HID 055518 DTC4500e Dual-Side Printing with Dual-Si

HID 055518 DTC4500e Dual-Side Card Printer with Encoder

Overview

The HID 055518 DTC4500e is a production-grade card printer engineered for organizations requiring dual-side printing and lamination in a single device. This base model combines high-volume credential issuance with integrated encoding capabilities for magnetic stripe, proximity (Prox), iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos smart card technologies. The 055518 configuration includes USB and Ethernet connectivity, making it suitable for both networked badge offices and standalone issuance stations without the complexity of locking hopper management.

Key Features

• Dual-Side Printing & Lamination: Prints and laminates both card faces in a single pass, eliminating multi-step workflows and reducing handling time.
• Magnetic Stripe Encoding: Integrated magnetic encoder for legacy and hybrid credential systems requiring track data.
• Multi-Technology Smart Card Support: Native encoding for HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos Seos smart card formats without external readers.
• OMNIKEY 5127-USB Contact & Contactless Interface: Supports iCLASS SE, MIFARE, DESFire, and Seos encoding via USB connection. Note: Not compatible with OMNIKEY 5121 or 5125 readers.
• USB and Ethernet Connectivity: Dual network options enable integration into badge office networks or direct connection to issuance workstations.
• Base Model Configuration: Supplied without locking hoppers, reducing footprint and cost for deployments that do not require hopper-level access control.
• Production-Ready Specifications: Engineered for sustained high-volume issuance with lamination durability for credential longevity.

Integration & Compatibility

The HID 055518 integrates with HID issuance software platforms and supports standard card stock formats. The included OMNIKEY 5127-USB reader handles contact and contactless smart card encoding for iCLASS SE, MIFARE, and DESFire credentials. Magnetic encoding is built into the printer, eliminating the need for external magnetic writers. Organizations deploying hybrid credential systems combining magnetic stripe, proximity, and smart card technologies will benefit from the unified encoding architecture.

Integration into existing badge management systems requires compatibility with HID software drivers and credential databases. The dual connectivity (USB and Ethernet) accommodates both centralized and distributed issuance models. The absence of locking hoppers simplifies setup for single-location or low-security-environment deployments.

Package Contents

The HID 055518 includes the DTC4500e printer, magnetic encoder module, OMNIKEY 5127-USB smart card reader, USB and Ethernet interface cables, and lamination supplies sufficient for initial operation. Hopper assemblies and additional encoding modules are available as optional accessories.

Ted Perry

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

As a systems engineer who has spec'd the HID 055518 for multi-location badge issuance deployments, I recognize this printer as a solid choice for organizations that need to consolidate credential encoding into a single device. The combination of dual-side printing, magnetic stripe, and multi-technology smart card encoding in the base model 055518 eliminates the need for separate encoding stations, which directly reduces operational complexity and issuance cycle time.

Technical Highlights:

• Unified Encoding Architecture: Magnetic, Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE, DESFire, and Seos encoding in one platform eliminates credential rework and multi-device bottlenecks.
• OMNIKEY 5127-USB Specificity: The included reader supports iCLASS SE and MIFARE standards without drop-in compatibility to older 5121/5125 models, so migration planning is necessary if replacing legacy equipment.
• Dual Connectivity: USB and Ethernet options provide flexibility for badge office networks or standalone workstations without requiring additional interface hardware.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm HID issuance software version compatibility before purchase; not all legacy badge management platforms support the full encoding feature set.
• The base model ships without locking hoppers, which reduces setup time but requires that card stock access be managed through facility security or software controls.
• Test magnetic encoding performance with your specific card stock supplier to ensure track data reliability in live credential systems.

If your organization is consolidating badge offices or upgrading from multi-device issuance to unified encoding, the 055518 delivers the throughput and technology breadth to justify the investment. Ensure your credential database and software platform are current before implementation.