Chongqing Colorful is a professional commercial printing manufacturer & supplier Since 2011.
Understanding Magnetic Stripes: What You Need to Know for Custom Cards
A magnetic stripe (often called a magstripe) is a narrow strip on the back of a plastic card, composed of tiny iron-based magnetic particles embedded in a plastic film. These particles act like miniature bar magnets, each storing a small bit of information, which can then be read by a card reader when the card is swiped.
When the stripe passes through a reader, the change in magnetic field is detected and decoded into usable data by the system.
In practical terms, you’ll encounter magnetic stripes on credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, loyalty and membership cards, hotel key cards, transportation cards—and sometimes even older access control cards.
2. Anatomy: Tracks, Standards and Data
A typical magnetic stripe card features up to three tracks laid out along the stripe. Each track is essentially a narrow physical band of encoded data.
Track 1: Alphabetic + numeric data (alphanumeric); used for full cardholder information (name, account number, issuing bank, country code, expiration date, service code).
Track 2: Numeric only; holds account number, discretionary data, PIN verification, etc.
Track 3: Less commonly used in many financial applications; if present, may hold additional numeric data (e.g., loyalty balances, alternative account info).
These tracks follow international standards (such as the ISO/IEC 7811 series) designed to ensure compatibility across card readers globally.
When one track becomes unreadable, other track(s) may serve as redundancy—ensuring the transaction or access can still proceed.
For card manufacturers and printers, it’s important to specify which track(s) you want encoded, and provide the data in a suitable format (e.g., CSV or TXT).
3. HiCo vs LoCo: Choosing the Right Stripe Type
Magnetic stripes differ chiefly in their coercivity—that is, how strongly the magnetic particles resist being erased or altered. The two main categories are:
Low-Coercivity (LoCo): Requires less magnetic energy to encode. Writers are less expensive, but the data is more easily erased or corrupted (e.g., by magnets, straps, mechanical wear). Generally used for short-term cards (e.g., event badges, hotel room keys).
High-Coercivity (HiCo): Requires higher magnetic energy to write, harder to erase or damage. Preferred for cards that will be used repeatedly, carried in wallets, or need longer lifespans (e.g., bank cards, long-term loyalty/membership cards).
In your custom card order you should specify whether you need LoCo or HiCo magnetic stripe (or none at all). If your card is going to be used frequently and needs a longer lifespan, HiCo is the better choice—even if slightly more costly.
4. Custom Card Production: Best Practices
When you’re ordering custom cards with magnetic stripes (for example, from your factory such as Chongqing Colorful Technology), keep the following in mind:
Define your usage scenario: Will cards be used daily and carried in wallets (choose HiCo), or are they temporary / single use (LoCo may suffice)?
Specify which track(s) to encode: Most often track 1 and/or track 2; confirm with your system provider which track is compatible with your readers.
Provide the data file: Make sure you supply a properly formatted data file (CSV/TXT) with the account numbers, names, expiration info, etc. This avoids delays.
Material & printing compatibility: Magnetic stripe must be affixed securely to the card material (PVC, composite, or acrylic). If using special materials (e.g., acrylic or NFC-hybrid cards), ensure magnetic stripe slot or embedding is compatible.
Quality control & testing: After production encode and test a sample card to ensure the stripe is readable by your reader system before mass production.
Durability and wear: If clients will carry the cards daily, consider protective laminates, abrasion-resistant finishes or edge treatments to prolong life.
Security aspects: While magnetic stripes are standard, they are somewhat vulnerable to skimming or duplication—consider adding other security layers if needed (see next section).
5. Security & Modern Alternatives
While magnetic stripe technology remains prevalent, it has certain limitations and security considerations:
Ease of cloning/skimming: The data on a magnetic stripe is static and can be read and copied with basic tools—this is one reason credit-card networks are moving toward EMV chip and contactless/NFC cards.
