1. What is the FARGO HDP8500 Industrial Card Printer/Encoder?
The FARGO HDP8500 is the fifth generation re-transfer dye-sublimation printer developed by HID Global. It
is specifically built to meet the requirements for high-duty continuous throughput ID issuance; focused on
reliability, system performance and operational convenience.
2. How does the FARGO HDP8500 Industrial Card Printer/Encoder fit within HID’s printer
portfolio?
The FARGO HDP8500 is the first printer within HID’s new Industrial Series, designed for higher duty, higher
volume card issuance. The Industrial Series joins the existing FARGO portfolio that includes the Standard,
Professional and Financial Series products.
3. How will HID Global distribute the FARGO HDP8500 Industrial Card Printer/Encoder?
The HDP8500 will be distributed through a worldwide network of qualified system integrators who have
demonstrated a depth of experience and success in government, service bureau and education markets,
including selling, installing and supporting hardware systems in those applications.
Qualified integrators will be required to sign an Industrial Series Partner Agreement in order to have
access to the product line.
4. What are some of the terms and conditions of the Industrial Series partner agreement?
No Advertised Price Policy (NAPP) – Integrators are prohibited from advertising or publically displaying
pricing for the Industrial Series products.
The partner must successfully complete a Certified HDP8500 Service training event.
The partner must purchase at least one demo printer.
For additional qualification details, please contact your HID Global Sales Manager.
5. Will the FARGO HDP8500 printer replace any current FARGO printers?
No. The HDP8500 is part of a new FARGO Industrial Series. This product is specifically built to meet the
requirements for continuous throughput ID issuance, with a focus on reliability, system performance and
operational convenience. The HDP8500 utilizes High Definition Printing™ (HDP®) technology.
6. What is HDP or retransfer printing technology?
High Definition Printing (HDP) delivers the highest image quality possible for card issuance applications.
This is done by printing the image on the HDP Film rather than directly to the card. This HDP Film is then
fused to the card, which allows the image to fill the entire white space of the card. An additional benefit of
HDP printing is that it inherently provides an extra layer of durability and security since the image on the
underside of the film is fused to the card.
7. How does the HDP8500 differ from the FARGO HDP5000 printer?
The FARGO HDP8500 is a high duty performance ID card issuance solution, geared to produce IDs
continuously throughout long shifts, even in the most demanding environments. Like the HDP5000 printer,
the HDP8500 uses High Definition Print technology to produce crisp, vibrant, secure card images. The
HDP8500 differs from the HDP5000 in several ways; a new range of features enables the HDP8500 to
sustain extended batch print runs and offer optimal reliability and security:
Industry-first 400-card input capacity with dual 200-card input hoppers
Industry-first multi-station card cleaning rollers
Industry-leading three-year warranty
Faster, more flexible print modes and higher card throughput speeds in the performance print mode
Secure enclosure of ribbon, film, input hopper cards, output hopper cards and rejected cards via
physical locks
Metal printer cabinetry
Secure operator PIN access via the touch screen display lock out or authorize printer operators
Secure data transmission with AES 256 bit encryption
Resin erase feature to eliminate user data from used ribbon spools
HID Global’s Trusted Identity Platform (TIP®) provides security at the point of issuance, allowing secure
print job authorization
Ability to physically secure the printer to a counter or work surface
Lower cost per card with half-panel color ribbon offerings
High durability consumables offerings
Industry-first 3.5” graphical touch screen display for ease of operation
Open, easily accessible card path
Dual-sided printing is standard
Optional ISO card flattening mechanism
8. Do HDP8500 color profiles match HDP5000 color profiles?
Yes.
9. Are HDP8500 ribbon and film materials compatible with the HDP5000 printer?
No. HDP8500 ribbon and film are not compatible with the HDP5000, and will be packaged differently. The
ribbons for the HDP8500 will maintain the same images per roll for the common ribbon configurations.
However, in addition the HDP8500 will include a half-panel ribbon configuration valued by high volume
government projects for lower cost per card. Finally, HDP8500 ribbons will also come with two cleaning
rollers to match the HDP8500 cleaning stations’ configuration.
10. Are HDP8500 overlaminates compatible with existing HDP5000 laminator modules?
Yes. The HDP5000 lamination materials can also be used in the HDP8500 laminators.
11. Can I order standard high security holographic HDP Film for the HDP8500?
Yes. HID’s standard holographic (OVD) HDP Film design is the High Secure Orbit design.
12. What is the minimum order quantity for customized high security holographic HDP Film?
The minimum order quantity is 50 rolls (25,000 images). The lead time for custom holographic HDP Film is
approximately 10 weeks.
13. Does the FARGO SDK support the HDP8500?
Yes. The HDP8500 is supported by the same SDK available for the rest of the FARGO card printer line,
making integration with the most complex systems more convenient.
