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Oct 12
0

Recession Priced Promotions

By | Plastic cards | No Comments

Using High Perceived Value Plastic Cards To Promote Your Business or Event

No doubt that economic uncertainty causes any business to pause and take a second look at promotional spending.  Unfortunately. when marketing budgets are sliced and dice what was originally mean to stabilize the bottom line can end up contributing to a downward spiral.  Lack of proper promotions and PR in a recession can lead to even more troubled times.

Here are Five quick ideas for low cost, big impact plastic promotions that wont crunch you cash but give bang for your buck:

Promotional Gift Cards – Print a nice plastic card that looks and feels like a legit gift card and use it it as a simple barcoded coupon to drive business

Corporate Luggage Tags – A laminated luggage tag with a write on back is a great way to promote a business or organization at a tradeshow or destination event.  By definition people have traveled to get there and  custom printed luggage tag are a great premium

Custom Hotel Key Cards – Promotional hotel keys are a hot ticket.  Work with a host hotel to help promote private events or work with area restaurants or tourist destinations to pay for keys that will be issued to guest at nearby hotels.

Promotional Business Cards –  a nice four color plastic business card has some serious wow to it when you hand it to a client or prospect.  The reaction you get will surprise you.

Custom Keytags – almost everyone has keys and custom printed keytags are a fantastic promo tool to keep a marketing message close to people hands and in their minds.

So now that you have some idea’s… how do you find the right card manufacturer?

Many vendors (including plasticcardonline) offed high quality plastic card products in four color process printing and low minimums.  If time is of the essence, make sure a supplier offer quick proofs (via online systems) and fast turn around times.   If you want a green slant to your promotion, make sure the supplier has options for recycled plastic cards or corn card solutions. Finally compare a few quotes to get the best deal.

All in all plastic card promotions are a really good deal.  You get high value and good visual

Using High Perceived Value Plastic Cards To Promote Your Business or Event

No doubt that economic uncertainty causes any business to pause and take a second look at promotional spending.  Unfortunately. when marketing budgets are sliced and dice what was originally mean to stabilize the bottom line can end up contributing to a downward spiral.  Lack of proper promotions and PR in a recession can lead to even more troubled times.

Here are Five quick ideas for low cost, big impact plastic promotions that wont crunch you cash but give bang for your buck:

Promotional Gift Cards – Print a nice plastic card that looks and feels like a legit gift card and use it it as a simple barcoded coupon to drive business

Corporate Luggage Tags – A laminated luggage tag with a write on back is a great way to promote a business or organization at a tradeshow or destination event.  By definition people have traveled to get there and  custom printed luggage tag are a great premium

Custom Hotel Key Cards – Promotional hotel keys are a hot ticket.  Work with a host hotel to help promote private events or work with area restaurants or tourist destinations to pay for keys that will be issued to guest at nearby hotels.

Promotional Business Cards –  a nice four color plastic business card has some serious wow to it when you hand it to a client or prospect.  The reaction you get will surprise you.

Custom Keytags – almost everyone has keys and custom printed keytags are a fantastic promo tool to keep a marketing message close to people hands and in their minds.

So now that you have some idea’s… how do you find the right card manufacturer?

Many vendors (including Teraco) offed high quality plastic card products in four color process printing and low minimums.  If time is of the essence, make sure a supplier offer quick proofs (via online systems) and fast turn around times.   If you want a green slant to your promotion, make sure the supplier has options for recycled plastic cards or corn card solutions. Finally compare a few quotes to get the best deal.

All in all plastic card promotions are a really good deal.  You get high value and good visual

Oct 07
0

The magic behind the magnetic stripe

By | Membership Cards | No Comments

What do you really know about the magnetic stripe on the back of your gift card, credit card and the multitude of other plastic cards in your wallet?

If you are looking to implement a gift card (or other plastic card) program with this level of functionality or broker a portion of these services, keep reading.

When the card is swiped at the register it works like magic!  But unfortunately magnetic stripes are not powered by pixie dust.

Simply put, a magnetic stripe holds a unique number that is linked to a stored value account.  The plastic card is a tangible representation and access point to the account within the system in which it lives.

A common misconception is that codes for varying dollar amounts are loaded during the manufacturing process but this is not true.  Only the account numbers, which are provided by the processor managing the stored value accounts, are encoded onto the magnetic stripe during card production.  The card manufacturer guarantees that there will be no gap in the data meaning that two cards have the same number.

