Card Tech: What's on a Magstripe?

Many of our new gift card customers often have questions about what exactly is on the magstripe. Here's a quick primer: A half-inch magstripe has 3 tracks, while an 8mm magstripe has 2 tracks. Track 3 is rarely used for gift cards, so we are mainly concerned about Tracks 1 and 2. The data encoded on those tracks is entirely dependent on your POS/gift card processing software. Each system has specific specifications so that the encoded numbers/letters will communicate with that system. Sometimes it's very simple -- for example... sequential numbers encoded on Track 2; sometimes it's more complex and your data company will supply a fairly complex data file. Either way, the technology behind encoding data on magstripes and reading the data is the same. At CardSuppliers.com, we provide data test cards to ensure the data work is accurate and compatible with your system prior to production. That's just a little behind-the-scenes peek at the "mysterious" world surrounding those ubiquitous little black stripes.