Many people new to ID card printing ask the question, “Should I use barcodes or magnetic stripes on my cards”? Well, there are a couple of differences in them to consider when deciding which option is best for your application.

Both barcodes and magnetic stripes are inexpensive ways to store cardholder data. The difference is in where the data is stored and how the data is read or translated.

•  Magnetic stripes store data that is read by a magnetic stripe reader by swiping the card.
• Barcodes do not store data themselves, instead, a barcode reader is used to scan the code. The code is then sent to a computer where it is associated with data stored in the computer.

Your decision to use either barcodes or magnetic stripe encoding will impact what you’ll need to look for in a card printer and also in ID card software.

• All card printers with resin monochrome printing capability can print a barcode, no printer upgrades are needed. Additionally, all ID card software is capable of printing a standard 1-D barcode, however, only a few softwares are capable of the newer, 2-D barcodes. Be sure to check the software specifications to ensure you get what you need.
• If you’ll be encoding magnetic stripes, you’ll need both a card printer and ID card software with mag stripe encoding capability. Most card printers and card software brands offer magnetic stripe encoding options—be sure the specific printer model and software edition you’re looking at include mag stripe encoding capability.

This is a basic outline of the differences between using barcodes and using magnetic stripes. If you have additional questions, talk to one of our ID Professionals at (800) 321-4405. We’ll be happy to discuss your specific needs.

Written by Brent Hascall on August 30th, 2012 | Tags: Barcode, Encoding, Magnetic Stripe | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

Magnetic stripe cards can add value and security to your ID cards, gift cards, and membership cards. Some of the benefits include:

• Low cost compared to other technology cards
• Re-writable data that can be updated when required
• Higher data capacity than most barcodes
• More secure than barcodes
• Ease and speed of use, making them ideal for transit and point of sale applications
• Well established standards, resulting in high compatibility

When adding a magnetic stripe encoder to some ID card printer models, you may have to specify “mag stripe up” or “mag stripe down.” Mag stripe up means the magnetic stripe is on the front of the card and mag stripe down means the magnetic stripe is on the back of the card. This information is important for certain printer models because the mag encoder will be installed differently for each. The most common configuration is mag stripe down.

For help with your magnetic stripe encoding requirements, please give our ID Professionals a call at (800) 321-4405.

Written by Thomas Yemne on April 10th, 2012 | Tags: Magnetic Stripe | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

Many new ID card printer users ask the following question: “Should I use barcodes or magnetic encoding”?

There are many things to consider when moving into a new ID card printer system that is equipped with either or both of these options. Encoded cards are typically used to store data that will be retrieved at a later time, such as checking into a community center or library. A barcode on a card must be scanned by a barcode scanner when checking in. This method of encoding stores information about that card in the location’s personal computer records.

Secondly, the topic of magnetic encoding comes into play. While a barcode’s information is kept electronically in a computer, a magnetic stripe’s information is stored within the magnetic stripe of the card. Magnetically encoded cards are commonly used for hotel key cards where a specific card holds data that will unlock preprogrammed doors for a predetermined number of days. Magnetics are also very popular in buildings that have card readers mounted on the walls near locked doors. Simply swipe the card and, if you are a validated user of that door, it will unlock and you are granted access.

This is a brief tutorial on the similarities and differences of barcode vs. magnetic encoding on ID cards. Please give one of our experts a call at 800-321-4405 and we will be happy to learn more about your specific needs and answer any questions that you may have.

Written by Brent Hascall on May 19th, 2010 | Tags: Barcode, Magnetic Stripe | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

There are two popular types of magnetic striped cards: high coercivity (HiCo) and low coercivity (LoCo).

High coercivity magnetic striped cards are harder to erase, and are used in applications where cards are frequently used or need to have a long life. Low coercivity magnetic striped cards require a lower amount of energy to record and are easier to erase. High coercivity stripes are resistant to damage from most magnets or magnetic fields, while low coercivity stripes can be damaged by even a brief contact with a magnetic field.

The encoding technique is the same for both types of cards, except that a  stronger electrical current is required in the magnetic stripe encoder to write on high coercivity cards.