The more difficult and technical portion of a gift card, loyalty card, credit card or any other plastic card program is the back end processing solution.

Visa and MasterCard are two of the largest systems as they are accepted and can be processed by the largest conglomerate of retailers and service providers.  Private label credit cards, gift cards and other privately branded plastic card programs only work within their specified system e.g. Best Buy credit cards and gift cards only work at Best Buy stores.

Other payment and points based cards such as gift and loyalty cards work similarly in that they are only valid within the specified system or the store in which they are offered.  Again, this is not a fault of the actual card, but because the store in which the card will be accepted or processed must be within a centralized accounting/processing solution.

There are three components that make up a processing solution

  1. The point of sale system
  2. The processing software (within the POS)
  3. Real time bookkeeping/stored value management

All of these services are provided and managed by a processor or financial institution that keeps track of and processes the stored value accounts.

These processors make it possible for merchants to accept credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard.  Processors can also help merchants process cards for their own unique programs such as a gift and loyalty card and the magnetic stripe for a program like this is encoded with a range of numbers that is specified by the processor (as mentioned earlier).
The care is the simplest component of the scenario; however, it is arguably the most important aspect of the program because it is the physical piece that links the customer to the plastic card program and ultimately the store/brand.

Plasticcardonline can help you design or produce a custom plastic gift card, loyalty card, credit card, promotional card, plastic key tag, membership card, medical card, frequent shopper card, insurance card, plastic promotional business card or any other plastic card that is sure to stand out from the rest.

At this time there is no solution to process a card across multiple platforms.  For example there is no gift card that can be used in multiple locations other than those powered by Visa or MasterCard in which case the card must be accepted everywhere Visa and MasterCard are excepted and, of course, are subject to all fees and limitations.

The only other exception is where multiple stores share an accounting umbrella as well as processing platform.  This is why Toys R Us gift cards may also be redeemed at Babies R Us.  Also, restaurant conglomerates commonly offer similar flexibility to the consumer.

Each state has laws that govern what retailers can and cannot do with a gift card program in terms of expiration dates and associated fees.  This is another reason for the lack of a multiplatform solution.

Getting Started

  • Once a retailer chooses a gift and loyalty package from a processor they are ready to order plastic magnetic stripe cards.
  • Some processors supply the cards as part of the processing package and contractually bind retailers and service providers from using a third party source for plastic cards.
  • This, of course, is because processors make a healthy commission on the cards that they are not willing to give up.  The answer you or your client will likely hear in this scenario from a processor is, “Only our cards are guaranteed to work in our systems.”  However, the truth is that any reputable card manufacturer will guarantee their products.

Alternately, there are a few friendly processors who will allow you to work with us and manage the card buy yourself.  Those companies include:

  • Paytronix (this company provides gift and loyalty solutions for restaurant merchants only)
  • Fifth Third Gift Card Processing (gift card solutions only)
  • Smart Transaction Systems (gift card solutions only)
  • We can recommend other vendors for your specific processing needs.  Call today to speak to one of our sales experts.

Plasticcardonline is a leading manufacturer of plastic cards, card personalization, finishing services, mailing and fulfillment and printed plastic promotions.  Our products include custom plastic gift cards, loyalty cards, private label credit cards, plastic membership and custom plastic identification cards including access cards.

Our line of promotional card printing includes plastic ID badges, promotional gift cards, recycled plastic cards, plastic key tags, corporate luggage tags, custom hotel key cards, custom key tags, custom luggage tags and more.

We offer flexible solutions with the service you expect at the speed you need.  visit www.Plasticcardonline.com to learn more.

Sep 15
0

Recession Priced Promotions

By | Membership Cards | No Comments

No doubt that economic uncertainty causes any business to pause and take a second look at promotional spending.  Unfortunately. when marketing budgets are sliced and dice what was originally mean to stabilize the bottom line can end up contributing to a downward spiral.  Lack of proper promotions and PR in a recession can lead to even more troubled times.

