Where Are Card Printers Manufactured

ID Card Printer Manufacturers by Country

Carmen Ritter
6 minute read

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Introduction

ID card printer manufacturers-  As Canadian organizations evaluate suppliers for ID card printers, a key factor that’s increasingly coming into focus is where these printers are manufactured. With tariffs, shipping delays, and internal purchasing policies playing a larger role in decision-making, understanding the origin of your ID card printer has never been more important.

In this guide, we outline major ID card printer manufacturers distributed within North America and their respective manufacturing locations. Whether you're a procurement officer in education, healthcare, government, or corporate security, this resource will help you make informed, values-aligned decisions—without sacrificing quality or performance.


ID card printer manufacturersID card printer manufacturers



Why Manufacturing Origin Matters

There are several reasons Canadian businesses may want to know the country of manufacture for ID card printers:

ID card printer manufacturers

  • Tariff Implications – Goods manufactured in certain countries may be subject to higher import duties.

  • Procurement Policies – Some public or private organizations may have ethical sourcing requirements.

  • Supply Chain Planning – Delivery time, availability of support, and warranty services can be impacted by where printers are built.

  • Support for Global Diversity – Businesses may prefer to diversify away from single-country dependence or support certain international partnerships.

Knowing where top ID card printer manufacturers produce their equipment gives you the power to align your budget, values, and operational needs.


Leading ID Card Printer Manufacturers and Where They're Made

Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly distributed printer brands across North America and the countries where they are manufactured:


1. HID Global (Fargo Series)

  • Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA

  • Manufacturing: Primarily USA

  • Popular Models: Fargo DTC1250e, HDP5000e, HDP6600
    HID is a globally trusted brand, and their Fargo line is widely used in healthcare, education, and access control environments.


2. Zebra Technologies

  • Headquarters: Illinois, USA

  • Manufacturing: USA, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia

  • Popular Models: ZC100, ZC300, ZXP Series 7
    Zebra printers are popular for reliability and integration flexibility, especially in enterprise deployments.


3. Entrust Corporation

  • Headquarters: Minnesota, USA

  • Manufacturing: United States

  • Popular Models: Sigma DS1, DS2, CR805
    Entrust is often chosen for its strong security features and reputation in high-assurance environments like government and finance.


4. NiSCA Corporation

  • Headquarters: Somerset, New Jersey, USA

  • Manufacturing: USA

  • Popular Models: PR-C201, PR5350
    NiSCA is respected for durability and high-quality printing in professional and institutional settings.


5. Evolis

  • Headquarters & Manufacturing: Angers, France

  • Popular Models: Zenius, Primacy 2, Agilia
    Evolis printers are known for elegant design, European engineering, and strong performance across all industries.


6. Magicard

  • Headquarters & Manufacturing: Weymouth, United Kingdom

  • Popular Models: Pronto100, Magicard 300, Magicard 600
    Magicard emphasizes built-in security with features like watermarking (HoloKote). Manufactured entirely in the UK.


7. IDP Corp. Ltd.

  • Headquarters & Manufacturing: South Korea

  • Popular Models: SMART-31, SMART-51, SMART-70
    IDP offers dependable and economical printers for mid-sized businesses and schools.


8. HiTi Digital, Inc.

  • Headquarters & Manufacturing: Taiwan

  • Popular Models: CS-200e, CS-220e
    HiTi is a cost-effective solution for small to mid-size card issuance projects.


9. Dai Nippon Printing (DNP)

  • Headquarters & Manufacturing: Tokyo, Japan

  • Popular Models: CX-D80, CX-330
    Known for producing some of the most durable retransfer printers on the market, DNP is a go-to for security-focused applications.


10. Matica Technologies

  • Headquarters: Munich, Germany (Global HQ), Lugano, Switzerland (Corporate)

  • Manufacturing: Germany, Italy, and United States

  • Popular Models: MC110, MC310, XID8600
    Matica manufactures secure ID issuance solutions, including both desktop and central issuance systems. In 2024, they opened a new U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Greer, South Carolina, which improves lead times and availability for North American customers. This expansion also aligns Matica with both European and North American production standards, making them a strong hybrid option for Canadian buyers.


Manufacturer Comparison Table

ManufacturerCountry of ManufactureNotable Models
HID Global (Fargo)USAHDP5000, DTC1250e
Zebra TechnologiesUSA, Mexico, Taiwan, Vietnam, MalaysiaZC100, ZXP Series 7
Entrust CorporationUSASigma DS1, CR805
NiSCA CorporationUSAPR-C201, PR5350
EvolisFrancePrimacy 2, Agilia
MagicardUnited KingdomMagicard 600, Pronto100
IDP Corp. Ltd.South KoreaSMART-31, SMART-51
HiTi Digital, Inc.TaiwanCS-200e, CS-220e
DNPJapanCX-D80, CX-330
MaticaGermany, Italy, USAMC310, XID8600

Choosing the Right Printer for Your Organization

Manufacturing location is one important factor, but it should be considered alongside others like:

  • Integration with Existing Systems

  • Printer Type (Direct-to-Card vs. Retransfer)

  • Speed and Volume Requirements

  • Security Features (Encryption, Watermarking, Mobile Credential Support)

  • Total Cost of Ownership

If you’re currently sourcing or replacing ID card printers, Groove Identification Solutions can help assess your needs and recommend the right solution from the brands and regions that align with your priorities.


About Groove Identification Solutions Inc.

We are a Canadian-owned provider of secure identification products and services, proudly serving organizations coast to coast.

What We Offer:

Contact Us:
Website: www.groovebadges.com
Email: info@groovebadges.com
Phone: 1-888-940-3645
Address: 29 Centennial Rd. Unit 3, Orangeville, ON, Canada L9W 1R1


Final Thoughts

Understanding where ID card printers are made allows Canadian businesses to better navigate procurement policies, manage costs, and align with trade and ethical considerations. Whether you choose a European-built Evolis, a South Korean IDP, or a U.S.-manufactured HID Fargo, your decision can now be a fully informed one.

At Groove Identification Solutions, we’re committed to helping you make the best possible choice—both in terms of product performance and purchasing confidence.




Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on publicly available data from manufacturers and distributors as of the time of writing. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information about ID card printer manufacturers and their countries of origin, production practices and facility locations can change without notice.

Groove Identification Solutions Inc. does not endorse or discourage the purchase of printers based on their country of manufacture. This resource is provided purely to support informed decision-making for Canadian buyers who may wish to consider country of origin as one of several factors in their purchasing process.

We remain committed to offering high-quality products from a wide range of global manufacturers and to helping our clients select the best solutions based on their specific needs, values, and budgets.

For help choosing the right ID card printer or to confirm current manufacturing information, please feel free to reach out to our team.



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