The Primacy 2 builds on the original’s reliable, high-quality printing to deliver faster speeds, simpler operation and enhanced security. It also retains dual-sided printing and offers options for magstripe or smart-card encoding.
Organisations have long relied on Evolis’s Primacy ID-card printers for employee badges, membership cards and more.
In this post, we break down the key differences between Primacy 1 and Primacy 2. We also explain how Primacy 2’s advantages can benefit your company or organisation.
Faster Printing and Higher Quality Output
Primacy 2 is noticeably faster. With printing up to 280 full-colour cards per hour compared to around 225 on the original Primacy. This extra speed reduces waiting times on large print runs, making it ideal for events or onboarding sessions. In fact, Primacy 2 ranks among the fastest card printers on the market, ensuring your badge issuance runs smoothly.
Both models deliver excellent print quality with 300 dpi dye-sublimation technology for vibrant colour. Primacy 2 goes further with an advanced 1200 dpi mode, providing ultra-fine detail for small text and crisp barcodes.
It also introduces a new colour profile feature to ensure your printed cards match your design as closely as possible. This is ideal for maintaining consistent brand colours and producing high-quality photos.
New Card Handling Features and Flexibility
With the Primacy 2 the optional 200-card feeder gives you more flexibility, doubling the standard 100-card capacity. You can load 200 blank cards at once, reducing interruptions for refilling during large print runs. For organisations printing in high volumes, this added autonomy saves time and hassle.
An exciting new capability is support for rewritable cards. Primacy 2 can print, erase and reprint on special rewritable ID cards.
This “rewrite” feature is ideal for temporary IDs or visitor badges. Simply erase the card and issue it to someone new rather than disposing of it. It’s cost-effective and eco-friendly, cutting down on waste!
Primacy 2’s double overlay feature uses the specialised YMCKOO ribbon to apply two layers of clear overlay in a single pass. This dual coating shields cards from scratches and fading, keeping your badges looking crisp without the need for a separate lamination module.
Enhanced Security Features
Ensuring security and data protection is vital for businesses and organisations of all sizes. The Evolis Primacy 2 introduces a range of significant enhancements. These safeguards can help prevent card forgery and secure any personal data during printing.
Below are the principal security features of Primacy 2 that were not available on Primacy 1:
- Ultraviolet (UV) Security Printing: Prints an invisible UV layer, visible only under UV light, to embed covert elements (logos or text) that can deter forgery.
- Double Overlay Varnish: Employs the YMCKOO ribbon to lay down two clear varnish layers in one pass, greatly improving resistance to tampering and everyday wear.
- Kineclipse® Data Masking: A world-first patented process that automatically masks sensitive data on the used ribbon after each print, ensuring no personal details remain legible. In comparison, Primacy 1’s discarded ribbon panels could still reveal printed information.
- Digital Erasing of Data: In addition to Kineclipse®, the Primacy 2 includes automatic deletion of all sensitive print data from its internal memory once a job is completed. This ensures no personal information remains accessible. Primacy 1 did not delete the data until it was manually overwritten or the printer was powered off. This built-in feature enhances data protection and helps comply with GDPR & other privacy regulations.
- Mechanical Key Lock: An optional mechanical key lock that physically secures the printer’s cover, preventing unauthorised access to consumables such as the ribbon, as well as sensitive modules like encoders, safeguarding them from theft or tampering. This feature is particularly beneficial in public environments, such as universities or event registration areas, where the printer may be exposed.
Together, these new enhancements make the Primacy 2 a significantly more secure solution for issuing ID cards.
Cards are harder to forge thanks to UV printing and protective overlays. The printer itself is safeguarded against tampering with a locking cover, and printed data is protected by memory wiping and ribbon masking.
These features are especially valuable for organisations handling sensitive information or issuing IDs that must not be easily duplicated.
