Facts

 

Access Control - An implemented system that controls access to buildings or rooms within buildings. Plastic cards (e.g., those with magnetic stripe or proximity control technologies) can be used to gain access to premises.

Barcode - A code consisting of a group of printed and variously patterned bars and spaces, and sometimes numerals, that are designed to be scanned and read into computer memory as identification for the object it labels.
One-dimensional - (1-D, linear) A barcode consisting of a single row of bars. 1-D barcodes store a smaller amount of data than two-dimensional barcodes and are therefore more suited for applications in which only a few characters are stored. 1-D barcodes store their data in the horizontal width and the information stored is highly redundant. They are therefore more resistant to data degradation. An example of a 1-D barcode is Code 39.
Two-dimensional - (2-D) 2-D barcodes store more information than 1-D barcodes and take advantage of both their horizontal and vertical dimensions to do so. An example of a 2-D barcode is PDF417.

Barcode Mask - Is an area on specially-made cardstock where a barcode can be printed that will prohibit unauthorized copying of the barcode. ID Wholesaler carries red and black barcode mask cardstock.

Biometrics - Utilizes "something you are" to authenticate identification. This may include a fingerprint, DNA, retinal pattern, iris, hand geometry, vein pattern, voice password or signature dynamics. Biometrics can be used with a smart card to authenticate the user. The user's biometric information is stored on a smart card, the card is placed in a reader, and a biometric scanner reads the information to match it against that on the card. This is a fast, accurate and highly-secure form of user authentication.

CR79 Card - Slightly smaller dimensionally than CR80 cards; made to fit in the well of a proximity card. Dimensions are 3.303" x 2.051" (83.9 mm x 51 mm).

CR80 Card - Standard card size; CR80 card dimensions are 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6 mm x 54 mm).

CR90 Card – Driver's license size; slightly larger than the standard CR80, CR90 cards are 3.63" x 2.37" (92 mm x 60 mm).

CR100 Card – Often referred to as oversize or military-sized cards, CR100 cards measure 3.88" x 2.63" (98.5 mm x 67 mm).

Chip - A piece of semi-conducting material (usually composed of silicon) on which an integrated circuit is embedded. It is fitted inside an ID card that is used to store user information and access privileges; also provides added security to prevent card counterfeiting.

Combination Card - (Combi card) Combines both contact and contactless chip technologies, using two different chips. Refer to our Technology Cards section to learn more.

Contact Smart Card - Contains a single embedded circuit chip that contains memory, or memory plus a microprocessor. Contact smart cards must be inserted into a card acceptor device where pins attached to the reader make "contact" with pads on the surface of the card to read and store information in the chip. Refer to our Technology Cards section to learn more.

Contactless Smart Card - (Proximity card/prox card) Contains a chip that is connected to an antenna (rather than contact pads as in contact smart cards). The communication between the chip and the reader is therefore wireless. Refer to our Technology Cards section to learn more.

DPI - (Dots per inch) Measurement of a printer's resolution. For example, 600 DPI indicates that the printer can produce 600 dots of color in each inch of a card. NOTE: When judging color reproduction for a CardJet card printer, the inkjet resolution must be at 2400 DPI or better to achieve the color equivalent of a 300 DPI dye-sub printer.

Debitek (Debit) Stripe - Also referred to as a 'junk stripe' because it is often used for purchases from candy vending machines. Debit stripes are generally encoded at 4000 Oersted. Because the stripe is thinner (1/8") than the standard high or low coercivity magnetic stripe, it can only contain information specifically for use with the debit system.

Digital Camera - A camera that records images in digital form. Unlike a traditional analog camera that records infinitely variable intensities of light, a digital camera records discrete numbers for storage on a flash memory card, for example. There is a fixed, maximum resolution and number of colors that can be represented. Images are transferred to a computer with a USB cable, memory card or wireless.

Digital Imaging - Scanning or otherwise capturing images which may be subsequently edited, filed, displayed or printed on a plastic card.

Direct-to-Card Printing - (DTC) This process involves the printing of digital images directly onto any plastic card with a smooth, clean, glossy PVC surface.

Dual Interface - Combines both contact and contactless chip technologies, using the same chip. The chip is connected to the contact pad on the top of the card and the antenna inside the card. Refer to our Technology Cards section to learn more.

Duplex - (Dual-sided) Capable of printing on both sides of a card, usually in a single pass.

