When Should You Slot Punch Your ID Cards?
Pre-punching ID cards makes the surface of the cards uneven and can damage your printer’s sensitive printhead. If you slot punch an ID card and then feed it through your ID card printer, you may leave a small sliver of plastic behind that could possibly puncture a hole in one of the heat elements on the printhead. Damaged printheads result in distorted and poor quality images on your cards and can be costly to replace.
Slot punching the photo ID cards after they have been printed will not only ensure the quality of the card, but also the longevity of your ID card printer. If you need a slot punch, A Plus ID offers a variety of slot punching options.
If you need to fasten your photo ID card to a lanyard or badge reel, but you need an alternative to slot punching your ID card, consider using badge grippers or clamp clips to secure your ID cards. Badge holders can also be used to secure your ID cards while providing the cards with an extra layer of protection.
The more commonly used badge holders are clear and flexible and can be affixed to a badge reel or lanyard. Badge holder options also vary from holders that attach to a pocket and are held in place magnetically, to armbands, to permanent locking proximity badge holders. See below for examples of the different badge accessories you can use to secure your ID cards.