IDP Smart 51d ID Card Printer, Double Sided
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Printer Specifications
Print Technology:
Dye-sublimation
Print Resolution:
300 x 300dpi
Print Speed:
200 Full Colour Cards Per Hour
720 Monochrome Cards Per Hour
Card Capacity:
100 Card Input Hopper
100 Card Output Hopper
Warranty:
5 Years, 3 Years Printhead
Printer Support Packages
For peace of mind after your card printer purchase, we give you 30 days of free email support to help you get up and running.
Or you can choose to upgrade to one of our Aftercare Support Packages to receive expert professional support all year round.
Silver Package - £45 per year
- Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 10% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
Gold Package - £145 per year
- Next Day Email and Telephone Support across printer and software*
- Access to online support library
- 15% off printer consumables (cards, ribbons, cleaning kits)
- Remote printer set-up assistance
- Remote access support for troubleshooting
- Zero labour costs if your printer needs repairing
- Loan printer if your printer needs to be returned for a repair.
*Easybadge, CardPresso and ID-ALL software only.
Only Need to Print on One Side?
The IDP Smart 51D automatically prints on both sides. If you usually only need to print on the front of your cards, the IDP Smart 51S may be the better choice.
View the Smart 51S printer →
Not Sure Which ID Card Printer You Need?
Answer 4 short questions about your cards and printing needs, and we’ll help you find a suitable printer.
Take the 60-second printer quiz →
Already own an IDP Smart 51? Shop compatible ribbons, cleaning kits and blank cards in our IDP Smart 51 consumables collection.
Why Choose the IDP Smart 51D?
The IDP Smart 51D is a double-sided ID card printer designed for organisations that regularly print cards with information on both sides.
Unlike a single-sided printer, the Smart 51D automatically flips the card and prints the reverse, so there's no need to manually turn and reload each card. This makes it particularly useful for printing batches of staff ID cards, membership cards, visitor passes and other cards that need details on the front and back.
With a 100-card automatic input hopper, fast colour printing and optional encoding, it's a practical step up for organisations that need regular, efficient in-house card printing.
Choose the Smart 51D if you regularly need double-sided cards. If you normally only print on one side, the Smart 51S may be the more suitable option.
Who Is the Smart 51D Best For?
The Smart 51D is a good fit for organisations that print cards regularly and need information on both sides, including:
- Businesses and larger offices printing employee photo ID
- Schools and colleges producing staff and student cards
- Gyms, clubs and membership organisations printing membership cards
- Healthcare and care organisations producing staff identification
- Reception and security teams creating visitor or access cards
- Organisations printing double-sided cards in batches
We recommend the Smart 51D for regular printing requirements of up to approximately 10,000 cards per year.
If you're unsure whether you need a single or double-sided printer, take our 60-second Printer Quiz and we'll help narrow down the right options.
IDP Smart 51D Key Printer Features
The IDP Smart 51D combines automatic double-sided printing, fast print speeds and a 100-card input hopper for organisations printing ID cards regularly. Here are the key features to consider when deciding if it's the right printer for you.
Print & Performance
Print up to 212 single-sided full-colour cards per hour, or up to 164 double-sided colour cards per hour, depending on the ribbon and print setup.
Automatic Double-Sided Printing
Print on the front and reverse automatically. The Smart 51D flips each card inside the printer, removing the need to turn cards over manually.
Batch Printing
A 100-card automatic input hopper makes it easy to load a batch of cards and leave the printer to work through them.
Encoding Options
Optional magnetic stripe, contact and contactless smart card encoding is available for organisations that need more than printed identification.
Warranty & Support
Backed by a 5-year printer warranty and 3-year printhead warranty, with support available from The Card Network if you need help choosing or setting up your printer.
Compare the IDP Smart 51D
Not sure how the Smart 51D compares with other IDP card printers? Compare print volume, speed, card capacity and single or double-sided printing below. Hide any printers you don't want to compare.
Choose printers to compare:
| Feature | Smart 21S | Smart 31S | Smart 31D | Smart 51S |
Smart 51D
You're viewing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Occasional, low-volume card printing | Regular single-sided card printing | Regular double-sided printing at lower volumes | Regular batch printing where only one side is normally required | Regular batch printing where cards need information on both sides |
| TCN recommended usage | Low-volume / occasional printing | Up to approx. 1,000 cards/year | Up to approx. 1,000 cards/year | Up to approx. 10,000 cards/year | Up to approx. 10,000 cards/year |
| Card feeding | Hand-fed | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Input capacity | Hand-fed | 80 cards | 80 cards | 100 cards. Extendable to 200. | 100 cards. Extendable to 200. |
| Max full-colour speed | Up to 150 cards/hour | Up to 156 cards/hour | Up to 156 cards/hour* | Up to 212 cards/hour |
Up to 212 cards/hour* Up to 164/hour double-sided |
| Automatic printing | Single-sided | Single-sided | Double-sided | Single-sided | Double-sided |
| Colour print resolution | 300dpi | 300dpi | 300dpi | 300dpi | 300dpi |
| Encoding options | Magnetic stripe option | Magnetic stripe, contact & contactless options | Magnetic stripe, contact & contactless options | Magnetic stripe, contact & contactless options | Magnetic stripe, contact & contactless options |
| Connectivity | USB | USB; Ethernet option | USB; Ethernet option | USB; Ethernet option | USB; Ethernet option |
| Why step up? | Simple, compact choice for occasional printing | Automatic card feeding makes regular printing easier | Automatically prints both sides at lower print volumes | Faster printing and larger hopper for regular batches | Faster batch printing plus automatic double-sided printing, so cards don't need to be flipped and reloaded manually |
*Colour speeds shown are manufacturer maximums. The Smart 31D and Smart 51D figures of 156 and 212 cards per hour refer to single-sided YMCKO printing. Maximum double-sided YMCKOK speeds are approximately 124 cards per hour for the Smart 31D and 164 cards per hour for the Smart 51D.