Improved Connectivity and Ease of Use
Evolis has made the Primacy 2 more convenient and accessible for modern workplaces. One key improvement is device compatibility. The Primacy 2 can be used with smartphones and tablets, not just traditional computers! This means you can print cards directly from the Evolis Print Service App (Android & iOS). It is ideal for mobile registration setups or for organisations that want more flexibility in how and where they print cards.
Primacy 2 also includes updated software drivers that support Windows, Mac and Linux systems straight out of the box. Compared to Primacy 1, primarily geared towards Windows, with limited support for other platforms. If your team works on Macs or uses Linux, the Primacy 2 offers a much smoother and more reliable setup & integration.
User-friendliness has also been improved in smaller, helpful ways. The Primacy 2 now offers an optional LCD screen that works alongside LED indicators and sound alerts to display real-time printer status.
If there’s an error or maintenance is required, the screen can show the user a QR code that you can scan with a phone for instant help. This makes it easier for non-technical staff to identify and resolve issues quickly, without needing to consult a manual.
These thoughtful touches help reduce frustration and downtime!
The Primacy 2 can be used with CardPresso ID card design software. Our Evolis Primacy 2 bundle includes the XS edition to help you design and print cards with ease.
Whether you’re creating staff badges or membership cards, the software lets you build layouts with text, photos, barcodes and more. CardPresso supports both MacOS and Windows, enhancing the printer’s usability. With improved compatibility and an intuitive setup, the Primacy 2 is more plug-and-play across devices and requires less technical expertise for daily use.
All-in-One Primacy 2 Bundle for a Quick Start
If you’re thinking about upgrading to the Primacy 2 or purchasing your first ID card printer, it’s worth knowing that ready-made bundle packages are available to help you get started quickly and easily.
At ALG ID Cards, we offer the Primacy 2 GO Pack bundle, which includes everything you need in one box: the Evolis Primacy 2 printer (single-sided), a CardPresso XS design software licence, an Evolis YMCKO ribbon (suitable for 300 full-colour prints), and a pack of 100 blank PVC cards.
This all-in-one package is a convenient option for organisations that want a complete, hassle-free setup. It ensures you have compatible ribbon and cards right from the start, so you can begin printing professional-quality ID cards immediately, without needing to order additional supplies. You can find the bundle right here on our website.
https://www.algidcards.co.uk/product/evolis-primacy-2go-bundle-ss/
Conclusion
In summary, the Evolis Primacy 2 brings a host of improvements over the Primacy 1, making it a compelling choice for businesses and organizations in need of an ID card printer. It’s faster and more efficient, with options like a larger card feeder and rewritable card printing that add flexibility. It offers higher security, through features such as UV printing, data masking (Kineclipse), memory erasing, and a locking mechanism – crucial upgrades for protecting your cards and data in today’s security-conscious environment. It’s also easier to use and integrate, thanks to compatibility with mobile devices and non-Windows operating systems, plus user-friendly touches like on-screen QR code assistance and improved color management.
For those who already own a Primacy 1, the Primacy 2 can be seen as a future-proof upgrade – it addresses many of the pain points (like security gaps or lack of Mac support) that the older model had. And for first-time buyers, the Primacy 2 offers a very complete, up-to-date solution that is likely to serve your ID printing needs for years to come. By understanding these differences and new features, you can make an informed decision and choose the printer that best fits your organization’s requirements. With its robust new features and advantages, Primacy 2 stands out as a worthy investment for reliable, secure, and high-quality ID card printing (Evolis Primacy 2 GO Pack Simplex Bundle (Single-Sided) – ALG ID Cards).
Key Benefits of Evolis Primacy 2 ID Card Printer:
- Prints up to 280 full-colour cards per hour
- Optional 200-card feeder for longer print runs
- Support for rewritable cards
- Double overlay varnish for added durability
- UV security printing for anti-counterfeiting
- Kineclipse® data masking and digital memory erasing
- Optional key lock to protect consumables
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, smartphones and tablets
- LCD display with QR code support for easy troubleshooting
- CardPresso software for flexible card design