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ID card printers print photo IDs on plastic cards for staff, students and events.
This guide is built from Amazon product listings, not our own testing, so confirm specs, compatibility and current price on each product page.
Prices are approximate US dollar conversions of what Amazon showed on October 31, 2026.
Last updated: October 31, 2026.
Quick Picks
| Product | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Volty ID VX100 | Single-sided ID card printer | Employee and student badges |
| Badgy100 | Plastic card printer | With Badge Studio software |
| Badgy200 | Plastic card printer | Badge Studio+ software |
| Easy Badges Solid 210 | ID badge printer kit | Beginner software and everything needed |
| 500-Pack Blank PVC ID Cards (CR80) | Blank ID cards | 30 mil white cards |
How We Chose These Picks
We built this list from Amazon product listings. We did not buy, set up or test any of these printers or cards ourselves, so nothing here is a hands-on result. Each entry reflects what the listing says, the price shown on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026, and general knowledge about how plastic card printing works.
The list covers four printers at different prices plus a pack of blank cards, because cards are something every buyer needs. We favoured listings that name the software included and the card format, since those decide whether a printer is usable out of the box. Where a listing gives little detail, we say so rather than guess. Treat every figure as a snapshot and check the product page before you decide.
Our Picks
1. Volty ID VX100
A Volty ID VX100 single-sided ID card printer for employee and student badges, per the listing. It was shown at about $500 on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026.
Good for: Employee and student badges. Watch out: single-sided.
The Volty ID VX100 is listed as a single-sided ID card printer for employee and student badges. Single-sided means the printer prints on one face of the card only. For many badges that is enough: a photo, a name, a department and perhaps a logo on the front, with the back left blank or pre-printed with other information.
At about $500 it is the lowest-priced printer in this guide, which is why it is the value pick in the quick summary. It suits a small office, school, club or event team that needs basic photo badges without a big budget. The main trade-off is the one noted in our summary: single-sided. If you need to print on both sides, for example emergency numbers or a barcode on the back, you would have to use pre-printed cards or look at a different model. Before buying, check what software it works with, whether a ribbon or cartridge is included, which card thickness it accepts, how it connects to your computer, and what the listing says about ongoing supplies. Ask what a replacement ribbon costs, because that decides the cost per badge.
2. Badgy100
A Badgy100 plastic card printer with Badge Studio ID design software for full color tamper-proof cards, per the listing. It was shown at about $599 on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026.
Good for: With Badge Studio software. Watch out: single-sided by model.
The Badgy100 is described as a plastic card printer with Badge Studio ID design software for full color tamper-proof cards. The software matters: it lets you lay out a photo, text and a logo and print them without learning a separate design program. The listing also makes a claim about tamper-proof cards. We have not verified that, so read what it means in the listing and decide whether it matches your security needs.
It was shown at about $599. We note it is single-sided by model, so as with the Volty it prints on one side of the card. It suits someone who wants an easy design tool bundled with the printer, such as a school office or a membership organisation. Before buying, confirm the card thickness and format it accepts, whether a starter set of ribbon and cards is included, what the ribbon costs, and which versions of Windows or macOS the software supports. Check how the printer connects, since some office networks restrict USB devices. If you need a printer for many badges per day, check the listing for any guidance on capacity before you commit.
3. Badgy200
A Badgy200 plastic card printer with Badge Studio+ ID design software, per the listing. It was shown at about $759 on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026.
Good for: Badge Studio+ software. Watch out: higher price.
The Badgy200 is listed as a plastic card printer with Badge Studio+ ID design software. The plus in the software name suggests a more capable edition than the one bundled with the Badgy100, but the listing is the only source we used and we have not compared them, so confirm what extra features are included. It was shown at about $759, the second most expensive printer here and noticeably above the Badgy100.
That price gap is the trade-off we point to: a higher price. It may suit buyers who expect to need the added features of the upgraded software, such as more design options or data features, but check the listing and the manufacturer’s page to see precisely what you get. If your needs are a photo, a name and a logo on one side of the card, the cheaper models may be enough. Before buying, ask whether this model prints on both sides or one, what ribbon type it uses and how many cards a ribbon prints, and whether you need to buy cards separately. Also check that the software works with your operating system and whether it needs an internet connection or licence activation.
