In the following sections you will find background information on barcodes, magnetic stripes, PVC card printers, and other technologies related to barcode labeling and ID card production.

Barcode Information
Find answers to your question regarding how barcodes are used, their history, and the differences between the various formats and technologies.

Barcode Printing
Learn what you need to get started creating your own barcode labels and printing best practices.

Barcode Scanning
Read about the different types of barcode scanners, how they work, and advice about what kind you should use.

Magnetic Stripes
Information related to the magnetic stripe, such as those typically found on the back of PVC cards, how they work, and how you can use them.

PVC Card Printers
Background information on PVC card printers, how they work, and factors to consider before purchasing.

Barcode Information

1. What is a barcode?
2. What are barcodes used for?
3. What are the advantages of using barcodes?
4. How much information can a barcode encode?
5. How accurate are barcodes?
6. How many barcode symbologies are available?
7. What is the difference between the different barcode symbologies?
8. Which barcode symbology should I use?
9. What is an ISBN barcode?
10. What kind of barcode do I need to sell my product in a retail store?
11. How do I get a barcode number for my product?
12. What is a UPC barcode?
13. What is the Uniform Code Council (UCC)?
14. Do I need to apply for a UPC number?
15. What is a 2D barcode?
16. What is the difference between a 1D barcode and a 2D barcode?
17. Should I use a 1D or 2D barcode?
18. Where can I get more information on barcodes?
19. What is RFID?
20. Will RFID make barcodes obsolete?
21. What is GTIN?
22. What is a check digit and how is it used?
23. What is the most popular barcode symbology?
24. What are the most popular applications of barcodes?

1. What is a barcode?
   A barcode is a precise arrangement of geometric symbols, typically vertical bars that vary in width, that represent data in a machine-readable format.
   
   Barcode is very much like a license plate. The numbers and/or letters stored in the barcode are unique identifiers that, when read, can be used by a computer to look up additional information about the item. For example, barcode on a chocolate bar is just an identifier of the product that is used by the point of sale system to look up the price, the tax code, the current discount, and various other sales data from a computer database.
   
   
2. What are barcodes used for?
   Barcodes are used to efficiently and reliably enter data into a system with little or no human interaction, effectively eliminating the human-error element from data entry. Barcodes have countless applications and are widely used for product identification, inventory marking, shipping container marking, and much more.
   
   
3. What are the advantages of using barcodes?
   As barcodes are printed and processed by machines, they are processed much faster than standard human data entry and with a much higher degree of accuracy. Barcodes have the potential of dramatically improving productivity and reliability of nearly all applications.
   
   For an example, on an average it takes 6 seconds for an operator to enter 12 characters of data, where as scanning a 12 character barcode takes only 300 milliseconds. The error rate for typing is one substitution error in every 300 characters types. In contrast barcodes have error rates less than one in every one million barcodes scanned. A data entry error will translate into additional costs for a business that ranges from the cost of re-keying the data to shipping the wrong product to the wrong customer.
   
   
4. How much information can a barcode encode?
   There are many different types of barcode formats (known as barcode symbologies) and each has it's own limitations. Fixed length barcodes such as EAN-13 allow only 13 characters to be encoded, while Code 39 and Code 128 are variable length barcodes and are typically limited only by the size available for barcode placement. Generally, the more data that is encoded, the longer the resultant barcode will be. Barcode scanners also have scan range size limitations that may limit the maximum size of a barcode in a particular application. In practice, most popular variable length 1D barcodes can encode up 64 characters, while 2D barcodes can encode up to 1600 characters or more.
   
   
5. How accurate are barcodes?
   Barcodes are extremely accurate. While a competent data-entry operator may introduce an error every 300 keystrokes, barcodes have error rates less than one in every one million barcodes scanned. Several barcode symbologies also have built-in error correction, reducing the error rate even further.
   
   
6. How many barcode symbologies are available?
   More than 300 barcode symbologies have been developed. Different symbologies encode data using different algorithms and their characteristics, such as minimum and maximum data length and size restrictions, vary. Different symbologies have different advantages and disadvantages and are often designed with a particular application in mind. However there are a just handful of popular barcode symbologies that are used for the vast majority of barcode applications.
   
