MAGNETIC STRIPE SPECIFICATIONS
ISO 7811 and Definitions

Most PVC Cards and Pouches we sell have a Magnetic Stripe that is 1/2". Others will tell you that a 3/8" Stripe will work for all three tracks. We tell you that if you are writing to all 3 tracks you need a 1/2" stripe. A 3/8" stripe 'might' work but it's questionable if you follow the guidelines as set forth is ISO 7811. By using a 1/2" stripe you have some extra room in case the stripe is not positioned exactly, and the minimum  stripe is specified as .405" for a three track card anyway.  A 3/8" stripe is .375", .030" less than the specification. If you are only using Track 2, or Tracks 1 and 2, a 3/8" stripe is fine. If you are only using one track it can be 1/8" wide but needs to be positioned properly. By using the 1/2" stripe you are playing it safe for using any or all of the three tracks, and there is no cost advantage to using a narrower stripe when purchasing small quantities. If you need 50,000 to 100,000 the cost savings will justify using a narrower track if you can. Call for pricing if you need large quantities with a narrower stripe.

The stripe is made of magnetic particles of resin. The resin particle material determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher the coercivity, the harder it is to encode - and erase - information from the stripe. You need a mag stripe encoder to enter data on the mag stripe. All readers will read both the high and low coercivity stripes. Many encoders can write to either stripe, others can not. Order the type of card that your encoder supports. Many refer to stripes as high or low energy. It is implied that they are referring to the coercivity of the stripe.

Magnetic stripe cards are available in both high and low coercivity types; the low coercivity (LoCo) ones generally have a brown stripe, whereas high coercivity (HiCo) cards have a stripe which is dark brown or black. This is not a foolproof indicator, so if possible you should verify against your card vendor's part number. The color of the stripe is not an important factor, the coercivity is.

For Butterfly Pouches:
The magnetic stripe may be located either near the edge or near the score (fold) line. This is our option, as both locations conform with ISO 7811, once the pouch has been laminated. The ISO 7811 Specification appears below.