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Entrust Datacard printers in New Zealand

Choose the right Entrust ID card printer

From straightforward staff cards to high-resolution access credentials with encoding, tactile security or lamination, ID Solutions can help you select the Entrust printer and configuration that fits your organisation.

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Three things to decide first

The best model usually becomes clear once we know how your cards will be used, how long they need to last and whether anything needs to be encoded.

Direct-to-card or retransfer?

Sigma printers apply colour directly to the card surface. The Artista CR805 first prints to film and then bonds that film to the card, giving stronger edge-to-edge coverage and excellent results on smart cards.

Simplex or duplex?

A simplex printer prints one side. A duplex printer automatically turns the card and prints both sides, which is normally better for cards with conditions, emergency details, instructions or branding on the back.

Print only, encode or protect?

Magnetic stripe and smart-card encoding can write data as the card is printed. Lamination improves durability, while a tactile impression adds a visible and touchable security feature.

Entrust ID card printers available from ID Solutions

The range starts with uncomplicated everyday printing and extends to 600 dpi, retransfer, inline lamination and tactile security configurations.

Direct-to-card Simplex or duplex

Sigma DS-E

A practical starting point for everyday ID cards.

The DS-E brings the core Sigma printing platform into a streamlined printer for organisations that want straightforward, dependable card production.

300 dpi colour printing
Available as single- or dual-sided
100-card input hopper
Optional magnetic stripe encoding

View Sigma DS-E Enquire about duplex

Direct-to-card Flexible configuration

Sigma DS3

The versatile all-rounder for growing card programmes.

The DS3 combines strong everyday print performance with a wider range of options, making it a good fit for organisations that may need encoding, added capacity or security features.

300 dpi direct-to-card printing
Available as simplex or duplex
125-card input hopper
Optional magnetic stripe or smart-card encoding

View simplex View duplex

True 600 dpi Fine detail

Sigma DS3 600 dpi

Sharper detail for high-assurance credentials.

True 600 × 600 dpi output improves fine text, detailed portraits and small security elements where close visual inspection and print precision matter.

600 × 600 dpi high-resolution mode
Single- or dual-sided printing configurations
Optional magnetic stripe and smart-card encoding
Compatible with selected DS3 expansion options

View DS3 600 dpi

Entrust Sigma DS3 printer with tactile impression module

Tactile security DS3 module

DS3 with tactile impression

Add a security feature people can see and feel.

The rear-mounted tactile impression module applies a raised foil impression to the card. It provides an immediate visual and touch-based check that is difficult to reproduce with an ordinary card printer.

Raised colour or clear tactile impression
Useful for controlled or higher-security credentials
Works inline with the card-issuance process
Configured to suit the required security design

Enquire for details

Entrust Sigma DS3 printer with card lamination module

Inline lamination Single or dual laminator

DS3 with lamination

Direct-to-card printing with added protection.

The Card Lamination Module sits beneath the DS3 and applies an overlay after printing. Choose a single laminator for one side or a dual laminator when both sides need protection.

Single- or dual-sided card lamination
Supports patch or continuous topcoat overlays
Helps protect printed information from wear
Optional magnetic stripe and smart-card encoding

Enquire for details

Retransfer 600 dpi

Artista CR805

Premium image quality and excellent smart-card coverage.

The CR805 prints the image onto retransfer film before bonding it to the card. This produces strong edge-to-edge results and is particularly useful for RFID and smart cards with an uneven chip area.

600 dpi retransfer printing
Dual-sided printing configuration supplied by ID Solutions
Optional magnetic stripe or smart-card encoding
Suitable for high-quality visual credentials

View Artista CR805

Entrust Artista CR805 printer with card lamination module

Retransfer + laminate Maximum protection

CR805 with lamination

High-resolution retransfer cards with an added protective layer.

This configuration combines the print quality and card-surface coverage of the CR805 with inline single- or dual-sided lamination for credentials expected to receive heavy use.

600 dpi retransfer image quality
Single- or dual-sided lamination
Patch and topcoat overlay options
Optional magnetic stripe or smart-card encoding

View CR805 CLM

Quick printer comparison

This overview covers the main decision points. We will confirm the exact printer, encoder and module configuration before quoting.

