For most small businesses, the right ID card printer will likely be a combination of upfront cost, ease of use and suitability (in terms of how regularly you print, what and why).
If you've never used an ID card printer before, it can be tricky to know which one to choose. We've narrowed it down to a selection that will fit most small businesses and organisations looking to print ID cards, access cards, visitor passes or other cards regularly, or anyone looking for low volume printing (by which we mean up to 3,000 cards a year).
Our top small business ID card printers are: Evolis Zenius 2, Magicard Pronto100, IDP Smart 31S, IDP Smart 21S (entry-level) and Magicard 300, We'll show you why they're our favourites and list their features and costs side-by-side to help you compare the different models.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for you if:
- You’ve been tasked with finding a card printer that will allow you to print your staff ID cards inhouse for the first time
- You are a small business, school, gym, charity or club and want to print professional membership cards for clubs and gyms, staff ID cards or visitor passes
- You're printing in low volumes - up to 3,000 cards per year
- You want a shortlist of suitable printers to compare and research further, rather than be faced with a long list of all the models on the market.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
You can also skip straight to a recommendation by taking our 2-minute printer quiz.
Best small-business ID card printers - at a glance
Green = great starter pick · Blue = faster / more features
| Printer Model | Evolis Zenius 2 | Magicard 300 | IDP Smart 31S | IDP Smart 21S | Magicard Pronto100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Users printing regularly | Very regular photo ID runs, in large volumes | Users printing regularly, e.g. weekly | First-time users printing handfuls of cards occasionally | Users printing regularly, e.g. weekly |
| Ease of use | Plug-and-play. Compact, quiet. | More security & card features - a significant step up from entry-level | Easy to use for larger runs | Uncomplicated, basic model | Very small footprint for reception desks/counters |
| Speed In Colour | ≈180 cards/hr | ≈160 cards/hr | ≈156 cards/hr | ≈150 cards/hr | ≈150 cards/hr |
| Print quality | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi |
| Encoding options | Magstripe, contactless (Expert model) | Magstripe, contactless | Optional Magstripe | None (basic ID) | — (ask if you need encoding) |
| Price tier | Entry-level+ | Mid-range | Entry-level+ | Budget | Entry-level |
For current pricing, see individual product pages.
Small business or low volume user? What to consider
- How many cards will you print? Occasional one offs vs regular batches makes a difference to the type of printer you’ll find easiest to live with. If it's small handfuls, a hand-fed printer may be fine, whereas if you're printing in any volume this may become tedious. If that's the case, look for auto-feed models.
- Front only or both sides? If you often need information on the back (like barcodes or emergency details), a dual-sided printer may be worth the extra cost.
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Access cards or smart cards for doors or EPOS? If your cards will open doors, manage membership or work with access systems, look for printers that come with encoding options.
- Where will the printer live? Size may be important if the printer is going to sit on a reception desk or needs to be portable.
- Look beyond the initial price tag. Consider the ongoing running costs. Some of the cheaper models have higher priced consumables, which means it will cost you more per-card to run it.
Which printer should I choose?
Evolis Zenius 2 - neat all-rounder for regular use
The Zenius 2 suits reception desks, small offices and schools that print a steady stream of cards. It’s compact, quiet and easy to live with. If you want something that looks and feels professional without overcomplicating things, this is a very safe starting point.
IDP Smart 21S - basic, budget printer for occasional printing
The Smart 21S is a great value budget printer that's ideal if you only print cards occasionally - for example for new starters, visitor badges or a small membership list. It’s entry-level on price, small on footprint and straightforward to set up. Perfect for “we just need something simple that works”.
IDP Smart 31S - a good starter ID Card printer
The IDP Smart 31S sits in a sweet spot: more features than the Smart 21S, but still very affordable. It’s a strong choice for small teams or organisations that want an auto-feed printer that's capable of larger volumes without jumping into the top-end price bracket.
Magicard Pronto100 - a small and compact starter ID printer: UK made
The Magicard Pronto100 is a great pick for front desks, counters and small offices that need professional cards without a bulky machine. It’s designed for low volume use (up to around 1,000 cards per year), is auto feed and is ideal when you’ll print one-offs or small batches as needed.