   
7. What is the difference between the different barcode symbologies?
   Different symbologies are used for different purposes. Below is a short list of popular symbologies and their intended use:
   
   Code 128: A variable length barcode used to encode alphanumeric data. Used for many general purposes such as marking DVD's, tagging ID cards, and much more.
   
   EAN.UCC-128: A variable length barcode used to encode alphanumeric data. The worldwide standard developed for exchanging data between different companies, UCC.EAN-128 not only encodes data, but also defines a set of Application Identifiers (AIs), that define the type of data encoded and the encoding format. UCC.EAN-128 encodes the data using the Code 128 symbology algorithms.
   
   Code 39: A variable length barcode used to encode alphanumeric data. Used widely for many years, Code 39 is the most popular general purpose barcode in the world, although it is losing ground to newer formats such as Code 128.
   
   UPC-A: A 12 digit fixed length barcode used to encode numeric data. Used in US retail shops to uniquely identify products. Unique UPC-A barcodes are issued by the UC-Council. If you are looking to sell your item in US retail stores, you will most likely need to include a UPC-A barcode on your product.
   
   UPC-E: A six digit fixed length barcode used to encode numeric data. UPC-E is a shortened version of the UPC-A barcode used to uniquely identify small retail items that are too small to include a full UPC-A barcode.
   
   EAN-13 (JAN-13): A 13 digit fixed length barcode used to encode numeric data. Used in retail shops outside the US to uniquely identify products. Unique EAN-13 barcodes are issued by the EAN and are a superset of UPC-A, pre-pending a country code to the UPC-A barcode.
   
   EAN-8 (JAN-8): An eight digit fixed length barcode used to encode numeric data. EAN-8 is a shortened version of the EAN-13 barcode used to uniquely identify small retail items that are too small to include a full EAN-13 barcode.
   
   Standard 2 of 5: A variable length barcode used to encode numeric data. Standard 2 of 5 has been in use since the 1960's and is used for marking airline tickets, photo-finishing, and more. Also known as Industrial 2 of 5.
   
   Interleaved 2 of 5: A variable length barcode used to encode numeric data. Interleaved 2 of 5 is a updated version of Standard 2 of 5 and has replaced it in most applications. Popular in the warehouse and distribution industry.
   
   MSI Plessy: A variable length barcode used to encode numeric data. MSI Plessy is typically used for inventory control in retail stores.
   
   Codabar: A variable length barcode used to encode numeric data. Primarily used by libraries, blood banks, and FedEx.
   
   PostNet: A fixed length barcode used to encode numeric data. Used by the US Postal Service for mail sorting. Encodes either a 5 digit zip code, a 9 digit zip code, or an 11 digit delivery code.
   
   DataMatrix: A variable length 2D barcode used to encode alphanumeric data. DataMatrix can encode much more data than a standard 1D barcode in a very small space and has built-in error detection and correction. Used widely to mark electronic parts, on shipping labels, in pharmacies, and on ID cards.
   
   PDF417: A variable length 2D barcode used to encode alphanumeric data. PDF417 is similar to DataMatrix, sharing the benefits of being a 2D barcode, but typically requiring a slightly larger space. Typical applications include shipping labels, part marking, and ID cards.
   
   
8. Which barcode symbology should I use?
   When trying to select a barcode symbology, first try to find out if your industry or application requires a particular symbology. For example, publishers are typically required to mark their books using ISBN barcodes while periodicals typically use ISSN barcodes. If you are marking your product for retail stores, UPC-A is the symbology used to identify products in the US, while EAN-13 is used in Europe and many other parts of the world. Japan uses JAN-13 which is a essentially an EAN-13 barcode.
   
   If you intend to use barcodes for an in-house or general purpose, and therefore don't have restrictions from outside organizations, look for a barcode symbology that matches your needs. For example, if you are encoding a combination of text and numbers, select a barcode that has the ability to encode alpha-numeric data. Code 128 and Code 39 are good choices for general barcoding needs.
   
   If you need to encode a large amount of data such as name and address information for an ID card, a 2D barcode such as DataMatrix or PDF417 is probably the best choice. 2D barcodes are much more powerful than 1D barcodes but the cost of 2D scanners is somewhat higher than 1D scanners.
   
