Photo ID Badges

[Scott Challoner]

Does anybody here do photo ID badges? I have a request for them and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do them. I thought I could cut out the blanks with the laser and use MagicTouch ORD. Another thought was this might be a good job to start doing sublimation but I can't find FRP blanks in the right size. Any idea where I could find them? They want them to be roughly 2x3 and hang vertically with a slot for a badge clip. Any thoughts on pricing would be helpful too.

[Scott Shepherd]

There is a machine that makes those and makes them really fast. There's a well known machine that does it and it's name escapes me at the moment. I keep thinking "magic card" or "magic badge" or something, but in google, those don't get me to what I'm looking for.

It'll spit them out. There are many places to sub them to that have that machine. I'll see if my lightbulb comes on at some point and I can remember the name of it.

You could certainly dye sub them, but I think this machine spits them out pretty fast.

Edit- found it. Magicard is the name of the machine. See if you can find someone near you with one of those machines.

[Scott Challoner]

Thanks for the info Steve. So it seems like it's a better idea to sub them out for now. A basic Magicard printer is around $900.

[Larry Bratton]

Scott, do a search on teslin. It will lead you to several places that show how to make them. Its actually pretty simple. There are some YouTube videos also.

[Mike Null]

There are three or four brands of equipment that make this type of badge and some that can do the magnetic strip at the same time.

Direct Color is one, I believe Fargo and Zebra are others. They use a card sold by Johnson Plastics and Johnson also sells the slot puncher.

http://www.plasticcardid.com/fargo-printer-dtc400.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PrinterSystems&adgroup=fargo_card_printers&utm_content=ps24a&gclid=CPyFyb6Q16kCFQ7MKgodyH_3NA

http://www.engravingconcepts.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=21&Itemid=16

http://www.systemid.com/zebra/id_card_printers.asp

[Scott Challoner]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was hoping to be able to do these without having to buy more equipment although I'm looking for a reason to buy a Ricoh dye-sub printer. The Teslin option looks pretty good and should be adequate.

[Larry Bratton]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was hoping to be able to do these without having to buy more equipment although I'm looking for a reason to buy a Ricoh dye-sub printer. The Teslin option looks pretty good and should be adequate.

Your welcome..always glad to help :)

[Mike Null]

Larry

Teslin looks very interesting. I've ordered samples.

[Scott Challoner]

Larry

Teslin looks very interesting. I've ordered samples.

Can I ask where you are getting the samples from? I was thinking about looking at Office Depot for it. I was wondering if it can be cut on the laser too.

[Scott Shepherd]

Cheap enough to buy a pack, only two left, hurry!

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Sided-Inkjet-Teslin-Cards/dp/B001FS7WYI

[Mike Null]

Scott

Here's the link.

http://www.ppg.com/specialty/teslin/about/Pages/RequestSamples.aspx

[Larry Bratton]

Can I ask where you are getting the samples from? I was thinking about looking at Office Depot for it. I was wondering if it can be cut on the laser too.
Haven't tried it at all, but in looking at the chemistry, it is a polyolefin. That is kin to polyethylene or polypropylene, so my guess is that it would be safe to cut. No idea about results though.

[Gary Hair]

Scott,
I went down the path you are going about 4 years ago. It was not a good path... pvc will sublimate but it's very, very finicky with regard to heat and pressure. The teslin cards are better but still not fun to work with if you have quantities. I ended up buying a Fargo HDP5000, it was about $2,500 and worth every penny! I have done about $25,000 in cards in the last four years. The thing you need to be aware of with card printers is that most will not print edge to edge, not in the lower price range anyway. That's the main reason I bought the one I did, it does do edge to edge. Most printers print directly on the card and the print head is protected by not printing too close to the edge. My printer prints on a film that is transferred to the card - true edge to edge and it also provides a protective coating, not quite laminated but close.

So, to answer your question - "the best way to do them" - either buy a $2500 printer or have someone else do them. I'm happy to do them for you if you want - not really my main business, doing cards for others to resell, but I'm glad to help out.

Gary

[Scott Challoner]

Thanks for the info and the offer Gary. I'm going to have to think about that. This initial order would be for about 65 cards plus a few a year for new hires and lost cards. The thing is, this is for a group in a large medical complex. My hope is that others in the complex would see the cards, like them and order more. If that were the case, then maybe it would make sense to jump in with both feet, buy a printer and market them to hotels, other hospitals etc. Any idea what I could charge for a single sided photo card? No magnetic strip needed.

[AL Ursich]

I ran into the same problem with Sublimation FRP.... Limited number of sizes and all one sided..... I broke the bonds of restrictions by cutting my own FRP Tags with my Sears CarveWright and a Carrier Board, Double Sided Tape, and a 1/16 End Mill Bit. I am working on a Vacuum Sled to save on Double Sided Tape... I can now cut any size and also do double sided for Luggage Tags.

