Magstripe
Magnetic stripes – proven technology for data and authentication
Magnetic stripes are among the oldest technologies used in card personalization, but they remain reliable to this day. They enable the storage and retrieval of digital data via magnetic patterns and have been a standard in payment systems, access solutions, and ticketing applications for decades.
Whether it’s a credit card, train ticket, or hotel key, the magnetic strip is the invisible link between the card and the data system.
Structure and functionality
A magnetic strip consists of a thin plastic film with embedded magnetizable particles.
These tiny particles can be polarized to represent either the north or south pole, i.e., the digital values 1 and 0.
The encoded data is stored in up to three tracks:
- Track 1: alphanumeric data, e.g., name or account number
- Track 2: numerical information such as card number or expiration date
- Track 3: optional data for additional applications (rarely used)
When the card is swiped through a reader, an electromagnetic read/write head detects the polarization and converts it into digital signals.
The data can be read, overwritten, or deleted, depending on the material and encoding standard (HICO = High Coercivity / LOCO = Low Coercivity).
Typical applications of magnetic stripe cards
Magnetic stripe cards are used in numerous industries today:
- Bank and credit cards for identification and transaction authorization
- Travel tickets and admission tickets for public transportation, leisure, and events
- Access cards in hotels, offices, and manufacturing facilities
- Time recording and control systems in companies
- Gift cards and loyalty cards in retail
Their major advantage lies in their simple, cost-effective production and proven compatibility with existing readers worldwide.
Technical features and coding
- Data structure: three tracks with ISO 7811 standard
- Coding method: electromagnetic magnetization of individual particles
- Read/write devices: Read/write heads for LOCO (300 Oe) or HICO (4000 Oe)
- Service life: depending on material and use, up to several 100,000 passes
- Rinas technology: SWR, HWR, and LWR modules with up to 18,000 cards/hour, inline verification, and HICO/LOCO switching
Safety aspects and further development
Magnetic strips store data statically and unencrypted, making them vulnerable to copying or skimming attacks.
That is why they are increasingly being replaced by chip or RFID-based cards, which process data dynamically and in encrypted form.
Nevertheless, magnetic strips remain:
- Important backup and fallback solution in payment systems
- Cost-effective technology for simple access and ticketing applications
- Combination component in hybrid cards (e.g., chip + magnetic stripe)
Magnetic coding at Rinas
For over 40 years, Rinas has been developing modular encoding modules and systems that combine magnetic encoding with RFID or chip personalization.
Our magnetic coding systems offer:
- High cycle rate (up to 18,000 cards/hour)
- HICO/LOCO switching via software
- Inline-Verifikation jeder Spur
- Precise read/write heads for ISO 7811 data formats
- Compatibility with OEM production lines
This allows magnetic cards to be personalized reliably and efficiently. Individually or as part of a combined system for magnetic, RFID, and chip cards.
Why magnetic strips remain relevant today
Although modern chip and RFID technologies have replaced magnetic stripes in many applications, they remain a reliable standard for simple, fast, and cost-effective personalization in numerous systems.
It plays an important role in card production as a hybrid component—for example, in combination with chips or RFID tags.
Magnetic strips remain indispensable for compatibility and fallback scenarios, particularly in global payment systems, access solutions, and ticketing systems.
Rinas coding modules enable magnetic technology to be integrated efficiently and sustainably into modern production lines, ensuring secure and future-proof card personalization.
Let's talk about your project
We analyze your application, recommend the appropriate systems and modules, and demonstrate the integration, including realistic cycle times.