The IDP Smart 21S is the kind of single-sided ID card printer that suits organisations issuing photo ID on a modest but consistent basis — compact enough to sit on a desk without complaint, quick enough not to test anyone's patience. At 24 seconds per full-colour card, it moves at a sensible pace for a branch office, reception desk, or HR team that needs cards produced on the spot rather than outsourced and waited on.

It ships with EasyBadge Lite card design software, which covers the basics well for most straightforward badge layouts. Worth noting: EasyBadge Lite is limited to 100 records and is Windows-only — not compatible with macOS. If your setup runs on Apple hardware, cardPresso is the recommended alternative for design and print management.

For organisations that want reliable single-sided colour card printing without the cost and complexity of a higher-spec machine, the IDP Smart 21S makes a straightforward case for itself.