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Choose Options Evolis
Evolis Quantum 2 ID Card PrinterEvolis Quantum 2 ID Card Printer: The Evolis Quantum 2 is a high-capacity, industrial-grade ID card printer built for organizations that issue cards in serious volume. Combining the speed of an...$6,827.95 -
Choose Options Evolis
Evolis Agilia ID Card PrinterEvolis Agilia ID Card Printer: The Evolis Agilia is a high-definition retransfer ID card printer built for organizations that need photo-quality, edge-to-edge card printing without compromising on...From$3,085.16 -
Choose Options Evolis
Evolis Zenius 2 ID Card PrinterEvolis Zenius 2: The Evolis Zenius 2 is a compact, single-sided ID card printer built for businesses,schools, and organizations that need professional-quality cards without complexity.Whether...From$922.27 -
Choose Options Evolis
Evolis Primacy 2 ID Card PrinterEvolis Primacy 2: The Evolis Primacy 2 is a high-performance, professional ID card printerbuilt for medium to large-volume card programs. Whether you're issuingemployee badges, access control...From$1,455.87
ID Card Printing
Print ID cards and badges in-house in Canada with card printers and supplies from Ahearn & Soper. We carry Evolis, Entrust and HID Fargo printers, plus the CR80 PVC cards, ribbons, retransfer film and cleaning kits that keep them running. Schools, hospitals, employers, gyms and government offices use them to issue employee badges, student IDs, visitor passes, membership cards and access control cards on demand, without outsourcing or minimum orders.
Ahearn & Soper was founded in 1881 and has supplied identification and barcode technology since 1975. Our specialists help you choose the right printer, cards and software before you buy, and support you after.
Best ID Card Printers for 2026
- Best for small offices and low volume: Entrust Sigma DS1 or Evolis Zenius 2, compact printers for employee badges, visitor passes and membership cards.
- Best for schools and mid-size card programs: Entrust Sigma DS2 or Evolis Primacy 2, dual-sided printing with encoding options for access control cards.
- Best for security-focused credentials: Entrust Sigma DS3, built for organizations that need tamper-resistant cards and secure printing.
- Best for photo-quality, edge-to-edge cards: Entrust Artista CR805 or Evolis Agilia retransfer printers, which also print reliably on proximity and smart cards.
Direct-to-Card or Retransfer: Which Do You Need?
- Direct-to-card printers print straight onto the card surface. They cost less to buy and run, and suit most employee, student and membership IDs. Expect a thin white border at the card edge.
- Retransfer printers print onto a clear film first, then bond the film to the card. The result is edge-to-edge, photo-quality and more durable, and it prints evenly over the bumps of proximity and smart cards.
ID Card Printer Supplies
Use genuine supplies to protect your printhead and warranty:
- Blank cards: white and colour CR80 PVC cards, magnetic stripe cards and peel-and-stick adhesive cards for proximity badges.
- Ribbons and films: YMCKO colour, YMCKO-K, KO and monochrome ribbons, plus retransfer film.
- Cleaning kits and accessories to prevent specks, streaks and early printhead wear.
ID Card Printer FAQs
What is a CR80 card?
CR80 is the standard credit-card size used for ID cards: 3.375" × 2.125" (85.6 × 54 mm). Almost every ID card printer prints CR80 cards, most often 30 mil thick.
How much does an ID card printer cost?
Entry-level direct-to-card printers start at around $1,600, and retransfer printers at around $4,900. Plan for ongoing ribbon, card and cleaning supply costs, which depend on how many cards you print and whether you print in colour or on both sides.
What is the difference between a YMCKO and a monochrome ribbon?
A YMCKO ribbon prints full-colour cards: yellow, magenta and cyan panels for colour, a black (K) panel for text and barcodes, and a clear overlay (O) that protects the card. A monochrome ribbon prints in a single colour, usually black, and costs far less per card for text-only badges.
Can an ID card printer encode access control cards?
Yes, with the right encoding module. Many printers can be ordered with magnetic stripe, proximity or smart card encoding, so you can print and program an access card in a single pass.
Do you ship ID card printers across Canada?
Yes. We ship across Canada and the United States. For help choosing a printer, call 1-800-263-4258 or email orders@ahearn.com.
