Datacard SP55 User Manual

SP55 Printer Guide

554733-001
August 2004

Information resources for the SP55 Printer

Installation To install the printer:

To install one printer on a PC using a USB cable,
see the Installation Map, packed at the top of the
printer carton.
For detailed installation information or for special
situations (such as network inst al l a ti on ), see
e-Guide/SP Series/SP_Info_Central.chm on the
driver CD-ROM.

Message Help If you see a message, click Help on the message

Really! Help topics are short and to the point.

box.

Printer Guide The Printer Guide (this document) contains

operating information for the printer and driver.

SP Info Central
and e-Guide

FAQs
Dealer
Customer Care

For in-depth information about using the printer or
driver, click the SP Info Central icon on the desktop.
(Insert the CD-ROM and choose User Information
to install SP Series Info Central if the icon is not on
the desktop.)

Service and Support FAQs at www.datacard.com provide answers to questions about the SP55 printer.
For help with questions not addressed by other SP55 information, contact your dealer.
Contact the Datacard Customer Care Center at 1.800.328.3996 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.952.988.2316

(worldwide).

Contents

About the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Loading cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Loading print ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Check the PC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Status light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Opening Properties or Printing Preferences . . 13

Open the Printer Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Cleaning the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Printer supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Getting the most out of your printer . . . . . . . 21

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Site requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Legal Notices (FCC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

539335-001 Rev. C Page iii

About the printer

The outside of the printer

Duplex Module: Optional module at the back of
the printer.

Printer Cover.
Latch: Lift the latch to open the printer cover.

Input Hopper: Open the cover to load blank cards.
Output Hopper: Remove completed cards.

Ready button: Push to pause or resume
the printer.

The status light helps you
understand printer operation.
See “Status light” on page 11 for details.

Page 1

Ports are located on the left side of the printer.
USB Data Port: Connect the data cable to the printer.

ALL printers have this port.
Manual Advance Knob: Use to move a card in the

printer or to turn rollers.
Power Receptacle: Plug in the power supply to power

on the printer.
Cable Guides: Hold the data cable securely.
Security lock receptacle: Connect the optional

security lock to the opening under the ledge of the
printer (not visible in this drawing).

Optional Smart Card USB Port: See “Features and
options” on page 4.

Optional Smart Card Serial Port: See “Features and
options” on page 4.

Tip: Lift the latch to open the printer and see inside.

Page 2

The inside of the printer

Cover Arm: Holds the cover and printhead cartridge in place.
Printhead Cartridge: Applies the image to the card. The label

includes ”YMC” for color or “K” for monochrome printheads.
Print Ribbon Cartridge (shown with color print ribbon).
Printer Label: Includes the serial number and model

information (located on the left side of the printer and not
visible in this drawing).

Cleaning roller (not visible in this drawing): Removes dust
and debris from cards.

Page 3

Features and options

Features and options are identified on the printer label.

• Printers with “U” printing can print one color (monochrome)
only. “C” printing is full-color or monochrome printing.

• All SP55 printers have a USB connection.

• SP55 printers can include a duplex module.

•A magnetic stripe module can be a three-track (IAT) or
single-track (NTT) module. It is visible inside the printer.

• SP55 Printers can have an 100-card (H1) or 200-card (H2)
Input Hopper. The Input Hopper can have a lock (K1).

• An optional sm ar t ca r d mod u l e ca n ha ve :

• Contact coupler (SC1x0 on the label): Visible inside the

printer. Includes a USB port on the printer.

• Contactless (RF) coupler (SC20x): Includes a serial or

USB port.

• Combination smart card coupler (SC3xx): Contact and

contactless couplers. Visible inside the printer, includes
USB or serial port. See SP Series Info Central for codes.

• Contact station (SC400): Visible inside the printer.

Includes a serial port.

Page 4

Loading cards

1 Open the input hopper cover.
2 Remove cards from the original package.

Tips: Handling cards

• Do not touch the surface of cards before printing

them. (Oils on hands will reduce printing quality.)

• Handle cards by the edges or wear gloves.

• Cards can stick

together: Slide or
fan cards to
separate the edges.

• Orient all cards the same way.

Page 5

3 Place the cards in the input hopper.

The diagram shows the typical locations for the
magnetic stripe and smart card chip.

4 Push the input hopper cover closed until it

latches.

See SP Series Info Central for current information
about cards to use in the printer.

Magnetic stripe

Smart card chip

Page 6