When purchasing proximity cards, customers will need to provide the following information:
- Card format: data structure of the card and how data is stored on the card (most popular is 26-bit)
- Facility code: identifying a specific organization or site (ranges from 1-255)
- Card number range: indicating the range of card numbers needed to be encoded starting from the last card used. (ranges from 1-65,000)
By providing this information, we can ensure that the proximity cards are properly encoded and customized to meet the specific needs of your access control system.
The main difference between 2-track and 3-track High Coercivity (HiCo) PVC cards are:
- 2-track HiCo PVC cards have two magnetic stripe tracks, which can be used to store basic data such as cardholder name and card number.
- 3-track HiCo PVC cards have three magnetic stripe tracks, allowing for more data to be stored on the card. This makes them suitable for applications that require more complex data to be encoded, such as financial transactions, access control systems, and loyalty programs.
It's worth noting that 3-track HiCo cards are backward compatible with 2-track readers, but not the other way around. This means that 3-track HiCo cards can be used in place of 2-track cards, but not vice versa. Ultimately, the choice between a 2-track and 3-track HiCo PVC card depends on the specific application and data storage needs of the organization or individual using the card.
It's worth noting that most credit cards use 2-track HiCo magnetic stripes for encoding data. However, 3-track HiCo magnetic stripes are often used for other applications, such as access control, loyalty programs, and transportation.
Mylar adhesive-back PVC cards are used with clamshell proximity cards (HID 1326 is a popular one) that are too thick for some ID card printers. They can be printed on and easily peeled off to adhere to the clamshell card. If placing on a pre-slotted access control card, a slot punch is needed. Slot punching should be done after printing to avoid printhead damage.