Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-07-14 Origin: Site
PVC, PC and PET magnetic stripe films are card-manufacturing materials designed to integrate a magnetic stripe with an overlay or card substrate during lamination and conversion. They are used for magnetic stripe cards, hybrid smart cards, ID cards, membership cards, hotel key cards, loyalty cards, access credentials and other card programs that still require magnetic encoding.
In professional card manufacturing, the product is often better described as a pre-laid magnetic stripe overlay, magnetic stripe coated overlay or magnetic laminating film. The magnetic tape is positioned on a PVC, PC, PET or related polymer overlay so the stripe can be integrated accurately into the finished card during lamination.
For B2B buyers, material selection should not be based only on PVC versus PC versus PET. Important purchasing parameters include overlay thickness, magnetic coercivity, stripe width, stripe position, magnetic performance, bonding strength, lamination window, surface finish, printing compatibility, abrasion resistance, card construction and reader/encoder compatibility.
Wallis supplies PVC, PC and PET magnetic stripe films for card production, together with customized card overlay materials for lamination, printing and smart-card manufacturing projects.
A magnetic stripe overlay is an overlay film with magnetic tape positioned at a controlled location for incorporation into a laminated plastic card.
The overlay contributes to card construction and surface protection, while the magnetic stripe provides the magnetizable recording medium used to encode information.
The transparent or functional overlay becomes part of the laminated card body. Depending on the material and construction, it can contribute to surface protection, appearance, lamination bonding and additional card functions.
The magnetic tape contains a magnetizable recording layer that can be encoded by a compatible magnetic encoder and read by a magnetic stripe reader.
Positioning the stripe on the overlay before card lamination can help card manufacturers control stripe location and reduce separate stripe-application operations during production.
Depending on the product, the overlay can be supplied coated or uncoated. The coating system should match the core sheet, printing ink, lamination process and required peel strength.
A conventional magnetic stripe communicates through physical movement past a magnetic read head. The card may be swiped through a reader or inserted into equipment that reads the stripe.
Tapping is a contactless RFID/NFC function. A hybrid card can contain both a magnetic stripe and a contactless chip, but these are separate technologies with different data interfaces.
A magnetic encoder applies a controlled magnetic field to the stripe and records data as changes in magnetization along the recording track.
When the stripe moves past a compatible magnetic read head, changes in the magnetic pattern generate signals that the reader converts into encoded data.
RFID and NFC cards use an integrated chip and antenna for contactless communication. Adding RFID to a magnetic stripe card creates a hybrid card; it does not change how the magnetic stripe itself operates.
PVC is widely used in commercial card manufacturing because it combines practical lamination behavior, printability, flexibility and cost efficiency.
PVC magnetic stripe overlay can be used for membership, loyalty, hotel, gift, access and other general-purpose plastic cards when the stripe specification and finished card construction meet the application requirements.
Polycarbonate is commonly evaluated for longer-life, multilayer and secure credential constructions where mechanical durability, higher-temperature lamination capability or laser personalization may be required.
The exact lamination temperature should be defined for the approved PC grade and complete card stack. A universal maximum temperature should not be assumed for every PC overlay construction.
PET-based films can provide dimensional stability, strength and chemical resistance for selected card constructions. The exact PET grade, coating and lamination compatibility should be specified before production.
PET and PETG belong to the polyester family but have different processing behavior. Buyers should confirm whether their card architecture requires PET, PETG or another polyester overlay rather than treating the names as interchangeable.
| Factor | PVC | PC | PET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Positioning | General commercial cards | Long-life and secure multilayer credentials | Selected polyester card constructions |
| Lamination | Compatible with common PVC card lamination systems | Suitable for PC-specific higher-temperature lamination processes depending on grade | Requires grade- and coating-specific process confirmation |
| Flexibility | Good balance for standard cards | Strong multilayer construction capability | Depends on PET grade and thickness |
| Laser Personalization | Requires suitable specialized construction where needed | Commonly used with laser-reactive PC card structures | Depends on specialized card construction |
| Magnetic Stripe | LoCo or HiCo options can be evaluated | Commonly specified with HiCo in demanding projects | Project-specific magnetic options |
| Best Selection Method | Match cost, card life and lamination process | Match card architecture, security and personalization | Match exact polyester grade and downstream process |
Coercivity describes the magnetic field required to change the magnetization of the recording material. In card manufacturing, stripes are commonly marketed as low-coercivity, medium-coercivity, high-coercivity and other specialized grades.
