SMART-51S Single-Sided ID Card Printer
SMART-51S
SMART-51S Single-Sided ID Card Printer
Durable metal-frame performance for reliable single-sided ID card printing
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Print speeds up to 212 cards/hour
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Durable metal frame for long-term reliability
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Designed for mid- to high-volume ID programs
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Optional Ethernet, Encoding & SMARTMark™ UV Printing
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Backed by a 3-Year Advanced Exchange Warranty
Reliable Performance for Growing ID Programs
The SMART-51S Professional Single-Sided ID Card Printer is built for organizations that demand greater speed, durability, and reliability than entry-level card printers. Designed with a rugged metal frame and engineered for continuous daily use, the SMART-51S delivers exceptional print quality and dependable performance for employee badges, student IDs, membership cards, visitor credentials, and secure access control cards.
As a single-sided (simplex) direct-to-card (DTC) printer, the SMART-51S is ideal for organizations that primarily print credentials on one side while requiring faster throughput and greater durability than compact desktop printers. Its robust construction minimizes vibration, improves print consistency, and helps extend the life of the printer in demanding office environments.
Optional Ethernet networking, magnetic stripe encoding, contact and contactless smart card encoding, and SMARTMark™ UV security printing allow the SMART-51S to adapt as your credential program grows. Combined with a large 200-card input hopper and high-capacity ribbon options, it provides the flexibility needed for mid- to high-volume credential issuance.
Backed by IDP’s industry-leading 3-Year Advanced Exchange Warranty, the SMART-51S delivers long-term reliability, lower operating costs, and the confidence organizations expect from a professional ID card printer. Need automatic double-sided printing? Explore the SMART-51D Dual-Sided ID Card Printer. For organizations requiring integrated lamination and enhanced credential durability, consider the SMART-51L Lamination Module.
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Technical Specifications
Consumables & Accessories
Common Ink Ribbon Ordering Information
659366
Downloads & Resources
Documentation
Drivers & Firmware
Videos
Getting Started
Printer Maintenance & Cleaning
Printer Comparison
| SMART-31S Card Printer | SMART-51S (Current Printer) | SMART-51D Card Printer | SMART-81D Card Printer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (Cards/Hour) | 180 color / 720 mono | 212 color / 720 mono | 163 color / 720 mono | 84 color |
| Durability | Standard | Mid-range | High-volume | High-volume |
| Volume | Low-medium | Low-medium | Mid-high | Mid-high |
| Print Mode | Single-sided | Single-sided | Dual-sided | Dual-sided |
| Differentiator | DTC single-sided printer, durable long-life metal frame | Compact, automatic card feeder | Dual sided DTC printer, durable long-life metal frame | Dual-side Retransfer printer, durable frame, full-bleed printing |
Key Benefits
Faster Throughput
Print up to 212 cards per hour—ideal for batch printing and high-demand environments.
Built to Last
A durable metal frame construction reduces wear, vibration, and long-term maintenance needs.
Lower Cost Per Card
High-capacity ribbons and efficient operation reduce ongoing printing costs.
Easy to Use
Simple operation with intuitive controls and flexible configuration options.
Scalable & Flexible
Supports encoding, networking, and other print options for growing programs.
Features
Ideal For
Corporate ID programs
Healthcare facilities
Access control and security environments
Government agencies
Education institutions
Frequently asked questions
The SMART-51S is a professional single-sided (simplex) direct-to-card printer designed for employee badges, student IDs, visitor credentials, membership cards, loyalty cards, and access control credentials that only require front-side printing.
The SMART-51S is ideal for organizations with growing credential programs that require greater speed, higher durability, and more advanced features than entry-level ID card printers.
DTC printers are more cost-effective, while retransfer printers (like the SMART-81HD) offers edge-to-edge printing for advanced use cases.
A direct-to-card (DTC) printer prints images directly onto the surface of a plastic card using dye-sublimation technology. It’s ideal for standard ID cards and badges, offering fast print speeds and cost-effective operation compared to retransfer printers.
The SMART-51S stands out with its durable metal frame, high-capacity 200-card hopper, and upgradeable modular design. Compared to competitors, it offers strong durability, flexible upgrades, and reliable performance for growing ID programs. Additionally, the SMART-51S comes with a 3-year advanced exchange warranty, meaning if we can’t fix it over the phone we will ship you a new one.
While both are professional single-sided ID card printers, the SMART-51S offers a rugged metal-frame construction, faster print speeds, a larger 200-card input hopper, and greater scalability for higher-volume printing environments.
The SMART-51S is a single-sided (simplex) printer that prints only the front of the card. The SMART-51D is a dual-sided (duplex) printer that automatically prints both sides, eliminating the need to manually flip cards.
The SMART-51S is designed to reduce long-term costs through:
- Durable construction that minimizes repairs
- Efficient ribbon usage
- Reduced downtime in high-volume environments
Yes. The SMART-51S is designed for mid- to high-volume environments, with fast print speeds (as low as 17 seconds per card) and a large input hopper, making it ideal for batch printing and scalable ID issuance.
The SMART-51S can print a wide range of cards, including:
- Employee ID badges
- Student IDs
- Access control cards
- Membership and loyalty cards
- Government and healthcare credentials
Yes. The SMART-51 supports magnetic stripe, contact, and contactless smart card encoding, along with optional UV and lamination security features for enhanced protection against tampering and counterfeiting.
- DTC printers (like the SMART-51): Print directly onto the card surface, offering faster speeds and lower cost.
- Retransfer printers: Print onto film and transfer to the card, delivering full-bleed and higher durability for advanced security needs.
With proper maintenance, a metal-framed DTC printer like the SMART-51S can last significantly longer than entry-level models due to its durable construction and reduced internal wear.
Yes. The SMART-51S is specifically designed as a step-up solution, offering faster speeds, higher capacity, and more advanced features than entry-level printers like the SMART-21 or similar competitor models.
The SMART-51S features a rugged metal-frame construction that improves durability, reduces vibration, enhances print consistency, and extends the printer’s service life compared to many plastic-frame desktop printers.
