Loco Magnetic Strip

Magnetic strip is the oldest and the cheapest holder of information which can be read automatically in card readers. Magnetic strip cards (ISO 7811) are usually used for creating systems with a large amount of cards where information holder is chosen based on existing technology infrastructure for reading the magnetic strip. In general, the readers can be found in most of institutions and service points. From the security point of view of the recorded data, a significant disadvantage of this type of card is the limitation for proper protection as the data recorded on a strip can quite easily be copied. In systems using magnetic strip cards all the important information should be recorded in the system computers and cards should be exclusively ID number carriers. Nowadays, the most popular are HICO (high coercivity) cards which are more resistant to demagnetization. The strip coercivity rate is high (approximately 4000 Oe) and data is recorded on three tracks: the first allows to record 75 alphanumerical digits, the second - 40 numerical digits, and the third - 107 numerical digits. On the market you can still find LOCO (low coercivity) cards which also include three tracks but low strip coercivity rate (approximately 350 Oe) and makes the cards more vulnerable to demagnetization.

Magnetic strip cards are the most widespread and the most popular cards, especially in payments systems and loyalty program projects.

Loco magstrip for plastic card

There are several types, most widly used is 12.5mm height loco magstrip. Standard encoding is on track 2, numbers only. Track 1 can encode numbers and characters. If you provide data sheet, we can do random encoding too. And speical magstril, like 8mm height, silver colour, gold colour magstrip are also available for high end clients.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HICO (2750OE) AND LOCO (300OE)

Knowing the difference means taking full advantage of your card applications. The key is understanding the true applications of the card use. Both HiCo and LoCo can be encoded with the same amount of data. The key difference is HiCo magnetic stripe cards are encoded with a stronger magnetic field that makes them more suitable for secure applications and for when the cards may be swiped more frequently. With HiCo cards, encoded data is less likely to be erased when exposed to an outside magnetic field. Possible longer life and keeps your card information well protected.

LoCo magnetic stripe cards are ideal for short-term applications where high security and long-lasting card life are less of a concern. The magnetic stripes on these cards are more of a brownish hue, while HiCo mag stripes are almost black in color. LoCo cards use a lower intensity magnetic field and are used for a variety of applications including gift cards, membership and loyalty cards, transit passes, hotel room keys, theme park passes, grocery club cards, and many more.

Price start from $0.04/unit @ 1000pcs (MOQ 500pcs)