Here are Five quick ideas for low cost, big impact plastic promotions that wont crunch you cash but give bang for your buck:

Promotional Gift Cards – Print a nice plastic card that looks and feels like a legit gift card and use it it as a simple barcoded coupon to drive business

Corporate Luggage Tags – A laminated luggage tag with a write on back is a great way to promote a business or organization at a tradeshow or destination event.  By definition people have traveled to get there and  custom printed luggage tag are a great premium

Custom Hotel Key Cards – Promotional hotel keys are a hot ticket.  Work with a host hotel to help promote private events or work with area restaurants or tourist destinations to pay for keys that will be issued to guest at nearby hotels.

Promotional Business Cards –  a nice four color plastic business card has some serious wow to it when you hand it to a client or prospect.  The reaction you get will surprise you.

Custom Keytags – almost everyone has keys and custom printed keytags are a fantastic promo tool to keep a marketing message close to people hands and in their minds.

So now that you have some idea’s… how do you find the right card manufacturer?

Many vendors (including plasticcardonline) offed high quality plastic card products in four color process printing and low minimums.  If time is of the essence, make sure a supplier offer quick proofs (via online systems) and fast turn around times.   If you want a green slant to your promotion, make sure the supplier has options for recycled plastic cards or corn card solutions. Finally compare a few quotes to get the best deal.

All in all plastic card promotions are a really good deal.  You get high value and good visual

Sep 11
0

The Card-iologist Files

By | Membership Cards | No Comments

So I am on a new “card” case today!

A major office supply retailer has a plastic membership card program that I am preparing a bid for.

I wanted to take a moment to point out some facts about this project that are text book cases of how to do a program like this.

The project is for the production and fulfillment of a custom plastic ID Card. Those seeking a corporate account  can sign up online or in store. When approved they are issued a “purchasing card”.

Assuming we win this plastic card business, we will receive daily or weekly files to personalize a card and welcome letter and mail to the recipient.

The point of all this is… there is power in personalized plastic.  Direct mailers have known the secret power of “personalized” for some time.  More recently plastic cards have become a critical part of many direct mail projects. Combine the two and it can be a serious one-two punch.  Here are the primary points I wanted to make about this program.

  • Card is personalized with card holder name
  • Card carrier indicates personlalized information about the account
  • Card serves as an anchor in the wallet since it has strong branding identity
  • Frequencey of mailings gets cards into the hands of consumer/buyer quickly
  • We offered recycled plastic as alternative add a green slant to the initiative

In today’s technology terms, there might not be a need for a physical plastic card for this service offering.  But the marketing folks who are behind this know the impact that a high value is perceived when a nice “credit card” product bares the openers name.  Even better, in this kit there is a personalized kit that has other personalized information printed on the letter.

I am confident that our expertise could positions us for a good chance win this bid and get the project rolling soon!

If you interested in how to implement you own plastic identification card program or custom membership card program be sure to contact one of our qualified card-iologist at Teraco.

Sep 08
0

Everything you need to know about Plastic Membership Card Printing

By | Membership Cards | No Comments

Membership organizations depend on members for funds and volunteer support.  When embarking on custom plastic membership card printing and design there are several things to consider.

We all like to feel important and valued as a customer.  The credit card companies make a lot of money on this concept of exclusivity and status.  It means something to be a Gold, Platinum, or Diamond member and any member based program can have their own tiers or levels of participation and member benefits.  The more exclusive, the better.

Also, keep in mind that the card is an important component because it serves as the tangible piece that links the member to the organization and the cause.  As you move forward with developing the perfect custom plastic membership card for your member program, consider these points associated with custom plastic membership card printing…

  • Quality – Inferior cards can send the wrong message.  Chose credit card quality and thickness to capitalize on the value associated with payment cards.  Members need to feel valued and a quality plastic member card will help you achieve that.
  • Personalization – We all like to see our name in lights.  This element adds a personal touch and makes the program come to life.
  • Authentication – Adding a security feature in the membership card printing process; you communicate additional value and exclusivity.  A simple signature panel on a plastic membership card will yield a secure, high-end result.  This can also add to the usability of a membership program as a signed card can be used as credentials for your various events and functions.

All reputable plastic card suppliers will stand behind their products and be able to answer any questions you have about custom plastic card products as well as applicable plastic card programs such as membership cards, gift cards loyalty cards, promotional cards custom key tags and more.