   
9. What is an ISBN barcode?
   The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) barcode is a 10 digit numerical identifier for books, pamphlets, educational kits, microforms, CDROMs and braille publications. An ISBN identifier uniquely identifies a published work. An ISBN barcode is an EAN-13 barcode with the first three digits set to '978'.
   
   
10. What kind of barcode do I need to sell my product in a retail store?
    If you are selling in US retail stores, then a UPC-A or UPC-E barcode is required. If you are selling in other countries, then a EAN-13 or EAN-8 barcode is typically required.
    

    Because of change in law effective Jan 01, 2005, now companies importing to USA need not use UPC-A symbology, they can use EAN-13 instead. The Uniform Code Council requires all retail scanning systems in the USA to accept the EAN-13 symbol as well as the standard UPC-A. This requirement eliminates the need for manufacturers who export goods to the US and Canada to double-label their products.

11. How do I get a barcode number for my product?
    To obtain a unique barcode number for your product, you must register with the appropriate issuing group. For UPC numbers you must register with the UC-Council (http://www.uc-council.org). For EAN numbers, you must register with EAN (http://www.ean-int.org).
    
    
12. What is a UPC barcode?
    A Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode is a unique 12 digit code that identifies a product. The code has three parts: a Company Prefix, an Item Reference Number, and a Check Digit. The Electronic Commerce Council of Canada is responsible for the accurate assignment and annual license of Company Prefixes. The Company Prefix is for the exclusive use of the company to whom it is assigned. The Item Reference Number is assigned and managed by the Company Prefix holder to uniquely identify each product or service. A single digit Check Digit is used by the barcode scanner to verify that the complete number was correctly decoded.
    
    
13. What is the Uniform Code Council (UCC)?
    The Uniform Code Council (UCC) is the central authority authorized to provide unique company identification numbers to companies and organizations in the US. To learn more about the UCC, visit http://www.uc-council.org.
    
    
14. Do I need to apply for a UPC number?
    If you have one or more products that you would like to sell in retail stores in the US, you are required to include a UPC barcode on your package. To obtain a UPC barcode, you must apply to the UCC (http://www.uc-council.org).
    
    
15. What is a 2D barcode?
    A two-dimensional barcode stores data along both the width and height of the symbol and typically appears as barcodes stacked one on top of another. There are more than twenty 2D barcode symbologies but the two most popular are PDF417 and DataMatrix. 2D barcodes utilize advanced algorithms to encode a large amount of data in a small amount of space and include robust error detection and correction facilities so that damaged 2D barcodes can often be scanned successfully.
    
    
16. What is the difference between a 1D barcode and a 2D barcode?
    A 1D barcode only encodes data along the width of the barcode, while 2D barcodes encode data along both the width and height. 2D barcodes are therefore much denser than 1D barcodes and encode much more data in the same space. 2D barcodes are also much better at detecting and correcting errors in damaged barcodes.
    
    
17. Should I use a 1D or 2D barcode?
    While 2D barcodes are much more powerful than 1D barcodes, able to encode more data in the same space, your application may not require the added functionality that 2D barcodes provide. 1D barcodes are often a cheaper alternative to 2D barcodes. 1D barcodes are easier to print as they are less dense than 2D barcodes, and 1D barcode scanners are typically less expensive than 2D barcode scanners.
    
    
18. Who governs the use of barcode?
    If you need more information about organization that govern the use of barcode please visit the following links:
    
    The Uniform Code Council assigns UPC numbers to manufacturers and publishes standards for UPC barcodes.
    
    EAN International assigns EAN numbers to manufacturers (European version of the Uniform Code Council).
    
    Automatic Identification Manufacturers Association publishes barcode symbology standards.
    
    Automotive Industry Action Group publishes standards for the use of barcodes in the automotive industry.
    
    ISBN assigns unique identification to a title or edition of a book.
    
    ISSN assigns numbering system for serial publications.
    
    
19. What is RFID?
    Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves as means of identification. The most common way to use RFID is to store a serial number that identifies a person or an object, and perhaps a few other pieces of information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna. The chip and the antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag. The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader that converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information. This information can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it.
    
