Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID Card Printer, Single Sided with USB
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID Card Printer is a compact, single-sided printer ideal for low-to-medium volume users printing up to 5,000 cards per year. With faster print speeds, sharper resolution, and an extended 3-year warranty, the Zenius 2 Classic is the smart upgrade for efficient, professional-quality card printing.
Printer Specifications
Print Technology:
Direct-to-Card
Dye-sublimation
Resin Thermal Transfer
Print Resolution:
300 x 300dpi / 300 × 600 dpi (colour)
300 × 1200 dpi (monochrome)
Print Speed:
180 Full Colour Cards Per Hour
700 Monochrome Cards Per Hour
Card Capacity:
50 Card Input Hopper
25 or 50 Card Output Hopper
Connectivity:
USB
Warranty:
3 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?
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Answer four short questions and get recommendations based on your needs.
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Explore Other Mid-Volume ID Card Printers
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic is ideal for small–medium organisations, printing up to 5,000 cards per year.
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Why choose the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID Card Printer?
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic is designed for organisations that need reliable, professional ID card printing without stepping up to a high-volume production machine. It’s a strong choice for businesses, schools, clubs, and membership organisations printing up to 5,000 cards per year.
Built on the success of the original Zenius, the Zenius 2 delivers sharper print quality, faster output, and a more refined user experience. With resolutions up to 300 × 600 dpi in colour and 300 × 1200 dpi in monochrome, logos, photos, and text appear crisp, clear, and professional every time.
Its compact, quiet desktop design makes it easy to place in offices, reception areas, or shared workspaces without disruption. The printer is simple to set up via USB and is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it accessible for teams without dedicated IT support.
For organisations that value consistency, durability, and low ongoing effort, the Zenius 2 offers dependable day-to-day performance, low running costs, and the reassurance of a 3-year manufacturer warranty. It’s a sensible step up from entry-level printers when your card printing needs become more regular, but not yet industrial.
Evolis Zenius 2 Classic Key Printer Features
Why the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic is a reliable, everyday choice for small-to-medium organisations.
User Friendly
Compact, quiet, and easy to use, the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic features a 50-card automatic feeder with the option for single-card manual feeding. The Evolis Premium Suite 2 software offers real-time notifications and straightforward setup on both Windows and macOS, making it easy for teams without dedicated IT support.
Print Quality
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic delivers professional-grade results with enhanced 300 × 600 dpi colour and 300 × 1200 dpi monochrome resolution. Ideal for producing sharp logos, clear photos, and crisp text on staff ID cards, membership cards, and badges.
Secure Printing
With built-in digital data erasing, a Kensington security lock, and RFID ribbon protection, the Zenius 2 helps safeguard both your data and consumables. A reliable choice for offices, schools, and organisations that require secure, compliant ID card printing.
Fast Print Speeds
Print cards quickly and efficiently - up to 180 full-colour cards per hour or 700 in monochrome. Ideal for organisations that need dependable, on-demand card issuance without slowing down day-to-day operations.
See the Evolis Zenius 2 In Action
Who Is the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic Best For?
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic is best suited to organisations that need to print ID cards regularly, but not at high-volume production levels. It’s designed for small-to-medium teams printing up to around 5,000 cards per year, where reliability, print quality, and ease of use are most important.
It’s a strong fit for:
- Small and medium-sized businesses issuing staff ID cards or visitor passes
- Clubs and membership organisations producing cards throughout the year
- Schools, colleges, and training providers with ongoing student or staff ID needs
- Offices and reception environments that need quiet, desktop-friendly printing
- Organisations upgrading from an entry-level printer that now need more consistent output
If your card printing needs are predictable and ongoing, and you want a printer that delivers professional results without unnecessary complexity, the Zenius 2 Classic offers a reliable step up from entry-level models.
For organisations expecting to print large batches daily or produce 10,000+ cards per year, a high-volume or retransfer printer may be a better long-term fit.
Zenius Classic vs Zenius Expert: What’s the Difference?
If you’re deciding between the two, the main difference is simple: the Expert supports optional card encoding.
If you’re just printing standard photo ID cards, the Classic is usually spot on.
| Feature | Zenius 2 Classic | Zenius 2 Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Typical annual usage | Up to 5,000 cards per year | Up to 5,000 cards per year |
| Best suited for | Everyday staff IDs, visitor passes, membership cards | Organisations needing advanced security or encoding options |
| Print technology | Dye-sublimation & resin thermal transfer | Dye-sublimation & resin thermal transfer |
| Print resolution | Up to 300 × 600 dpi colour / 300 × 1200 dpi mono | Up to 300 × 600 dpi colour / 300 × 1200 dpi mono |
| Card encoding options | Not included | Optional magnetic stripe, smart card & contactless encoding |
| Security features | Digital data erasing, Kensington lock | Digital data erasing, Kensington lock, supports encoding modules (model dependent) |
| Ease of setup | Plug-and-play via USB | Plug-and-play with additional configuration options |
| Upgrade path | Ideal if you don’t need card encoding | Better choice if future access control or RFID is planned |
What’s Included with the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID Card Printer?
