When printing from an ID card printer directly to your HID prox card (1386 cards), it is important to load your cards into the ID card printer hopper in the correct way. When the card prints and ejects the card from the printer, it is important that the image of the card is printed on the correct side with the correct edge at the top.

If you are going to be slot punching the HID prox card to wear the badge with a badge holder, punching the card correctly is critical. There are four small, usually blue, colored dots on the upper back side of the HID cards. The dots indicate where a slot punch can be safely placed.

If the HID card is slot punched at a different location than where the dots are located, the internal functioning of the card can be damaged. The internal electronic mechanics of the card run throughout the inside of the card. If part of the functioning pieces are damaged by the slot punch, the HID prox card will be non-functional.

Learn how to use an HID prox card as an identification card without directly printing on the card.