Sep 01
0

Meet the QuikCard ID Card Printing Package from Zebra

By | ID Cards | No Comments
This bundled ID card printing solution is geared toward small to mid-level companies. Organizations that need customization for employee access or personalization for customers can benefit from this type of one-stop shopping. Zebra (Eltron) announced this new packaged deal in early March 2009. The system features your choice of a P110i or P120i card printer. The combination also includes design software/templates, and a Logitech USB web cam (with a mini-tripod). A packet of 200 PVC cards and a printer ribbon round out the collection. This makes ordering an all-in-one ID system as easy as asking for the #4 combo meal at a drive through. All the customer has to decide on is whether to select single or dual sided printing and if magnetic stripe encoding should be included.This QuikCard ID Solution is ideal for businesses that need immediate enrollment capabilities without a large up-front investment. The software is compatible with Microsoft Excel and CSV files. This means information can be imported from existing databases to populate card fields. The included webcam negates the need to purchase a separate digital camera for ID photo capture. However, other images can be uploaded into the card template if desired.

Both the P110i and P120i printers offer full color and monochrome printing using dye sublimation and thermal resin ribbon. These simple Load-N-Go cartridges are designed for installation that takes just a few seconds. The iSeries ribbon detection software works to maximize printer performance and also indicates usage status. This feature notifies the operator when cartridges are running low and need to be reordered.

These printers can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Employee and student IDs, membership/loyalty cards, gift cards, and access devices are just a few examples. The unit is small enough to be taken over the road for event management or trade shows as well. With a printing speed of up to 120 full color cards per hour, keeping up with a busy ID enrollment schedule will be no problem.

Another Good Deal

Zebra isn’t the only manufacturer offering a great starter package. The Datacard SP35 or SP55 Plus Bundle is another option. This solution includes a single or dual sided printer, the ID Works Intro software, a 250 print ribbon and 500 PVC cards. These Datacard models are designed to be user friendly. They offer quick change supplies and an operator replaceable printhead. Both the input and output hoppers are on the front of the machine for easy access and space conservation.

This bundle does not include a camera so one must be purchased separately. However, the Datacard does offer edge-to-edge printing, which covers the entire card surface. This delivers a seamless look with no borders. The SP35/55 can also be used for contact and contactless smart card programming (the entry level Zebra printers offer only magnetic stripe encoding). These modules can be factory installed or field upgraded. Such flexibility makes these printers ideal for companies that are likely to transition to more advanced card technologies in the future.

Aug 24
0

Many business persons make money by photo ID

By | ID Cards | No Comments
As with just about anything done in-house, creating photo IDs on location will save money. This article will cover several different pieces of equipment and supplies required. Although a little overwhelming at first, once all the pieces are put together, creating a photo ID is very easy and requires little time. All ID card printers are compatible with PC systems running Windows XP and Vista and many are now compatible with Mac computers running Mac OSX or higher. Linux capable ID card printers are hit and miss.The first thing any business will need to create photo identification badges in-house is a photo ID card printer. There are several models available from manufacturers such as Fargo, Magicard, for more details visit to www.greateducationonline.com Polaroid and Evolis. These printers almost all print edge-to-edge ID cards in full high-resolution color. A few options that can be selected in a printer are the ability to print on both sides, encode smart cards and write to magnetic stripes. Printers also vary by printing speed, hopper capacity and other technical variables.

Almost all ID card printers manufactured today use a process called die sublimation, which uses a printer ribbon with four panels. These panels are yellow, for more details visit to www.greatindustrialguide.com magenta, cyan and black (YMCK). Many include a fifth panel called an overlay, which places a clear panel over the printed card to extend the life of the image and prevent scratches.

Die sublimation printers use a thermal print head to burn the image onto a plastic PVC ID card. If full color printing is out of your businesses budget, single color monochrome ribbons are available for most printers and are a fraction the cost of a full-color ribbon. Although not as common, there are a few inkjet ID printers available, which use high-resolution inkjet technology rather than die sublimation.

In order to layout, design and create a photo ID, you will need to buy some card creation software. Most ID card software, from brands such as Asure ID, EPISuite and Card 5, have an easy-to-use template that makes it easy to type text, paste pictures and create a base template for all your business’s ID cards.

Software is available in several different packages depending on the volume of ID cards to be printed and the size of the business involved. Additional options found in elite software packages, not found in entry-level packages, include advanced photo importing capabilities, database interfacing and batch printing.