15. What is the warranty?
Printer: Industry-leading three-year warranty
Printhead: Lifetime, unlimited passes
16. When will the HDP8500 be available?
First commercial shipments are planned for late Q1, 2012.
17. What new features should we be looking for in the HDP8500 within 2012?
Enhanced durability HDP consumables (available Q2, 2012)
Half-panel YMCK ribbon (available Q2, 2012)
Modular/factory-upgradeable laser engraving module (available Q3, 2012)
Multiple language translations – Touch screen user interface and driver (available Q2, 2012)
HID Global TIP/SIO enablement (available Q4, 2012)
18. What are the main advantages of the HDP8500 over competitive reverse transfer printers
such as the DIS XID 9300 or Zebra ZXP8 printers?
Lower cost-per-card with half-panel ribbon offering
Fully field-upgradeable to meet an organization’s changing needs over time
Rugged and durable construction built for high duty cycle throughput
Dual input hoppers with 400-card total capacity
Key security features with physical locks, PIN access, encrypted data, and TIP architecture
Enhanced durability material offerings
Easy-to-use touch screen display
Open, easily accessed card path
19. What are the main advantages of the HDP8500 over competitive direct-to-card printers
such as the Zebra P640i or Datacard SP75 printers?
Full field-upgradeability
Superior, photographic high definition image quality
Higher card durability due to high definition printing process
Additional layer of card security available without requiring a laminator, via HID’s unique holographic
(standard or custom) HDP Film
Dual hopper feature with 400 card total input hopper capacity
Key security features with physical locks, PIN access, encrypted data, and TIP architecture
Easy-to-use touch screen display
Lifetime printhead warranty – a cost savings in thousands of dollars over the life of a printer
20. Will the HDP8500 be FIPS-201 compliant?
Yes. We expect to obtain GSA FIPS-201 APL certification for the Card Printer Station category for the
HDP8500/HDP8500-LC within the second half of 2012.
21. Are the HDP8500 printer options field upgradeable?
Yes. HDP8500 field-upgradeable options are:
Dual-sided simultaneous lamination module
ISO magnetic stripe encoder
Contact smart card encoder (ISO 7816)
Contactless smart card encoder – 13.56 MHz technology such as HID iCLASS® and MIFARE™
DESFire and 125 kHz HID Prox (read-only)
Card flattener
Remote production status andon light
22. What card types does HID recommend for the HDP8500?
The HDP8500 accepts most CR-80 cards, but HID recommends UltraCard® Premium for all HDP card
issuance programs, especially when cards will be laminated.
23. Can the HDP8500 handle multiple card types at once?
Yes. The HDP8500 has dual auto-switching, 200-card input hoppers that snap in and out of the printer
easily. End users may stock two different card types in the two separate input hoppers. Card
cartridges/hoppers not in use can be removed from the printer and stored in a secure location.
24. Does the HDP8500 come with a User’s Guide?
Yes. An electronic User’s Guide is included on each HDP8500 installation CD.
25. What technical support does HID Global offer for the FARGO HDP8500 printer?
HID Global will offer software updates and support material for the HDP8500
26. What items are included with the base-model dual-sided HDP8500 printer?
A convenient quick start guide
Driver installation CD (including Workbench™, FARGO’s software toolkit)
Power supply and cords (US and EU)
Warranty registration card
27. Does the HDP8500 use the same smart card encoders as the HDP5000?
No. HDP8500 and HDP5000 encoding modules are based on similar OMNIKEY® contact and contactless
technology, but the encoding modules are different, and have unique part numbers. The encoding modules
both offer connectivity through a single USB or Ethernet connection to the host.
28. Do I need to purchase different kinds of contact/contactless smart card encoders in order
to encode different kinds of smart cards within one printer?
This depends on the frequency of your contactless cards. HID offers two multifunctional smart card
encoders for the HDP8500: One encoder covers 13.56 MHz technology such as HID iCLASS®,
MIFARE™/DESFire and contact smart card encoding, and the other encoder covers 125 kHz HID Prox
(read-only) and contact smart card encoding. Either option is available for an MSRP of $998 (USD).
29. Does HID Global offer an HDP8500 demo program?
Yes. We have a demonstration unit program for the HDP8500 printers. Please refer to
www.fargopartner.com or speak to your regional sales account manager for detailed information. Qualified
FARGO distributors can receive a 65% discount for up to three demonstration units ordered.
30. How can I learn more about Certified Service Training for the HDP8500?
The training schedule for the HDP8500 will be available at www.fargopartner.com or speak to your regional
sales account manager for detailed information. This training is mandatory to be a Qualified FARGO
HDP8500 distributor.