    
20. Will RFID make barcodes obsolete?
    The answer is, “No.” Two biggest disadvantages of using RFID are cost and privacy. Economies of scale have still not been achieved in RFID manufacturing, making it cost ineffective for manufacturers to use RFID. Some of the applications, such as point-of-sales, will have to wait until the RFID tags become cheap enough to stick on something as basic as a pack of chewing gum. Another big concern is of privacy. A RFID implanted in running shoes could be used as a tracking device. Also imagine that the technology could allow someone to drive by your house and hold out a scanner that could read all the labels inside, revealing what kind of beverages you have in the refrigerator and where you buy your clothes from.
    
    
21. What is GTIN?
    GTIN is the EAN-UCC Global Trade Item Numbering system. GTIN numbers are 14 digits long. GTIN can be constructed using four numbering structures, depending upon the exact application and the bar code symbology to be used. Numbering Structures that can be found in the 14-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) are:
    
    • UCC-12 used predominately in North America, prefixed with two leading zeros.
    • EAN/UCC-13 used predominately in Europe/Asia, prefixed with one leading zero.
    • EAN/UCC-14 previously known as a SCC-14, used in logistics application.
    • EAN/UCC-8 used predominately in Europe/Asia, prefixed with six leading zeros.

    The numbering structure is composed of leading zeros to complete 14 digits, followed by a country and company prefix (or manufacturer code), followed by an item number (this number is allocated by the user company/manufacturer), and a check digit.
    

22. What is a check digit and how is it used?
    A check digit is a character included within a symbol whose value is used for performing a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of the code.
    
    
23. What is the most popular barcode symbology?
    Although there are more than 300 barcode symbologies, the most popular amongst them are UPC-A (Uniform Product Code) and Code 3 of 9 (Code 39). UPC-A/UPC-E is used on just about all products sold in retail store in the USA, while Code 39 is used in automatic identification applications. Code 39 can encode both number and letters, can print any length of barcode, and can be read by virtually all barcode scanners. It is widely used in government and manufacturing operations.
    
    
24. What are the most popular applications of barcodes?
    Barcodes are primarily used for entering data into a system, efficiently and reliably, thereby improving the productivity. The following are some of the business areas where barcodes are commonly used:
    
    Point of Sale
    Retail outlets are one of the most common segments where barcodes are used to keep track of goods sold.
    
    Inventory Control
    Barcodes are extensively used in warehouses, shop floors, for tracking inventory. Portable scanners are used to track shipping and receiving and quickly take physical inventory. The collected data from portable scanners is then either uploaded to a central computer system at regular intervals or the inventory is updated in real-time, depending on the system you choose, allowing companies the opportunities to reduce stock levels and thereby reduce carrying costs. Improved efficiencies will lead to lower operating costs.
    
    Shipping
    Barcodes are used worldwide by the shipping industry. From marking letters, small packages, to large containers, barcodes are used to encode sender, recipient, carrier and various other information.
    
    Identification
    Employee ID cards printed with barcodes are used by various organizations around the world.
    
    Time and Attendance
    Barcodes are often used by time and attendance system. It uses barcode encoded employee identification badges that are scanned when employees start and stop work. This allows automatic tracking for payroll and eliminates paper time sheets and time clocks.
    
    Packaging
    Barcode labels are commonly used on packaging labels to identify part numbers, serial numbers, and shipping information. Labeling can be used to automatically sort packages for shipment, automate receiving, and enhance package tracking.
    
    Data Collection
    Medical and dental practices rely on complex patient forms. Using barcodes, detailed information is now quickly entered in the computer, making it an easy task of gathering large amounts of information for a client. Reduced data collection costs and better service are the results.
25. 
    

1. What do I need to print simple barcode labels?
2. What kind of printer is required to print barcodes?
3. Can I use a dot matrix printer to print barcodes?
4. Can I use an inkjet printer to print barcodes?
5. Can I use a label printer to print barcodes?
6. Can I include text and graphics on my label?
7. Is there a packaged solution that includes both hardware and software?
8. Can I print barcodes using colored ink?
9. Can I print barcodes on colored paper?
10. Do I need special software to print barcodes?
11. What are thermal printers?
12. Do I need a scanner to print barcodes?
13. What size should my barcode label be?

1. What do I need to print simple barcode labels?
   Label stock: typically label sheets, a continuous label roll, or fanfold labels
   
   Printer: most printers should work fine including standard inkjet, laser, label, PVC card, and thermal printers
   
   Software: barcode labeling software such as Label Flow.
   
