Magnetic Stripe Card Production: Manufacturing and Encoding Technologies
Magnetic stripe card production remains essential for global payment systems and access control applications. Understanding the manufacturing process, encoding technologies, and quality requirements helps businesses and financial institutions select reliable bank cards that meet their operational needs.
The Role of Magnetic Stripe Technology in Card Production
Magnetic stripe technology enables automated data processing and customer tracking across various industries. From payment processing to loyalty programs, magnetic stripe cards provide a cost-effective solution for encoding and reading customer information quickly and accurately.
Global Applications
Magnetic stripe card production serves numerous sectors:
- Financial services: Credit, debit, and prepaid payment cards
- Retail: Loyalty and membership programs
- Access control: Building entry and time attendance systems
- Transportation: Transit passes and parking systems
- Healthcare: Patient identification cards
Magnetic Stripe Types: HiCo vs LoCo
Professional card manufacturing offers two magnetic stripe coercivity levels:
High Coercivity (HiCo) Stripes
HiCo magnetic stripes use stronger magnetic particles requiring more energy to encode. Key characteristics:
- Coercivity: 2750-4000 Oersted
- Durability: Resistant to accidental demagnetization
- Applications: Credit cards, ATM cards, frequently-used access cards
- Lifespan: 3-5 years with regular use
- Appearance: Typically black or dark brown stripe
Low Coercivity (LoCo) Stripes
LoCo magnetic stripes require less energy for encoding but offer reduced durability:
- Coercivity: 300-600 Oersted
- Cost: Lower production cost than HiCo
- Applications: Hotel keys, gift cards, temporary access cards
- Lifespan: Months to 1-2 years depending on usage
- Appearance: Usually brown stripe
Track Data Structure in Magnetic Stripe Cards
Standard magnetic stripes contain three data tracks following ISO specifications:
Track 1 (IATA)
Contains alphanumeric data including cardholder name and account information. Track 1 holds up to 79 characters and is read-only in most applications.
Track 2 (ABA)
The primary track for financial transactions, containing the card number, expiration date, and service code. Limited to numeric data with up to 40 characters.
Track 3 (THRIFT)
Read-write capable track used for stored value applications. Can hold up to 107 numeric characters and supports balance updates.
Material Requirements for Magnetic Stripe Cards
Quality magnetic stripe card production requires specific material standards:
Base Material Compatibility
Magnetic stripes can only be applied to genuine plastic substrates. Important considerations:
- PVC cards: Standard substrate for magnetic stripe application
- Composite cards: PET-G and PVC combinations for enhanced durability
- Incompatible materials: Cardboard, laminated paper, and pseudo-plastic cannot properly hold magnetic stripes
For premium applications, metal cards can incorporate magnetic stripes with special mounting techniques.
Encoding Process in Card Manufacturing
The magnetic stripe encoding process offers flexibility for different production scenarios:
Factory Encoding
Manufacturers can encode magnetic stripes during production, ensuring:
- Consistent data quality across large batches
- Professional-grade encoding equipment
- Quality verification before shipping
- Reduced equipment costs for clients
Client-Side Encoding
Customers may choose to encode cards themselves when:
- Data changes frequently
- Security protocols require on-site encoding
- Small batch quantities are needed
- Integration with existing systems is required
Quality Standards for Magnetic Stripe Cards
Reliable magnetic stripe cards must meet strict quality criteria:
Durability Requirements
Cards must maintain readability through:
- Thousands of swipe cycles without data degradation
- Resistance to normal wear and environmental conditions
- Stable magnetic properties over the card's intended lifespan
Reading Accuracy
Encoded data must remain readable across different card readers. Any mechanical damage to the stripe surface can render cards unusable.
Combining Technologies
Modern card production often combines magnetic stripes with other technologies:
- Chip cards: EMV chips with magnetic stripe backup for legacy systems
- Contactless: NFC technology alongside magnetic stripes
- Barcodes: Dual-technology cards for multiple applications
- Biometric cards: Fingerprint sensors with magnetic stripe compatibility
Professional Magnetic Stripe Card Production
At ASMO, our magnetic stripe card production follows international standards for encoding accuracy and durability. We offer both HiCo and LoCo options with factory encoding services tailored to your specific requirements.
Learn more about our payment standards compliance and comprehensive card manufacturing capabilities.