if needed. CR80 cards are the same size and thickness of a credit card.
Printers are available in monochrome, full-color, single-sided and double-sided designs. Although these printers are a bit of an investment up front, the cost is quickly made up versus having an outside company print the ID cards for you.
The amount of time it takes to print an ID card depends on the printer. It also depends on whether you are printing a single color or a full-color ID. Monochrome cards can usually print in about half the time of a full-color identification card. The total time is usually under a minute per card. Some are as fast as a few seconds.
Once the ID card is printed, it is usually necessary to present the ID in a convenient way. This usually involves carrying the ID card in a badge holder that can be pinned to a shirt or be attached to a lanyard. Slot punches are also available to punch a hole directly into the card for use with a badge strap clip, lanyard or badge reel.
Creating photo ID cards are quick and easy and can be done by anyone. Many businesses, colleges and other organizations are switching over to in-house ID card production. Contact Office Zone for more information on photo ID cards, software and accessories.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm and is filed under Featured Products. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.