When ordering the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID card printer, you’ll receive everything needed to get set up and start printing professional ID cards, with the option to choose a printer-only configuration or a starter bundle if you want to be ready straight out of the box.
Printer Only:
- Evolis Zenius 2 Classic single-sided ID card printer
- ID-ALL Starter Edition Software (Windows & macOS)
- Starter Cleaning Kit
- USB connection cable
- Power supply and power lead
- Quick Start Guide
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
Printer Bundle:
Includes everything in the Printer Only option, plus:
- Full-colour YMCKO ribbon (200 print)
- 100 blank PVC cards
- Entry-level ID card design software (up to 100 records)
If you’re new to ID card printing, the starter bundle removes the guesswork and allows you to begin designing and printing cards immediately, without needing to order additional consumables separately.
Contact us for information on additional features like encoding options.
Evolis Zenius 2 Classic Specifications
Print Technology
Dye-sublimation & Resin Thermal Transfer, Rewritable Technology
Print Resolution
300 x 300 dpi / 300 x 600 dpi (colour & mono) / 300 x 1200 dpi (mono only)
Print Speed
180 Full Colour Cards Per Hour / 700 Monochrome Cards Per Hour
Card Capacity
50 Card Input Hopper, 25 or 50 Card Output Hopper
Card Types
PVC, Composite PVC, PET (print in black only), Paper (print in black only), Rewritable Cards
Card Thickness
0.25 to 0.76 mm (10 to 30 mil)
Physical Dimensions (L × W × H)
7.68 in × 8.07 in × 12.2 in (196 × 205 × 310 mm)
Weight
7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Connectivity
USB (1.0 – 3.0)
Operating Environment
15 °C – 30 °C / 59 °F – 86 °F Humidity 20 – 65 % (non-condensing)
Warranty
3 Years (Printer & Print Head)
Zenius Classic or Expert?
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Evolis Zenius 2 Classic – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers to help you decide if the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic ID card printer is the right fit for your organisation.
Usage, volume & suitability
Who it’s for — and when to step up.
How many cards can the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic print per year?
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic is commonly chosen by organisations printing up to around 5,000 cards per year. It’s ideal for ongoing card issuance (new starters, replacements, membership cards) without the cost of a high-volume production printer.
Who is the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic best for?
It’s a great fit for small-to-medium organisations that need reliable, professional ID cards — such as offices, schools, training providers, clubs and membership organisations — where printing happens regularly but not in huge daily batches.
What’s the difference between Zenius 2 Classic and Zenius 2 Expert?
The Classic is perfect if you’re printing standard PVC ID cards without encoding. The Expert is the better choice if you need card encoding options (for example magnetic stripe, smart card, or contactless technologies). If you’re unsure, tell us what cards you’re using and we’ll advise.
Is the Zenius 2 a low-volume or mid-volume ID card printer?
We’d categorise the Zenius 2 Classic as a mid-volume desktop printer. It’s a sensible step up from entry-level models when you want more consistent output and a more robust day-to-day workflow.
Cards, ribbons & print results
What it prints — and what to expect.
What type of cards can I use with the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic?
The Zenius 2 Classic is designed to print on standard PVC and compatible plastic cards in credit-card size. If you’re printing thicker technology cards (like access control or RFID), it’s best to check compatibility and recommended print areas first.
Does the Zenius 2 Classic print edge-to-edge?
Like most direct-to-card printers, the Zenius 2 prints close to the edge, but you may see a slim border on full-coverage designs. If you need true over-the-edge coverage, a retransfer printer is usually the better fit.
What ribbon do I need for the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic?
For full-colour cards you’ll typically use a YMCKO ribbon. For single-colour text (names, numbering, simple logos) a monochrome ribbon is usually the most cost-effective option. Ribbons are printer-specific, so always choose a ribbon listed as compatible with Zenius 2.
What are EASY4PRO ribbons, and do they matter?
EASY4PRO is Evolis’ ribbon format designed to reduce plastic waste and make ribbon handling simpler. If you’re aiming for a more sustainable setup (and easier consumable changes), it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
Setup, software & support
Getting started — and keeping it running well.
Is the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic easy to set up?
Yes. The Zenius 2 Classic is designed for straightforward desktop setup via USB. Most organisations can go from unboxing to printing quickly, and if you get stuck, we can guide you through it.
Does the Zenius 2 Classic work with Windows and Mac?
The Zenius 2 Classic can be used on Windows and macOS, but software workflows can vary by system. If you’re buying for a Mac environment, contact us before ordering and we’ll confirm the best setup for your needs.
How do I calculate the running cost per card?
Divide the ribbon price by the number of prints it provides to get a cost per print, then add the cost of a blank card. That gives you a simple, reliable per-card cost for budgeting.
How often should I clean the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic?
Regular cleaning helps maintain print quality and extends printhead life. A good rule of thumb is to clean when changing ribbons, after long print runs, or whenever you notice dust marks or fading.
What warranty comes with the Evolis Zenius 2 Classic?
The Evolis Zenius 2 Classic includes a 3-year manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind, making it a reliable long-term choice for regular in-house card printing.
