A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data. Originally, bar codes represented data in the widths (lines) and the spacings of parallel lines.

Barcode can be used to make transaction easier by using barcode reader machine to read user or item data in the barcode of a card.

Data in Code 128 Barcode is very dense and contain check digit, generally used in shipping and packaging. Meanwhile, Code 39 Barcode is a bit wider (takes more space than Code 128), has no check digit but considered self-check.

Based on our experience, Code 39 is the most popular choice. It's easy to read because wider and bigger shape of barcode.

Barcode in a card common be used as member card of a retail shop. The advantage is retail shop commonly already had barcode reader in the cashier area, so it doesn't take much cost to move member card to a barcode compatible. Some of our clients that using barcode:

A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data in magnetic stripe on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called a magstripe, is read by physical contact and swiping it to a reader. Magnetic stripe cards are commonly used in credit cards, identity cards, and transportation tickets. They may also contain an RFID tag, a transponder device and/or a microchip mostly used for business premises access control or electronic payment.

In simple way of thinking, magnetic stripe card can be considered as replacement of manual identity input. You don't need to enter data manually, you just swipe the card and your data has already been read.

Both of them are basically same, but HiCo is more resistant to erase (has about 100.000 times slide before failure), so it's useful as Banking ATM Card which need frequently swipes. Meanwhile LoCo is value choice (for both card and reader), commonly in use as Hotel Keycard.

Data in barcode is encoded (inserting data inside) by using alphabet and numerical character, including some special character like #, &, or !. This table below will show more detailed information.

Some of our clients that using magnetic stripe:

Thermal print is a way to personalize a card (or Perso in short). Thermal print is usually sharper and bolder than inkjet printer or even offset print, and has stronger print for longer durability. Thermal printer unit is relatively small yet fast. Make it ideal for schedule – tight production.

The only disadvantage, thermal printer can't print gradation flawlessly. Because of that, thermal printing is become very popular way to personalize a card in term of data (like name, number, photo or barcode), not the background, especially complex background.

For workaround, background of a card usually printed in offset printer in large number, meanwhile perso is doing by Thermal Printer (using database). With pararel work, production is much faster but not compromise quality of finished cards because each printer works due to their specialities.

Usually Thermal Print can be used to:

Some of our clients that using our Thermal Print service:

Emboss Card is a card that had some texts embossed as a way to personalize further and to make the card looks and feels more exclusive.

Polly is a second step after embossing card, embossed text usually needs to be given eye-catching colors and effect to make the card stand-out even more. Polly is a process to give embossed text a color using special ribbon (usually gold or silver color, two colors that can't be printed) and hot print Technique.

Usually Emboss and Polly can be done in single machine like in the left photograph.

Some of our clients that using emboss card:

Hot Print is a printing Technique using heat to add some stand out layer (usually text or logo). It much like Polly. Function of hot print is to make the card exclusive without sacrifice thinness of the card (that what will happen if you using emboss Technique).

Some of our clients that using Hot Print:

Pin & Scratch Off card usually found in voucher (like prepaid phone card voucher) as a way to cover its data serial number / PIN. User that had bought the voucher needs only to scratch off the card so he/she can read the serial number / PIN.

Pin & Scratch Off cards are made by Thermal Printer using special ribbon.

Some of our clients that using Pin & Scratch Off:

Security Paper is special paper that can reflect image when seen under the light. Security Paper often used in certificates as a way to make it authentic.

Sign Stripe is a stripe that added in back of the card as a place for the card's owner to give a sign (or some text). Sign is needed as a prevention to check the authenticity of the card's owner.

Almost all of our clients use sign stripe in the back of their cards.

Some of our clients that using sign stripe:

A smart card, chip card, is pocket-sized card (the size of usual debit or credit card) with embedded integrated circuits (microprocessor) which can process data. Smart Contact Card based on ISO7816. This implies that it can receive input which is processed — by way of the applications and delivered as an output. The card may embed a hologram to avoid counterfeiting. Using smartcards also is a form of strong security authentication for single sign-on within large companies and organizations.

Smart Contact Card Chips usually have two variants:

Storage Tags have no microprocessor to process data inside. They only intended to carry data, let reader and software systems to process it.

Microprocessor based Tags have its own microprocessor to process data and to provide better security. And of course power come with price.

Cryptographic smart cards are often used for single sign-on. Most advanced smart cards are equipped with specialized cryptographic hardware that let you use algorithms such as RSA and DSA on board. Today's cryptographic smart cards are also able to generate key pairs on board, to avoid the risk of having more than one copy of the key (since by design there usually isn't a way to extract private keys from a smart card).

Such smart cards are mainly used for digital signature and secure identification.

The international payment brands MasterCard, Visa, and Europay agreed in 1993 to work together to develop the specifications for the use of smart cards in payment cards used as either a debit or a credit card. The first version of the EMV system was released in 1994. In 1998 a stable release of the specifications was available. EMVco, the company responsible for the long-term maintenance of the system, upgraded the specification in 2000 and most recently in 2004. The goal of EMVco, is to assure the various financial institutions and retailers that the specifications retain backward compatibility with the 1998 version.

With the exception of countries such as the United States of America there has been significant progress in the deployment of EMV-compliant point of sale equipment and the issuance of debit and or credit cards adhering the EMV specifications. Typically, a country's national payment association, in coordination with MasterCard International, Visa International, American Express and JCB, develop detailed implementation plans assuring a coordinated effort by the various stakeholders involved.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID or Proximity Card) is an automatic identification method based on ISO14443 standard, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. The Technology requires an RFID reader and an RFID tag.

An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, usually a plastic card for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information (like MIFARE® 1K or MIFARE® 4K), modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

Future Chipless RFID allows for discrete identification of tags without an integrated circuit, thereby allowing tags to be printed directly onto assets at a lower cost than traditional tags. Currently (2008) none of the chipless concepts has become operational.

Passive tags require no internal power source, thus being pure passive devices (they are only active when a reader is nearby to power them by wireless illumination), whereas semi-passive and active tags require a power source, usually a small battery. Beacon tags transmit autonomously with a certain blink pattern and do not respond to interrogation.

RFID ICs or Chips usually have two variants:

Storage Tags have no microprocessor to process data inside. They only intended to carry data, let reader and software systems to process it.

Microprocessor based Tags have its own microprocessor to process data and to provide better security. And of course power come with price.

MIFARE® 1K specification:

MIFARE® DESFire specification:

Some of our clients that using RFID: