Description
Product Overview
Retransfer printing solves two problems that direct-to-card printers cannot. The HDP5000e prints the image onto a clear film first, then bonds that film to the card under heat and pressure. Because the film is flexible and the printhead never touches the card, the result is a genuinely edge-to-edge card with no unprinted margin.
The second problem is smart cards. An embedded chip raises the card surface slightly, and a direct-to-card printhead skips over that bump leaving a visible flaw. Retransfer film conforms to the uneven surface, so contactless and contact chip cards print cleanly. For any organisation issuing access-control or payment credentials, this is the deciding factor.
The HDP5000e also accepts card materials that direct-to-card printers cannot handle – ABS, PET, PETG, polycarbonate and composite stock – which matters for long-life credentials and cards that must meet specific durability standards.
Print speed is slower than direct-to-card by design: 27 seconds for a full-colour YMCK card, about 133 per hour, because of the two-stage process. The 200-card output hopper offsets this for batch work. Consider the warranty in the total cost: four years on the printer and a lifetime printhead warranty, where direct-to-card printheads are treated as consumables.
Specifications
| Print sides | Single-sided (dual-sided model available) |
|---|---|
| Print speed | YMC 20 s/card (178/hr) · YMCK 27 s/card (133/hr), batch mode |
| Print method | HDP retransfer – dye sublimation / resin thermal transfer |
| Resolution | 300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm) |
| Print area | Over-the-edge on CR-80 |
| Card size | CR-80 (85.7 × 54 mm) |
| Card thickness | 30-50 mil |
| Card materials | ABS, laminated PVC, PET, PETG, proximity, smart and magnetic stripe cards |
| Input hopper | 100 cards (30 mil); upgrades available |
| Output hopper | 200 cards (30 mil) |
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 high speed; Ethernet with internal print server |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM |
| Display | Graphical OLED |
| Encoding options | Magnetic stripe; OMNIKEY contactless; contact smart card (field upgradable) |
| Lamination | Optional single or dual-side modules; thermal transfer and PolyGuard overlaminates |
| Power | 100-240 VAC, 1.6 A, 50/60 Hz |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 / 11 / Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022; Linux |
| Warranty | Printer 4 years; printhead lifetime |
| Dimensions | 305 mm H × 419 mm W × 279 mm D (12 × 16.5 × 11 in) |
| Weight | 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs) |
FARGO Model Comparison
| Specification | DTC1250e | DTC4500e | HDP5000e | HDP6600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Direct-to-card | Direct-to-card | Retransfer | Retransfer |
| Resolution | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 600 dpi |
| Colour speed | 225 cards/hr | 225 cards/hr | 133 cards/hr | 230 cards/hr |
| Edge-to-edge print | Small white border | Small white border | Over-the-edge | Over-the-edge |
| Card thickness | 9-40 mil | 9-40 mil | 30-50 mil | 30-40 mil |
| Input hopper | 100 cards | 200 cards | 100 cards | 100 cards |
| Output hopper | 30 cards | 100 cards | 200 cards | 200 cards |
| Lamination | Not available | Optional | Optional module | Wasteless lamination |
| Smart-card printing | Not recommended | Supported | Excellent | Excellent |
| Printer warranty | 3 yr (registered) | 3 yr | 4 yr | 3 yr |
| Best suited to | Small offices, schools | Daily mid-volume issuance | Smart cards, universities | High-volume enterprise |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retransfer printing and how is it different from direct-to-card?
Retransfer prints the image onto a clear film, then bonds that film to the card with heat. Direct-to-card prints straight onto the card surface. Retransfer gives true edge-to-edge printing and prints cleanly over embedded chips; direct-to-card is faster and cheaper.
Why print smart cards on a retransfer printer?
Embedded chips create a raised, uneven card surface. A direct-to-card printhead cannot print smoothly over that bump, leaving visible defects. Retransfer film conforms to the surface, producing a clean finish over the chip.
Is the HDP5000e slower than a direct-to-card printer?
Yes. A full-colour YMCK card takes about 27 seconds, roughly 133 per hour, against 225 per hour on the DTC1250e. The two-stage process trades speed for print quality and durability.
What is the HDP5000e warranty?
Four years on the printer and a lifetime warranty on the printhead. Direct-to-card printheads, by contrast, are treated as consumable parts with limited cover.
Can it print on polycarbonate or PET cards?
Yes. The HDP5000e handles ABS, laminated PVC, PET, PETG, proximity, smart and magnetic stripe cards – materials most direct-to-card printers cannot print reliably.
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