A common commercial LoCo specification is approximately 300 Oe. LoCo stripes require a lower magnetic field for encoding and are frequently associated with applications where cards are re-encoded regularly, such as traditional magnetic hotel key-card systems.
Common commercial HiCo products include approximately 2750 Oe and 4000 Oe grades. They require a stronger encoding field and generally provide greater resistance to accidental magnetic erasure.
HiCo improves resistance to magnetic erasure, but coercivity is not the same as cryptographic security. The security of financial, identity and access systems depends on the complete credential, encoded data, authentication system, reader infrastructure and operational controls.
ISO/IEC 7811 defines performance requirements for magnetic stripe identification cards. Buyers should not state that a specific 300 Oe, 2750 Oe or 4000 Oe value is universally mandated by ISO. Instead, specify the required stripe grade and require the finished card to meet the applicable magnetic performance standard.
| Parameter | LoCo | HiCo |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Low coercivity | High coercivity |
| Common Commercial Grades | Around 300 Oe | Around 2750 Oe / 4000 Oe |
| Encoding Field | Lower | Higher |
| Resistance to Accidental Erasure | Lower than HiCo | Higher |
| Typical Use | Frequently re-encoded or shorter-life magnetic card programs | Longer-life cards or applications requiring greater resistance to unintended erasure |
| Reader Compatibility | Confirm with intended reader/encoder | Confirm encoder capability and intended reader system |
Magnetic stripe width and location affect card design, encoding tracks, lamination layout and reader compatibility. They should therefore be specified on the production drawing.
12.7mm is a common wide magnetic-stripe format used in standard card applications and can support the conventional magnetic track area when the finished card construction follows the required specification.
Narrower stripes such as approximately 8mm or other customized widths may be used for project-specific card structures. Track layout and reader requirements should be verified before approval.
Consistent stripe placement is important because the finished magnetic tracks must align correctly with the magnetic head in the target reader.
Black and brown are common magnetic-stripe appearances, while gold, silver and customized colors can be evaluated for selected branding projects. Magnetic performance must remain the primary acceptance criterion.
| Material | Thickness Range | Magnetic Stripe Types | Stripe Width | Finish Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | 60μm–350μm | LoCo / HiCo | 8mm / 12.7mm / Custom | Glossy / Matte / Silky |
| PC | 100μm–250μm | HiCo | 12.7mm / Custom | Clear / Frosted |
| PET | 80μm–250μm | HiCo | 12.7mm / Custom | Glossy / Hazy |
The ranges above reflect project options used in existing Wallis magnetic-stripe film content. Exact availability can vary by overlay construction, coating, magnetic tape and card architecture, so the final thickness, stripe type and width should be confirmed in the quotation and approved technical specification.
Additional project options can include customized sheet or reel formats, coated or uncoated overlay, laser-reactive card construction, anti-scratch surfaces, customized magnetic stripe colors and security-related card features.
Sheet-format overlay can be supplied in A4, A3, A3+ or customized layouts depending on the card manufacturer's printing, collation and lamination system.
Reel-format overlay may be preferred for continuous or automated card-production workflows where the converting equipment is designed around roll-fed material.
Buyers should provide press size, sheet layout, lamination format, reel width, core requirements and card imposition information rather than selecting sheet or reel format only on unit price.
Coated overlay includes a lamination or bonding layer designed to improve adhesion to the printed core or card-body construction.
Uncoated overlay may be used when the card construction, resin system and lamination process already provide the required bonding mechanism.
Overlay adhesion can change with offset inks, digital printing, toner, UV systems, varnishes and other surface layers. The actual printed core and overlay should therefore be laminated together during qualification.
