DataCard SP55 Plus User manual

SP55 Printer Guide
554733-001
August 2004

Information resources for the SP55 Printer
Installation To install the printer:
To install one printer on a PC using a USB cable,
see the Installation Map, packed at the top of the
printer carton.
For detailed installation information or for special
situations (such as network installation), see
e-Guide/SP Series/SP_Info_Central.chm on the
driver CD-ROM.
Message Help If you see a message, click Help on the message
box. Really! Help topics are short and to the point.
Printer Guide The Printer Guide (this document) contains
operating information for the printer and driver.
SPInfoCentral
and e-Guide For in-depth information about using the printer or driver, click the SP Info Central icon on the desktop.
(Insert the CD-ROM and choose User Information
to install SP Series Info Central if the icon is not on
the desktop.)
FAQs
Service and Support FAQs at www.datacard.com provide answers to questions about the SP55 printer.
Dealer For help with questions not addressed by other SP55 information, contact your dealer.
Customer Care Contact the Datacard Customer Care Center at 1.800.328.3996 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.952.988.2316
(worldwide).

539335-001 Rev. C Page iii
Contents
About the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Loading cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Loading print ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Check the PC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Status light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Opening Properties or Printing Preferences . . 13
Open the Printer Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Cleaning the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Printer supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Getting the most out of your printer . . . . . . . 21
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Site requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Legal Notices (FCC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Page 1
About the printer
The outside of the printer
Duplex Module: Optional module at the back of
the printer.
Printer Cover.
Latch: Lift the latch to open the printer cover.
Input Hopper: Open the cover to load blank cards.
Output Hopper: Remove completed cards.
Ready button: Push to pause or resume
the printer.
The status light helps you
understand printer operation.
See “Status light” on page 11 for details.

Page 2
Ports are located on the left side of the printer.
USB Data Port: Connect the data cable to the printer.
ALL printers have this port.
Manual Advance Knob: Use to move a card in the
printer or to turn rollers.
Power Receptacle: Plug in the power supply to power
on the printer.
Cable Guides: Hold the data cable securely.
Security lock receptacle: Connect the optional
security lock to the opening under the ledge of the
printer (not visible in this drawing).
Optional Smart Card USB Port: See “Features and
options” on page 4.
Optional Smart Card Serial Port: See “Features and
options” on page 4.
Tip: Lift the latch to open the printer and see inside.

Page 3
The inside of the printer
Cover Arm: Holds the cover and printhead cartridge in place.
Printhead Cartridge: Applies the image to the card. The label
includes ”YMC” for color or “K” for monochrome printheads.
Print Ribbon Cartridge (shown with color print ribbon).
Printer Label: Includes the serial number and model
information (located on the left side of the printer and not
visible in this drawing).
Cleaning roller (not visible in this drawing): Removes dust
and debris from cards.

Page 4
Features and options
Features and options are identified on the printer label.
• Printers with “U” printing can print one color (monochrome)
only. “C” printing is full-color or monochrome printing.
• All SP55 printers have a USB connection.
• SP55 printers can include a duplex module.
•Amagnetic stripe module can be a three-track (IAT) or
single-track (NTT) module. It is visible inside the printer.
• SP55 Printers can have an 100-card (H1) or 200-card (H2)
Input Hopper. The Input Hopper can have a lock (K1).
• An optional smart card module can have:
• Contact coupler (SC1x0 on the label): Visible inside the
printer. Includes a USB port on the printer.
• Contactless (RF) coupler (SC20x): Includes a serial or
USB port.
• Combination smart card coupler (SC3xx): Contact and
contactless couplers. Visible inside the printer, includes
USB or serial port. See SP Series Info Central for codes.
• Contact station (SC400): Visible inside the printer.
Includes a serial port.

Page 5
Loading cards
1Open the input hopper cover.
2Remove cards from the original package.
Tips: Handling cards
•Do not touch the surface of cards before printing
them. (Oils on hands will reduce printing quality.)
•Handle cards by the edges or wear gloves.
•Orient all cards the same way.
•Cards can stick
together: Slide or
fan cards to
separate the edges.

Page 6
3Place the cards in the input hopper.
The diagram shows the typical locations for the
magnetic stripe and smart card chip.
4Push the input hopper cover closed until it
latches.
See SP Series Info Central for current information
about cards to use in the printer.
Magnetic stripe
Smart card chip

Page 7
Loading print ribbon
1Open the printer.
2Remove the ribbon cartridge.
3Remove both used ribbon spools from the cartridge
(if present).
Tips: Handling print ribbon
•Keep unused ribbon in the original package.
•Don’t place ribbon on a dusty or dirty surface–dirt
could damage the printhead.
4Run a cleaning card and replace the cleaning sleeve
at the same time that you load a new print ribbon.
See “Cleaning the printer” on page 17 for the steps to
follow.