IDP Smart Card Printers
IDP Smart card printers are trusted by businesses across Ireland for their reliability, print quality, and ease of use. From entry-level single-sided models to high-volume dual-sided printers with encoding, the IDP Smart range covers every requirement.
We carry the full IDP Smart lineup — printers, genuine ribbons, cleaning kits, and accessories. If you're weighing up which IDP Smart model suits your needs, we're happy to talk it through. The right printer depends on your volume, whether you need dual-sided printing, and what encoding your access control system requires. Browse our IDP Smart ribbons and printer bundles.
IDP Smart card printers are trusted by businesses across Ireland for their reliability, print quality, and ease of use. From entry-level single-sided models to high-volume dual-sided printers with encoding, the IDP Smart range covers every requirement.
We carry the full IDP Smart lineup — printers, genuine ribbons, cleaning kits, and accessories. If you're weighing up which IDP Smart model suits your needs, we're happy to talk it through. The right printer depends on your volume, whether you need dual-sided printing, and what encoding your access control system requires. Browse our IDP Smart ribbons and printer bundles.
Choosing an IDP Smart ID card printer for your organisation
IDP builds the Smart range around a simple idea: a compact desktop card printer that a receptionist or school secretary can run without the manual open beside them. That is why Smart printers turn up in Irish offices, hospitals, colleges and clubs that print a few hundred cards a year rather than a few thousand a week. The Smart 31 is the workhorse, the Smart 51 adds lamination options, and the Smart 81 moves into retransfer territory.
The first decision is single-sided or dual-sided. A single-sided Smart 31 or 51 suits a card with a photo, name and logo on the front and nothing behind; if you want a barcode on the reverse, the dual-sided version prints both faces in one pass. The second is lamination: cards worn daily on a lanyard scratch and fade, and a laminator module bonds a clear layer over the print.
Smart 31, Smart 51 or Smart 81: what to look for
| Model | Sides | Suits | Price ex VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart 31 | Single or dual | Small offices, schools, clubs | From €1,145 |
| Smart 51 | Single or dual | Busier sites, optional lamination | From €1,279 |
| Smart 81 | Dual, retransfer | Access control and technology cards | On request |
All three dispatch from Dublin.
Ribbons, modules and consumables
The Smart 31 and 51 share a ribbon family; stock them from IDP Smart ribbons. Modules grow a printer you already own: the 651156 input and 651158 output hoppers add capacity, the Smart 70 flipper makes a Smart 70 dual-sided, and the Smart-51L laminator adds lamination later. Add blank white cards and a cleaning kit, since a dirty roller is behind most streaked prints we hear about around Ireland. To compare brands, browse dual-sided printers, or start with an ID card printer bundle.
Further reading
- IDP Smart 21 vs 31 vs 51: ID Card Printers Compared
- The Best ID Card Printers in 2026: Our Picks by Category
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart 31 ID card printer right for a small office?
For most Irish offices, schools and clubs, yes. It prints full-colour staff or student cards from a desktop, and the single-sided version is listed from €1,145 ex VAT.
What is the Smart 51 card printer price?
The Smart 51 single-sided is €1,279 ex VAT and the dual-sided is €1,645 ex VAT. The laminating Smart 51L is priced on request.
When do I need a retransfer ID card printer?
When cards carry a contactless chip, or when you want print right to the edge. The Smart 81 prints onto a film and bonds it to the card.
If you are weighing up two models, call 01 555 5555 and describe the card you want to produce. It usually takes a few minutes to settle on the right one.
- Opens in a new window.
↓
You're being redirected to PopiD, the specialist in printed event merch.