An ID card is only as good as its security. Without a unique visual security element, anyone with access to any ID card printer could make a convincing copy of the card.
For many secure card issuance applications, visual security is enhanced by the addition of a customised overlaminate onto the printed image, often with a holographic or OVD feature. In order to achieve this the issuer will have to have a unique film manufactured and add an additional process to their card issuance cycle. Custom laminates can be expensive, they take a long time to produce and actually their security is not infallible as they can be replicated.
There are other benefits too. We have taken a look at the two processes to make a direct comparison:
| Comparison | Custom HoloKote watermark | Custom Overlaminate |
| Lead time | 24 hours | 12 weeks |
| Initialisation fee | MSRP £500 | Up to £6,100 |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 | 35,000 laminates |
| Flexibility | Change the design within 24 hours. Have multiple designs for the same printer. | Unable to change the design without incurring new initialisation and lead time. |
| Print process | Part of the standard YMCKO print process. | Secondary lamination required at end of printing process |
| Consumable cost | No additional cost per print | £0.05 additional cost per print |
| Appearance | Watermark | Hologram |
| Security vs fraud | Each HoloKote is tied to an individual printer serial number so can only be printed on that specific printer. | Overlaminates can be replicated and then be used on any laminating printer. |
All Magicard manufactured ID card printers have a built-in card security feature – HoloKote. This exclusive technology prints a secure watermark as part of the normal print cycle and at no extra cost per card.
