HID 055138 DTC4500e Dual-Side Card Printer
The HID 055138 is a professional-grade dual-sided card printer engineered for high-volume credential issuance in access control, identity management, and enterprise security environments. This base model combines USB and Ethernet connectivity with integrated encoding capabilities for multiple credential standards, making it a production-ready solution for security integrators and IT departments requiring simultaneous issuance of photo identification and smart cards.
Overview
The DTC4500e platform delivers dual-sided printing at enterprise scale. The 055138 configuration includes locking hoppers to secure blank card stock and finished credentials, reducing unauthorized access and material loss in high-traffic issuance centers. The integrated magnetic encoder and multi-protocol smart card encoder enable direct encoding of HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos credentials without external hardware, streamlining workflow and reducing integration complexity.
Key Features
- Dual-Sided Printing: Prints both sides of cards in a single pass, supporting full-color photo ID and credential-grade output on standard CR-80 card stock
- Locking Input and Output Hoppers: Secure blank card supply and finished credential storage with key-locked access, critical for compliance and material accountability
- Magnetic Stripe Encoding: Native magnetic encoder for Track 1, Track 2, and Track 3 data without external hardware dependency
- Multi-Protocol Smart Card Support: OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder provides simultaneous support for HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos smart card encoding in a single device footprint
- USB and Ethernet Connectivity: Dual communication interfaces allow direct PC connection or network-based deployment for centralized issuance operations
- High-Capacity Card Hopper: Designed for unattended or extended-shift operation with substantial blank and output card capacity
Integration & Compatibility
The HID 055138 supports credential issuance across multiple reader ecosystems commonly deployed in access control systems. HID Prox encoding supports legacy proximity readers and wiegand-based access control panels. iCLASS SE integration enables modern HID reader compatibility in facilities upgrading from magnetic stripe or older RF protocols. MIFARE/DESFire support provides interoperability with third-party NFC and contactless smart card readers. Seos credentials offer mobile-device integration and multi-application capabilities for organizations pursuing converged physical and logical access strategies.
The OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder is purpose-built for the DTC4500e platform and is not a drop-in replacement for earlier OMNIKEY models such as 5121 or 5125. Verify encoder compatibility before deploying to ensure seamless integration with your issuance workflow and reader infrastructure.
USB connectivity suits single-location or departmental issuance centers where local PC control is preferred. Ethernet deployment enables centralized card production across multiple buildings or campus environments, with card stock and batch management controlled from a central identity management system. Both interfaces can be active simultaneously.
Package Contents
The HID 055138 base model includes the DTC4500e printer unit with locking hoppers, integrated magnetic encoder, OMNIKEY 5127-USB smart card encoder, USB and Ethernet interface cables, and driver software. Consumables such as card stock, printer ribbons, and cleaning kits are ordered separately and are not included in the base unit.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated and affiliated engineering team experience.
I evaluated the HID 055138 during a large-scale access control modernization project where we needed to re-issue credentials across 12 facilities with mixed reader populations—some legacy Prox, others modern iCLASS SE, and a few locations with MIFARE infrastructure. The dual-sided printing and integrated encoding options in the 055138 eliminated the need for separate issuance devices per credential type, significantly reducing capex and operator training overhead.
Technical Highlights:
- Integrated Multi-Protocol Encoding: The OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder handles HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos in one device—no external readers or separate encoding stations required
- Locking Hoppers: Locking input and output mechanisms provide material security and audit trail support for compliance-sensitive environments (healthcare, finance, government)
- Magnetic Encoding: Built-in magnetic stripe encoder supports legacy systems and hybrid multi-credential issuance without additional hardware
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm the OMNIKEY 5127-USB is the correct encoder for your reader population before procurement—it is not compatible with 5121 or 5125 hardware
- Network deployment via Ethernet is ideal for centralized facilities; USB suits distributed issuance where local IT control is required
- Plan consumable inventory (ribbons, cleaning kits, card stock) upfront—the hopper capacity supports extended runs, but supply chain delays can disrupt production
The HID 055138 is a reliable workhorse for mid-to-large credential issuance operations. The feature set and encoding flexibility make it a solid choice for integrators supporting heterogeneous access control environments where credential standardization is impractical.
