Fargo DTC4000 Information and Specifications

Fargo’s line of single and dual-sided card printers/encoders are each designed with a specific set of tasks in mind. HID/Fargo designed this printer specifically for large organizations with more stringent security and volume requirements than were available with the DTC1000 printer. But the goal was not to cloud intuitive use, compatibility and flexibility with indecipherable technological advance and complexity, but rather to find a way where both ends could be met in one easy-to-use and advanced printer/encoder. And like other Fargo models, the DTC4000 represents an advanced generation of high quality specialization printers that efficiently carries out its tasks. Today’s consumer demands a high level of compatibility and so the DTC4000 serves on these expectations as a highly intuitive product requiring very little operational training. HID/Fargo sought to design a printer as simple as it was sophisticated. The DTC4000 is field upgradable, small and light, contains encoding options, is compatible with professional environments, has advanced security and encoding options.

Field Upgradability and Configurable Settings

The DTC4000 is field upgradeable and customizable in accordance with a breadth of complex projects and uses. Using the field upgradability feature you can toggle between single and dual-sided printing and adding magnetic stripe, HID proximity, iClass contactless and/or contact chip encoding functionality. It is also Ethernet compatible, which was optional with the DTC400e, DTC550, Persona C30e (now discontinued) and as a standard accessory with the DTC5000. Configuring the printer is very easy and completed via the standard window and tab combination. Once your printer is installed, you can simply open the Configuration Tab and select whether you want the printer set on Dual-Sided, Magnetic Encoder, Dual-input Card Hopper, or Input/Output Card Hopper, which, by the way, is a same-side card hopper. These advanced flexibility options mean that this model can serve a wide variety of industries and job descriptions, such as hospitals, schools, businesses, banks and legal and administrative institutions, not to mention the high tech industry.

Professional Compatibility

Its physical design is also ideally-oriented for office and institutional use, with dimensions making it compatible with most professional environments. The weight and dimensional specs of the single-sided printer are 8 pounds at 9.8 inches high, 17.6 inches wide and 9.2 inches deep, and the specs of the dual-sided printer are 10 pounds at 9.8 inches high, 18.2 inches wide and 9.2 inches deep, making it not much larger than a standard shoebox. At the same time, it comes with an optional same-side input/output card hopper accessory, which means that the DTC4000 can be inconspicuously placed in most places in your office.

Location

As long we’re discussing location, it is important to consider where placing your printer as there are some guidelines to consider. Like with other printers and most electrical machines, the printer should be placed in a location with sufficient air circulation, which prevents internal heat build-up. Keep in mind that although the printer is small, you should allow for enough room for people to walk in front of it when its covers have been opened. You should also avoid installing the printer in areas near heat sources such as air ducts or in front of a window where the printer will be exposed to direct sunlight. Also avoid placing it in areas of high dust accumulation or mechanical vibration. If the printer is brought directly from a cold to a warm, or a dry to a moist location, there may occur a build-up of moisture condensation, which can negatively affect the print quality. In such a case, unplug the printer and leave it in a dry room for several hours, which will cause the moisture to evaporate.

Security Options

The DTC4000 comes with a sophisticated security encoding system that includes password protection to allow only select and approved administrators to carry out print jobs and encode security badges and cards. It also comes with an Ultraviolet layer for an increased security level regarding the physical card once printed. This fluorescent panel works by producing grayscale holographic text and images that are only displayed when the card is placed under UV light and are excellent fraud-battling measures. This is part of what makes this printer appropriate for banks, other financial and governmental institutions. The DTC4000 can also be password protected at the printer so only approved operators can print and encode plastic security cards and badges.

Ribbons

A feature available only with the DTC4000 is the option to select the fluorescent panel ribbon. Mentioned briefly in the previous paragraph, the The YMCFKO (yellow, magenta, cyan, fluorescing, resin black)/YMCFKOK Ribbon is an cost-effective method to customize the security measures of your photo identification cards. You are even able to create a custom image to appear as a holograph on your cards.

The design of Fargo card printers necessitates highly specific supplies, such as ribbons, to function correctly, such as the one-piece disposable ribbon cartridge load system used by both the Fargo DTC1000 and 4000 models. While you are able to use supplies belonging to other printer brands, it is highly recommended to use only Fargo certified supplies, which will prolong the life of your printer and maximize its print quality. Using supplies belonging to other brands as well nullifies your warranty in locations not prohibited by law. Other warnings can be found in the DTC4000 User Guide.

Encoding Options

The encoding options and ISO standards, as discussed previously regarding field upgradability, can be changed easily in the traditional window and tab format, such as when printing a document. Encoding options include a 125 kHz (HID Prox) reader, a 13.56 MHz, compatible with iCLASS®, MIFARE®, ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693, a read/write encoder, in Contact Smart Code Encoder, ISO Magnetic Stripe Encoding and dual high- and low-coercivity. More information is available in DTC4000 User Guide.