Description
HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 Dual-Sided ID Card Printer – USB & Ethernet
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 is a professional, high-capacity dual-sided ID card printer designed for businesses, schools, universities, healthcare facilities and security departments requiring dependable employee badge and credential printing. Featuring automatic two-sided direct-to-card printing, USB and Ethernet connectivity, and a 200-card dual-input hopper, the FARGO 55100 combines speed, versatility and reliable performance.
This base-model DTC4500e includes standard non-locking card hoppers and is ideal for organizations that need full-color photo IDs, printed access control cards, membership credentials and student identification without purchasing additional factory-installed encoding or locking-hopper options.
- Automatic dual-sided direct-to-card printing
- Standard non-locking dual-input card hoppers
- USB 2.0 and Ethernet network connectivity
- 200-card total input and 100-card output capacity
- Full-color and resin-black card printing
- SmartScreen graphical printer display
- FARGO Workbench diagnostics and Color Assist
- 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on printer and printhead
Base printer does not include magnetic stripe encoding, smart card encoding, locking hoppers or lamination. Ribbons, blank cards and card design software are not represented as included unless specifically listed in the purchased package.
Key Features & Benefits
- Automatic Dual-Sided Printing: Print both sides of an ID card without manual flipping.
- High-Volume Production: Up to 225 single-sided YMCKO full-color cards per hour.
- Dual-Input Hopper: Holds up to 200 cards total, supporting different card stocks or larger print jobs.
- USB & Ethernet: Connect to a workstation or compatible networked printing environment.
- Professional Image Quality: Up to 300 x 600 dpi optimized printing for photos, text and graphics.
- SmartScreen Display: Provides printer status and user-friendly operational prompts.
- Printer Security: Supports AES-256 encryption over secure networks, password protection and resin scramble features.
- Expandable Platform: Compatible optional magnetic stripe, contact and contactless smart card encoding configurations.
- Optional Lamination: Supports compatible single- or dual-sided lamination modules.
- High-Capacity Supplies: Genuine FARGO YMCKO, YMCKOK and monochrome ribbons help minimize interruptions.
Applications & Industries
- Corporate Identification: Employee badges, contractor IDs and visitor credentials.
- Access Control: Print visual identification on compatible pre-encoded proximity and smart cards.
- Education: Student, faculty and staff photo identification.
- Healthcare: Hospital personnel badges and departmental identification.
- Government: Employee and authorized contractor identification.
- Membership Organizations: Membership, loyalty and association cards.
- Security Departments: Centralized badge issuance and replacement credentials.
- Multi-Location Businesses: Consistent ID card layouts and network-connected printing.
The 55100 provides automatic dual-sided ID card printing without the expense of factory-installed credential encoding or locking hoppers. It is an excellent choice for professional badge programs using conventional printable cards or compatible pre-encoded access credentials.
Professional Two-Sided Employee & Access Control Badges
The DTC4500e 55100 automatically prints on both sides of standard CR80 identification cards. The front can display employee photographs, organizational logos, names and identification numbers, while the reverse can hold barcodes, instructions, emergency information or additional identifying details.
With a compatible FARGO 45231 YMCKOK ribbon, the printer supports full-color front-side printing with resin-black reverse-side information. Organizations printing only the front of their cards can also use compatible YMCKO ribbons.
For access control applications, the printer can print onto compatible printable proximity and smart cards already electronically programmed for the customer's system. The base 55100 does not encode credentials electronically.
HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 Specifications
| Manufacturer | HID Global / FARGO |
| Part Number | 55100 / 055100 |
| Series | DTC4500e |
| Technology | Direct-to-card dye-sublimation / resin thermal transfer |
| Printing | Automatic dual-sided |
| Resolution | 300 x 300 dpi; up to 300 x 600 dpi optimized |
| Print Speed | Up to 225 single-sided YMCKO cards/hour; dual-sided speed varies |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 and Ethernet |
| Input Capacity | 200 cards, dual-input hopper |
| Output Capacity | 100 cards |
| Locking Hoppers | Not included |
| Electronic Encoding | Not included; optional configurations available |
| Lamination | Optional; not included |
| Card Size | CR80, 3.375 x 2.125 in. (85.6 x 54 mm); select CR79 adhesive cards |
| Card Material | Compatible PVC and composite cards |
| Printer Warranty | 3-year limited HID manufacturer warranty |
| Printhead Warranty | 3-year limited HID manufacturer warranty |
Compare FARGO DTC4500e Printer Models
Different DTC4500e configurations are available for organizations requiring electronic credential encoding or additional physical card security.
| Feature | 55100 | 55106 | 55120 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual-Sided Printing | Included | Included | Included |
| Locking Hoppers | No | No | Yes |
| Prox / Smart Card Encoder | No | Included | No |
| USB / Ethernet | Both | Both | Both |
| Card Input | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Best Application | Standard two-sided badges | Printing with encoding | Secure card storage |
HID FARGO 3-Year Printer & Printhead Warranty
The DTC4500e 55100 includes a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty on the printer and printhead, subject to HID's published warranty terms. HID states that printer registration is no longer required to obtain the full available coverage.
Official HID FARGO Documents & Downloads
Access original manufacturer information without embedded PDF viewers or third-party document services.
- FARGO DTC4500e Card Printer – Manufacturer PDF Download – Official printer documentation and product information.
- DTC4500e Consumables Specifications – Manufacturer PDF Download – Printer ribbons, card supplies and maintenance consumables.
- HID DTC4500e Technical Specifications – Official printer features, performance and available configurations.
- HID DTC4500e Windows Printer Driver – Manufacturer printer driver and installation information.
- HID Manufacturer Warranty Information – Printer and printhead warranty confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the FARGO 55100 print on both sides automatically?
Yes. Automatic dual-sided printing is factory-installed in this configuration.
Does the 55100 include locking card hoppers?
No. This base model includes standard non-locking dual-input hoppers. The 55120 offers a dual-sided configuration with locking hoppers.
Does this printer encode proximity or smart cards?
No encoder is included. It can print onto compatible pre-encoded cards, but electronic encoding requires additional compatible hardware and software.
Which ribbon is recommended for front-and-back ID card printing?
FARGO 45231 YMCKOK provides full-color front printing and black resin printing on the reverse, with a rated yield of 600 prints.
How many cards can the printer hold?
The dual-input hopper holds 200 cards total, with a 100-card output hopper.
Does the DTC4500e require separate retransfer film?
No. The DTC4500e uses direct-to-card printing with compatible ribbon supplies and does not require HDP retransfer film.
What warranty does HID provide?
Three years of limited coverage on the printer and printhead, subject to manufacturer warranty terms.
The HID FARGO DTC4500e 55100 dual-sided ID badge printer provides reliable, professional printing for employee IDs, student credentials, membership cards and compatible access control badges. ID Enhancements also offers genuine FARGO ribbons, cleaning products and printable CR80 cards to support your ID card issuance program.
