ID Card Printer Ribbon Compatibility & Cost-per-Card Guide
ID Card Printer Ribbon Compatibility & Cost-per-Card Guide
Choose ribbons by the exact printer family and manufacturer part number—not by appearance. Use the examples below to compare yield and approximate supply cost before ordering.
Common Current Ribbon Examples
| Printer | Ribbon / part number | Yield | Current price | Approx. cost per card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrust Sigma DS1 / DS2 | YMCKT 525100-001 | 250 | $101.75 | $0.41 |
| Entrust Sigma DS2 | YMCKT 525100-004 | 500 | $189.00 | $0.38 |
| Entrust Sigma DS2 duplex | YMCKT-KT 525100-005 | 350 | $275.00 | $0.79 |
| Evolis Zenius / Primacy | YMCKO R5F002AAA | 200 | $88.00 | $0.44 |
| Evolis Zenius / Primacy / Elypso | Half-panel YMCKO R5H004AAA | 400 | $95.00 | $0.24 |
| IDP SMART-31 / SMART-51 | YMCKO 659366 | 250 | $76.99 | $0.31 |
| IDP SMART-31 / SMART-51 duplex | YMCKOK 659376 | 200 | $83.99 | $0.42 |
| HID FARGO DTC1500 | YMCKO 45630 | 700 | $217.56 | $0.31 |
| HID FARGO HDP5000e | YMCK 84511 + film 84500 | 500 / 1,500 | $231.84 + $162.96 | $0.57 combined |
| HID FARGO HDP6600 | YMCK 84921 + film 84900 | 750 / 1,500 | $325.92 + $155.40 | $0.54 combined |
OEM Ribbon or Generic Ribbon?
Genuine manufacturer ribbons are made for the printer’s heat settings, sensors, cartridge design, and firmware. They reduce avoidable ribbon errors and help protect print quality and warranty coverage. All Things Identification recommends genuine supplies unless a product page clearly identifies and supports another option.
Overlay, Overlaminate, and Retransfer Film
The clear overlay panel in a YMCKO ribbon provides routine surface protection. An overlaminate is a separate, thicker security or durability layer applied by a laminating module. Retransfer film is different again: a retransfer printer first prints the image onto film and then bonds that film to the card.
Before You Order
- Confirm the printer model—not just the manufacturer.
- Match the complete manufacturer part number.
- Confirm whether the card is printed on one side or both.
- For retransfer printing, verify that both ribbon and transfer film are available.
- If a printer has regionalized supplies, confirm the region code.
Still not sure which ribbon fits?
Call 1-800-560-8158 or email sales@allthingsid.com with the printer model and the part number on the current ribbon.