Not every ID card printing program has the same production requirements. A small business may only need to print a few employee badges at a time, while a university, government agency, transportation provider, or large organization may need to produce hundreds or thousands of cards on a regular basis.

This is where a high-volume printer such as the Evolis Quantum 2 stands apart from a typical desktop ID card printer. Designed for large-scale card production, the Quantum 2 combines high-capacity card handling, fast printing, encoding capabilities, and a modular design in a single solution.

What Is the Evolis Quantum 2?

The Evolis Quantum 2 is a direct-to-card printer designed for high-volume card personalization. Rather than being primarily focused on occasional desktop badge printing, it is designed for centralized production of large quantities of plastic cards.

It can be used for applications including:

• Employee ID badges
• Student cards
• Event badges
• Loyalty cards
• Transit cards
• Payment cards
• Other high-volume credentialing applications

The printer supports both single- and dual-sided printing and uses a 300 dpi printhead.

1. Built for High-Volume Card Production

One of the biggest differences between the Quantum 2 and many standard desktop ID card printers is its capacity.

The Quantum 2 can use interchangeable input and output hoppers with capacities of up to 500 cards each when using 30-mil cards. This allows operators to load a large quantity of cards and process them without constantly stopping to reload the printer.

Its rated performance reaches up to approximately:

• 150 color cards per hour single-sided
• 115 color cards per hour dual-sided
• Up to 1,000 monochrome cards per hour single-sided
• Up to 320 monochrome cards per hour dual-sided

Actual throughput can vary depending on the card design, ribbon, configuration, and operating conditions.

2. Much Larger Card Capacity

A typical desktop printer is designed around relatively small card batches. The Quantum 2 takes a different approach.

Its 500-card input and output capacity is designed for organizations that need to produce substantial quantities of cards in a production environment. A reject hopper can also hold up to 20 defective cards, helping keep the printing process moving when individual cards need to be rejected.

For organizations producing cards in large batches, reducing the frequency of manual loading and unloading can make the overall workflow more efficient.

3. Designed for Centralized Card Production

The Quantum 2 is particularly suited to organizations that have a central location where cards are produced in larger quantities.

For example, an organization might use the printer to produce:

• Hundreds of employee credentials
• Large student ID batches
• Membership cards
• Event credentials
• Transportation cards
• Other recurring card orders

Instead of treating card printing as an occasional desktop task, the Quantum 2 can serve as part of a dedicated card production operation. Evolis describes Quantum as combining the flexibility of a desktop printer with the capabilities associated with industrial card production.

4. Flexible Encoding Options

Another major distinction is the Quantum 2's ability to support multiple encoding technologies.

Depending on the configuration, the printer can accommodate options for:

• Magnetic stripes
• Contact smart cards
• Contactless cards
• Other specialized encoding technologies

Evolis' specifications describe a reversible encoding module for magnetic stripe and contact smart card applications, while additional contact and contactless encoding options are available.

This makes the Quantum 2 useful for organizations that need to produce cards that do more than simply display printed information.

5. Printing and Encoding in the Same Workflow

For compatible configurations, the Quantum 2 can combine card printing and encoding into the same production process.

That can be important when producing credentials that need both:

Visual identification — such as a person's photo, name, employee number, or organization logo.

Electronic functionality — such as information stored on a magnetic stripe, contact chip, or contactless chip.

Combining these processes can reduce the need to move cards between separate pieces of equipment.

6. Single- and Dual-Sided Printing

The Quantum 2 supports both one-sided and two-sided card printing.

This gives organizations flexibility in how much information they place on each credential.

A single-sided employee badge might include:

• Photo
• Name
• Job title
• Company logo

A dual-sided credential could add information such as:

• Terms of use
• Emergency information
• Contact information
• Barcode or QR code
• Additional security information

The Quantum 2 supports edge-to-edge printing in both configurations.

7. Built for Long-Term Production

The Quantum 2 is designed with a more production-oriented construction than a typical compact desktop printer.

The current specifications list an aluminum body with black plastic covers, while the system's design incorporates a centralized locking option and high-capacity card handling.

The printer also includes monitoring through an LCD display and status indicators, helping operators keep track of printer and encoding activity.

8. Optional Centralized Locking

Organizations handling sensitive credentials may want to control access to the printer and its consumables.

The Quantum 2 can be configured with a centralized locking system that helps restrict access to cards, ribbons, and the encoding module.

This can be useful in environments where card production needs additional physical security.

9. Modular Design

The Quantum 2 isn't limited to a single fixed configuration.

Its available options allow organizations to configure the printer around their specific card production requirements. Evolis also offers production and backup packs designed to help maintain operation and reduce downtime.

The Quantum 2 product lineup available through EvolisPrinter.com includes configurations with different encoding and security options.

10. What Types of Cards Can It Print?

The Quantum 2 is designed for CR80/ISO 7810 Type ID-1 cards and supports card thicknesses from 30 to 40 mil. Current Evolis specifications list PVC and composite PVC cards, along with PET for monochrome black printing.

This makes it important to select cards based on the printer's specifications rather than assuming every type of plastic card will work.

How Is the Quantum 2 Different From a Standard Desktop Printer?

The biggest difference comes down to production capacity and workflow.

The Quantum 2 is therefore not simply a larger version of a basic ID card printer. It is designed around a different production model.

Who Should Consider an Evolis Quantum 2?

The Quantum 2 can make sense for organizations that regularly produce large quantities of cards and need to keep the production process moving efficiently.

Potential applications include:

• Universities and colleges
• Large corporations
• Government organizations
• Transportation providers
• Membership organizations
• Large event operations
• Centralized credential production departments
• Organizations producing high volumes of cards for multiple locations

For an organization that only prints a few dozen cards periodically, a smaller Evolis printer may be more appropriate. The Quantum 2 is designed for situations where card volume, throughput, capacity, and production efficiency are important considerations.

Take Your ID Card Production to the Next Level

The Evolis Quantum 2 stands apart from standard desktop ID card printers because it is designed for high-volume, centralized card production. Its large card capacity, fast monochrome and color printing, single- and dual-sided capabilities, optional encoding technologies, and production-focused design make it suitable for organizations with demanding credentialing requirements.

If your organization is producing cards in large batches or needs a more centralized card production workflow, the Quantum 2 may provide capabilities that a conventional desktop ID card printer cannot. The key is to evaluate your card volume, encoding requirements, card type, security needs, and production workflow before selecting a printer.

Looking for an Evolis Quantum 2? Evolis Printer offers Quantum 2 configurations with different encoding and security options to accommodate a range of high-volume ID card printing applications. Contact us today to learn more about the Evolis Quantum 2 and find the right configuration for your organization’s high-volume ID card printing needs.