Entrust Platinum partner
Entrust Sigma DS direct-to-card printers for badges, student IDs and access cards: seven models and configurations, specified, installed and serviced across Canada by Ahearn & Soper.
A specialist replies within one business day.
Direct-to-card printing
An Entrust Sigma DS printer is a direct-to-card printer that prints, encodes and personalises plastic ID cards when you need them, instead of sending the job to a card bureau. It prints at 300 dpi on most models and 600 dpi on the Sigma DS3 with 600 dpi, and optional encoders write a magnetic stripe or a contact or contactless chip in the same pass.
The Sigma DS lineup
Start with a series, then narrow by sides, resolution, encoding or modules. Tick Compare on up to three.
Everyday issuance
Single sided colour ID cards at 300 dpi, up to 175 cards an hour in colour and 660 in monochrome.
One
Sides
175
Colour cph
125
Card input
Flexible issuance
One or both sides at 300 dpi with inline magnetic stripe and smart card encoding options.
1 or 2
Sides
225
Colour cph
125
Card input
Flexible issuance
An inline laminator applies a topcoat or laminate to the front of the card in the same pass.
Front
Laminated
200
Cph laminated
125
Card input
High volume and security
Entrust's complete direct-to-card system: up to 250 cards an hour on one side, 180 on both and 1,100 in monochrome.
1 or 2
Sides
250
Colour cph
750
Max input
High volume and security
The highest resolution in the Sigma line: 600 x 600 dpi for fine lines and micro sized secure text.
600
dpi
255
Colour cph
750
Max input
High volume and security
Colour tactile printing adds a raised element you can see and feel that resists counterfeiting and tampering.
Raised
Tactile
145
Tactile cph
750
Max input
High volume and security
The DS3 with an inline laminator that finishes the front of the card in the same pass.
Front
Laminated
210
Cph laminated
750
Max input
No printer matches every filter. Remove a filter or choose Clear filters.
Specifications from Entrust, checked 24 September 2026.
DS3 family upgrade
The six-compartment multi-hopper keeps several card types loaded in one Sigma DS3, for different ID types or tiers.
750 Cards loaded
The real thing: Sigma DS3 with the multi-hopper, each hopper lighting as it loads
Why buy through Ahearn & Soper
Ahearn & Soper is an Entrust Platinum partner for ID card printers.
Our team matches the printer, encoders and modules to your card programme first.
An authorised service provider for Entrust, with technicians on site across Canada and depot repair in Toronto.
Fifty years of putting identification, labelling and scanning systems to work in Canadian organisations.
Questions
It depends on the job. The Sigma DS3 with 600 dpi prints the most colour cards on one side, up to 255 an hour. The Sigma DS3 is fastest on both sides, up to 180 colour cards an hour, and in monochrome, up to 1,100.
The Sigma DS3 with 600 dpi prints at 600 x 600 dpi. The other Sigma DS models print at 300 dpi.
Yes, as options. Every Sigma DS model offers ISO 7811 magnetic stripe encoding and contact and contactless smart card encoding, including MIFARE, DESFire and HID iClass. HID iClass Seos and FeliCa are listed on the Sigma DS3 and DS3 with 600 dpi.
Yes. Ahearn & Soper is an authorised service provider for Entrust, with factory certified technicians on site across Canada and depot repair in Toronto.
Talk to an Entrust specialist
Tell us what you issue and how often. We match the printer, encoders and modules, and quote installation and service across Canada.
A specialist will reply within one business day.
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