In the past couple years, there’s been growing concern about security, due to the data breaches that have happened to major corporations. On a smaller scale, there have also been notable identity theft rings preying on victims across the U.S. Now, more than ever, individuals want to know that their personal information is safe and secure. As we’ve talked about before, incorporating multi-level security into your ID cards is the best way prevent them from being replicated.
Here are some elements that you can include in your ID badges to ramp up their security:
Guilloche Patterns
A series of finely printed lines created by a mathematical formula. The effect, used extensively in currency, features curved interwoven patterns.
Microtext
Microscopic text only read with magnification. Appears as a solid straight or curved line.
Signature Panel
A defined area, typically on the back of a card, that has been hot-stamped or silkscreened with a writable material that is receptive to a signature with a ball point pen. Sometimes referred to as a “Signature Stripe”.
Embedded Hologram
Holograms exhibit a variety of complex images and patterns according to the viewing angle (i.e.- if they are tilted or rotated), based on the diffraction of light.
A great example of an embedded hologram are these Zebra composite cards with a diamond hologram. Composite Cards are made up of 60% PVC and 40% Polyester, which makes them stronger and less brittle than 100% PVC cards. They have flat and even surfaces that minimize the risk of printhead damage and allow the cards to move smoothly through the printhead to ensure crisp images and barcodes are produced. Clear images are important for security, especially when there’s a need to identify an individual.
The other important factor to consider when printing your secure badges is the quality of your printer. The last thing you want to do is try to print highly advanced ID cards on a slow, unreliable printer. Whether you are a buying a printer for the first time, or would like to trade in your old one, take a look at this Zebra ZXP Series 1 model. This printer provides high-quality card printing at an affordable price. Ideal for low-volume, single-sided printing applications in color or monochrome, the ZXP Series 1 offers a complete card printing solution with minimal upfront investment. These features, along with Zebra’s eco-friendly print cartridges, make it one of the best entry-level printers on the market.
If enhanced security is a goal for your organization in 2015, utilizing multi-level elements in your ID cards can help you achieve that. All of the features mentioned above can be used in applications like: driver’s licenses, government IDs, event badges, pre-paid cards and Student IDs. Feel free to contact the ID Edge team if you need any assistance selecting the best security elements for your unique situation.