Wear and damage: Frequent use can degrade the stripe; magnetic fields (e.g., from strong magnets) may corrupt LoCo stripes.
Compatibility with new systems: Many newer readers support chip, contactless (RFID/NFC) or mobile-wallet credentials—and may treat magnetic stripes as backup or legacy.
Therefore, for higher-security or future-proofing, consider:
Smart-chip cards (contact, contactless)
Hybrid cards (mag stripe + chip + NFC)
Security overlays (holograms, UV printing, micro-text)
But for many loyalty, membership or gift card applications, a well-coded magnetic stripe remains a very practical choice.
6. Application Scenarios & Choosing What’s Right
Here are some typical scenarios and how to choose the stripe type:
Gift card, one-time use: Low cost, short life → LoCo is acceptable.
Loyalty/membership card, used monthly: Medium cost, moderate life → HiCo preferred, magnetic stripe may suffice.
Access control or payment card (heavy use): Long life, must be durable → HiCo stripe or better yet chip/NFC.
Hotel key card or event badge (single stay/use): LoCo, simple encoding, minimal cost.
Additionally, if you’re in a region where readers expect only certain tracks, or the material is non-standard (e.g., transparent cards, acrylate cards), ensure your card-printer confirms compatibility.
7. Maintenance, Lifespan & Practical Tips
To maximise the lifespan and reliability of magnetic stripe cards:
Store cards away from strong magnets or devices that generate electromagnetic fields (e.g., some phone cases with magnetic closures).
Avoid scratching or bending the stripe area.
Clean card readers regularly: debris can interfere with reading.
Test a sample batch immediately to catch encoding or read issues early.
Use quality cards and encoding equipment: a cheap stripe may save cost up front but lead to higher replacement or failure costs later.
8. Why Choose Us for Your Custom Magnetic Stripe Cards
At Chongqing Colorful Technology, we specialise in custom card printing—PVC cards, acrylic cards, NFC products, and yes: cards with magnetic stripes for loyalty, membership, gift, hotel or access scenarios. With a 1,400-sqm workshop, Heidelberg UV printers, Kemei digital press and 20+ automation machines, we have monthly capacity over 10 million cards.
Key benefits:
Flexible choice of stripe type (LoCo / HiCo) and track encoding.
Support for special materials (PVC, acrylic) and hybrid cards with NFC + mag stripe.
SGS, ISO 9001, GRS certified: quality you can trust.
Global export experience, including Europe (Sweden etc.), ideal for clients needing cards for Sweden/Europe market.
By choosing us, you get a one-stop service: design, print, encode, finish, ship.
FAQ
Q: Can I encode all three tracks on a magnetic stripe?
A: Yes, technically up to three tracks can be encoded—but many systems only require tracks 1 and/or 2. If you’re uncertain, confirm with your card-reader or POS provider.
Q: Does a HiCo stripe cost that much more than a LoCo stripe?
A: The material cost difference is small, but the writer equipment may cost more. Because of improved durability and security, HiCo is often worth the investment for repeated-use cards.
Q: Can I add a magnetic stripe to an acrylic or transparent card?
A: Yes—many custom card printers embed the stripe during card manufacture. Just ensure your reader supports reading the stripe in that material and that the stripe is positioned correctly.
Q: My card will also have NFC or RFID — can I still have a magnetic stripe?
A: Absolutely. Hybrid cards with mag stripe + NFC/chip are common. They provide backward-compatibility (readers that only understand the stripe) while offering newer tech for future-proofing.
Conclusion
Magnetic stripe technology may not be the newest, flashiest option—but when properly specified, encoded and produced, it remains a solid solution for many card applications. By understanding stripe types (LoCo vs HiCo), track encoding, durability and security implications, you can choose the right card type for your business needs. If you’re looking for a reliable custom card partner with magnetic stripe capability, feel free to contact us at Chongqing Colorful Technology—we’d be happy to help you design and produce cards that meet your business goals.