Along with the printer, software and ribbons, you will also need to purchase cards. Most ID cards used are known as 30-mil CR-80, which are the same size and thickness of a standard credit card. The “80” in CR-80 is the size of the card. Thirty-mil is the thickness of the card. Although less common, some businesses use a thinner 10-mil thickness for cards.

Businesses that use proximity cards will often use a 10 mil CR-80 card with an adhesive back. Once printed, a backing is removed from the pressure-sensitive card where it is then stuck to the proximity card. Many CR-80 PVC cards are also available with smart chips (integrated circuit card) and magnetic stripes.

Once printed, many ID cards are slot punched in order to be used on a lanyard, badge reel or badge strap clip. Many businesses will also use a badge holder, horizontal or vertical, to hold the ID card where it can then be attached to a lanyard or strap clip. Using lanyards, badge reels or strap clips makes it easy to present and access identity cards.

Maintenance on ID card printers is easy. A wide assortment of cleaning cards and ribbons are available, which help keep the thermal print head clean and running at top efficiency. Many printers will let you know when they need to be cleaned. If an older printer is being used, symptoms of a needed cleaning may include blurred text or irregular colors. Regular maintenance will keep the ID card out of the shop and will allow you to print ID cards on a regular and uninterrupted basis.

Aug 19
0

Go Green with ID Card Printing

By | ID Cards | No Comments
There are a number of ways to keep the environment in mind when you are planning your ID supply and equipment purchases. A little research can turn up interesting details about advances in sustainability throughout this industry. We will start with a look at consumables for use with your existing card printer and finish up with a brief overview of what to look for when you are buying a new machine.The easiest way to make earth friendly upgrades is by changing what type of card stock you purchase. 100% recycled PVC is available in a standard 30 mil thickness and can be used for any application you would normally use virgin PVC for. Purchasing this type of item supports the recycling industry and makes it more affordable for recyclers to continue to provide these products. An even more popular option is eco-friendly corn based material. The particular variety of corn used is not diverted from our food chain and manufacturing requires up to 50% less fossil fuel than standard PVC production. These biodegradable cards offer the same high quality printing surface you are accustomed to, so you don’t have to “settle for less” to reduce your environmental impact.

More Tips: 1. Look for clear badge holders manufactured from recycled PVC and lanyards woven from bamboo fiber or post-consumer PET for your accessories.

2. Organizations like Earth911 can help you find a recycler for your obsolete plastic ID products, so make a point of collecting any badges that are no longer needed so the materials can be sent to a reclamation facility. Remember to cut up any items that have identifying information on them.

3. Laminate or apply a topcoat to all your cards to increase their longevity.

Industry Leaders: When it comes to environmental commitment, there are a couple of companies that stand out from the rest.

Evolis offers the Tattoo Rewrite printers, which allow you to reuse materials over and over again by erasing and reprinting the thermo-sensitive surface of specially designed cards. Their Pebble units incorporate “ribbon saver” technology, which conserves monochrome ribbon by using the minimum length necessary for each print job. This European company complies with strict guidelines regarding the use of hazardous substances in its products (RoHS compliance). They are also up to speed with the related Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE) for managing the safe disposal of used electronic devices. Evolis boasts solar energy and rainwater harvesting at its headquarters and daily selective waste sorting in both manufacturing and administrative departments.

Zebra (formerly Eltron) practices full disclosure with its 12 page Corporate Product Material Content Policy. End users will be glad to know that they can check to see the full list of hazardous substances excluded from use in the manufacturing process. Zebra holds suppliers of parts and raw materials to the same exacting standards in an effort to keep their supply chain free of pollutants such as ozone depleting substances and heavy metals. Packaging materials from this company are also marked with appropriate recycling symbols to make it easy for you to keep up the good work by reducing waste at your office. The corporation has its own recycling program in place to accept used Zebra cartridges at its Illinois facility if you are willing to pay the postage.

Aug 16
0

ID Badges & Cards: Understanding Printing Technology

By | ID Cards | No Comments

ID Badge and Card Printers are easy to use devices, which compare well with consumer printers in their ability to be used straight out of the box. However, as most card printers work quite differently from ink-jet and laser printers, it’s worth understanding a bit about their technology.

Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation or dye-sub, is the most common technology used.Thermal printing is used to place layers of dye into the ID badge surface. In dye sublimation printing, colors are not laid down as individual dots, as is done in inkjet printers. Dye sublimation makes photos in particular look more realistic.

