ID Card Printer Warranties: What to Know Before You Buy

Two printers with the same warranty on paper can leave you with very different coverage. Chris Rajki explains when the clock actually starts and what a warranty protects you from.

When the warranty actually starts

Most ID card printers, including Evolis and Magicard models, carry a two- or three-year manufacturer warranty. What buyers often miss is when that warranty begins. A printer listed as brand new may have sat in a warehouse or on a shelf for months, and depending on who sells it, part of the coverage can run out before the printer reaches you.

When you buy from an authorized dealer such as Card Imaging, the warranty starts on the date of sale, so you get the full term. That matters because card printers do precise mechanical work on every card. Print heads, ribbon sensors and main boards wear or fail over time, and those repairs are expensive without coverage.

Chris also covers who you call when something breaks. Buying through Card Imaging gives you one point of contact that coordinates repairs, replacements and warranty claims, rather than a manufacturer's general support line.

The short version

• Ask when the warranty starts, not only how long it lasts.
• From an authorized dealer, coverage starts on the date you buy.
• Common repairs include print heads, ribbon sensors and main boards.
• Know who handles repairs before you need one.