Quick Comparison of HID FARGO DTC4500e ID Card Printer & Encoder vs Entrust Sigma DS3 Direct to Card Printer at a Glance

The ID card printer comparison table provides a quick overview of the key specifications and features for HID FARGO DTC4500e ID Card Printer & Encoder and Entrust Sigma DS3 Direct to Card Printer Let’s take a look at the comparison table below.

Features	HID FARGO DTC4500e ID Card Printer & Encoder View Check the Price	Entrust Sigma DS3 Direct to Card Printer View Check the Price
Print Technology	Dye-Sublimation / Resin Thermal Transfer	Dye-Sublimation / Resin Thermal Transfer
Card Size Compatibility	CR-80 CR-79	CR-79 CR-80
Card Thickness	9 mil – 40 mil (Print only) 30 mil – 40 mil (With Lamination)	10 mil – 40 mil (0.25mm – 1.016mm)
Print Resolution	300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm), Continuous Tone	300 dpi (300 × 600, 300 × 1200)
Single/Dual-Sided Printing	Single or Dual-sided	Single- or dual-sided, rewritable technology
Print Speed	K: 6 seconds/card KO: 8 seconds/card YMCKO: 16 seconds/card YMCKOK: 24 seconds/card	Single-sided color: up to 250 cards/hour Double-sided color: up to 180 cards/hour
Encoding Options	Magnetic Stripe (HiCo/LoCo) HID Prox iCLASS, MIFARE, DESFire Contact Smart Card Encoding	Magnetic stripe Smart card (contact/contactless)
Connectivity	USB 2.0 Ethernet with Internal Print Server	USB Ethernet
Media Capacity	200 Cards Input (Dual Hopper – 100 Each)	Input hopper: 125 cards Output hopper: 25 cards
Laminate Options	Available	Available
Software Compatibility	Compatible with InfoID powered by Infome Technologies FARGO Workbench™ printer maintenance and diagnostic software with Color Assist spot-color matching	Compatible with Infome’s InfoID Custom Card Printing Software Entrust Instant ID
Warranty & Support	Printer – 3 Years Printhead – 3 Years, Unlimited Passes (with UltraCard™)	3 Years of warranty with after-sales support from Infome

Key Features Comparison

Dual-Side Printing (Standard)

Print high-quality ID cards on both sides with edge-to-edge accuracy.

High-Capacity Ribbon Support

Print up to 1000 cards per roll to minimize downtime and reduce per-card costs.

Optional Smart Card & Magnetic Encoding

Supports MIFARE®, iCLASS®, HID Prox®, and magnetic stripe encoding.

Lamination Module (Optional)

Add visual security and durability with holographic or clear overlays.

Modular & Scalable Design

Upgrade with Wi-Fi, dual hoppers, or encoding modules as your needs grow.

Secure Printing & Data Protection

Includes password protection and resin scramble for enhanced card data security.

Fast Color and Monochrome Output

Delivers up to 200 full-color cards/hour or 1,200 monochrome cards/hour, ideal for bulk and on-demand printing.

Direct-to-Card (DTC) Printing Technology

Uses dye-sublimation and thermal transfer for vivid color, sharp text, and smooth gradient finishes.

Inline Lamination Options

Protect cards against wear, tampering, and UV exposure with optional lamination modules.

Encoding Flexibility

Supports magnetic stripe, contact chip, and contactless smart card encoding, enabling multi-application card issuance.

Robust Input/Output Handling

Large card hopper capacity and reliable feeders minimize interruptions in high-volume runs.

Centralized Printer Management

Compatible with Entrust Identity Control Center, enabling remote monitoring, analytics, and device management.

HID FARGO DTC4500e ID Card Printer & Encoder vs Entrust Sigma DS3 Direct to Card Printer : Which should I choose?

Choosing the right ID card printer is an important decision for any organisation, and comparing HID FARGO DTC4500e ID Card Printer & Encoder and Entrust Sigma DS3 Direct to Card Printer helps you understand which option matches your card printing requirements. These printers deliver high-quality printing, but they may differ in specifications such as print speed, print resolution, card capacity, connectivity options, and encoding features. A side-by-side comparison makes it easy to see the differences.

This direct comparison helped you quickly identify the strengths and limitations of each printer, making it easier to determine which model best supports your card issuance volume, security requirements, and budget. By evaluating them together, you can make a smarter choice that ensures efficiency and reliability for your ID card printing needs.

Looking for more ID Card Printers Brand wise?

Discover the full range of

Still unsure which id card printers is right for you?

Contact Infome for expert guidance.

Call Our Experts WhatsApp Us