Magicard 300 - great for photo ID and security
The Magicard 300 is ideal if you’ll print a lot of staff or student photos and care about colour accuracy. It’s a bit faster than Zenius and includes Magicard’s security features, such as Digital Shredding™. It's a reliable model from a UK brand that will happily produce mid-large volumes of cards time and time again. Worth the extra investment if you think your card volumes will increase over time.
A guide to printer terms
- Ribbon - ID card printers use ribbons rather than ink. These come as a whole unit that slots into the printer. You can buy full colour ribbons (YMCKO) or monochrome (all models will have a black option, others may also have white, gold or silver).
- Dual-sided - the printer prints on the front and back of the card automatically. Single-sided models can still print both sides; you just flip the card yourself.
- Smart card - a card with a chip or antenna for doors, membership or cashless systems.
- Eco cards - recycled or biodegradable PVC, paperboard or other materials designed to reduce environmental impact.
Want to understand the technology in more depth? You might find these helpful:
- How Do ID Card Printers Work?
- What Is ID Card Software and Why Do I Need It?
- ID Card Printer Features Explained
Still unsure which model fits you? You can:
- Take our quick printer quiz for a personalised recommendation,
- Compare our low-volume ID card printers
- Chat with our team about your requirements.
FAQs: choosing an ID card printer for a small business
Quick answers to the questions we hear every day - plus links to the right collections if you want to go deeper.
Choosing the right printer
Which ID card printer is best for small businesses?
For most small teams, the Evolis Zenius 2 or IDP Smart 31S are ideal: easy to run, compact and affordable. If you want a tidy, reception-desk-friendly printer for one-offs and small batches, the Zebra ZC100 is a great choice. For regular photo ID runs, the Magicard 300 adds speed and extra security features.
What features should I look for in an ID card printer?
Focus on: how often you’ll print, whether you need to print on one side of the card or both, ease of use and what types of cards you'll be printing (regular vs chip cards). Also consider whether USB connection is fine or you need the printer to be accessible on your network.
Which printers are easiest to use if I’ve never bought one before?
If you’re completely new to ID card printers, the Magicard 300, Evolis Zenius 2 and IDP Smart 21 are very beginner-friendly. Ribbons are simple to change, software is straightforward, and you don’t need any technical knowledge to start printing professional-looking cards.
Specs, brands and running costs
The practical stuff that affects day-to-day use and budgets.
Which ID card printer brands are reliable in the UK?
Evolis, Magicard, IDP Smart and Zebra are popular and trusted brands for small businesses in the UK. They offer good print quality, solid warranties and ongoing availability of ribbons and spare parts. Magicard is the only brand that is Made in Britain.
Are ID card printers expensive to run?
Running costs mainly come from ribbons and blank cards. As a rough guide, full-colour cards usually cost 8–20p each in consumables, while simple black-only prints cost just a few pence. Buying ribbons and cards in sensible quantities helps keep costs predictable.
What’s the best budget-friendly printer for small businesses?
For tight budgets or very light use, the IDP Smart 21S is a great entry-level printer. It’s compact, straightforward and ideal if you only print cards occasionally. If you can stretch a little further and don't want to hand feed in the cards, the Magicard Pronto 100 adds extra flexibility while staying affordable.
Printing workflow
How you’ll actually create, import and print cards day-to-day.
Do I need a dual-sided printer?
You only need a dual-sided printer if you regularly print on the back of your cards, for example with barcodes, terms, department names or emergency contact details. For occasional back printing, a single-sided printer is fine - you can simply flip the card and print the reverse.
What else do I need besides the printer?
You’ll need blank cards, a suitable ribbon and ID card software. Many people also add lanyards and card holders so cards can be worn or displayed easily.
Can I print from an Excel list?
Yes. Most mid-range ID card software lets you import an Excel or CSV file and map each column to a field on the card (e.g. name, job title, department). This makes batch printing student, staff or member cards much faster and less error-prone.
Where can I find reviews of ID card printers for small businesses?
The best places to look are specialist ID card suppliers, manufacturer sites and trusted technology resellers. Our own product pages for printers like the Zenius 2, Magicard 300 and Zebra ZC100 include detailed specs and guidance based on what real customers use them for.