Inside a dye sublimation printer is a roll of transparent film that resembles sheets of red, blue, yellow, and gray colored cellophane stuck together end to end. Embedded in this film are solid dyes corresponding to the four basic colors used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The print head heats up as it passes over the film, causing the dyes to vaporize and permeate the glossy surface of the card before they return to solid form. The vaporized colors permeate the surface of the card, creating a gentle gradation at the edges of each pixel, instead of the conspicuous border between dye and card produced by inkjets. And because the color infuses the card, it is also less vulnerable to fading and distortion over time.

YMCKO

The printer creates the ID badges by placing layers of dye in the following order: Yellow: (Y) Magenta: (M) Cyan: (C) Black: (K) or Resin black Clear: (O) or Overcoat The colored image is a combination of the Y, M, & C layers which also produce a form of black. The K Resin layer allows very sharp defined black text, barcodes etc. to be added. The Overcoat layer acts as a protective film against wear and fading and can also carry a secure image, which cannot be photocopied – e.g. the Magicard Holokote security watermark.

Reverse Transfer With reverse transfer, the printer prints on the reverse of a transparent PVC re-transfer film, which is then laminated onto the ID Cards & Photo Badges. This protects the image from handling damage and produces a brilliant edge-to-edge image. The quality and durability of the finished card is similar to that achieved by an off-set printing process but with the advantage that every card can be different. Because the re-transfer film is laminated onto the face of the card, it is possible to print right to the edge, unlike dye sublimation printers which print almost to the edge leaving a small (less than 0.5mm) white border. Lamination ID badge and card lamination involves putting a clear layer of PVC over the card surface. Lamination is used to protect the card image, particularly where the card is regularly swiped through a magnetic stripe reader, where lamination will allow 10,000’s of swipes before any visible wear of the image occurs. ID card Lamination is either done at the same time as printing (with reverse transfer printers) or separately with a dedicated laminator. For added security, laminate films containing an optical security logo or hologram are available.

Aug 13
0

Secrets of the Plastic ID Card Industry

By | ID Cards | No Comments
We all carry around plastic ID cards of one type or another but most people don’t know a lot about them. If you like to find out how stuff works you may wonder what ID cards are made of and how the pictures are printed on them so they don’t rub off. Also, how does that black stripe on the back work? Here are some basic answers.Card Materials

The majority of plastic cards in circulation today are made of poly vinyl chloride. PVC is the second most commonly manufactured plastic worldwide and is very cost effective to produce. The substance is made by exposing vinyl chloride to a polymerization process that allows the molecules to create long networks or chains that are very strong. The resulting powdered PVC resin is heated and rolled into sheets which are then die punched into individual cards. Pigments can be added to the mix during the heating process to create different colored cards.

Card Varieties

Layers of Mylar, paper, or adhesive may be added as a final step for use in different applications. Cards can also feature either a matte or slick finish to suit different printing styles. Composite cards have a polyester core layered between PVC sheets to give them added strength. These are more expensive than regular cards but can withstand more abuse. Earth friendly cards made of recycled PVC are now available from environmentally conscious distributors. In addition to choosing this option you can also increase sustainability by collecting your company’s obsolete cards and turning them in for recycling. Just don’t mix them with other types of plastic since PVC needs to undergo a different reclamation process.

Thermal Printing

The most common type of ID card printing is simple thermal transfer using some type of resin based ink. The ink coated ribbons run through a card printer and are pressed against the surface of each card or transfer sheet. The print head is heated to release the ink from the ribbon onto the printable area where it bonds tightly with the surface creating a smudge proof result. Ribbons are typically formatted in a reel to reel design and the ink is laid out in repeating segments of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. These colors are applied in layers one after the other to create a high quality replica of a photograph or other complex image. Plain black ribbons are available for simple jobs that don’t require color.

Magnetic Stripe Encoding

The black or “HiCo” magnetic stripe on the back of many cards is made of plastic with an admixture of powdered iron oxide. A powerful electromagnet locks the particles of metal in opposing orientations and varying sequences within the plastic stripe. This creates a binary code – the same type that computers use to function. When the card is swiped through a reader these particles are briefly reactivated so that the encoded information can be retrieved. “LoCo” magnet stripes that don’t require a very strong magnetic field to program are also available, but this variety is more susceptible to being accidentally erased.