4. Easy Badges Solid 210
An Easy Badges Solid 210 ID badge printer with beginner software and the supplies needed to design and print, per the listing. It was shown at about $880 on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026.
Good for: Beginner software and everything needed. Watch out: high price.
The Easy Badges Solid 210 is described as an ID badge printer with beginner software and the supplies needed to design and print. That kit approach is the main selling point: for someone who has never printed a badge, having printer, software and supplies in one purchase removes a lot of guesswork about what else to buy.
At about $880 it is the most expensive printer in this guide, and we list the high price as the thing to watch. Part of what you are paying for is presumably the included supplies, but the listing should say exactly what they are and how many badges they cover. It suits a first-time buyer such as a small business, volunteer group or school who wants a ready-to-go setup and is willing to pay for convenience. Before buying, check the listed contents carefully, what the software can do, whether extra ribbons and cards are available and at what price, and what the seller says about support. If you already have blank cards, compare the price with printers sold without a kit.
5. 500-Pack Blank PVC ID Cards (CR80)
A 500-pack of blank white PVC ID cards, CR80 30 mil, for photo ID badge printers, per the listing. It was shown at about $28 on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026.
Good for: 30 mil white cards. Watch out: check printer compatibility.
This is not a printer but a 500-pack of blank white PVC ID cards in the CR80 size, 30 mil, intended for photo ID badge printers according to the listing. CR80 is the standard credit-card size, about 3.375 by 2.125 inches, and 30 mil means roughly 0.030 inches thick, a common thickness for ID cards. The pack was shown at about $28, so each card works out to a few cents.
It suits anyone who already owns a compatible printer, or is about to buy one, and needs a supply of cards to practise on and print real badges. The trade-off in our summary is to check printer compatibility, and that matters. Printers differ in the card thickness and surface they accept, and some use ribbon types that need cards with a particular finish. Before buying, check your printer’s manual for the supported card thickness and type, and whether it asks for a specific finish. Check whether you need a magnetic stripe or chip, since blank white cards are not the same as those. Keep the pack sealed and flat in a clean, dry place until you use it.
How to Choose
An ID card printer prints a photo, text and logo onto a plastic card, usually the CR80 size used for credit cards. Most desktop models use a ribbon or cartridge, and they do not use ink the way an office inkjet does. The advice below is general, so confirm details with the manufacturer and the exact model’s listing before you buy.
Single or double-sided
Single-sided printers print on one face and leave the back blank, while double-sided models either flip the card automatically or need you to flip it by hand. Decide what the back must carry. If it is plain, or you buy pre-printed cards, single-sided is fine and usually cheaper. If you want a barcode, rules, return address or emergency details on the back, a double-sided printer saves time. The listings here note that the Volty and the Badgy100 are single-sided, so check the other models.
Software
Most listings in this guide include design software, which is a real convenience. Look at what it can do: placing a photo, adding text, printing a barcode or QR code, and importing a spreadsheet to print a batch. Check which operating systems it supports and whether it needs an account or internet access. Software that is easy to use matters more if several staff will print badges.
Supplies
Cards and ribbons are ongoing costs. Ribbons are often rated by the number of cards they print, and a colour ribbon prints fewer cards than a monochrome one. Divide the ribbon price by its card count, then add the card price, to get a rough cost per badge. Check whether the printer accepts third-party ribbons or only the maker’s own. Using unsupported supplies may affect print quality or the warranty.
Card type and thickness
CR80 is the usual size, and 30 mil is a common thickness. Printers have a stated range of thickness they feed reliably, so match your cards to it. Plain PVC cards suit photo badges. Cards with a magnetic stripe, a chip or a proximity function need extra hardware or encoding, which a basic printer does not provide.
Security features
If a badge opens doors or proves identity, think about how easy it is to copy. Printed features such as a photo, a hologram overlay or a lamination layer make copying harder, but a simple printer does not offer them all. If you need to control building access, talk to your access-control provider about which card technology it requires before you choose a printer.