   
2. What kind of printer is required to print barcodes?
   Barcode labels can be printed using nearly any printer including inkjet, laser, label, PVC card, and thermal printers. A high resolution printer may be required if the barcodes to be printed are very small. A clear distinction must be visible between each bar in the barcode.
   
   
3. Can I use a dot matrix printer to print barcodes?
   Dot matrix printers can typically be used to print large barcodes but their use is not recommended.
   
   
4. Can I use an inkjet printer to print barcodes?
   Yes, inkjet printers typically work fine for standard sized barcodes.
   
   
5. Can I use a label printer to print barcodes?
   Yes, label printers are ideal for printing barcodes as they are typically very cost effective when printing large volumes of labels. Thermal label printers typically work well also, although thermal labels are heat sensitive and deteriorate over time.
   
   
6. Can I include text and graphics on my label?
   Yes, but be certain to leave a guard zone (white area) around the barcode so the scanner can identify the barcode without the text and graphics interfering.
   
   
7. Is there a packaged solution that includes both hardware and software?
   Yes, many vendors offer hardware and software bundled together. Before you purchase a particular bundle, check that both the hardware and software meet your requirements. Typical bundles include low-cost, low-functionality hardware and/or software. Also be sure that the software you purchase supports the barcode symbology you intend to use.
   
   
8. Can I print barcodes using colored ink?
   Barcodes are electronically read using devices that rely on strong contrast between the printed bars and the background color. The bars must be dark and background must be light. While some scanners may be able to decode certain colors, it is not recommended to use colored ink when printing barcodes unless you have verified that the barcodes are scannable in the environment where they will be used. Traditionally, barcodes are printed using black ink on a white background.
   
   
9. Can I print barcodes on colored paper?
   If the colored paper is very light in color and contrasts well with the barcode, it will probably work. However it is not recommended to use colored paper unless you have verified that the barcodes are scannable in the environment where they will be used. Traditionally, barcodes are printed using black ink on a white background.
   
   
10. Do I need special software to print barcodes?
    Software is required to print barcodes. If you are printing a small number of very simple labels, then barcode fonts may work for you. However if you are designing professional labels or higher volumes of labels, barcode fonts probably won't work. Barcode fonts are very limited and do not allow you to customize important options and attributes of the barcodes to improve readability or reliability. Professional printing packages such as Label Flow also offer a wealth of other features such as data integration capabilities for volume and automated printing, allowing the creation of precise, professional labels and cards.
    
    
11. What are thermal printers?
    Thermal printers use heat to make an impression on the paper. There are two types of thermal printers: thermal direct and thermal transfer. A thermal direct printer applies heat to a specially coated paper to make an impression, where as a thermal transfer printer applies heat to a special ribbon that sits between the printhead and the paper, causing ribbon to transfer ink to the paper. Labels printed using the thermal transfer process usually last longer than the ones printed using the thermal direct process.
    
    
12. Do I need a scanner to print barcodes?
    You don't need a barcode scanner to print barcode labels, but it is always a good idea to keep a barcode scanner around if you are printing barcode labels on a regular basis. Having a scanner will allow you to test the barcodes you create before they are used in production.
    
    
13. What size should my barcode label be?
    Some suppliers and buyers require their customers or suppliers to comply with certain labeling standards. These standards may include the symbologies to be used, the dimensions of the label and even the format for the information. If you are working with a supplier or customer that mandates compliance to such standards, refer to the label specifications section in the standards. Otherwise, you are free to choose any label size, making sure it is within the scannable range of the reading equipment.
14. 
    

1. How does a barcode scanner work?
2. What kind of barcode scanner do I need?
3. How much does a scanner cost?
4. What is a keyboard wedge?

1. How does a barcode scanner work?
   A typical barcode scanner consists of a scanner, a decoder, and a cable that interfaces the decoder to a PC. The scanner scans the barcode symbol by shining a line of light onto the barcode and examining the reflection to capture the bars and spaces of the barcode and then sends this data to the decoder. The decoder translates the bars and spaces into data that a PC can understand and transmits this interpreted data to the PC via a cable in a similar way to how a keyboard sends data to a PC.
   