Dye Sublimation - (Dye diffusion, dye-sub) The print process ID card printers use to print smooth, continuous-tone and photo-quality images. This process uses a dye-based ribbon roll that is divided into a series of color panels. The color panels are grouped in a repeating series of three separate colors along the length of the ribbon: yellow, magenta, and cyan (YMC). As the ribbon and card pass simultaneously beneath the printhead, hundreds of thermal elements heat the dyes on the ribbon. Once the dyes are heated, they vaporize and diffuse into the surface of the card. Varying the heat intensity of each thermal element within the printhead makes it possible for each transferred dot of color to vary in saturation. This blends one color into the next. The result is continuous-tone, photo-realistic color images. Refer to our About Card Printers section to learn more.

Edge-to-Edge - (Edgeless/over-the-edge) Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printers with edge-to-edge printing capability can print just to the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with virtually no border. Nearly all brands print standard CR80 cards edge-to-edge.

Encoding - The process of electronically "writing" information on magnetic stripes or into a variety of smart card types. Holds information such as card holder details and access privileges.

Font - A character set (alphabet and numerals) of a specified design and size.

High Coercivity - (HiCo) Magnetic coding on a magnetic stripe. HiCo stripes are encoded at 2750 Oersted. HiCo stripes are generally black and store information on a more secure basis than low coercivity magnetic stripes, due to the higher level of magnetic energy required to encode them. Information is harder to erase on HiCo cards; therefore, they are common in applications where cards are swiped often and require a long life (e.g., credit card applications).

High Definition Printing - (HDP) This process prints full color images onto clear HDP transfer film. The HDP film is then fused to the card through heat and pressure via a heated roller. This revolutionary technology enhances card durability and consistently produces the best card color available - even on tough-to-print matte-finished cards, proximity cards and smart cards.

Hologram - A unique photographic printing that provides a three dimensional (3D) effect on a flat surface; usually applied to ID cards as a laminate but can also be built into blank card stock. Holograms cannot be easily copied and are used for visual security and aesthetic purposes on cards.

HoloKote - A unique Magicard patented card watermark technology, where Magicard ID card printers print a HoloKote watermark into the card overlay layer during printing. (See sample card with both HoloKote and HoloPatch features.)

HoloMark - A tamper-evident, instantly verifiable 3-D image in a high resolution hologram embedded onto a card. Fargo standard and custom HoloMark cards provide an added level of protection against ID counterfeiting. For use with Fargo Direct-to-Card (DTC) series card printers/encoders. (See sample custom HoloMark cardstock.)

HoloMark Seal - A Fargo-brand peel-and-stick 3-D seal that if removed from a card, is not reusable. A checkerboard pattern will appear to indicate both the card and the seal have been tampered with. The HoloMark seal is a quick, economical way to augment the security of an existing card.

HoloPatch - A unique Magicard visible gold patch built into blank card stock; HoloPatch works with HoloKote to highlight one of the HoloKote watermarks, providing daylight-visible ID card security. (See sample card with both HoloKote and HoloPatch features.)

Hopper - Input and output hoppers hold card stock as they are fed and ejected from the ID card printer.

International Organization for Standardization - (ISO) In the ID card printing industry for example, ISO defines specifications for magnetic stripe encoding. Printer encoders generally support dual high/low coercivity and tracks 1, 2 and 3. Refer to printer specifications.

Key FOB - A security token that can be attached to a keychain.

Lamination - (Overlamination) The process of combining lamination material and core material using time, heat and pressure. Available in clear or holographic designs and in varying thicknesses, laminate patches used in card printers come on rolls, with and without carriers/liners and are typically used for high usage cards (e.g., cards that must be swiped through a reader) or to add advanced visual card security.

Lanyard - A ribbon with a clip worn around the neck, usually used to display one's credentials.

Lockable Hopper - Some card printer manufacturers (e.g., Fargo Electronics) provide a lockable card hopper door. This lock is intended to help prevent theft of your blank card stock. This feature is especially helpful if using valuable card stock such as pre-printed cards, smart cards, or cards with built-in security features such as holograms.

Low Coercivity - (LoCo) Magnetic coding on a magnetic stripe. LoCo stripes are encoded at 300 Oersted. Low coercivity stripes are generally brown and store information less securely than high coercivity magnetic stripes. LoCo magnetic stripe cards are often used in hotel room access control applications.

Machine Readable - A code or characters that can be read by machines.