A magnetic stripe overlay must remain securely integrated into the card body after lamination, punching, personalization and repeated use.
Lamination temperature should be matched to the polymer, coating and complete card construction.
Uniform pressure helps achieve consistent card bonding and surface quality across the sheet.
Heating, pressure and cooling time influence adhesive activation, card flatness and final bonding strength.
Card manufacturers should define an appropriate peel or delamination acceptance test for the intended card program rather than relying only on visual inspection.
Magnetic performance should not be approved only on the incoming overlay. Heat, pressure, card construction and downstream handling can influence the finished result.
Encode representative finished cards using the production encoder and required stripe type.
Test cards using the actual or representative magnetic readers deployed in the target system.
Confirm stripe and encoded track position after card punching because alignment depends on the finished card dimensions, not only the original overlay sheet.
Where ISO/IEC 7811 performance is required, use the appropriate magnetic test procedures and acceptance criteria rather than checking only whether one reader can read the card.
ISO/IEC 7810 addresses physical characteristics and dimensional formats for identification cards. It applies to the complete card rather than only the magnetic stripe overlay.
ISO/IEC 7811-2 specifies requirements for low-coercivity magnetic stripe identification cards, including the magnetic stripe and protective overlay, recording technique and coded character sets.
ISO/IEC 7811-6 covers high-coercivity magnetic stripe cards and includes requirements relating to the stripe, protective overlay and encoding performance.
ISO/IEC 7811-7 addresses high-coercivity, high-density magnetic stripe recording for relevant identification-card systems.
ISO/IEC 7816 concerns integrated-circuit cards with contacts. It becomes relevant when the finished card contains a compatible contact chip, not merely because the card has a magnetic stripe.
ISO/IEC 14443 concerns proximity contactless card technology. It is relevant to suitable RFID/contactless hybrid cards, not to the magnetic stripe itself.
| Technology | How It Is Read | Main Card Component |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Stripe | Swipe or magnetic-head reading | Magnetic recording stripe |
| RFID / NFC | Contactless RF communication / tap | Chip + antenna / inlay |
| Contact Smart Card | Electrical contacts physically connect to reader | Contact chip module |
| Hybrid Card | Can combine two or more interfaces | Magstripe + chip and/or contactless inlay |
Yes. A hybrid card can contain a magnetic stripe together with an RFID or NFC inlay, provided the complete card construction is designed and tested for both technologies.
Magnetic and contactless interfaces operate independently, so both magnetic read/encode performance and RF read/write performance should be verified on finished cards.
A magnetic stripe provides data storage and compatibility with magnetic readers, but it should not automatically be described as an anti-counterfeiting or cryptographically secure technology.
High-security cards may combine the stripe with contact or contactless chips, secure personalization, holograms, laser engraving, controlled issuance and backend authentication systems.
Traditional hotel systems frequently use re-encodable magnetic stripes. LoCo or HiCo selection should be matched to the installed hotel encoder and door-lock reader system.
Magnetic stripes can provide compatibility with installed membership, gym, retail and loyalty reader systems.
Legacy access-control systems may still use magnetic readers. New projects should define whether magnetic, RFID, NFC or a hybrid interface is required.
Magnetic stripes remain part of some financial-card constructions for system compatibility. Payment-card programs must also comply with the issuer, payment-network, chip, security and personalization requirements applicable to the specific project.
Magnetic transport tickets and cards can be used in systems designed around magnetic readers. Contactless tap-in systems use RFID or NFC technology and should not be described as magnetic-stripe reading.
Magnetic stripes can be incorporated when required by an existing credential system, while modern secure ID programs may additionally use contact chips, contactless technology, laser personalization and other authentication features.
Card overlay and core-sheet coatings should be selected according to the offset ink system and lamination process.
HP Indigo, toner and other digital systems can require different coating or adhesion characteristics. The actual printed sheet should be used in the lamination trial.
Polycarbonate and other specialized card constructions can incorporate laser-reactive layers for permanent personalization. Laser capability must be designed into the appropriate layer and is not created merely by adding a magnetic stripe.
