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What is a Magnetic Strip Cards?
A magnetic strip card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic strip, sometimes called a magstrip, is read by physical contact and swiping past a reading head. Magnetic strip cards are commonly used in credit cards, identity cards, transportation tickets, and so on.
The Magnetic Strip
In most magnetic strip cards, the magnetic strip is contained in a plastic-like film. The magnetic strip is located 0.223 inches (5.66 mm) from the edge of the card, and is 0.375 inches (9.52 mm) wide. The magnetic strip contains three tracks, each 0.110 inches (2.79 mm) wide. Tracks one and three are typically recorded at 210 bits per inch (8.27 bits per mm), while track two typically has a recording density of 75 bits per inch (2.95 bits per mm). Each track can either contain 7-bit alphanumeric characters, or 5-bit numeric characters.
Magstrips come in two varieties: high-coercivity (HiCo) and low-coercivity (LoCo). High-coercivity magstrips are harder to erase, and therefore are appropriate for cards that are frequently used or that need to have a long life. Low-coercivity magstrips require a lower amount of magnetic energy to record, and hence the card writers are much cheaper than machines which are capable of recording high-coercivity magstrips. A card reader can read either type of magstrip, and a high-coercivity card writer may write both high and low-coercivity cards (most have two settings, but writing a LoCo card in HiCo mode will still work), while a low-coercivity card writer may write only low-coercivity cards.
Magnetic strip cards are used in very high volumes in the mass transit sector, replacing paper based tickets.
Printing & Programming of the Magnetic Strip Card:
We, at bits & bytes, print these magnetic strip cards from both sides. We print in black & white, grayscale or colour. We also program the magnetic strip - Tracks 1, 2 and 3, HiCo or LoCo. Prices vary according to the amount of cards. A first time setup fee may be charged. We sell magnetic strip cards, readers & writers.
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