Entrust Sigma DSE ID Card Printers

What is the Entrust Sigma DSE?

The Entrust Sigma DSE is the entry-level model in the Sigma range of ID card printers.
It’s designed for essential, low-to-medium volume card printing while still providing the same modern Sigma platform architecture as the DS-series.

You should choose the Entrust Sigma DSE ID card printer if you’re looking for a modern, reliable, and cost-effective solution to meet your essential badging needs. It offers high-quality direct-to-card printing at 300 dpi, making it more than capable of producing sharp, professional-looking IDs without the premium price tag of more advanced models. With a modest hopper size and compact design, the DSE fits neatly into office or reception environments without taking up too much space. Because it’s built on Entrust’s proven Sigma architecture, you benefit from a robust and supported platform, while paying only for what you actually need—making the DSE ideal for small-to-medium issuing programmes, visitor badging, event IDs, and any setting where affordability and simplicity are more important than high throughput or advanced encoding.

Key points about the Entrust Sigma DSE ID Card Printer

The Entrust Sigma DSE is a compact, direct-to-card ID printer built for reliable, high-quality photo ID and credential production in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, events, and small-to-medium businesses. It delivers vibrant dye-sublimation printing at up to 300 dpi with options for single- or dual-sided printing, making it suitable for professional employee badges, visitor passes, membership cards, and access credentials. The printer features a 100-card input hopper and 25-card output, enabling efficient batch printing, with fast speeds of up to approximately 185 colour cards per hour and 750 monochrome cards per hour. It connects easily via USB (and Ethernet on duplex models) and is compatible with cloud-ready ID issuance systems, supporting efficient workflows and remote management. Optional upgrades for magnetic stripe and smart card encoding add flexibility for access control and secure applications. Built with a compact footprint and backed by a 24-month warranty, the Sigma DSE combines professional performance with ease of use and scalability for growing ID programmes.

Who Buys the Entrust Sigma DSE?

The Entrust Sigma DSE offers professional card printing without the higher cost or complexity of advanced systems, making it a modern, secure, and easy-to-use solution with low running costs. It is widely chosen across a variety of sectors: schools, colleges, and universities rely on it for student IDs, staff badges, and visitor passes, thanks to its compact design and simple operation; small to medium-sized businesses use it for staff ID and access cards, benefiting from professional print quality without specialist technicians or large budgets; healthcare providers trust it for staff and patient identification due to its reliability and security features; retail, hospitality, and visitor management organisations deploy it for membership cards, guest passes, and staff IDs because it is straightforward to set up in front-of-house areas; logistics and transportation companies utilise it for driver, warehouse, and temporary contractor IDs, achieving professional results without the expense of high-volume printers; event and temporary badge issuers value its portability and efficiency for short-term visitor or conference badges; and security-focused organisations appreciate the encrypted data transfer and secure boot protection it provides, all while remaining easy to operate.

Optional Upgrades for the Entrust Sigma DSE?

The Entrust Sigma DSE can be customised with a range of optional upgrades to meet diverse ID card printing requirements. Organisations can add magnetic stripe encoding for ISO 7811 three-track or JIS Type II single-track cards, ideal for simple access control or loyalty programs. Smart card encoding is available for contact cards (ISO 7816 T=0 / T=1) and contactless cards such as MIFARE, DESFire EV1/EV2, and HID iClass, supporting secure access, payment, or multi-purpose ID cards. An optional duplex module allows printing on both sides of the card, and some models can be upgraded from single-sided to dual-sided printing. A Wi-Fi module enables flexible network printing without cables, while a laminator or overlay module adds protective coatings to improve card durability and security. For physical security, the printer can be fitted with locks and supports a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for encrypted data and secure boot, ensuring both the cards and the printer remain secure.

Types of Consumables for the Entrust Sigma DSE

The Entrust Sigma DSE supports a range of consumables for printing and maintenance. These include:

1. Colour Ribbons

• YMCKT: Standard full-colour ribbon with protective topcoat, available in 250 or 500-card capacities.

