Laminating Printers
Laminating card printers add a protective overlay to each printed card — an extra layer of clear or holographic film that guards against scratches, fading, and tampering. If your cards need to last years rather than months, or if security is a concern, lamination is the way to go.
We stock laminating printers from the major brands, with delivery across Ireland. The overlay adds a small cost per card but significantly extends card life and adds a professional, tamper-evident finish. Browse our printer ribbons and printer bundles.
Laminating card printers add a protective overlay to each printed card — an extra layer of clear or holographic film that guards against scratches, fading, and tampering. If your cards need to last years rather than months, or if security is a concern, lamination is the way to go.
We stock laminating printers from the major brands, with delivery across Ireland. The overlay adds a small cost per card but significantly extends card life and adds a professional, tamper-evident finish. Browse our printer ribbons and printer bundles.
Choosing a laminating card printer for cards that have to last
A standard direct-to-card print sits on the surface of the PVC and starts to show wear after a year of daily swiping; a laminated card carries a clear or holographic film over the print that shrugs off keys, pockets and the inside of a hospital tunic. That is why Irish hospitals, universities and public bodies specify lamination for cards with a working life measured in years.
Lamination is a stage that is built into, or bolted onto, a printer. The models here fall into two groups: complete printers that print and laminate in one pass, and laminator modules that attach to a printer you already own. The decision is whether you need dual-sided lamination, and whether you want retransfer quality underneath the film.
Dual-sided ID card printer with lamination: comparing the options
| Model | Sides | Type | Price ex VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magicard Prima 452 Laminator Duo | Dual-sided | Complete laminating printer | from about €4,320 |
| Magicard Prima 451 Laminator Uno | Single-sided | Complete laminating printer | from about €3,210 |
| Smart-51L with flip over module | Dual-sided | Lamination module | from about €1,890 |
| IDP Smart 70s laminator module | Single-sided | Lamination module | from about €1,970 |
The Zebra ZXP Series 9 and Fargo HDP6600 in this collection are retransfer printers, the engines a lamination stage is added to; both come in single and dual-sided versions.
Consumables, ribbons and the practical side
A laminating printer uses two consumables rather than one, the print ribbon and the laminate roll, and retransfer machines add a transfer film. The printer ribbons and consumables collection is organised by printer, and the retransfer printers and dual-sided printers pages compare the base machines. The Zebra ZXP Series 9, Fargo HDP6600 and Magicard Prima each have their own page.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
Is an ID card laminator the same as an office laminating machine?
No. An office laminator seals a paper card inside a pouch. An ID card laminator applies a thin film to a printed PVC card inside the printer, so the card stays credit-card sized and works in readers and holders.
Can I add lamination to a printer I already own?
Sometimes. The IDP Smart 70s and Smart-51L modules attach to their respective printers. The Prima 451 and 452 are sold as complete units.
Do I need dual-sided lamination?
Only if the back of the card carries print you want protected. A single-sided laminator is enough when the back is blank or carries a magnetic stripe.
Lamination is worth a conversation first. Call us in Dublin on 01 555 5555 and we will match printer, laminator and card stock for your site in Ireland.
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