Which Entrust Sigma ID Card Printer Is Right for You?

Which Entrust Sigma ID Card Printer Is Right for You?

Choose by card volume, one- versus two-sided printing, network access and whether your existing system requires magnetic-stripe encoding. All four choices below use current Sigma technology and genuine Entrust supplies.

Shop Entrust ID Card Printers
Quick recommendation: Choose the DS1 for straightforward single-sided printing. Choose the DS2 Simplex for faster networked single-sided printing. Most organizations that print information on the back should choose the DS2 Duplex.

Sigma DS1 Simplex

Best for

Smaller offices, schools, clubs and visitor programs printing single-sided cards.

Configuration

Single-sided; USB connection.

Why choose it
  • Lowest-cost Sigma option
  • Up to 175 color cards per hour
  • 125-card input hopper
  • Three-year warranty
View Sigma DS1

Sigma DS2 Simplex

Best for

Organizations that need faster single-sided printing and Ethernet connectivity.

Configuration

Single-sided; USB and Ethernet.

Why choose it
  • Up to 225 color cards per hour
  • Network-ready
  • Optional Wi-Fi and encoders
  • Three-year warranty
View DS2 Simplex

Sigma DS2 Duplex

Best for

Employee, student and membership cards needing information printed automatically on both sides.

Configuration

Automatic dual-sided; USB and Ethernet.

Why choose it
  • Best general-purpose choice
  • Up to 140 dual-sided color cards per hour
  • Supports optional lamination
  • Optional Wi-Fi and encoders
View DS2 Duplex

DS2 Duplex + Mag Encoder

Best for

Existing systems that specifically require ISO high- or low-coercivity magnetic-stripe cards.

Configuration

Automatic dual-sided with three-track magnetic-stripe encoder.

Why choose it
  • Prints and encodes in one workflow
  • HiCo and LoCo support
  • USB and Ethernet
  • Supports optional lamination
View Encoded DS2

Choose the Correct Entrust Sigma Supplies

Full-color, single-sided cards

Use a YMCKT ribbon. Choose 250-print or 500-print yield based on your volume.

Shop Sigma Ribbons

Color front and black back

Use the DS2 YMCKT-KT ribbon for a color front plus black text or barcodes on the reverse.

View Dual-Sided Ribbon

Routine printer maintenance

Clean the card path, rollers and printhead area at the manufacturer-recommended intervals.

Shop Cleaning Supplies

Important Buying Notes

  • Printer prices shown on product pages are for the printer configuration described. Ribbons, blank cards and ID-card software are sold separately unless explicitly included.
  • Direct-to-card printers normally leave a small unprinted border around the edge. Buyers requiring true edge-to-edge printing should consider a retransfer printer.
  • A magnetic stripe does not by itself establish compatibility. Confirm the coercivity, track format and data requirements of your existing system.
  • Contact and contactless smart-card encoding require a compatible encoder and properly matched credentials.

Entrust Sigma Printer FAQs

What is the main difference between the Sigma DS1 and DS2?

The DS1 is a single-sided USB printer intended for straightforward card programs. The DS2 is faster, includes Ethernet connectivity and is available in automatic dual-sided and encoded configurations.

Do I need a dual-sided printer?

Choose dual-sided printing when cards regularly need policies, contact information, barcodes or other content on the reverse. It removes the need to manually flip and reprint cards.

Which ribbon should I buy?

YMCKT is the common choice for full-color cards. The 525100-005 YMCKT-KT ribbon is intended for compatible DS2 dual-sided jobs with a color front and black back. Confirm the part number before ordering.

Does the printer include card-design software?

The base printer listings do not include a separate software license unless the product page specifically says otherwise. Contact All Things Identification if you need help selecting software.