IDP Smart 21s ID Card Printer, Single Sided
The IDP Smart 21s ID Card Printer is a single-sided, direct-to-card ID printer, perfect for entry-level users printing up to 500 cards per year. An excellent budget printer, the IDP Smart 21s is a basic hand-fed ID printer that comes with free card software, and a USB connection to get you up and running quickly and easily.
Printer Specifications
Print Technology:
Dye-sublimation
Print Resolution:
300 x 300dpi
Print Speed:
150 Full Colour Cards Per Hour
600 Monochrome Cards Per Hour
Card Capacity:
Manual Input
Warranty:
2 Years
Printer Support Packages
For peace of mind after your card printer purchase, we give you 30 days of free email support to help you get up and running.
Or you can choose to upgrade to one of our Aftercare Support Packages to receive expert professional support all year round.
Silver Package - £45 per year
- Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 10% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
Gold Package - £145 per year
- Next Day Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 15% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
- Remote printer set-up assistance
- Remote access support for troubleshooting
- Zero labour costs if your printer needs repairing
- Loan printer if your printer needs to be returned for a repair.
*Easybadge and CardPresso software only.
For peace of mind after your card printer purchase, we give you 30 days of free email support to help you get up and running.
Or you can choose to upgrade to one of our Aftercare Support Packages to receive expert professional support all year round.
Silver Package - £45 per year
- Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 10% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
Gold Package - £145 per year
- Next Day Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 15% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
- Remote printer set-up assistance
- Remote access support for troubleshooting
- Zero labour costs if your printer needs repairing
- Loan printer if your printer needs to be returned for a repair.
*Easybadge and CardPresso software only.
Unsure if this is the best ID card printer for you?
Take our Printer Quiz!
Answer four short questions and get recommendations based on your needs.
Alternatively, you can start a chat with us, we're happy to help!
Explore Other Low Volume ID Card Printers
The IDP Smart 21s is part of our Low Volume ID Card Printer range, designed for organisations printing up to 500 cards per year.
View other low volume printers →
Take Our 60-Second Quiz and Find Your Perfect Printer
If you’re still weighing things up, answer 4 short questions and we’ll recommend printers based on how you’ll actually use them - no upselling.
Take the printer quiz →
Why choose the IDP Smart 21s ID Card Printer
The IDP Smart 21s ID card printer is an entry-level printer designed for organisations printing up to 500 ID cards per year. It’s ideal for first-time buyers, small teams, and businesses that need a simple, affordable way to produce professional ID cards in-house.
The Smart 21s offers straightforward setup, hand-fed card printing, and consistent print quality without unnecessary features. Its compact size makes it suitable for desks and reception areas, while low running costs help keep ongoing expenses predictable.
If you only need to print cards occasionally (such as staff IDs, visitor passes, or membership cards) the IDP Smart 21s provides a reliable, cost-effective starting point without overcomplicating the process.
IDP Smart 21s Key Printer Features
Why the IDP Smart 21s is a simple, reliable choice for low-volume ID card printing.
Fast Print Speeds
Plug and print within minutes, the IDP Smart 21s prints full colour cards in around 24 seconds, making it ideal for issuing cards quickly as and when needed.
User Friendly
One of the smallest printers on the market, the IDP Smart 21s features a simple LED operation button that clearly guides you through the printing process.
Secure Printing
Featuring SmartMark™ technology, the IDP Smart 21s allows you to print UV designs onto your cards. These invisible security marks are only visible under UV light, helping prevent misuse and making it easier to verify genuine staff, student, or membership cards.
Print Quality
Designed for low-volume use, the IDP Smart 21s produces clear, professional-looking ID cards at 300dpi, ensuring text and images remain sharp and easy to read.
Who Is the IDP Smart 21s Best For?
The IDP Smart 21s is best suited to organisations that need to print ID cards in small handfuls. It’s designed for low-volume use, typically up to 500 cards per year, where simplicity and affordability matter more than speed or automation.
It’s a good fit for:
- Small businesses issuing staff ID cards or visitor passes
- Clubs and membership organisations producing cards in small batches
- Schools or training providers with limited card issuance
- First-time ID card printer buyers who want an easy starting point
- Reception desks or offices where space is limited
If your card printing needs are occasional and predictable and you don’t require automatic double-sided printing or high-volume output, the IDP Smart 21s offers a straightforward, cost-effective solution without unnecessary complexity.
IDP Smart 21s vs Other Entry-Level ID Card Printers
The IDP Smart 21s sits at the reliable end of the entry-level ID card printer range, offering a balance between affordability, print quality, and ease of use.
The Smart 21s provides:
- Consistent print quality for professional-looking cards
- Reliability for repeat use over time
- Clear upgrade paths if your card printing needs increase
However, it’s important to choose the right tool for the job. The Smart 21s is designed for low-volume printing, typically up to 500 cards per year. If your organisation expects to print frequently, issue cards daily, or produce large batches, a mid-volume printer will be a better long-term solution.
