Description
HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer – USB & Ethernet, Non-Locking Hoppers
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 is a professional, high-capacity dual-sided ID card printer with USB and Ethernet connectivity, designed for businesses, universities, healthcare organizations and security departments that need dependable, high-volume badge production. Featuring automatic double-sided direct-to-card printing, a dual-input card hopper and advanced printer security features, the FARGO 55100 delivers professional employee ID cards, student identification, membership cards and access control credentials.
With 200-card input capacity, full-color printing at up to 225 cards per hour, SmartScreen controls and a 3-year manufacturer warranty, the DTC4500e is engineered for efficient ID card issuance. This base configuration includes standard non-locking hoppers and does not include magnetic stripe or smart card encoding.
- Factory-installed automatic dual-sided ID card printing
- Standard non-locking dual-input card hopper
- USB 2.0 and Ethernet connectivity
- 200-card total input capacity and 100-card output capacity
- Full-color and monochrome direct-to-card printing
- SmartScreen graphical printer display
- FARGO Workbench printer maintenance and diagnostics
- 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on printer and printhead
Base model without locking hoppers, integrated encoding or lamination. Ribbons, blank cards, ID card design software and optional accessories are not included unless specifically identified in the product package.
Key Features & Benefits
- Automatic Dual-Sided Printing: Print employee photos, logos and text on the front while adding barcodes, instructions or additional information to the reverse.
- High-Volume ID Production: Up to 225 single-sided full-color YMCKO cards per hour.
- 200-Card Dual-Input Hopper: Accommodates two card types or larger printing batches with fewer interruptions.
- USB & Ethernet Connectivity: Connect locally or integrate the printer into a networked card issuance environment.
- Professional Print Resolution: Standard 300 x 300 dpi and optimized 300 x 600 dpi output.
- SmartScreen Display: Simplifies printer operation, status monitoring and routine maintenance.
- Printer Data Security: AES-256 encryption over secure network connections, password protection and resin scramble capabilities.
- Modular Expandability: Supports compatible optional magnetic stripe, proximity and smart card encoding modules.
- Optional Lamination: Add compatible lamination hardware for greater card durability and security.
- FARGO Workbench: Maintenance, diagnostic and Color Assist color-matching functionality.
- Genuine FARGO Ribbons: Supports high-capacity YMCKO, YMCKOK and monochrome ribbons.
Recommended Applications
- Employee Identification: Corporate employee badges with photo identification and company branding.
- Access Control Programs: Print visual identification onto compatible pre-encoded proximity and smart cards.
- Universities & Schools: Student, faculty and staff identification cards.
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospital employee badges and departmental identification.
- Government Offices: Personnel, contractor and visitor identification cards.
- Membership Organizations: Membership, loyalty and program identification.
- Corporate Security: Centralized or departmental ID issuance using Ethernet connectivity.
- Visitor Management: Temporary badges and reusable cards using supported rewrite technology.
The 55100 offers automatic two-sided printing and high-capacity card handling without the added cost of factory-installed encoding or locking hoppers. It is a practical choice for organizations primarily focused on printing professional ID badges or personalizing compatible pre-encoded credentials.
Professional Dual-Sided ID Card Printing
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 automatically prints on both sides of compatible ID cards, eliminating the need to manually turn cards over. Organizations can create professional credentials with employee photographs and organizational logos on the front, while adding valuable information to the reverse.
Common reverse-side printing applications include employee numbers, identification instructions, expiration information, contact details, barcodes and organizational policies. When used with the appropriate FARGO YMCKOK ribbon, the printer can produce full-color front-side images and resin-black reverse-side text and graphics.
HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | HID Global / FARGO |
| Part Number | 55100 / 055100 |
| Printer Series | DTC4500e |
| Print Technology | Direct-to-card dye-sublimation / resin thermal transfer |
| Printing Configuration | Factory-installed automatic dual-sided printing |
| Resolution | 300 x 300 dpi; up to 300 x 600 dpi optimized |
| Full-Color Printing Speed | Up to 225 single-sided YMCKO cards per hour; dual-sided speed varies |
| Connections | USB 2.0 and Ethernet |
| Input Hopper | 200 cards total, dual input |
| Output Hopper | 100 cards |
| Locking Hoppers | Not included |
| Integrated Encoding | Not included; optional upgrades available |
| Lamination | Optional; not included |
| Card Size | CR80, 3.375 x 2.125 in. (85.6 x 54 mm); compatible CR79 adhesive-backed cards |
| Card Materials | Compatible PVC and composite cards |
| Printer Warranty | 3-year limited manufacturer warranty |
| Printhead Warranty | 3-year limited manufacturer warranty |
Compare HID FARGO DTC4500e Printer Configurations
The DTC4500e printer family offers options for automatic two-sided printing, access control card encoding and locking card hoppers. Compare these popular configurations to select the model that meets your requirements.
| Feature | 55100 | 55106 | 55120 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing | Dual-sided | Dual-sided | Dual-sided |
| Locking Hoppers | No | No | Yes |
| Prox / Smart Card Encoder | Not included | Included | Not included |
| USB / Ethernet | Both | Both | Both |
| Input Capacity | 200 cards | 200 cards | 200 cards |
| Recommended Use | Standard dual-sided ID badges | Badges with electronic encoding | Badges with physical hopper security |
HID FARGO DTC4500e Manufacturer Warranty
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 is covered by a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on the printer and a 3-year limited warranty on the printhead, subject to HID's warranty terms and exclusions.
HID states that product registration is no longer required to receive the full available warranty. Review the Official HID FARGO Warranty and Registration Information.
HID Manufacturer Documentation & Resources
- HID FARGO DTC4500e Manufacturer Document – Official HID documentation and downloadable product information.
- HID FARGO DTC4500e Specifications – Printing, card capacities, optional encoding and manufacturer features.
- HID FARGO DTC4500e Windows Printer Driver – Official manufacturer driver downloads and compatibility information.
- HID FARGO Warranty Information – Current printer and printhead coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FARGO DTC4500e 55100 print on both sides?
Yes. The 55100 comes with factory-installed automatic dual-sided printing, allowing both sides of compatible ID cards to be printed without manual flipping.
Does part number 55100 include locking card hoppers?
No. The 55100 includes standard non-locking dual-input hoppers. For a comparable configuration with locking hoppers, consider FARGO 55120.
Does the 55100 encode HID proximity or smart cards?
No integrated encoder is included. The printer can print visual identification on compatible pre-encoded cards. Electronic encoding requires an appropriate optional encoder and compatible software.
Does this model include magnetic stripe encoding?
No. Magnetic stripe encoding is an optional feature available through other configurations or compatible upgrade hardware.
Which ribbon should I use for double-sided printing?
FARGO 45231 YMCKOK, rated for 600 prints, is a suitable choice for full-color printing on the front and resin-black printing on the reverse. FARGO 45230 YMCKO is another option for single-sided color jobs.
Can the printer connect to an office network?
Yes. The 55100 includes Ethernet connectivity in addition to USB 2.0, supporting networked ID card printing.
Does this printer require special retransfer film?
No. The DTC4500e uses direct-to-card printing with compatible ribbons, unlike the HDP-series retransfer printers that require separate film.
What is the warranty on the FARGO 55100?
HID provides a 3-year limited printer and printhead warranty. Product registration is not required to receive the full available warranty under HID's current policy.
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 dual-sided ID card printer provides the speed, card capacity and versatility needed for everyday professional credential issuance. With factory-installed two-sided printing, USB and Ethernet interfaces, and high-capacity ribbon options, the FARGO 55100 is an excellent choice for employee ID badges, student cards, membership programs and printed access control credentials. ID Enhancements also supplies genuine FARGO ribbons, cleaning supplies and compatible printable cards.
