Information is printed (92, 96) onto an identification card (90) using an ink jet printer (10). The ink jet printer (10) includes a tray (20) which moves the card (90) in a first direction and a print head (16) which moves relative to the card (90) in a second direction. An ink receiving surface may be deposited onto the card prior to ink jet printing. A magnetic recording head (32) is optionally included in the printer (10) whereby information may be magnetically recorded onto the card (90).