Typical high coercivity transactions: access control, time and attendance, and gift cards.

Typical low coercivity transactions: hotel room keys and other applications where the card is only used for a short period.

Most ID printers can be upgraded to include a magnetic stripe encoder and the ID card software to encode the cards. When adding a magnetic stripe encoder to your card printer, be sure to discuss the card printing software with an ID expert to select the best software to encode your cards.

Written by Thomas Yemne on April 21st, 2010 | Tags: Magnetic Stripe | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

As you shop for an ID card printer and consider the type of ID cards you want to print, you will probably hear the term “magnetic stripe” or “magstripe.” What exactly is a magnetic stripe? It’s the black or brown stripe on the back of a PVC card. Found on credit cards and driver’s licenses, this stripe stores a range of important cardholder data. More on Magstripe Cards

Written by Kate Curtis on March 22nd, 2010 | Tags: Magnetic Stripe | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

Furmano Foods is one of the many food processing facilities in the nation with a strong focus on plant security to protect the food it supplies to its customers and to the U.S. Department of Agriculture food programs. The company recently began looking to improve its ID program to allow it to have even tighter access control than it did before. Previously, employees were given pre-printed bar coded cards and assigned an employee ID number. The company wanted durable photo ID cards that had clear photos of the cardholder for at-a-glance verification in addition to both bar code and magnetic encoding for door access control. More on Food Plant Security & Fargo DTC550 Card Printer »

Written by David Stage on January 11th, 2010 | Tags: Barcode, DTC550, Fargo, Magnetic Stripe, Smart Card | Category: ID Wholesaler News | Leave a comment

The Zebra ZXP Series 8 re-transfer printer is now available for purchase. The ZXP Series 8 card printer is Zebra’s first reverse transfer printer and offers  single-sided (part number: Z81-000C0000US00) and dual sided (part number: Z82-000C0000US00) printer configurations with magnetic encoding, contact and contactless smart card encoding, and a media starter kit option. Armed with a 150 card capacity feeder and a 100 card output hopper, the Zebra ZXP Series 8 card printer can print up to 190 single-sided cards per hour and the Zebra ZXP Series 8 ID Card Printer – Duplex can print up to 170 dual-sided cards per hour. More on New Zebra ZXP Series 8 Reverse Transfer Printer»

Written by David Stage on November 2nd, 2009 | Tags: Encoding, Magnetic Stripe, Smart Card, Zebra, ZXP Series 8 | Category: Product Updates | Comments Off

Within the next two years, European banks may eliminate the use of magnetic stripe encoding for their credit and debit cards and issue smart cards to their customers. Smart cards are gaining popularity for their ability to store a larger amount of data onto their microprocessor, which makes them ideal for securing highly sensitive information. If you’re currently trying to determine which encoding options to use for your photo ID cards, either smart card or magnetic stripe, you’ll want to consider how long you’ll be using the cards for.

Most businesses currently have card printers with magnetic stripe encoding due to the widespread use of magnetic stripe readers. However, the data storage space in smart cards allow for additional safeguards to be placed on the card.

While the use of magnetic stripe encoding for photo ID applications won’t be going away anytime soon, the adoption of smart cards is a trend that will continue in the coming years. With the high security of smart cards, businesses can verify the card holder’s identity in a more secure and convenient manner. If you’re interested in a card printer with smart card encoding, check out ID Wholesaler’s selection of card printers using this printer selector.

Written by David Stage on July 13th, 2009 | Tags: Encoding, Magnetic Stripe, Smart Card | Category: ID Cards | Leave a comment

The new entry-level, user friendly, and high value Magicard Pronto printer is now available for purchase. As previously announced, the Magicard Pronto is a hand-fed ID card printer that is ideal for low-volume, low cost, and on-demand card printing. The Pronto printer is available with magnetic stripe encoding capabilities so you can store information on the cards for various applications. With the Magicard Pronto printer, you can create multipurpose loyalty, membership, and access cards on a budget. More on Magicard Pronto Card Printer »

Written by David Stage on July 6th, 2009 | Tags: Encoding, Magicard, Magnetic Stripe, Pronto | Category: ID Card Printers & Systems | Leave a comment