Volume and speed
Think about how many badges you will print at once. A school printing hundreds at the start of term has different needs from an office that prints a few per month. Entry-level desktop printers may be slow when printing in bulk, so check the listing for speed and recommended monthly volume. Also consider how you will connect it: USB, and sometimes network.
Common mistakes
- Buying cards before confirming the thickness and finish the printer accepts.
- Forgetting that the back of the card needs to be printed or pre-printed.
- Ignoring ribbon cost, which decides the real price per badge.
- Assuming that a kit contains enough supplies for your whole group.
- Buying a basic printer for tasks that need encoding, such as magnetic stripes or access chips.
Tips and Troubleshooting
These tips are general. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model where they differ.
Getting good prints
Use a clear, well-lit, front-facing photo with a plain background; low-quality photos look worse on cards than on screen. Print one test card whenever you change the design. Keep cards clean, because dust or fingerprints on the surface can show up as marks. Handle them by the edges and store them in the original packaging.
Troubleshooting common problems
- Faint or streaky print: check that the ribbon is seated properly and not at its end. Clean the printer as the manual advises.
- Card jams: make sure the cards are the right thickness, are not stuck together and are loaded as shown in the manual.
- Colours look wrong: check the colour settings in the software and any print-quality option in the driver.
- Printer not detected: try another USB cable or port, reinstall the driver, and check which operating system versions the maker supports.
- Image shifted or cut off: check the card orientation and the template in the software.
Care and privacy
Badges carry personal data, so protect the computer and files used to produce them. Store spare blank cards securely, especially if they are used for access. Dispose of misprinted cards by shredding or cutting them rather than putting them in the bin whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ID card printer is the cheapest here?
Based on the prices shown on Amazon.com on October 31, 2026, the Volty ID VX100 was the cheapest printer at about $500. It is single-sided. Prices change, and the printer price leaves out cards and ribbons, so compare the cost per badge as well as the up-front price and check the listing for the current figure.
Which of these include design software?
The Badgy100 lists Badge Studio software, the Badgy200 lists Badge Studio+, and the Easy Badges Solid 210 lists beginner software with the supplies needed to print, according to their listings. We did not find software named in the Volty summary, so check that page for what it works with. Always read each product page for exactly what is included.
What size are ID cards?
Most ID cards use the CR80 size, which is about 3.375 by 2.125 inches, the same as a credit card. The blank cards in this guide are CR80 and 30 mil thick, according to their listing. Check your printer’s manual for the thicknesses and card types it accepts before buying a large pack.
Can I print on both sides of the card?
That depends on the model. The listings here note that the Volty ID VX100 is single-sided and the Badgy100 is single-sided by model. For the others, check the listing. A single-sided printer can still be used with cards that have been pre-printed on the back, which is a common workaround.
Do I need to buy ribbons separately?
Often you will, eventually. Ribbons run out after a set number of cards, and some printers ship with a starter ribbon. The Easy Badges kit is listed as including supplies, but check how many cards they cover. Look at the ribbon price and card count to estimate the cost per badge before you buy.
Can any blank card be used in any printer?
No. Printers specify the card size, thickness and sometimes surface type they accept. A 30 mil CR80 PVC card is common, but you should confirm that your printer supports it. Using the wrong card may cause jams or poor print quality, and in some cases may affect the warranty.
Are these printers suitable for access control cards?
A basic desktop printer prints the visual side of a card. Access control usually also needs a chip, proximity or magnetic stripe that has to be encoded. Blank white PVC cards do not have these. Check with your access-control supplier, then check whether the printer can encode cards at all.
Bottom Line
For value, the Volty ID VX100. For included software, the Badgy100 or Easy Badges.
For a low-cost start with single-sided badges, the Volty ID VX100 is the lowest-priced printer here. If you want design software included, the Badgy100 is the middle option, the Badgy200 adds a higher-tier software edition for a higher price, and the Easy Badges Solid 210 is the pick for a first-time buyer who wants a kit. The 500-pack of blank CR80 cards is a useful supply if it matches your printer. Before you order, check card thickness, ribbon cost and what is included, and use the Check on Amazon buttons to see current prices.
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