Quick answer: For a school or small office printing 500 to 2,000 cards a year, the HID Fargo DTC1250e is the right choice. For higher daily volume with lamination, choose the DTC4500e. For smart and proximity cards that need edge-to-edge, high-definition printing, choose the retransfer HDP5000e. For more than 30,000 cards a year at 600 dpi, choose the HDP6600. Finloyd supplies, installs and services all four in Saudi Arabia.
HID Fargo printers fall into two families. The DTC (direct-to-card) printers print straight onto the card surface. The HDP (high-definition printing) printers use retransfer: they print onto a clear film and then fuse that film to the card. Which family you need depends on your card type, volume and security level, not on price alone.
HID Fargo printers compared: full specs
| Spec | DTC1250e | DTC4500e | HDP5000e | HDP6600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print method | Direct-to-card | Direct-to-card | Retransfer (HDP) | Retransfer (HDP) |
| Resolution | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 600 dpi |
| Speed, full colour | 225 cards/hour (YMCKO) | 225 cards/hour (YMCKO) | 133 cards/hour (YMCK + transfer) | 230 cards/hour (YMCK + transfer) |
| Card input / output | 100 / 30 | 200 (dual hopper) / 100 | Optional 200 or dual hopper | Optional 200 or dual hopper |
| Single or dual-sided | Both | Both | Both | Both |
| Lamination | No | Optional, single or dual-sided | Optional, single or dual-sided | Optional wasteless lamination |
| Encoding options | Magnetic stripe, contact/contactless smart card, iCLASS SE | Magnetic stripe, contact/contactless smart card | Magnetic stripe, contact/contactless smart card | Magnetic stripe, contact/contactless smart card |
| Data security | AES-256 | AES-256, password, optional locks | AES-256, resin scramble | Physical locks, secure consumables, holographic overlaminate |
| Warranty | Ask Finloyd | Ask Finloyd | 4 years printer, lifetime printhead | 3 years printer, lifetime printhead (with online registration) |
| Best for | 500–2,000 cards/year: schools, small offices | Higher daily volume: medium-to-large organisations | Smart cards, HD quality: universities, hospitals, government | 30,000+ cards/year: banks, universities, government |
Direct-to-card or retransfer?
Direct-to-card (DTC1250e, DTC4500e) is faster per card and cheaper to run. The printhead touches the card, so it leaves a very thin white edge and works best on flat PVC cards.
Retransfer (HDP5000e, HDP6600) prints onto film first, then bonds it to the card. The image covers the card edge to edge, is more durable, and is safer on cards with an embedded chip or antenna, whose surface is slightly uneven. If you print proximity, MIFARE or DESFire access cards, retransfer is the safer choice.
Which HID Fargo printer for which organisation?
- Schools and small offices: DTC1250e. Compact, simple, and enough for 500 to 2,000 student or staff cards a year.
- Corporates and large campuses: DTC4500e. Twice the input capacity of the DTC1250e and high-capacity ribbons mean fewer stops.
- Hospitals, universities and access-card users: HDP5000e. Retransfer quality on smart cards, with lamination and a 4-year printer warranty.
- Banks, government and large issuers: HDP6600. 600 dpi for micro-text and fine logos, 230 cards per hour and wasteless lamination for high volume.
Encoding: put access data on the card
Every model can encode as it prints. Choose magnetic stripe for loyalty and legacy systems, and contactless smart card encoding for door access with MIFARE, DESFire or HID iCLASS cards. Match the encoder to your access control system before ordering, because the module is chosen when the printer is configured. Finloyd also supplies RFID smart cards in MIFARE, DESFire and other formats.
Bilingual Arabic and English cards
Most Saudi organisations print names and titles in both Arabic and English. The printer itself prints whatever the design software sends, so check that your badge software handles Arabic right-to-left text and Arabic fonts correctly before you print a full batch. Finloyd supplies ID-ALL card design software and can set up bilingual templates during installation.
Ribbons and running cost
- YMCKO ribbons print full colour on one side plus a protective overlay; the standard for photo IDs on DTC printers.
- Black resin (K) ribbons print sharp text and barcodes cheaply, ideal for the back of a card.
- Retransfer film is an extra consumable on HDP printers, which raises cost per card but adds durability.
Use only genuine HID consumables: HID printers are designed around their own ribbons, and third-party ribbons can affect print quality and warranty cover. Finloyd stocks genuine ribbons and accessories.
Supply, installation and service in Saudi Arabia
Finloyd has supplied ID card printers in Saudi Arabia since 2008. Our teams in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar deliver and install HID Fargo printers, set up encoding and card templates, train your staff, and provide maintenance and genuine consumables.
Frequently asked questions
Which HID Fargo printer is best for a small business or school?
The DTC1250e. It prints 225 full-colour cards per hour at 300 dpi, suits 500 to 2,000 cards a year, and can add dual-sided printing and encoding.
What is the difference between HID Fargo DTC and HDP printers?
DTC printers print directly on the card and are faster and cheaper to run. HDP printers use retransfer film for edge-to-edge, more durable printing that is safer on smart cards.
Which HID Fargo printer is best for smart and access cards?
A retransfer model: the HDP5000e, or the HDP6600 for high volume. Retransfer handles the slightly uneven surface of chip and antenna cards better than direct-to-card printing.
Which HID Fargo printer has the highest resolution?
The HDP6600, at 600 dpi. The DTC1250e, DTC4500e and HDP5000e print at 300 dpi.
DTC1250e or DTC4500e: what is the difference?
Both print 225 cards per hour at 300 dpi. The DTC4500e holds 200 input cards (dual hopper) and 100 output versus 100 and 30, uses high-capacity ribbons, and offers lamination and lockable hoppers.
Can HID Fargo printers print Arabic names?
Yes. The printer prints whatever the badge software sends. Use software that supports Arabic right-to-left text, such as the ID-ALL software Finloyd supplies.
What warranty do HID Fargo printers have?
The HDP5000e has a 4-year printer and lifetime printhead warranty. The HDP6600 has 3 years on the printer and a lifetime printhead with online registration. Ask Finloyd for the DTC terms.
Where can I buy HID Fargo printers in Saudi Arabia?
Finloyd supplies, installs and services HID Fargo printers from Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Call Jeddah +966 50 844 0075, Riyadh +966 50 003 2928 or Al Khobar +966 55 721 2191.
Not sure which model fits? Tell us how many cards you print a year and whether they are smart cards, and we will recommend the right HID Fargo printer. See all ID card printers.
