Datacard SP55 Replacement Guide for Legacy Users

The Datacard SP55 (and SP55 Plus) is a legacy dual-sided ID card printer that has been discontinued since November 30, 2011 Securityinformed Colorid. While the printer itself is no longer in production, there is a stable secondary market for its supplies and modern replacement models Carddatasystems.

Product Overview

* Legacy Capabilities: The SP55 Plus offered 300 dpi color/monochrome printing at speeds up to 190 single-sided color cards per hour Fastrfid. It was known for its ribbon saver feature for monochrome printing and optional magnetic stripe/smart card encoding Mobileidsolutions Carddatasystems.

* Current Availability: New units are unavailable. The B2B market currently focuses on compatible ribbons (e.g., model 535000-002) and specialized components to maintain existing fleets Alibaba Alibaba.

Market Trends & Replacement Strategies

* Replacement Models: Entrust Datacard has officially transitioned users to the SD series. The Datacard SD360 (dual-sided) and SD260 (single-sided) are the primary successors, featuring faster print speeds, improved image quality, and anti-jam technology Colorid Alibaba. The Datacard CD800 is also recommended for higher-volume corporate environments Carddatasystems.

* Market Growth: The global ID card printer market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2026, driven by a 6.2%–6.85% CAGR Dataintelo Yahoo. Demand is shifting toward smart card integration and higher security features, rendering older models like the SP55 obsolete for new installations Theinsightpartners.

* Secondary Market Demand: There is still active demand for refurbished units and compatible supplies from businesses looking to avoid the cost of full system upgrades Idcardprintersavings Ebay.

I have compiled a list of modern replacement models and compatible supplies available for sourcing below.