Barcoding News

Encoding a magnetic stripe on your card is a quick and easy way to increase the security of your card, track individuals entry or exit, or serve as an avenue to track usage of products or services. With the advancement in technology, printing cards with magnetic stripes can be done with the use of the right card printer and magnetic stripe ID cards.

In order to encode the magnetic stripe on the card, your printer has to be equipped with a magnetic stripe encoder. Most card printer models provide the option to purchase the printer with the magnetic stripe encoding enabled. For example, Datacard’s SD260, Fargo’s DTC4000 and Zebra’s ZXP Series 3 printers all come with a variety of part numbers which have the ability to encode the cards. Other factors such as volume and interface would help narrow your options to find the right printer for the job.

Finding a printer with the correct encoding technology is one step, the second is having the proper cards. Blank ID cards with magnetic stripes are very common with all manufacturers. The only variable you will have to determine is whether a high coercivity (HiCo) or low coercivity (LoCo) card is right for the solution.

•  High-coercivity magstripes are harder to erase, and therefore are appropriate for cards that are frequently used or that need to have a long life. High coercivity stripes are typically black and resistant to damage from most magnets likely to be owned by consumers
•  Low-coercivity magstripes require a lower amount of magnetic energy to record. Low coercivity stripes are easily damaged by even a brief contact with a magnetic purse strap or fastener.

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The Unitech AS10 CCD scanner is a low cost reliable barcode reader with a wide range of environments ideal for retail, medical, libraries and light industrial applications.

The AS10’s design makes the scanning process easy and comfortable, making any data capture task more efficient and accurate.

The Unitech AS10 comes with USB connection and scans all major symbologies; reducing processing time and labor cost, while increasing accuracy. The decoder also allows editing and modifying scanned data before sending it to the host device.

The ergonomic design, low cost, durable and easy to use AS10 is perfect for any business; big or small to accurately capture data that will save you money.

To learn more about the AS10, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Implementing a ID card solution for your small company or school shouldn’t be a complicated task. Datacard has made it easy to improve ID security in with one simple system, the Datacard 1-2-3 Easy ID Card System. Make cost-effective ID cards in 3 simple steps

1. Design
2. Take Picture
3. Print

The Datacard 1-2-3 Easy ID Card System is a comprehensive system which provides all the elements needed to print ID cards right away. The system offers the following

• Printer: SP25 Plus Single Sided ID Card Printer
• Supplies: 125 blank cards, SP25 Plus color ribbon, and cleaning supplies
• Software: Datacard ID Works Intro identification software

For more information about ID card systems, contact us at BarcodesInc.

Compared to a laser or inkjet printer, thermal based barcode label printers are a much more economical option to create high quality labels and tags. These printers can create single labels instead of on whole sheets that are not really suitable for on-demand printing . In the long run, thermal barcode printers require less maintenance, have less expensive media, and print faster while maintaining excellent print quality.

Finding the right printer for your needs, however, can be challenge with all the available models and options.

The next 4 questions will help make the decision process easier and get you closer to best printer for your needs.

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Holograms are a great feature to have on an ID card to help prevent fraud and improve the security of your card issuance.  Many times, to incorporate a hologram you would need a laminating printer like the DTC4500 and a special laminate that has embedded holograms.  If you don’t have a laminating printer though, there is still an option to create cards with holograms.

Fargo offers a variety of ID cards that have holograms already embedded in the card itself.  Their VeriMark and Holomark cards come with hologram options in 8 different possible positions on the card.  Using a non-laminating printer like the DTC1000, all you need to do is make sure you print design doesn’t cover  the location of the hologram.

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Teklynx announced that it has teamed up with Epson to offer a turnkey solution for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) compliant chemical labeling.

Together, Epson’s TM-C3400 inkjet printer (which prints color, on-demand labels) and Teklynx software (which allows for the identification, design and tracking of hazardous labels), offer a completely GHS compliant turnkey solution. This solution ensures compliance for chemical manufacturers, while eliminating the time consuming task of identifying multi-vendor, compatible GHS-compliant components.