• ymcKT: Variant with a slightly different black panel for higher image yield.

• YMCKT-KT / ymcKT-KT: Ribbons with additional black panels, useful for duplex printing.

• YMCKT PET-G Friendly: Ribbon designed for PET-G card stock.

2. Monochrome Ribbons

• Black (Standard): For basic text or barcodes.

• Black (Premium / High Opacity): For very dark, dense black printing.

• White: For white text or graphics, including food-safe white.

• Metallic colours: Such as silver or gold for decorative or premium cards.

• Other colours: Red, green, blue, and others for special designs.

3. Cleaning Supplies

• Cleaning Cards: Used to clean the print path after changing ribbons or during regular maintenance.

• Adhesive Cleaning Rollers: Remove dust and debris from internal rollers.

What other Entrust printer models are available an what is the difference between them?

The Entrust Sigma DSE is the entry-level version of Entrust’s Sigma ID card printer series, designed to provide reliable, high-quality card printing for organisations with basic or moderate printing needs. It is an ideal choice for schools, small businesses, and visitor management programs where simplicity, affordability, and professional results are priorities. For organisations with higher volume requirements or more advanced features, Entrust also offers the Sigma DS1 and Sigma DS2 models. The DS1 is suited for single-sided printing with enhanced speed and capacity, while the DS2 adds dual-sided printing, faster throughput, and optional smart card or magnetic stripe encoding for organisations that need more advanced functionality. Together, the DSE, DS1, and DS2 provide a range of options to meet different levels of card printing demands and budget considerations.

With fast output, intuitive controls, and strong security, the Entrust Sigma DSE is the perfect choice for entry-level to mid-volume ID card printing. Whether you’re printing a few badges a day or managing a small batch regularly, the DSE offers professional results with minimal fuss.

What markets is the Entrust Sigma DSE sold into?

The Entrust Sigma DSE serves a wide range of markets where organisations need reliable, professional, and easy-to-use ID card printing without the complexity or cost of high-end systems. In education, it is used by schools, colleges, and universities to produce student IDs, staff badges, and visitor passes. Small and medium-sized businesses rely on it for employee ID cards, access credentials, and visitor badges, while healthcare providers such as hospitals, clinics, and care facilities use it for staff and patient identification. It is also popular in retail, hospitality, and visitor management for membership cards, loyalty programs, guest passes, and staff IDs, as well as in corporate environments for employee badges, contractor credentials, and internal security. Additionally, logistics and transportation companies use it for driver and warehouse IDs, and event organisers value it for temporary badges at conferences, exhibitions, and training centres. Security-focused organisations also choose the Sigma DSE for its trusted data protection features, offering encrypted data and secure boot while remaining simple to operate.

Who are Entrust?

Entrust is a global leader in digital security and identity solutions, specialising in secure credential issuance, identity management, and payment technologies. Founded in 1969 as Entrust Technologies, the company initially focused on cryptography and digital certificates, helping organisations protect sensitive data in the early days of online computing. Over the decades, Entrust expanded into physical and digital identity solutions, including secure ID cards, passports, and access control systems, becoming a trusted partner for governments, corporations, and educational institutions worldwide. The company is headquartered in Shakopee, Minnesota, and has built a strong international presence, offering products and services in over 150 countries. Today, Entrust combines decades of expertise in security with modern innovations such as cloud-based credential issuance, mobile identity solutions, and the Sigma Series of ID card printers, which exemplify their commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable identity management solutions for a wide range of industries.

Why choose cards-x?  

Cards-X brings over 25 years of experience in the ID card industry, providing expert solutions and support for organisations of all sizes. With a deep understanding of ID card printing, access control, and secure credentialing, Cards-X has built a reputation for delivering reliable products, professional advice, and tailored services to meet the unique needs of each customer. Their long-standing presence in the market reflects a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

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Simply add the printer to your basket along with any required consumables, and simply place your order via then check out process.

If you would prefer to order on account please either email info@cards-x.co.uk or call us today on 0333 011 9992

For more information about our event and accreditation solutions and ID badge printers contact our friendly team.