HID 55100 Dual-Sided Card Printer
Overview
The HID 55100 is a base-model card printer built for on-demand credential issuance in access control, security, and facility identification workflows. Dual-sided printing in a single pass eliminates the need to run cards twice, cutting production time and labor overhead. Connectivity via both USB and Ethernet means you can deploy the 55100 as either a direct workstation printer or as a networked resource serving multiple issuance points across facilities—critical flexibility if you're scaling badge production from one department to many.
Key Features
- Dual-Sided Printing in One Pass: Prints both sides of CR-80 cards simultaneously rather than requiring two separate runs. For a facility churning out visitor badges or rotating employee credentials, this cuts your per-card production time roughly in half compared to single-sided printers.
- 150 Cards Per Hour Maximum Throughput: Sufficient for routine credential issuance. If you're onboarding 50 new employees in a day or managing visitor badge turnover across a large campus, 150/hour handles typical workloads without bottlenecking your issuance process.
- USB and Ethernet Connectivity: USB connects directly to an issuance workstation; Ethernet lets you position the printer as a shared networked device. Useful for multi-site deployments where centralized management reduces configuration overhead and card design inconsistency across locations.
- Full-Color Dye-Sublimation Engine: Supports color badge design and branding. If you need photo IDs, color-coded department badges, or branded layouts, this engine delivers that capability in the base model—no premium upgrade required.
- Standard CR-80 Format Support: Prints on credit-card-sized stock (3.37 in × 2.13 in), which integrates directly with standard ID card readers, magnetic stripe encoders, and contact/contactless chipcard systems in existing access control architectures.
- Non-Locking Input/Output Hoppers: Cards are loaded and unloaded without physical locks. In secure environments, this simplifies workflow; procedural access control (restricted operator permissions, audit logging) replaces hardware lockdown. Reduces mechanical complexity and maintenance burden.
- Three-Year Manufacturer Warranty: Covers hardware defects and mechanical wear. Meaningful during the critical first three years of deployment—reduces unplanned downtime costs and provides recourse if the printer fails.
- Standard Ribbon and Supply Compatibility: Accepts industry-standard dye-sublimation and thermal transfer ribbons. Supplies are widely available and typically lower-cost than proprietary alternatives, keeping ongoing material expenses predictable.
Integration & Compatibility
The 55100 integrates into existing access control and identity management ecosystems via standard printer drivers. Ethernet deployment works with credential management platforms (including HID issuance software) and third-party identity platforms that support SNMP or web-based printer management. USB mode is straightforward—plug into any Windows or Linux issuance workstation running compatible badge design software. CR-80 card compatibility means the printer pairs seamlessly with magnetic stripe, contact smartcard, or contactless RFID encoding modules, provided those are deployed separately. Multi-site deployments benefit from centralized card design and audit logging across networked instances of the 55100.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need locking hoppers (secure badge storage to prevent unauthorized card removal), or if card throughput demands exceed 150/hour sustained, evaluate higher-volume or security-enhanced variants within the HID card printer family. If your workflow requires single-sided printing only, a single-sided base model may reduce acquisition cost, though evidence for alternative variants is not available in current sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What warranty does the HID 55100 include?
A: Three-year manufacturer warranty covering hardware defects and mechanical issues from the date of purchase.
Q: Can the 55100 print on both sides of a card in one pass?
A: Yes. Dual-sided printing is performed in a single pass, eliminating the need to flip and re-feed cards.
Q: Does the 55100 support magnetic stripe, contact, or contactless encoding?
A: The printer itself handles printing only. Magnetic stripe and contact/contactless encoding require separate encoding modules paired with the printer, but the CR-80 card format is compatible with standard encoders used in access control systems.
Q: Can the 55100 be used as a networked printer across multiple locations?
A: Yes. Ethernet connectivity allows the printer to be deployed as a networked resource. Centralized card design and production management is possible via credential management software that supports networked printer control.
Q: What card format does the 55100 support?
A: Standard CR-80 format (3.37 in × 2.13 in), compatible with most ID card readers and access control systems.
Q: Is the 55100 a base model, or does it include premium features?
A: The 55100 is a streamlined base model optimized for standard credential applications. It includes dual-sided printing and full-color capability, but does not include advanced security features or locking hoppers found in premium variants.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The HID 55100 is the workhorse base model for facilities that need dependable, cost-effective credential issuance without premium complexity. At 150 cards per hour with dual-sided capability in a single pass, the 55100 delivers practical throughput for access control operations scaling from single-site to multi-facility environments. The combination of USB direct-connect and Ethernet networked modes gives you deployment flexibility—USB for a dedicated issuance workstation, Ethernet for centralized management across departments or locations.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual-Sided Single-Pass Printing: Eliminates the mechanical complexity and time overhead of flipping and re-feeding cards. In practice, this cuts per-card production time by roughly 50% versus single-sided printers, a meaningful gain if you're managing badge turnover across hundreds of employees or visitors.
- 150 Cards/Hour Throughput: Sufficient for routine issuance workflows. A typical facility issuing 30–50 new badges per day stays well within this throughput window, reducing queueing and issuance delays.
- Full-Color Dye-Sublimation Engine: Photo IDs and color-coded department badges ship in the base model—no premium add-on. If your compliance or branding requirements demand color, you get it without additional hardware investment.
- Dual Connectivity (USB + Ethernet): USB mode pairs with a single issuance workstation; Ethernet positions the 55100 as a networked resource. This flexibility matters in growing organizations where issuance may start centralized but expand to branch locations later.
Deployment Considerations:
- Non-locking hoppers simplify card loading but shift physical security responsibility to procedural access control (operator permissions, audit logging). In uncontrolled areas, upgrade to a model with locking hoppers if card stock pilferage is a risk.
- The 55100 is a print-only engine. Magnetic stripe, contact, or contactless encoding requires separate encoder modules. Budget for those as line-item purchases if your access control workflow requires encoded cards.
- Three-year warranty covers hardware; supplies (ribbon, card stock) are consumables. Factor ribbon and card costs into your per-card issuance budget—dye-sublimation consumables are generally mid-range in cost compared to premium transfer systems.
Deploy the 55100 in enterprise access control operations, facility management badge programs, and visitor issuance workflows where throughput is predictable and dual-sided color credentials meet your compliance and branding requirements. It is cost-effective for organizations scaling from single-site to multi-location credential issuance without premium security or throughput demands.