Take our 60-second Printer Quiz to narrow down the best options for your requirements.
What's Included With the IDP Smart 51D?
Everything you need to get your Smart 51D connected and ready to start creating double-sided ID cards.
In the box:
- IDP Smart 51D double-sided ID card printer
- Starter ID card software for up to 100 records
- USB cable
Need anything else?
Your printer will also need blank cards and a compatible ribbon for printing. For full-colour printing on the front and black printing on the reverse, a YMCKOK ribbon can be a cost-effective option.
Optional Ethernet connectivity, magnetic stripe encoding and smart card encoding configurations are also available. If you need any of these features, please contact us before ordering so we can make sure your printer is supplied in the correct configuration.
Using a Mac? Please contact us before ordering so we can arrange the appropriate software option.
See the IDP Smart 51D in Action
Take a closer look at the IDP Smart 51D double-sided ID card printer, including its design, card loading and everyday operation, to see what you can expect when using the printer.
Specifications
Print Technology:
Direct-to-card dye-sublimation
Print Resolution:
300dpi, edge-to-edge
Print Speed:
Up to 212 full-colour cards/hour single-sided
Up to 164 double-sided colour cards/hour
Up to 720 monochrome cards/hour
Card Capacity:
100-card input hopper
Card Size:
CR80 (standard ID card size)
Connectivity:
USB; optional Ethernet
Printing:
Automatic double-sided
Encoding Options:
Magnetic stripe, contact & contactless
Dimensions:
165 × 390 × 210mm
Weight:
4.5kg
Warranty:
5 years; 3 years printhead
IDP Smart 51D FAQs
Get answers to common questions about the IDP Smart 51D ID Card Printer.
Is the IDP Smart 51D a double-sided printer?
Yes. The Smart 51D automatically prints on both sides of a card. The printer flips the card internally, so you don't need to remove it, turn it over and reload it manually.
This makes it particularly useful for staff ID cards, membership cards and other cards where information is regularly required on both sides.
What is the difference between the IDP Smart 51S and Smart 51D?
The main difference is automatic double-sided printing. The Smart 51S automatically prints one side of a card, while the Smart 51D can automatically print the front and reverse.
If most of your cards only need printing on one side, the Smart 51S may be sufficient. If you regularly produce double-sided cards, the Smart 51D saves you manually flipping and reloading every card.
How many cards is the IDP Smart 51D suitable for?
We recommend the Smart 51D for organisations with regular printing requirements of up to approximately 10,000 cards per year.
Its automatic card feeding, 100-card input hopper and double-sided printing make it particularly useful for organisations producing cards in batches.
If you're unsure which level of printer you need, you can read our ID Card Printer Buying Guide.
How fast does the Smart 51D print double-sided cards?
The Smart 51D can print up to 164 double-sided colour cards per hour using a YMCKOK ribbon.
For single-sided full-colour YMCKO printing, the maximum manufacturer speed is up to 212 cards per hour, while monochrome printing can reach up to 720 cards per hour.
Actual speeds can vary depending on the card design and printing setup.
Which ribbon do I need for double-sided printing?
That depends on what you want to print on each side.
If you need full colour on the front and black text or information on the reverse, a YMCKOK ribbon is designed specifically for this type of double-sided printing.
If you need full colour on both sides, you'll need a ribbon suitable for that print requirement.
For more information, you can read our blog post ID Card Printer Ribbons: What Do Those Letters Mean?
Can I print different information on the front and back of each card?
Yes. Your card design can contain different information on each side. For example, you could print a person's photo, name and job title on the front, with contact information, instructions or company details on the reverse.
The Smart 51D automatically prints both sides as part of the same print process.
Does the Smart 51D work with macOS?
The Smart 51D printer supports macOS, but the standard card software supplied with our package is intended for Windows.
If you plan to use the printer with a Mac, please contact us before ordering so we can make sure the appropriate software option is supplied.
Can the Smart 51D print RFID and access control cards?
The Smart 51D can print on many suitable printable RFID and access control cards. However, because it is a direct-to-card printer, the embedded technology within some cards can affect the print surface and finish.
If RFID or access control cards will be one of your main uses, check out our guide to printing RFID cards with a direct-to-card printer.
Can the Smart 51D encode smart cards as well as print them?
Optional magnetic stripe, contact and contactless encoding configurations are available.
Printing a design onto a card and encoding data onto its magnetic stripe or chip are different processes, so contact us before ordering if you need encoding. We can make sure the printer is supplied in the correct configuration.
Is the Smart 51D a direct-to-card or retransfer printer?
The Smart 51D is a direct-to-card (DTC) printer, meaning the design is printed directly onto the card surface.
Retransfer printers use a different process, printing the image onto a film before transferring it to the card. Retransfer may be worth considering when over-the-edge print coverage or printing regularly onto certain technology cards is important.
You can check out our guide on direct-to-card and retransfer printers here.
How often should I clean the Smart 51D?
Regular cleaning helps maintain print quality and reduces the chance of dust and debris causing printing problems.
Follow the recommended cleaning schedule for the printer and ribbon you're using, and don't wait until print quality deteriorates before cleaning it.
Check out our cleaning guide here.
What warranty does the IDP Smart 51D have?
The Smart 51D comes with a 5-year printer warranty and 3-year printhead warranty.
Regular cleaning and correct printer maintenance are important, so follow the manufacturer's maintenance requirements throughout the life of the printer.
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