The short answer is yes, you can print RFID cards (also known as smart cards) and access cards including MIFARE, Paxton and others on a Direct-to-Card printer. But there are limitations.
What you need to be aware of
You may not get an even print finish across an RFID card when using a direct-to-card printer.
Because the chip sits inside the surface of the card (you’ll feel a slightly raised surface if you run your finger over the card), the print head has to go over this slight bump. This means that the print finish can be uneven, potentially showing as a lighter patch, a blotch or a small white area.
What’s the solution?
- Avoid the chip area when you’re designing your RFID cards, so you don’t have to print over it.
- Don’t use a full flood of colour as a background, as you’ll almost certainly get patchy results.
- By doing some careful art working and avoiding the chip area completely in your design, you’ll eliminate most of the issue.
If you’re reading this and are thinking ‘what is a direct-to-card printer?’ basically, Direct-to-Card (DTC) printers are the most popular type of printers sold in the UK. They’re at the lower end of the price bracket, so if you’ve never printed cards before, it’s likely a DTC you’re looking at. Popular examples include the IDP Smart 21S, Magicard Pronto100, Evolis Zenius2 and Magicard 300 or 600.
If you want the basics first, our guide on how ID card printers work is a good place to start.
Our blog ID Card Printers: Direct to Card or Retransfer goes into more detail about the differences between the print technology.
Common issues of printing on RFID cards using a direct-to-card printer
1. A lighter or white patch
What can happen: the internal chip area can affect how evenly the colour transfers onto the card surface.
What to do: keep key details such as logos, names, barcodes and QR codes away from known chip position.
2. Uneven colour
What can happen: darker colours and large solid backgrounds can make the chip area more noticeable.
What to do: avoid printing over the chip area in general. If you have to, lighter colours or subtle patterns can help disguise small inconsistencies.
3. Design limitations
What can happen: if important artwork sits over the chip area, even a small mark becomes more obvious.
What to do: allow space in the design and test the actual card before printing a full batch.
4. Card thickness settings
What can happen: some RFID cards are thicker or slightly different to standard PVC cards, which can affect feeding.
What to do: check your printer’s card thickness settings and adjust the thickness gate if your printer has one.
At a glance
- Many RFID cards can be printed using a direct-to-card printer. The only exception is thick access cards known as clamshell cards. These can’t go through a printer. Contact us if you’re unsure.
- The main issue is finish quality, not whether the card prints.
- A lighter or white patch may appear where the internal chip sits.
- Careful designing can reduce how noticeable the chip area is.
- Retransfer printers give the cleanest finish on RFID and smart cards and are recommended if quality of print and branding are important. They also give extra durability to the cards, which is important if they are high security cards that are costly to replace.
So, will a direct-to-card printer do the job of printing on RFID cards?
Often, yes.
For staff ID cards, visitor passes or simple access cards, direct-to-card printing is usually fine. For customer-facing membership cards, event passes or cards with full-colour designs, it depends how much the finish matters.
If you need professionally branded cards but do not want to print them in-house, you can also explore our custom printed RFID cards .
If the quality of the print is important, you should consider upgrading to a retransfer printer.
If in doubt, please start a chat or contact us and our friendly sales team will guide you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
Can you print on MIFARE cards using a direct-to-card printer?
Yes, in most cases you can print on MIFARE cards. The card will print but be aware of the design limitations.
Can you print on Paxton cards?
Yes, printable ISO cards such as Paxton Net2 692-500 cards can be personalised using an ID card printer. Thick clamshell cards cannot pass through a standard desktop printer. As with other contactless cards, the final print finish depends on the card and design.
Why is there a white patch on my RFID card?
A white patch usually appears because the embedded chip affects how the print transfers onto the card surface. It is often more noticeable on dark or full-colour designs.
Is retransfer better for RFID cards?
Yes, if you want a more consistent finish across the full card. Retransfer printers are built to handle RFID and contactless cards better than direct-to-card printers.
Do I need a retransfer printer?
Not always. If the card is simple and the finish is not critical, direct-to-card may be fine. If the design needs to look clean and professional, retransfer is worth considering.
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