Plastic cards with magnetic strip HiCo, LoCo. How to encode the magnetic strip correctly?

[Carding Forum]

Magnetic tape on plastic cards​

Magnetic stripe encoding is an automated and fairly fast process. But it must be taken into account that data can only be rewritten using a special magnetic stripe reader. That is why it is important to immediately record the correct information on the magnetic tape. Encoding is performed after the plastic magnetic cards are ready. If the data or its format is incorrect, the entire batch of plastic cards will have to be re-made. How can you avoid making mistakes when encoding plastic cards with a magnetic stripe and do everything correctly?

What does the magnetic stripe look like on plastic HiCO, LoCo cards and its features?​

The magnetic stripe on plastic cards is a tape with a thin magnetic layer. More precisely, it is a storage medium on which the necessary data is recorded on tracks. Making changes after encoding is possible only with the help of a special reader.

There are two types of magnetic strip on plastic cards: HiCo and LoCo. They differ not only in service life and color, but also in charge. HiCo is a more reliable and durable option. Even with active use, it will last longer than LoCo. But it is slightly more expensive. LoCo is a cheaper magnetic strip, but under the same operating conditions, it will last less. We use cards with HiCo tape - black and cards with LoCo tape - brown.

What is the difference between LoCo and HiCo magnetic stripe?​

• Magnetic strip LoCo (Low Coercitive = magnetization strength 300 oersted)
• HiCo magnetic strip (High Coercitive = magnetization force 2750 oersted)

Plastic cards with a magnetic stripe LoCo and plastic cards with a magnetic stripe HiCo differ in the strength of the charged current that is used during encoding (magnetization). Cards with magnetic tape HiCO - has a charge force of 2750 oersted and is considered high-coercivity, and LoCo - has a charge force of 300 oersted and is considered low-coercivity.

What information can be recorded on a magnetic stripe?

The magnetic strip is encoded directly on the finished plastic card. The client himself specifies the necessary data for recording in the task, which depends on the software, usually the technical task for encoding is provided by the IT department, 1C or programmers. Most often, cards with a magnetic strip are used for identification. In this case, the card (client) number is recorded .

For example, there may be a format like "card type=store code=card number". The first two components are constant, they are provided by the equipment manufacturer. But the last one - "card number" - is variable information. For example, for 5000 pieces the data will change from 00001 to 05000.

All information is located on one of 3 tracks.

• 1st – letters of the Latin alphabet, numbers and special characters : ; = + ( ) — ' - " ' ! @ # ^ & * < Total – 76 characters. At the beginning of the line “%”, at the end of the line “?”.
• 2nd – numbers and “=”. Total – 37 symbols. At the beginning of the line “;”, at the end of the line “?”.
• 3rd – numbers and “=”. Total – 104 characters. At the beginning of the line “_”, at the end of the line “?”.

Usually the 2nd track is used.

What error can occur and how to avoid it?​

Most often, the cause of the error is an incorrect or inaccurate assignment.

Cards are produced in accordance with the original layout, which contains all the information, including a clear encoding task.

For example, you need the numbers on the front side of the card to be entered on track 2, there are 5000 of them in total. In this case, you must indicate the following: “Encoding of the 2nd track, numbers from 00001 to 05000. Duplication of numbers on the front side of the cards.”

What happens if you don't specify at least one condition? Ambiguity arises. For example, if you do not specify a track, the information will be recorded on any of the 3, so the result will be a defect.

If you do not write down the numbers, but simply indicate: duplication on the front side, a problem with the format may arise. Instead of 00001 and 05000, you can enter 000=001 and 005=000 (embossing format). And again the error occurs.

If you do not note that you need to duplicate the numbers on the front side, problems will arise again. For example, the cards may be encoded out of order, so the numbers will not match.

Usually, when doubts arise, specialists always clarify how exactly information should be recorded on the magnetic strip. But this is an unnecessary waste of time, which can significantly increase production times. That is why it is better to immediately formulate the encoding task as accurately as possible and additionally check it in the original layout.

Source