HID 055400 DTC4500e Dual-Side Printing Card Printer with Single-Side Lamination

Overview

The HID 055400 represents the DTC4500e base model configuration, purpose-built for organizations requiring high-volume plastic card issuance with dual-side printing capability and integrated single-side lamination. This dye sublimation and thermal resin printer delivers up to 150 cards per hour in full-color output, supporting both CR-79 (3.303 in × 2.051 in) and CR-80 (3.37 in × 2.13 in) card stock formats. The 055400 ships without locking hoppers, making it suitable for distributed or open-environment deployments where hopper security is managed separately or not required. Connectivity includes both USB and Ethernet interfaces, enabling direct integration into network-based card issuance workflows and batch production environments.

Key Features

• Dual-Side Printing: Full-color dye sublimation printing on front and reverse surfaces in a single pass workflow
• Single-Side Lamination: Integrated lamination capability protects one card surface, extending card lifespan and security features
• Print Speed: Maximum 150 cards per hour in full-color, enabling high-throughput issuance operations
• Card Format Compatibility: Supports CR-79 and CR-80 plastic card stock, the standard dimensions for ID badges, access credentials, and payment cards
• Dye Sublimation & Thermal Resin Technology: Hybrid printing method delivers photographic-quality images with sharp text and barcode reproduction
• Dual Connectivity: USB and Ethernet network interfaces allow direct connection to issuance workstations or integration into centralized card management systems
• Base Model Configuration: Ships without locking input/output hoppers, reducing footprint and cost for deployments without physical hopper security requirements
• Password Security: Device-level password protection prevents unauthorized access to printer settings and card stock management

Integration & Compatibility

The HID 055400 operates across a broad range of operating systems, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 (both 32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008, as well as Apple macOS X 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 (Lion), and 10.8 (Mountain Lion), plus Linux environments. This cross-platform support simplifies integration into existing IT ecosystems without requiring dedicated host system replacements. Ethernet connectivity enables network-based queuing and remote monitoring, while USB provides direct attachment flexibility for workgroup or departmental issuance stations. The printer's standard card dimensions ensure compatibility with industry-standard credential readers, magnetic stripe encoders, and contact/contactless chip writers, making it suitable for multi-credential issuance workflows combining visual ID with smart card or magnetic stripe functionality.

Warranty & Support

The HID 055400 includes a 3-year limited warranty, providing hardware coverage and support during the critical deployment and operational phase. This warranty period aligns with typical card issuance lifecycle planning and allows IT teams to plan for long-term maintenance and potential upgrades.

Ted Perry

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

I've specified the HID 055400 in several distributed issuance environments where high card throughput and straightforward connectivity are the primary requirements. The dual-side printing combined with single-side lamination gives organizations flexibility in credential design—combining photo identification on one side with magnetic stripe or barcode encoding on the reverse without requiring separate pass-through equipment.

Technical Highlights:

• Print Speed & Throughput: At 150 cards per hour, the 055400 handles batch issuance for 500+ user populations in a single shift, critical for large organization onboarding and annual renewal cycles
• Dual Connectivity: USB and Ethernet options allow both direct workstation attachment and network-queued production, supporting both ad-hoc and batch issuance workflows
• Lamination Protection: Single-side lamination on the 055400 extends card life in high-wear environments while keeping material and consumable costs predictable

Deployment Considerations:

• The absence of locking hoppers means input and output card stacks are accessible; ensure physical security controls are in place if the printer operates in unsupervised areas or shared facilities
• Verify your card design leverages both sides efficiently—dual-side printing is powerful, but design review with your credential management team prevents waste and rework
• Network deployments benefit from static IP assignment and subnet segmentation, keeping card issuance traffic isolated from general user traffic

The 055400 remains a reliable choice for organizations with straightforward issuance requirements and established card management processes. The 3-year warranty and broad OS support reduce integration risk and extend your planning horizon.