   
2. What kind of barcode scanner do I need?
   There are four types of barcode scanners available, wands (shaped like a pen), laser scanners, CCD scanners and camera based barcode scanners. Each type uses a slightly different technology to scan and decode the barcode. Wands are the cheapest option, requiring the wand to be swept over the barcode during scanning. Laser and CCD scanners are what you typically see at retail stores, and camera's are used where multiples items are scanned at one time such as on production lines. Different barcode scanners can read different barcode symbologies, so it is important to verify that the scanner you are considering purchasing supports the barcode symbology you will be using.
   
   
3. How much does a scanner cost?
   Scanners range dramatically in price. Starting at around $20 for a basic 1D barcode scanner they can range to several hundred dollars or more for camera based scanners.
   
   
4. What is a keyboard wedge?
   A keyboard wedge is the term used for a barcode scanner that connects to a PC using a keyboard connector. The wedge consists of a connector plug that plugs into a PC, another connector plug that the keyboard plugs in to, and a scanner on a cord.
   
   

1. What is a magnetic stripe?
2. What information does a magnetic stripe encode?
3. What is a track?
4. Are magnetic stripes accurate and reliable?
5. Are magnetic stripes secure?
6. How are cards with magnetic stripes printed?
7. How are cards with magnetic stripes decoded?
8. What does coercivity mean?
9. What is the difference between high and low coercivity magnetic stripes?
10. Are special readers required for high coercivity cards?
11. What is the cost per card for PVC cards?
12. Do magnetic stripes have built-in error detection?

1. What is a magnetic stripe?
   Magnetic stripes are used for storing information relevant to the card holder. Typical applications include credit cards, debit cards, airline tickets, identifications cards, phone cards, and drivers licenses. The stripe allows error free transmission of information stored in the stripe by swiping the card through a magnetic stripe reader.
   
   
2. What information does a magnetic stripe encode?
   A magnetic stripe consists of three tracks. Any combination of the three tracks may be encoded. Standards have been established for specific industries, but if you are looking to use a magnetic stripe for private use such as for a company or for school ID cards, then you do not need to adhere to the predefined standards. PVC card printers and readers may limit the type of data that can be encoded on each track however, so it is best to follow the standards in regards to the format and length of the data you plan to encode. Track density is measured in bits per inch or bpi.
   
   Track One - The first track to be standardized, track one was developed by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and is still reserved for their use. The track is encoded at 210 bpi with a maximum data length of 79 characters. Typically, the track encodes an 18 digit primary account number and up to 26 alphanumeric characters containing a person's name.
   
   Track Two - Developed by the American Bankers Association (ABA) for online financial transactions, track two is encoded at 75 bpi with a maximum data length of 40 numeric characters. Typically, it encodes a 19 digit account number.
   
   Track Three - Used by financial institutions to store an encrypted PIN code, country code, currency units, amount authorized, subsidiary account information, and other account restrictions. Track three is encoded at 210 bpi with a maximum data length of 107 numeric digits.
   
   
3. What is a track?
   A magnetic stripe is made up of three tracks, any combination of which may be encoded. Each track has a different encoding format.
   
   Track One - Encoded at 210 bpi with a maximum data length of 79 alphanumeric characters.
   
   Track Two - Encoded at 75 bpi with a maximum data length of 40 numeric digits.
   
   Track Three - Encoded at 210 bpi with a maximum data length of 107 numeric digits.
   
4. Are magnetic stripes accurate and reliable?
   Magnetic stripes are extremely accurate and reliable as long as the magnetic field on the stripe is intact. High coercivity magnetic stripes hold their charge longer and are more durable than low coercivity magnetic stripes.
   
   
5. Are magnetic stripes secure?
   A magnetic stripe printed using conventional methods is not that secure. One can duplicate or counterfeit magnetic stripe data using a PVC card printer capable of printing magnetic stripes. Newer technologies are available that prevent fraud by verifying that the card being swiped is the original card and that the data being scanned is the original data.
   
   
6. How are cards with magnetic stripes printed?
   Magnetic stripes are typically printed using a PVC card printer that includes a magnetic stripe programmer. A magnetic stripe is a strip of material that can be magnetized. To write data to the stripe, the card is dragged over a small electromagnet to magnetize the tiny spots on the stripe material, encoding binary data. PVC card printers and software such as ID Flow work together to make printing magnetic stripe cards as simple as printing regular documents.
   
