Mag Stripes & Barcodes

Redegroup works with a wide variety of data formats from a various number of sources. We also specialise in data programming and data generation for those jobs that require something extra.

As well as looking after your data we generate all your barcodes. Including all 1D (3 of 9, 128, EAN 13 etc) and 2D (QR codes, PDF 417 etc).

We can program your raw data into a format required for output, and offer a full reporting service on whatever you need to know. Our data team will make sure that the information you want to appear on your card does and is sorted correctly. We also offer a service that keeps track of your previous files so that you never have duplicate cards out in the market

Barcodes

Barcodes systematically represent data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional (1D). Later they evolved into rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns in two dimensions (2D).

Redegroup can digitally print a full range of 1D and 2D barcodes.

Some of the most common 1D barcodes

and 2D barcodes

Magnetic Stripes

A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called swipe card or magstripe, is read by swiping past a magnetic reading head. Magnetic stripe cards are commonly used in credit cards, identity cards, and transportation tickets. Redegroup can produce plastic cards with HiCo (High coercivity) and LoCo (Low coercivity) mag stripes.

When preparing data to be encoded onto a mag stripe it is important to remember that the tracks of a mag stripe can be encoded using the following spec
Track 1 – Max 76 characters – alpha, numeric and spaces allowed
Track 2 – Max 37 characters – numeric only
Track 3 – Max 103 characters – numeric only

Please note that some card readers show the start and end sentinels e.g. ; ? % these are machine generated and do not form part of the data, please do not include them in your data fields.

Some examples of variable data printing