For organisations with occasional, predictable card printing needs, the IDP Smart 21s offers a sensible, cost-effective entry point without unnecessary complexity.
| Feature | IDP Smart 21s | Pointman Nuvia N10 | Magicard Pronto 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical annual usage | Up to 500 cards per year | Up to 1,000 cards per year | Up to 1,000 cards per year |
| Best suited for | First-time users, single & handfuls of cards | Small organisations needing slightly higher output | Small batches of cards, regular print requirements |
| Print speed & workflow | Hand feed for simple, steady output | Hand feed for simple, steady output | Auto feed, so faster speeds |
| Ease of setup | Plug-and-play with minimal setup | Straightforward | Very simple, no-frills setup |
| Warranty | 2 Years | 2 Years | 3 Years |
| Print quality | Professional quality (300dpi) | Professional quality (300dpi) | Professional quality (300dpi) |
| Other features | USB connection only. Optional upgrade for Mag encoding | USB only, optional upgrades inc WiFi & Encoding | USB & Ethernet connectivity. Digital Shredding |
How Many Cards Can the IDP Smart 21s Print Per Year?
The IDP Smart 21s is designed for organisations printing up to 500 cards per year, making it a strong choice for low-volume, occasional card printing.
It’s well suited to situations where cards are issued in small batches such as onboarding new staff, replacing lost cards, or producing membership and visitor passes, rather than high-frequency, day-to-day printing.
If your card printing needs are predictable and limited, the Smart 21s offers reliable performance without the cost or complexity of a higher-volume printer. For organisations expecting to print more frequently or in larger quantities, a mid-volume printer may be a better long-term fit.
What’s Included with the IDP Smart 21s ID Card Printer?
When ordering the IDP Smart 21s ID card printer, you can choose between a Printer Only option or a Printer Bundle, depending on how ready you want to be straight out of the box.
Printer Only:
- IDP Smart 21s Single-Sided ID Card Printer
- Starter ID Card Software
- USB cable
- Power supply
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Printer Bundle:
Includes everything in the Printer Only option, plus:
- 100-print YMCKO full colour ribbon
- 100 blank plastic cards
- Entry-level ID card design software (up to 100 records)
If you’re new to ID card printing, the bundle is a simple way to get started without needing to order anything else separately.
See the IDP Smart 21s in Action
IDP Smart 21s Specifications
Print Technology:
Dye-sublimation
Print Resolution:
300 x 300dpi
Print Speed:
150 Full Colour Cards Per Hour, 600 Monochrome Cards Per Hour
Card Capacity:
Manual Input
Physical Dimensions (LxWxH):
6.6in x 10.2in x 7.0in
Weight:
2.7lbs
Connectivity:
USB
Warranty:
2 Years
IDP Smart 21s – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers to help you decide if the IDP Smart 21s is the right entry-level ID card printer for your organisation.
Usage, performance & suitability
Ideal for first-time and low-volume card printing.
How many cards can the IDP Smart 21s print per year?
The IDP Smart 21s is best for low-volume printing and is commonly chosen by organisations printing up to around 500 cards per year. If you’re not sure where you’ll land, tell us how you’ll use it and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Is the IDP Smart 21s suitable for small businesses and clubs?
Yes. The IDP Smart 21s is a popular choice for small businesses, clubs, gyms and membership organisations that want to create professional-looking cards on demand without the cost of a higher-volume printer.
Can the IDP Smart 21s print staff ID cards and photo IDs?
Yes. It’s ideal for staff ID cards, visitor passes, membership cards and photo IDs where clear text and images are needed. It prints at 300dpi for sharp, readable results.
Features, security & card types
What it can do — and what to consider.
Can the IDP Smart 21s print UV security designs?
Yes. The IDP Smart 21s supports SmartMark™ UV printing for adding invisible security marks that only show under UV light. It’s a great option for improving authenticity on staff, student or membership cards.
Can the IDP Smart 21s print on both sides of a card?
The IDP Smart 21s is a single-sided printer. You can still print on both sides, but it’s a manual process: print one side, flip the card, then print the other.
What type of cards can I use with the IDP Smart 21s?
The IDP Smart 21s prints on standard PVC plastic cards (credit-card size). If you plan to print on thicker tech cards (like access control or RFID), contact us and we’ll advise the best approach for your card type and layout.
What ribbon do I need for the IDP Smart 21s?
It depends on what you’re printing. For full colour cards you’ll typically need a YMCKO ribbon. For single-colour text (like names or numbering), a monochrome ribbon is usually the most cost-effective option. If you tell us what you’re printing, we’ll confirm the right ribbon.
Setup, software & running costs
Practical questions before you buy.
Is the IDP Smart 21s easy to set up?
Yes. It’s designed to be straightforward for first-time users with USB connectivity and simple operation. If you need a hand, we can guide you through setup so you’re printing confidently.
Does the IDP Smart 21s come with ID card design software?
Yes. The printer can be supplied with starter software, and our bundle options include entry-level ID card design software (up to 100 records), so you can get going quickly.
How do I work out the running cost of the IDP Smart 21s?
Divide the ribbon price by the number of prints it provides, then add the cost of a blank card. That gives you a simple per-card cost to estimate ongoing spend.
Is the IDP Smart 21s compatible with Mac?
If you’re using a Mac, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check your setup and advise the best way to run the printer and software for your system.
Find Out More
ID Card Printers - What to consider before you buy
Printing your own plastic cards for the first time? There are many different ID Card Printer models on the market to consider, with different features and vastly varying price tags....
