[bgardner]

For those of you who use the Membership Module, what methods do you use for printing your membership cards (plastic)? Do you use a special Card printer? I am most concerned about printing data on to the printer including a scannable barcode and using a printer/software that is compatible with Raiser's Edge.

Please advice.

[jas.]

we use a fargo DTC-300 card printer. it's not made anymore, though -- i think this is its replacement.

It takes a while to print each card though; I wouldn't recommend it for high-volume work. We use it for a membership group that's really about 1000 people tops; our general membership gets cards that are integrated into stationery and printed on a regular laser printer.

[bgardner]

Thanks so much for the suggestion jas. I had a quick couple of questions also: Is the recommended printer (through the link) compatible with Raiser's Edge? How are you currently working with your printer and the database software?

One of our main concerns is getting the security-encrypted scannable bar code from R.E. to the printed Card. We had a printer company come see us not too long ago and I believe an interface had to be used/written which we want to avoid as much as possible.

Right now we have a very long process of getting our membership cards out the door and our goal is to be more efficient with our time and staff.

I would greatly appreciate your advice.

[jas.]

I don't know about the compatibility. I know that the company we bought it from, had their own security database software that came with it, and they said it was ODBC compatible and therefore could theoretically be linked up with RE. But the software had this totally ancient, clunky windows 98/access 97-feeling interface, and the whole thing was just ridiculous and we didn't use it.

we just export membership cards to a file and do a word mailmerge. And we're just printing the constituent ID in a 3-of-9 barcode on the back, not encrypted as far as I know.

[bgardner]

Can anyone please give me some names of companies that sell Card Printers compatible with Raiser's Edge using a standard interface that can be used for printing a 4-color design on the front of Membership cards along with a scannable barcode Membership ID on the back?

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgardner

Can anyone please give me some names of companies that sell Card Printers compatible with Raiser's Edge using a standard interface that can be used for printing a 4-color design on the front of Membership cards along with a scannable barcode Membership ID on the back?

Thank you!

Hi Brintha,

Alpha Card has many different printers that meet the requirements that you listed, the Fargo DTC400 prints double-sided cards (color on the front, black and white on the back) and easily prints secure bar codes - pretty standard for all but the most advanced card printers.

As far as software goes, there are several options. I did some research on Raiser's Edge and saw that users have the option of using SQL server or Oracle. Many card software programs allow users to choose which database they use, and Alpha Card has several compatible options, including Alpha Card Professional. We've recently given our software programs a major facelift, and they're easy to use and poweful.

I hope this information helps you on your search for the perfect membership card printer.