Description
HID FARGO DTC1500 51400 Single-Sided ID Card Printer with USB & Ethernet
The HID FARGO DTC1500 51400 is a professional single-sided ID card printer with USB, Ethernet and an internal print server, designed for businesses, schools, hospitals and organizations requiring secure, high-quality credential production. Featuring direct-to-card printing, high-capacity ribbons, customizable watermark protection and advanced printer security, the DTC1500 delivers dependable performance for everyday employee identification and access control card printing.
With full-color printing at up to 225 cards per hour, 100-card input capacity, network connectivity and a 3-year manufacturer warranty, the FARGO DTC1500 is an excellent solution for professional photo ID badges, student identification cards, visitor credentials and compatible printable proximity or smart cards.
- Single-sided direct-to-card color printing
- USB and Ethernet connectivity with internal print server
- 100-card input hopper and up to 100-card output capacity
- 300 x 300 dpi printing; up to 300 x 600 dpi optimized
- Custom watermark overlay capability
- AES-256 encryption, resin scramble and password protection
- FARGO Workbench printer diagnostics and Color Assist
- 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on printer and printhead
Single-sided base printer configuration. Automatic dual-sided printing, lamination and electronic credential encoding are optional and are not included in part number 51400. Ribbons, cards and card design software are not represented as included unless specifically identified in the purchased package.
Key Features & Benefits
- Professional Full-Color Printing: Produce sharp photo IDs, employee names, company logos, text and barcodes.
- Fast Card Production: Up to 225 full-color YMCKO cards per hour, approximately 16 seconds per card.
- USB & Ethernet: Connect directly to a computer or use the built-in print server for networked printing.
- 100-Card Input Hopper: Supports efficient production of employee badges and identification cards.
- Custom Watermark Security: Incorporate a company logo, text or symbol into the ribbon overlay for added visual authentication.
- AES-256 Encryption: Helps protect sensitive cardholder information during compatible printing workflows.
- Resin Scramble Protection: Provides additional protection for sensitive ribbon data.
- Password-Protected Operation: Helps restrict unauthorized printer access.
- High-Capacity Ribbons: Compatible color ribbons provide up to 700 full-color prints per roll, with higher-yield half-panel options.
- Expandable Platform: Optional dual-sided printing, encoding and single-sided lamination modules.
- FARGO Workbench: Printer maintenance, diagnostics and Color Assist spot-color matching.
Applications & Industries
- Corporate Identification: Employee photo ID badges and contractor credentials.
- Access Control: Visual identification on compatible printable, pre-encoded proximity and smart cards.
- Schools & Universities: Student, faculty and staff identification.
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospital personnel and departmental ID badges.
- Government Offices: Employee and visitor identification programs.
- Membership Organizations: Membership, loyalty and association cards.
- Visitor Management: Temporary identification and guest badges.
- Multi-Department Businesses: Centralized card printing with Ethernet connectivity.
The DTC1500 combines cost-effective direct-to-card printing with enhanced credential security. Its custom watermark overlay, advanced data protection and field-upgradeable design make it particularly attractive to organizations planning for future expansion.
Custom Watermark Security for ID Cards
One of the distinguishing features of the HID FARGO DTC1500 is its custom watermark capability. Organizations can incorporate a company logo, text or symbol into the ribbon's clear overlay panel, adding an identifiable visual security feature to finished ID cards.
This watermark helps distinguish authorized credentials from unauthorized reproductions without requiring a separate holographic laminate. It is especially useful for employee badges, corporate identification, visitor credentials and organizational membership cards.
USB & Ethernet Network ID Card Printing
The DTC1500 51400 includes both USB connectivity and an internal Ethernet print server. Organizations can connect the printer directly to an individual workstation or configure it within a compatible network environment for authorized shared printing.
Network availability, user permissions and cardholder data access depend on the organization's printing software, IT infrastructure and security policies.
