DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Generally, we will work directly with every customer when it comes to data generation for your order. Unlike our artwork requirements, there is a wide range of what is and isn’t acceptable, and it changes based on the type of elements you would like on your card. Most platforms or payment terminals have specific requirements as well, many of which we are already integrated with. Please contact us today to discuss your data options, and read below for some basic data guidelines.

Generally, the variable elements can be broken into 3 main categories.

1. Alphanumeric Characters
2. Magnetic Stripes (Track 1, 2 and/or 3)
3. Barcodes

Alphanumeric Characters

Generally, we will work directly with every customer when it comes toThis category contains anything that you can read. Some examples could be a number, PIN code, name or position in a company. For this category, there are little to no restrictions, you just need to tell us what you want to print and we can do it for you!

Magnetic Stripes

There are up to 3 tracks on a magnetic stripe, each with its own specific requirements. Percent signs “%”, Semicolons “;” and Question Marks “?” cannot be used in the variable data for magnetic stripe encoding as these are used to define the start & end of the variable data for each track. Here is what you are able to include for variable elements on each track:

• Track 1 - up to 76 variable alphanumeric characters
• Track 2 - up to 37 variable numeric characters
• Track 3 - up to 104 variable numeric characters

Barcodes

There is a large number of different types of barcodes out there. With each one having special requirements and applications, it can be a real headache trying to figure it all out. With that said, for application on cards, there are 6 main types of barcodes that we see used. Below is the list of these barcodes, their requirements, along with where they are generally used. When choosing a barcode, please refer to the back of this page (download our PDF Data Requirements sheet below) for a live sample of each of these barcodes that you can test with your scanner. If you have existing cards but are not sure what type it is, just send us a high resolutions scan or picture and we can let you know!

• Code 128
  Use: This is our most commonly used barcode as it has no limitations
  Restrictions: None!
• UPC-A
  Use: This is mostly used on loyalty and retail cards. This is because most barcodes in a store environment are a UPC-A format.
  Restrictions: Can only use up to 12 Numbers (0-9) with the last number being an automatic check-digit
• Code 3 of 9
  Use: There are some cases where 3 of 9 Barcodes are used on various cards. Generally, this is only if you have an existing card that uses this type.
  Restrictions: Can only use Numbers (0-9), Capital Letters (A-Z), Symbols (- . $ / + %) and Spaces ( ).
• Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)
  Use: Similar to a Code 3 of 9, this barcode is generally only ever used if you have an existing card that uses this type.
  Restrictions: Can only use an even length of Numbers (0-9)
• Codabar
  Use: We generally only ever see this used in library cards, but can be used with other applications
  Restrictions: Can only use Numbers (0-9) and Symbols (– $ : / . +). Also, the first and last characters will automatically be one of A, B, C or D
• QR Code
  Use: Generally these contain only static information with a website or promo code, in these situations the QR Code should be included in the card artwork. However, you are able to include variable information if you so desire.
  Restrictions: None!