Magnetic stripes are most commonly found on the back of payment and identification cards – most typically credit and debit cards. They contain data that is read when the striped part of the card is swiped through a card reader.
Used for
Authentication
Tracking/Tracing
Anti-tampering / Anti-alteration
Suitable for
Small products
Goes on
Product
Packaging
Can be used for
Physical products
Visibility
Invisible
Reading device needed
Yes
Connection to server
Yes
Description
Magnetic stripes usually consist of a single layer of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) covered in tiny magnetic resin particles. Data is written and stored in magnetic stripes by modifying the magnetism of the particles, forming a unique sequence of bits. This sequence can subsequently be read through physical contact with a special device (e.g. by ‘swiping’), which interprets it. As the information is written into the physical make up of magnetic stripes, it cannot be modified.
Magnetic stripes are mainly placed on cards. There are internationally defined standards that cards must comply with in order to support this technology. These cover size, flexibility, position of the magnetic stripe, magnetic characteristics and data formats.
Uses
Magnetic stripes are most widely used on financial cards. However, they can also be applied directly to a valuable object (where physical characteristics and conditions of use allow), in order to guarantee its authenticity and track it (e.g. as a post-sales service for customers).
If the main purpose of the stripe is to ensure security, then it is preferable to apply the stripe directly (and inseparably) to the product.
Implementation
If you want to use cards to associate magnetic stripes with your products, then you do not need to make any changes to the production process.
If, however, you want to apply a magnetic stripe directly to your product, you will need to make specific changes to the production chain.
Cost
As this technology is so well-established and widespread, the costs associated with implementing it are not high.