HID FARGO DTC1500 51400 Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | HID Global / FARGO |
| Part Number | 51400 / 051400 |
| Printer Model | DTC1500 |
| Printing Technology | Direct-to-card dye-sublimation and resin thermal transfer |
| Printing Configuration | Single-sided base model |
| Print Resolution | 300 x 300 dpi; up to 300 x 600 dpi optimized |
| Color Printing Speed | Approximately 16 seconds per card; up to 225 YMCKO cards/hour |
| Connectivity | USB and Ethernet, internal print server |
| Input Hopper | 100 cards |
| Output Capacity | Up to 100 cards |
| Card Size | CR80, 3.375 x 2.125 inches (85.6 x 54 mm); compatible CR79 adhesive-backed cards |
| Card Materials | Compatible PVC and composite cards |
| Encoding | Optional magnetic stripe, contact and contactless smart card encoding |
| Lamination | Optional single-sided lamination module |
| Security | AES-256 encryption, custom watermark, resin scramble and password protection |
| Printer Warranty | 3-year limited manufacturer warranty |
| Printhead Warranty | 3-year limited manufacturer warranty |
Compare HID FARGO ID Card Printers
Compare the DTC1500 with other popular FARGO direct-to-card printer families to identify the right combination of security, capacity and expansion options.
| Feature | DTC1250e | DTC1500 51400 | DTC4500e |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Method | Direct-to-card | Direct-to-card | Direct-to-card |
| Standard Printing | Single-sided | Single-sided | Varies by configuration |
| Input Capacity | 100 cards | 100 cards | 200 cards |
| Custom Watermark | Not a standard feature | Supported | Not a standard feature |
| Encoding Upgrades | Available | Available | Available |
| Printer Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Best Application | Everyday ID printing | Secure ID printing with watermark | Higher-volume card issuance |
Comparison reflects general printer-family capabilities. Installed options vary by manufacturer part number.
Expandable Printing & Encoding Options
As identification requirements evolve, the FARGO DTC1500 modular platform supports compatible field-installed upgrades, including automatic dual-sided printing, single-sided lamination and selected electronic card encoders.
Optional magnetic stripe, contact and contactless smart card encoding can help expand card issuance capabilities. These features are not included with the 51400 base model and require appropriate hardware, software and credential compatibility.
HID FARGO DTC1500 Manufacturer Warranty
The HID FARGO DTC1500 is backed by a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on the printer and a 3-year limited warranty on the printhead, subject to HID's warranty conditions and exclusions.
HID states that printer registration is no longer required to obtain full available warranty coverage. Review the Official HID Secure Issuance Warranty Policy.
Official HID FARGO DTC1500 Documents & Resources
- HID FARGO DTC1500 Printer Literature & PDF Download – Official manufacturer product specifications, features and technical information.
- HID FARGO DTC1500 Consumables PDF Download – Genuine printer ribbons, yields and compatible supplies.
- HID FARGO DTC1500 Official Product Page – Manufacturer specifications, drivers and support resources.
- HID Manufacturer Warranty Policy – Printer and printhead warranty coverage and exclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DTC1500 51400 include Ethernet connectivity?
Yes. The 51400 configuration includes USB, Ethernet and an internal print server for local or compatible networked ID card printing.
Does this model print on both sides of an ID card?
No. The 51400 base model is single-sided. Automatic dual-sided printing is available through a compatible upgrade or separate printer configuration.
What ribbon does the FARGO DTC1500 use?
For standard single-sided full-color photo IDs, HID FARGO 45630 YMCKO is a popular option, rated for 700 prints. Half-panel ribbons and monochrome black ribbons are also available for suitable applications.
Does the DTC1500 support custom security watermarks?
Yes. Compatible printing workflows allow logos, text or symbols to be incorporated into the card overlay as an added visual security feature.
Can it print proximity and smart cards?
Yes. It can print on compatible printable, pre-encoded proximity and smart cards. Electronic encoding requires a separate compatible encoder configuration.
Does it require separate retransfer film?
No. The DTC1500 is a direct-to-card printer that uses compatible FARGO ribbons rather than separate HDP retransfer film.
What warranty does the DTC1500 include?
HID provides a 3-year limited printer warranty and a 3-year limited printhead warranty, subject to manufacturer terms.
The HID FARGO DTC1500 51400 single-sided ID card printer offers a dependable combination of high-quality card printing, built-in network connectivity, advanced credential security and expandable functionality. Whether issuing employee ID badges, campus identification or professional membership credentials, ID Enhancements supplies genuine FARGO printer ribbons, cleaning kits, printable cards and accessories to support your identification program.