   
7. How are cards with magnetic stripes decoded?
   Cards with magnetic stripes are read by swiping the card through a device containing a tiny coil of wire. The movement of the magnetized spots over the coil causes small electrical voltages to appear in the coil and from these voltages, the stored binary data is decoded. The reader then sends the decoded data to a PC via a USB, parallel port, or serial port cable. There are many low-cost magnetic card readers available in the market today.
   
   
8. What does coercivity mean?
   Coercivity refers to the strength of the magnetic field of the stripe material used on the card.
   
   
9. What is the difference between high and low coercivity magnetic stripes?
   High coercivity cards are hold their charge longer, and therefore are more durable than low coercivity cards. High coercivity cards are made of a material that cannot easily be altered when exposed to magnetic fields such as a magnetic screw, while low coercivity cards may be damaged when exposed to such fields. Low coercivity stripes are typically printed on cheaper, disposable cards such as public transportation and airline tickets.
   
   
10. Are special readers required for high coercivity cards?
    No, all magnetic stripe card readers can read either type.
    
    
11. What is the cost per card for PVC cards?
    Based on a lot of 1000, the cost per card for a full color card ranges from $0.50 to $1.00 depending on the printer, while the cost per card for a monochrome card is typically around $0.10.
    
    
12. Do magnetic stripes have built-in error detection?
    Yes, cards that are printed using the ISO standard methodology include a parity bit in each data character and every track has a checksum character, called LRC, that insures the track is encoded correctly. Most PVC card printers read the track after it is written to verify that it was programmed correctly. Most card readers verify both parity and the LRC before transmitting the data.
    
    

1. Can I create ID cards on a regular printer or do I need a PVC card printer?
2. What type of printer do I need to print magnetic stripes?
3. What should I consider when purchasing a PVC card printer?
4. What are the different standard sizes used for ID cards?
5. What is the cost difference between printing color and monochrome cards?
6. What printing resolution do card printers support?
7. Can PVC card printers print on both sides of a card?
8. Can PVC card printers print barcodes?
9. Where can I buy a PVC card printer and printing supplies?

1. Can I create ID cards on a regular printer or do I need a PVC card printer?
   Yes, you can print ID cards on regular or slightly heavier paper stock using a laser or inkjet printer. The ID cards can then be laminated or placed in badge holders to make them more durable. If you wish to use plastic cards (PVC cards), then you will need to use a PVC card printer. PVC card printers are used specifically for printing plastic cards.
   
   
2. What type of printer do I need to print magnetic stripes?
   To print an ID card with a magnetic stripe a PVC card printer capable of printing magnetic stripes is required. Card printer manufacturers include UltraMagicard, Fargo, Zebra/Eltron, Datacard and Evolis to name a few.
   
   
3. What should I consider when purchasing a PVC card printer?
   Card printers vary in their functionality. Consider the following questions when looking for a PVC card printer.
   
   Do you need to print color ID cards?
   
   Do you need to print magnetic stripes?
   
   Do you need to print on both sides of the ID card?
   
   What resolution does the printer support?
   
   How long does the printer take to print a card?
   
   
4. What are the different standard sizes used for ID cards?
   ID cards come in varying sizes depending on their application. The most commonly used size is called CR80 and is the size of a standard credit card. The US military uses a larger format called CR100. There are other sizes including CR50, CR60, CR70, CR79 and CR90. Most card printers are able to support any of the standard sizes.
   
   
5. What is the cost difference between printing color and monochrome cards?
   Color ID cards are more expensive as they require color ink ribbons / cartridges. On a per card basis, a color ID card typically costs between 5 and 10 times more to produce than a similar monochrome card.
   
   
6. What printing resolution do PVC card printers support?
   The majority of card printers print at 300 dpi. High-end card printers may support higher resolutions.
   
   
7. Can PVC card printers print on both sides of a card?
   Double sided printing is typically an optional feature on PVC card printers.
   
   
8. Can PVC card printers print barcodes?
   Yes.
   
   
9. Where can I buy a PVC card printer and printing supplies?
   PVC card printers and supplies are not typically offered in office supply stores. Specialty vendors can often be found in your area or though the internet. We have serveral recommend resellers.