Tag Archives: HiCo

placeholder_cardsWhen it comes to storing data on your cards, you can’t beat the ease or cost of magnetic stripe encoding. Most ID card printers have an optional magnetic stripe encoding module, and card design software makes it easy to add your data.

But when adding magnetic stripe cards to your ID card program, do you know the difference between HiCo and LoCo cards, and how to pick the one you need?

LoCo cards, or low coercivity, have a magnetic stripe that is encoded with a lower strength magnetic field. This makes the cards ideal for short-term use, like hotel room keys which will be erased and re-encoded after every use.

HiCo cards, or high coercivity cards, have a stronger magnetic stripe. This allows the cards to hold data for longer periods of time, and also makes the data more secure. HiCo cards are best used for payment cards like college meal plans or ATM cards.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when selecting magnetic stripe cards:

– Do you need to reuse the cards? Then you may want LoCo cards.

– Are the cards designed for temporary use? Then you may want LoCo cards.

– Do you need the cards to last a long time? Then you may want HiCo cards.

– Are you worried about data security? Then you may want HiCo cards.

If you need help discussing your options and creating the best system for your needs, contact the ID card experts at DiscountID!

placeholder_cardsID cards come in a wide range of styles and materials – for example, there are two types of magnetic stripe cards. Do you know the difference between a HiCo and a LoCo magnetic stripe card?

HiCo Cards

HiCo magnetic stripe cards, or high-coercivity cards, use a highly magnetized stripe to store your data. It requires a more powerful encoder to add the data to card and will store the data for longer, which makes it hard to wipe these cards – because of this, your debit and credit cards are HiCo cards.

LoCo Cards

LoCo cards, or low-coercivity cards, on the other hand, take less power to encode and wipe. These cards are ideal for instances where you only need the card to store data for a short period, and then be erased and re-encoded – like a hotel room key card, which will be erased and reused after you check out that day.

Which do I need?

An ID card printer that can encode magnetic stripe cards will be able to handle both types of cards – so the difference is only in the cards you buy. Do you need your cards to store sensitive information, or store data for a long time? Then HiCo cards are your best option; if you’re issuing temporary cards, on the other hand, LoCo cards will work better for you because you can continue to reuse them after they are turned in.

And do you know the quickest way to tell the difference between the two types, if you aren’t sure what you already have? HiCo cards will have a black magnetic stripe, while the stripe on a LoCo card will be brown!

placeholder_cardsFor smart cards, you can’t beat the easy of magnetic stripe encoding. Most ID card printers have an optional magnetic stripe encoding module, and card design software makes it easy to add your data. But when adding magnetic stripe cards to your ID card program, do you know the difference between HiCo and LoCo cards?

LoCo cards, or low coercivity, have a magnetic stripe that is encoded with a lower strength magnetic field. This makes the cards ideal for short-term use, like hotel room keys which will be erased and re-encoded after every use.

HiCo cards, or high coercivity cards, have a stronger magnetic stripe. This allows the cards to hold data for longer periods of time, and also makes the data more secure. HiCo cards are best used for payment cards like college meal plans or ATM cards.