When the ID Edge team gathers in the lunch room to talk about the latest developments in the ID security industry (we’re fanatical about this stuff!), we sometimes come across problematic trends in the industry. For example, we’ve noticed a clear pattern within the industry where not enough focus is placed on protecting ID printers from accidental damage, especially during travel.
Too many ID card vendors focus on making the sale of the printer, but don’t follow up with their customers to ensure that their equipment is protected. Don’t forget, your ID card printer isn’t just a purchase, it’s an investment. If you’re going to move it around (whether that means taking it on the road, or simply carrying it to a different part of the building), it’s vital to take the necessary precautions to protect the device from possible damage.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to protect your printer during transportation. And remember, if you have any questions, it’s always free to talk to us! Just give us a call at 800-798-3343, or send us an email thru the Contact Form!
A Carrying Case is More than Just a Bag
One of the best ways to protect your ID printer during transportation is to purchase a sturdy carrying case for it. A well-designed case will have built-in protections from a variety of factors:
- Liquid Damage: A spilled cup of water or coffee can easily damage the intricate components of an ID card printer. This may not happen often, but all it takes is one spilled cup to cause hundreds of dollars in repairs. It’s especially true during travel, when trying to navigate crowds of people who will eventually bump into each other. Therefore, make sure your carrying case is waterproof. (All of the soft and hard cases we offer are waterproof specifically for such situations.)
- Physical Impact: Damaging a printer during travel is very easy. All that someone has to do is accidentally bump into you, roll their bag or their cart into your printer, or for you to scrape the printer against a wall when carrying it. The worst situations happen when the printer falls accidentally. A carrying case can go a long way in preventing such damage, as soft and hard cases are equipped with shock-absorbing foam. Hard cases are especially valuable, because the hard shell provides an extra layer of protection. Further, all ID printer cases are designed with proper carrying handles or straps, which means you’re not fiddling around with a cardboard box, which can be awkward to carry.
- Theft: Another great reason to use a good ID printer case is to prevent theft. Many cases have specialty locks that protect the printer from unauthorized access and can serve as a deterrent against theft, because it requires extra effort and increases uncertainty for the bad guys. Further, thieves are less likely to target a bag or a carrying case if they don’t know what’s in it, and the possible value.
Hard vs. Soft Case
Any ID printer case is better than no case at all. However, you will need to decide between a hard carrying case and a soft one.
A soft case is great for carrying printers over the shoulder or by hand. Such cases typically have extensive foam protection that will absorb much of the possible impact in case of accidental bumps. Further, these cases have a water-proof exterior, which keep your ID printer completely safe against liquid damage.
Hard carrying cases are a better option for bigger printers which may be difficult to carry long distances by hand. These are often equipped with rubber wheels and a handle, so that you can roll the case on the floor, very much like a suit case or a travel bag. Rolling the case on the floor is an excellent option especially with heavier printers, because you are much less likely to drop it. It will simply roll on the floor behind you, with the hard exterior fully protecting it from accidental bumps and scrapes.
Model-Specific Cases
All of us here at ID Edge always encourage our customers to purchase the carrying case made specifically for their printer, if available. This is a huge plus, because the case will be perfectly designed to accommodate the shape of the printer and any other parts. It will keep the printer much more secure and will prevent it from jostling inside the case.
How to Find the Best ID Printer Case
If you’re looking for an ID printer case, please get in touch with us and we’ll help you select the best one for your needs. We’ll answer any questions you may have and help you carefully assess your needs so that you spend your budget in the most efficient way.
Just give us a call at 800-798-3343, or send us a message thru the Contact Form!