Fargo DTC550 User manual

DTC550 Direct-to-Card Printer/Encoder
ACCESS versatility.

DTC550 Direct-to-Card Printer/Encoder
Think of it as the workhorse of card
printers.
Most organizations today need a secure way
to create ID cards. They also need an easy
way to distribute them, and the flexibility to
accommodate changes and growth. They need
the Fargo DTC550.
The Fargo DTC550 Direct-to-Card Printer/
Encoder is exceptionally hardworking. Its heavy-
duty construction makes it the right choice
for high-volume card printing and encoding,
allowing you to quickly print a variety of cards
for multiple applications. You can even add
an extra layer of durability with the optional
Lamination Module, and extra security to
your cards with holographic Visual Security
Solutions™. The DTC550 is versatile, able
to deliver the level of personalization and
functionality your organization demands. And
it’s surprisingly simple to use, with easy set up
and intuitive operation, including a user-friendly
SmartScreen™ to monitor print status.
Flexible design protects your
organization – and your investment.
Change is a constant in organizations, and
the DTC550 gives you tremendous flexibility
whenever you need to reconfigure your
ID card issuance system. The DTC550 is
one of the most versatile ID card printers
available, handling a wide range of secure
ID card applications; from on-demand
photo IDs, to high-volume customer loyalty
cards, to sophisticated access cards with
embedded electronics.
The DTC550 produces
high-quality ID cards using
two different Direct-to-
Card (DTC®) printing
methods: dye-sublimation
for vivid colors and
accurate photographic
images, and resin
thermal transfer for
sharp black text and bar
codes that can be easily read by infrared or
visible light scanners.
You can order the DTC550 with either a single-
sided or dual-sided print engine. With a variety
of options, the DTC550 can save you time by
printing, read/writing and laminating up to three
different e-card technologies — plus magnetic
stripe — all in a single pass. And that includes
The right choice for easy printing, encoding and
laminating ID cards across your organization.
Versatility starts here. A basic DTC550 uses Fargo’s Direct-
to-Card technology to print full-color, single- and dual-sided
cards. Match specific needs with connectivity, lamination and
e-card encoding options.
Physical Security:
The DTC550 produces access
control cards for protecting
facilities and secured areas like
labs and server rooms.

encoding smart cards and reading proximity
cards. However your card issuance needs
change, the DTC550 can adapt.
Everywhere you need it.
The Fargo DTC550 is an ideal solution for
issuing cards at multiple locations. With an
Ethernet port and internal print server, you can
install a DTC550 anywhere on a LAN. That
gives greater freedom when you’re planning
widespread or high-volume card issuance for
applications such as employee access cards,
government and student IDs, customer loyalty
and membership cards.
Protecting against counterfeiters and
physical damage.
Want to protect
ID badges from
alteration,
counterfeiting and
everyday wear?
Add the optional
Card Lamination
Module to the
DTC550, either factory-installed or as a field
upgrade. Fargo Holographic Overlaminates
give your cards a higher level of security
protection and also add a layer of physical
protection. They provide durability against swipe
abrasion, prevent dye-migration (onto plastic
card pouches, for example), and shield against
image-fading UV light. If your application
requires secure cards that resist forgery and
tampering, or if your cards are subject to
extra physical wear, consider the optional
Card Lamination Module.
Easily integrates into your infrastructure.
A key feature of the DTC550 is that it plays
well with everything else on your network.
The DTC550 connects to your Windows®-
based PC through its USB port. It can also
be added to your network as easily as any
workgroup printer. And its print driver provides
bi-directional status information, so you can
monitor and manage the DTC550 just as you
would any other networked printer.
The DTC550 is fully compatible with most
ID card issuance software including Fargo
Asure ID® Photo ID software. Plus, Fargo can
provide a software development kit that will
help you integrate the DTC550 into other
applications such as security systems and
Human Resources databases.
Tougher, more secure cards.
Overlaminates add durability and higher-
level visual security features.
Networked, yet secure. The DTC550 resides
on a LAN just like any other workgroup printer.
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4
3
2
Lamination option adds an extra layer of
security and durability to extend card life.
Incomplete or improperly encoded cards
land in the Reject Card Hopper.
Dual Card Hopper allows printing on
two different card stocks.
5Encoding options handle magnetic stripe, prox,
contactless and smart cards.
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4
3
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Ethernet port and internal print server
enable secure network printing.
SmartScreen™LCD Control Panel displays
helpful status messages and prompts.
DTC550
DIRECT-TO-CARD PRINTER/ENCODER
1