Feature	Sigma DS-E	Sigma DS3	DS3 600 dpi	Artista CR805
Print method	Direct-to-card	Direct-to-card	Direct-to-card	Retransfer film
Resolution	300 dpi	300 dpi	600 × 600 dpi	600 dpi
Simplex / duplex	Either	Either	Selected configurations	Duplex supplied by ID Solutions
Magnetic stripe	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Smart-card encoding	Not offered in our standard DS-E range	Available from ID Solutions	Available from ID Solutions	Available from ID Solutions
Lamination	Not the normal choice	Optional CLM configuration	Ask us about the required configuration	Optional CLM configuration
Best suited to	Routine staff and membership cards	Flexible everyday and access-card programmes	Fine detail and high-assurance credentials	Premium, RFID and smart-card applications

Exact compatibility depends on the printer build, card technology, access-control system and the data that needs to be encoded.

Encoding, lamination and security options

These options are normally selected when the printer is ordered. Tell us what the finished card must do and we will work backwards to the correct configuration.

Magnetic stripe encoding

Writes data to a compatible magnetic stripe while the card is being printed. We will confirm the stripe type, coercivity and required data format before specifying the encoder.

Smart-card encoding

Available in the DS3 and CR805 configurations supplied by ID Solutions. The correct encoder depends on the card technology and what your access-control or identity system expects.

Lamination and tactile security

Lamination adds a clear or security overlay for durability. A tactile impression creates a raised visual feature for quick authenticity checks. They solve different problems and can be discussed separately.

A simple way to narrow it down

You do not need to know the technical model number before contacting us. A sample card and a few details about your printing volume and access system are usually enough to begin.

Lowest-cost everyday printing: start with the Sigma DS-E.
Best general-purpose flexibility: look at the Sigma DS3.
Finest direct-to-card detail: consider the Sigma DS3 600 dpi.
RFID cards and premium edge-to-edge finish: choose the Artista CR805.
Cards exposed to frequent handling: add an appropriate lamination module.
Visible anti-counterfeit feature: discuss the DS3 tactile impression configuration.

Software, ribbons and ongoing support

The printer is only one part of a reliable card-issuance system. ID Solutions can also help with card software, genuine supplies, cleaning and support information.

Entrust ID card software

Entrust Instant ID software can support simple card design and printing through to multi-user and enterprise credential issuance. We can help match the printer, software and database requirements to your organisation.

View Entrust software

Ribbons, film and cleaning supplies

ID Solutions supplies Sigma ribbons, Artista CR805 ribbons and retransfer film, laminates, cleaning products and selected consumables for legacy Datacard printers.

View Entrust consumables

Entrust printer help and buying guides

Go directly to ID Solutions support information for Sigma, Artista, lamination, software and older Datacard equipment.

Entrust printer overview and support → Sigma DS3 and DSE help → Artista CR805 retransfer help → Card lamination help → Entrust ID card software help → Legacy Datacard CD800 support →

Common questions

Is Datacard the same company as Entrust?

Yes. The brand moved from Datacard to Entrust Datacard and then to Entrust. Older printers may still carry the Datacard or Entrust Datacard name, while current models use the Entrust brand.

Can all of these printers print ordinary CR80 plastic cards?

Yes. They are designed around the standard ID-1 / CR80 card format. Card material, thickness and surface quality still need to suit the printer and the finished application.

Do I need a duplex printer?

Choose duplex when the back of the card needs printed information and you want it produced automatically. A simplex printer can still be suitable when every card is printed on the front only.

Does printing an access card mean I need an encoder?

Not always. Many organisations print an existing access card and use its UID or serial number in the access-control database. An encoder is needed only when your workflow must write data to the magnetic stripe or smart chip during card production.

What is the difference between a single and dual laminator?

A single laminator normally applies overlay material to one side. A dual laminator can protect both sides in the same inline process, or apply different overlay materials where the configuration allows.

Why is the CR805 often recommended for smart cards?

Retransfer printing bonds a printed film to the card instead of placing the printhead directly against the card surface. This helps produce more consistent coverage around embedded chip areas and supports a premium edge-to-edge appearance.

Not sure which configuration you need?

Tell ID Solutions what you print now, whether the cards are single- or double-sided, what access technology is used and how long the cards must last. We will help you compare the sensible options without adding features you do not need.

Enquire now Use the printer estimator