On March 26, 2012 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its plans to adopt the GHS labeling standard for the American market with the first steps of implementation beginning in 2013. For chemical manufacturers, an automated way to print color, on-demand labels onto extremely durable media, as well as a software solution that allows for the design and management of the labels, will significantly assist in complying with GHS requirements. The Epson printer paired with Teklynx Central  GHS software, allows customers to benefit from a complete labeling solution for identifying hazardous materials.

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Having a professional looking identification card with crisp images and no blemishes is must-have in today’s corporate and university environments. Card Printers certainly play a part in the process, but taking care of your blank ID card stock should be a priority. Improperly handling cards before printing can create flaws in your card stock that will be reflected or even magnified in your printed cards. The following are a few tips to consider when handling cards:

• Environment – Cards should be kept in the air-tight, water resistant containers when not in use. Most card stocks from Zebra, Fargo, Datacard, and Evolis come in 5 x 100 card packages. It is best to only open one container at a time. Cards also should be stored in a regulated temperature environment. Extreme heat or extreme cold can make cards brittle and more susceptible to snapping.

• Handling: Oils and fingerprints from your hands can leave a residue on the card that will impact the overall print quality of the card. We recommend only touching the edge of the cards when loading and handling your ID cards. Anti-static gloves can also be worn which will reduce the residue left on cards.

• Inputting: Always inspect the stock to make sure you have received the proper cards and no identifiable blemishes exist with in the cards.

For more information about ID cards and handling, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

To serve and protect is just one of the many things the Sand Springs Police Department (SSPD) is tasked with on a daily basis. As the department’s officers report to work each day, citations are just one of the many ways they keep their population of 19,000 safe. But beyond safety, citations are also a way the city generates revenue.

Previously relying on an outdated manual process, officers would complete a hand-written five-carbon copy citation. The violator would get one copy, and the rest would be distributed to various police, court and city personnel for repeated entry into multiple other computer systems. This process caused a lot of redundancy, administrative time and wasted effort, as citations were often lost in the shuffle or dismissed due to illegibility – causing citation revenue to go uncollected.

In short, SSPD looked for a technology solution that would offer increased officer productivity and an improvement in officer safety by getting them off the roadside faster.

The answer? An eCitation solution coupled with the Intermec CN50 rugged handheld mobile computers.

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The Fargo HDP5000 is a Retransfer Printer, which provides edge-to-edge printing through the use of retransfer film. This printer will produce a clearer and longer lasting image, when compared to a direct to card printer. In order to have a full working solution, the following elements will be required:

Ribbon:

• YMCK full color ribbon which allows for printing on one side of the card or
• YMCKK full color ribbon which allows for color printing on the front and black on the back

Retransfer Film:

• Retransfer film that covers the card once the image has been transferred

Plastic ID Cards

• UltraCard Premium ID cards, composed of 60/40 Composite CR-80

Software

• Asure ID Express Card Design software

For more information on other ribbons, cards, and software,  contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Security is a common concern for any organization today from school campuses to production facilities. Protecting assets and keeping individuals safe is essential in all organizations. Utilizing ID cards is an efficient and practical way to protect your business, but what really makes an ID secure?

If you where to open your wallet or purse right now you would most likely find several examples of plastic ID cards. The cards may range from a simple printed card from your local grocery store with nothing more than a basic image and barcode, to a government issued driver’s license with a full color photo, encoded information, and protective holograms!

In both of these cases, the ID is meant to accurately identify a specific person. However, one card is a lot easier to replicate while the other contains several layers of security, which greatly reduce counterfeit and forgery attempts. Features like photos, magnetic stripes, or smart card chips on an ID help improve its security and decreases the likelihood of misuse by unauthorized individuals. Incorporating these elements to your ID issuance are the most effective means to protect your employees and business.

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