hidglobal.com/fargo
© 2008 HID Global. All rights reserved. HID,
the HID logo, Fargo and the Fargo logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HID
Global in the U.S. and/or other countries. All
other trademarks, service marks, and product
or service names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
SL1413-Rev08A
ACCESS experience.
DTC550 Direct-to-Card Printer/Encoder
Learn more about the Fargo DTC550 Direct-
to-Card Printer/Encoder by contacting an
authorized Fargo integrator. To find a Fargo
integrator near you, visit www.fargo.com
Specifications Overview
(complete DTC550 specs available at www.fargo.com/dtc550-specs)
Print Method: Dye-Sublimation / Resin Thermal Transfer
Resolution: 300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm)
Colors: Up to 16.7 million / 256 shades per pixel
Print Speed:** Batch Mode:
• 7 seconds per card / 514 cards per hour (K)*
• 12 seconds per card / 300 cards per hour (KO)*
• 27 seconds per card / 144 cards per hour (YMCKO)*
• 36 seconds per card / 109 cards per hour (YMCKOK)*
• 34 seconds per card / 102 cards per hour (YMCKK/lamination)*
Print Applications: Single- and dual-sided printing for text, logos, bar codes, signatures and photos in full-color
Accepted Card Thickness: Print only: .020˝(20 mil) to .050˝(50 mil) / .508mm to 1.27mm (single-sided printing only for 50 mil
cards)
Print/Lamination: .030˝ (30 mil) to .040˝(40 mil) / .762mm to 1.02mm
Input Hopper Card Capacity: Dual hoppers, 100 cards each (.030˝ / .762mm)
Output Hopper Card Capacity: 100 cards (.030˝ / .762mm)
Software Drivers: Windows®2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista
Print Area: CR-80 edge-to-edge (3.36˝L x 2.11˝W / 85.3mmL x 53.5mmW)
CR-79 (3.30˝L x 2.04˝W / 83.9mmL x 51.8mmW)
Warranty: • Printer: Two years including one year of free printer loaner support (U.S. only); optional Extended
Warranty Program (U.S. only)
• Printhead: Two years, unlimited pass with UltraCard™ Cards
Additional Options: • Card Lamination Module • Card hopper lock
• Printer cleaning kit • Magnetic stripe encoding
• Ethernet with internal print server • E-card encoding
• Dual-sided printing
* Indicates the ribbon type and the number of ribbon panels printed where Y=Yellow, M=Magenta, C=Cyan, K=Resin Black, O=Overlay
** Print speed indicates an approximate print speed and is measured from the time a card drops into the output hopper to the time
the next card drops into the output hopper. Print speeds do not include encoding time or the time needed for the PC to process the
image. Process time is dependent on the size of the file, the CPU, amount of RAM and the amount of available resources at the time of
the print.
A hardworking printer for every need.
Only one card printer is able to deliver the functionality and
versatility your organization demands. From great-looking photo ID
cards to high-volume card printing and encoding applications, the
DTC550 is the right choice.
Your total ID card solution
A Fargo Card Printer/Encoder is just one
component of a complete card identity system.
HID Global oers ID card software, materials,
cameras and ID accessories, plus industry-leading
access control technology — everything you need
for a total solution from one trusted source.
Software
Fargo printer/encoders are designed to work with
Asure ID®applications and all other leading card
creation and issuance management software. Fargo
printer/encoders also comes with Workbench™,
a software toolkit for set up, printer security,
diagnostics and firmware upgrades.
Materials
Fargo ribbons, films and other materials not
only ensure long-lasting, great-looking cards,
they add features that increase durability and
resist counterfeiting. That means fewer card
replacements and lower cost per card.
Cameras and Accessories
HID oers a selection of digital cameras, photo
lighting equipment and backgrounds, plus card
accessories such
as card holders,
lanyards and clips.
Card Issuance
Center of Excellence
6533 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
U.S.A.
Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Haverhill Business Park
Phoenix Road
Haverhill, Suolk
CB9 7AE
England
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Asia Pacific
19/F 625 King’s Road
North Point
Island East
Hong Kong
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Corporate
North America
15370 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92618
U.S.A.
Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Latin America
Circunvalacion Ote. #201 B
Despacho 2
Col. Jardines del Moral
Leon 37160, Gto.
Mexico
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]