Magnetic Stripe - (Magstripe) Refers to the black or brown magnetic stripe on a card. The stripe is made of magnetic particles of resin. The resin particle material determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher the coercivity, the harder it is to encode and erase information from the stripe. Magnetic stripes are often used in applications for access control, time and attendance, lunch programs, library cards and more.
Amount of data that can be encoded to a magnetic stripe (per ISO 7811 format):
Track 1: 210 bits/inch (BPI), 7 bits/character (MPC), maximum of 79 alpha-numeric characters.
Track 2: 75 bits/inch (BPI), 5 bits/character (MPC), maximum of 40 numeric characters.
Track 3: 210 bits/inch (BPI), 5 bits/character (MPC), maximum of 107 numeric characters.

Oersted - Pertains to magnetic encoding. The unit of magnetic coercive force used to define difficulty of erasure of magnetic material.

Overcoat - (Overlay, topcoat) The last layer ('O' in YMCKO) that is placed onto an ID card after the color or monochrome panels have been applied. Overcoat provides some protection from fading and scratching on the card.

Oversized Cards - Used for more efficient visual identification and are available in many non-standard sizes. The most popular sizes are CR90 (3.63" x 2.37"/92 mm x 6 0mm) and CR100 (3.88" x 2.63"/98.5 mm x 67 mm).

Overlamination - (Lamination) The process of combining lamination material and core material using time, heat and pressure. Available in clear or holographic designs and in varying thicknesses, laminate patches used in card printers come on rolls, with and without carriers/liners and are typically used for high usage cards (e.g., cards that must be swiped through a reader) or to add advanced visual card security.

Overlay - (Overcoat, topcoat) The clear overlay panel (O) is provided on dye sublimation print ribbons. This panel is automatically applied to printed cards and helps prevent images from some premature wear or UV fading. All dye sublimation printed images must have either this overlay panel or an overlaminate applied to protect them.

Over-the-Edge - (Edge-to-edge/edgeless) Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printers with over-the-edge printing capability can print past the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with absolutely no border.

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PVC - (Polyvinyl chloride) The primary material used for typical plastic cards.

Proximity Card - (Prox card/contactless smart card) Used for access control applications. Embedded in the card is a metallic antenna coil, which allows it to communicate with an external antenna. Because the cards require only close proximity to an RF antenna in order to be read, they are referred to as contactless cards.

Proximity Card Encoder - Uses a HID ProxPoint Plus reader mounted on the e-card docking station inside the printer/encoder. The ProxPoint is a "read only" device producing a Wiegand signal that is converted to RS-232 using a Cypress Computer System CVT-2232. Application programs can read information from HID prox cards via an RS-232 signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Prox."

Poly-Composite - (Comp cards) A polyester core sandwiched between PVC material. Stronger and more durable than regular PVC cards, comp cards are recommended for utilization in high-usage environments or if lamination is part of one's particular ID card printing process.

RFID - (Radio Frequency ID) A wireless technology for communication between electronic devices. In the ID card industry, it is RFID technology that enables a contactless smart card to communicate with a reader.

Resolution - Dimension of the smallest element of an image that can be printed; usually stated in dots per inch (DPI).

Rewritable Card - Contains a thermo-sensitive material that allows data to become visible or invisible depending upon the temperature applied. Rewritable cards can be erased and rewritten many times over. For example, the Tattoo Rewrite Evolis card printer can erase and rewrite cards up to 500 times. Rewritable cards are perfect for practical applications in visitor management, customer loyalty and schools.

Self-Adhesive Laminate - A laminate that can be applied manually - without the use of a thermal laminator. Laminates in general can add an extra level of security and durability to a card. Refer to part number PSHoloLam to learn more about a specific type of self-adhesive laminate.

Signature Capture Pad - A form of biometrics technology that contains a touchpad sensor that reads the pressure applied to a stylus tip used for signing, and then transmits the signature data to a computer.

Signature Panel - An area on a card the allows the cardholder to write their signature. See CR80.030 PVC cards with signature panel for an example.

Single-sided - Capable of printing on only one side of a card.

Smart Card - Smart cards have an embedded computer circuit that contains either a memory chip or a microprocessor chip. There are several types of smart cards: memory, contact, contactless, hybrid (twin), combi (dual interface), proximity and vicinity. Refer to our Technology Cards section to learn more.

Thermal Transfer Overlaminate - A card overlaminate available in a 0.25 mil thickness that increases card security and durability; often used for moderate durability applications or when additional security (such as holographic images) are needed.

VeriMark - A tamper-evident, instantly verifiable 2-D silver metallic foil embedded with a logo or other custom graphics onto a card using a hot stamp process. Fargo custom VeriMark cards provide an added level of protection against ID counterfeiting. For use with Fargo Direct-to-Card (DTC) series card printers/encoders. (See sample custom VeriMark cardstock.)