I could cut you a batch of tags??? I have a eBay Antique Slot Cutter and I am still learning the capabilities... It tends to shatter the bottom edge of the hole... Still learning with that... Might heat the tag on top of the Press First....

Used CarveWrights go for as little as $500.00 Yes, they had reliability issues in the past... If you replace the known problem parts it is a Great machine...

If you want to knock the Tags out of the Park for the Medical Place do Epoxy Dome on the front..... Epoxies Etc will send you a free sample of the UV Cure Version, enough to do your order... I buy it by the Gallon.... All you need is a Home Depot Black Light and your Good to GO.... Learned about Epoxy dome on Engraving Etc Forum.... My 5th Gallon is in the Mail.....

Johnson Plastics just started selling the .030 thick Sheet Stock, one side gloss and one side matt. I was going to cut some on my sled but will use my Shear and Corner Rounder and old slot punch. So we are talking Credit Card Thick Stock.... For a hanging ID with Slot.... This is your answer...

To print, I just lay out a sheet of the artwork making it a little bigger and centering the tag and using heat tape... You could CLTT it too..... All you need is a Laser Color Printer with proper paper path.... Color Laser Toner Transfer.... Another Alternate for you from Sublimation..... It can scratch off..... Sublimation is Scratch resistant...

Don't forget to check out the JP forum too....

AL

[AL Ursich]

And if you really want to grab the market......:eek: Photo Tags...

AccountabilityTag dot.....

As he foolishly lets the Cat out of the Bag.....

AL

[Larry Bratton]

Nice work Al. Scott's looking for an excuse to buy a sublimation printer, so here it is.

[Scott Challoner]

Thanks Al

I've been getting into CLTT and had thought about that, but was worried about the durability. That's why I was starting to think about sublimation. I wish I could cut the FRP with the laser, but it doesn't sound like that works too well.

[AL Ursich]

Thanks.... I Agree... Sublimaton is the way to go.... Look at the Versatility....

Between the Tags and Wood Signs I have work for another 6 weeks.... 7 days a week...

AL

[AL Ursich]

Good Luck with your Sublimation Hunt.... I Seriously think it is a the way to go.... If you wanted FRP Blanks cut to any size, I could do that for you.... You could even send me the FRP for a Cheaper Service.... Johnson Plastics will custom cut FRP too. I too did CLTT and was not as happy as Sublimation. Call JP and request a copy of the Sublimation Catalog and the Sublimation Customer Display Catalog.... There are so many items.... Soon you will get a Mug Press or Oven Wraps...

AL

[Gary Hair]

Thanks for the info and the offer Gary. I'm going to have to think about that. This initial order would be for about 65 cards plus a few a year for new hires and lost cards. The thing is, this is for a group in a large medical complex. My hope is that others in the complex would see the cards, like them and order more. If that were the case, then maybe it would make sense to jump in with both feet, buy a printer and market them to hotels, other hospitals etc. Any idea what I could charge for a single sided photo card? No magnetic strip needed.

Scott,
I have a price range of about $5 to $15, retail, for my cards depending on quantity. There are usually setup charges and data change charges and if they have photos then that adds a bit as well. If you want more details on pricing I would prefer to take this off forum.

Gary

[Mike Null]

I cut my FRP on the table saw with a laminate blade then use my corner rounder. I bought a stack of off cuts a few years ago for a dollar a piece and I'm still working from them so my cost is next to nothing for material. I have my transfers printed by My Transfer Source for $1.99 a sheet.

CLT will work just fine for name tags--just don't use FRP as the substrate.

I've toyed with the idea of buying a Fargo or similar printer over the years but most of the places around here who use that tag make their own so there is limited volume.

[Scott Challoner]

Thanks again guys. I meet with the lady who will by ordering the tags on Thursday so I'll know more then. I did re-read her original email and she wants the badges to be two sided so I don't know if I can do that with CLT.
I think for now I'll see if JP can cut the blanks for me (or Al?) and use My Transfer Source as Mike suggested. This will be a good way to get my feet wet in sublimation. You're right Larry, I'm trying hard to justify a new Ricoh for myself. :D

My next question... If I can get 10 images on a sheet, can I sublimate ten badges at a time if I make myself a jig or should I do them one at a time?

Thanks again

[Mike Null]

I use heat tape to fasten them to the paper. I also print an outline for placement.

[AL Ursich]

The good news is I am printing 2 sided FRP, doing the white side first then taping the tag back onto the sheet with the front artwork. The back side does not deteriorate that much. I use a end roll of newsprint on top and bottom changing each pressing. Dry the paper first for 30 seconds closing the press. I don't use any foam pads. So you CAN do 2 sided...

I am game to cut you some tags. Cheaper if you ship me the FRP.

AL