For a home business, you’ll want a plastic card printer that balances affordability, quality, and ease of use. It should also be compact and not require high-maintenance or extensive setup. Here are some of the best options for home businesses:

1. Evolis Badgy100
• Price Range: $600 – $800
• Features: Single-sided printing, 300 DPI resolution, user-friendly interface.
• Pros: Compact size, budget-friendly, easy-to-use software included, good for low to moderate volume.
• Cons: Single-sided only, no advanced features (like magnetic stripe encoding or lamination).
• Best For: Small-scale operations with simple plastic card needs (e.g., loyalty cards, basic business cards).

2. Magicard Pronto
• Price Range: $1,100 – $1,300
• Features: Single-sided printing, 300 DPI, customizable security features, dye-sublimation technology.
• Pros: Great print quality for its price, reliable for low to moderate volume, includes security hologram options.
• Cons: Single-sided printing, manual card feeding.
• Best For: Home businesses needing high-quality prints with basic security features (e.g., membership cards).

3. Fargo DTC1250e
• Price Range: $1,200 – $1,600
• Features: Single or dual-sided printing, high-speed printing (up to 225 cards/hour), option to encode magnetic stripe cards.
• Pros: Fast printing, dual-sided option, compact design for home use.
• Cons: More expensive than other entry-level models, not the best for complex designs.
• Best For: Home businesses with moderate card printing needs, especially those requiring dual-sided printing.

4. Zebra ZC100
• Price Range: $1,200 – $1,500
• Features: Single-sided printing, modern design, compact, edge-to-edge printing.
• Pros: Sleek, space-efficient, user-friendly, great for small spaces.
• Cons: Single-sided only, not ideal for very high volumes.
• Best For: Home businesses that value ease of use and a sleek design for lower volumes of cards (e.g., gift cards, personalized cards).

5. IDP Smart 31
• Price Range: $1,000 – $1,300
• Features: Single or dual-sided printing, 300 DPI, optional magnetic stripe encoder.
• Pros: Good balance between price and performance, dual-sided printing option.
• Cons: Slower print speeds compared to higher-end models.
• Best For: Home businesses that need flexibility in print quality and card types, such as loyalty or ID cards.

6. Evolis Zenius
• Price Range: $1,200 – $1,600
• Features: Single-sided printing, 300 DPI, supports encoding (magnetic stripes, smart cards).
• Pros: Reliable, customizable, great for home businesses that need encoding.
• Cons: Single-sided only, slightly higher price point.
• Best For: Home businesses requiring advanced encoding for cards (e.g., access cards or membership cards with smart features).

What to Consider:
• Volume: For a home business, look for a printer that can handle low to moderate volumes (up to 500 cards a month).
• Print Quality: 300 DPI is standard for clear images and sharp text. If you plan to print photo ID cards or detailed graphics, consider this.

• Footprint: Home businesses need compact printers that don’t take up much space.
• Ease of Use: Look for a model with intuitive software and low-maintenance features.
• Card Type: If you plan to print cards with magnetic stripes or chips, make sure your printer supports encoding.

These options provide great versatility and print quality for home-based businesses without being overwhelming or overly expensive. Do you have specific features you’re looking for, like dual-sided printing or magnetic encoding? Call Today to discover your best printer options. 844-567-5777