Smart 51 Printer Review

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Introduction

The Smart 51 ID card printer is a reliable, cost-effective printer trusted by businesses worldwide for printing secure, high-quality plastic cards. Whether you’re printing staff ID cards, membership cards, loyalty cards, or access badges, the Smart 51 delivers consistent results without breaking the bank.

In this review, we’ll break down the features, performance, and best use cases for the Smart 51 — using plain language, so you’ll know if it’s the right fit for your business.

Why the Smart 51 Stands Out

The Smart 51 is well  known for simplicity, durability, and low operating costs. This printer is designed for medium to high-volume card printing, making it a solid investment for organisations that need hundreds or even thousands of cards printed per-year.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

  • Print Quality: Delivers sharp text, clear barcodes, and full-colour prints using dye-sublimation technology.

  • Speed: Prints a full-colour single-sided card in under 20 seconds.

  • Connectivity: Comes with USB and Ethernet as standard – ideal for offices or shared workspaces.

  • Ease of Use: Simple LCD interface, plug-and-play drivers, and drop-in ribbon installation make it user-friendly, even for non-technical staff.

  • Security Options: Optional magnetic stripe and smart card encoding for secure access control cards or payment solutions.

Smart 51 Printer

Who Should Use This Printer?

This section is for you if you’re wondering “Is this the right printer for my business?” Let’s break it down by buyer type:

🏢 Small to Medium-Sized Businesses

Need to print staff badges, access cards, or visitor passes regularly? The Smart 51 offers professional-grade output without enterprise-level costs. You’ll save money by bringing card printing in-house and avoid waiting on third-party suppliers. 

🏫 Schools, Colleges, and Universities

For issuing student ID cards or teacher badges quickly and efficiently. The Smart 51’s fast print speed and bulk input hopper make it ideal for educational settings where you need to print hundreds of cards at once.

🏥 Hospitals and Clinics

Healthcare facilities often require colour-coded ID badges for different departments. The Smart 51 handles this with ease, supporting both colour and black-and-white printing with optional encoding for secure access.

🏋️‍♂️ Gyms and Clubs

If you operate a gym, sports club, or members-only venue, the Smart 51 is perfect for creating professional-looking membership cards on the spot — personalised with logos, photos, and barcodes.

🛒 Retailers and Loyalty Programs

Customise loyalty cards with customer details, brand colours, and special offers. The Smart 51 works seamlessly with barcode or QR code systems, helping you track purchases and reward loyal customers. 

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Fast and reliable printing

  • Easy to operate and maintain

  • Affordable upfront cost

  • Wide range of ribbon options

  • Compact design

Cons:

  • No built-in encoding by default (needs optional upgrade)

  • Not suitable for very high-volume print shops (5k + per year)

Final Thoughts

The IDP Smart 51 is an excellent all-round card printer that balances quality, performance, and price. It’s a great option for businesses that want to take control of their ID card printing without complicating their workflow or spending a fortune.

If you need a printer that’s fast, affordable, and dependable — and you don’t need ultra-high security or very large-scale production — the Smart 51 is a safe bet. If youre looking for a smaller printer with less capability, the smaller smart 31 priter

Buy The Smart 51 Printer

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