Signature panels can be combined with magnetic stripe cards when the card layout and downstream personalization requirements are defined in advance.
Visual security features can be integrated into suitable card constructions, but they should be evaluated separately from magnetic-stripe data security.
| Defect | Possible Causes to Check |
|---|---|
| Stripe Peeling | Tape bonding, overlay construction, lamination process or surface contamination |
| Overlay Delamination | Coating/ink incompatibility, insufficient lamination conditions or incompatible polymer stack |
| Stripe Misalignment | Pre-laid tape positioning, sheet registration or punching alignment |
| Weak Read Signal | Magnetic material, encoding parameters, surface wear, head alignment or reader compatibility |
| Encoding Failure | Wrong encoder coercivity setting, magnetic quality, card speed or track configuration |
| Surface Scratching | Handling, reader wear, packing or insufficient surface protection |
| Card Warping | Incorrect lamination temperature, pressure, cooling or asymmetric card structure |
| Clouding or Frosting | Lamination interface, incompatible coatings, trapped air or unsuitable process conditions |
Base material: verify PVC, PC, PET, PETG or other approved overlay grade.
Overlay thickness: measure against the agreed nominal gauge and tolerance.
Sheet or reel dimensions: verify size, width and production format.
Magnetic coercivity: verify the ordered LoCo, HiCo or other magnetic specification.
Stripe width: verify 8mm, 12.7mm or custom width.
Stripe position: inspect transverse position and registration.
Stripe appearance: inspect scratches, contamination, edge defects and color consistency.
Tape adhesion: verify stripe bonding to the overlay.
Overlay coating: confirm coated or uncoated construction.
Lamination bond: evaluate peel or delamination performance.
Card flatness: inspect finished cards after lamination and cooling.
Magnetic encoding: verify data can be encoded with the production encoder.
Magnetic reading: test representative finished cards on target readers.
Track location: verify against applicable card-system requirements.
Magnetic signal performance: conduct applicable ISO/IEC 7811 testing where specified.
Abrasion: assess magnetic stripe wear for the intended card lifetime.
Printing compatibility: laminate against actual printed core material.
RFID/NFC: test contactless operation where used in a hybrid card.
Contact chip: verify chip operation where applicable.
Traceability: maintain batch and inspection identification for repeat orders.
Identify whether the card is for hotel, membership, loyalty, access, financial, transport, government ID or another program.
Specify PVC, PC, PET, PETG or another material based on card life, lamination, personalization and downstream processing.
Select the magnetic grade according to the installed encoder/reader system, expected card lifetime and resistance-to-erasure requirement.
Specify 12.7mm, 8mm or another custom width based on card layout and track requirements.
Provide a technical drawing showing stripe location relative to finished card edges and other features.
Overlay thickness must fit the complete card stack so the final card reaches the required overall gauge.
Match the coating to the core material, printing ink and lamination equipment.
Provide sheet dimensions or reel width, core and roll requirements based on production equipment.
Specify RFID, NFC, contact chip, barcode, QR code, signature panel, hologram, laser personalization and any other required feature.
Approve magnetic encoding, reader compatibility, lamination bonding, stripe location, card flatness and all other electronic functions after the complete card has been produced.
Application: hotel, membership, access, ID, financial, transport, loyalty or other card.
Overlay material: PVC, PC, PET, PETG or other construction.
Overlay thickness: nominal thickness and tolerance.
Magnetic type: LoCo, HiCo or other required grade.
Coercivity: specify target commercial Oe grade where required.
Stripe width: 8mm, 12.7mm or custom.
Stripe color: black, brown, gold, silver or custom.
Stripe position: provide dimensioned drawing.
Format: sheet or reel.
Sheet size: A4, A3, A3+ or custom.
Reel specification: width, core and roll length where applicable.
Coating: coated or uncoated overlay.
Printing process: offset, HP Indigo, toner, UV or another system.
Core material: provide printed/core-sheet material and thickness.
Lamination process: provide temperature, pressure and cycle where already established.
Finished card thickness: define required total card gauge.
Magnetic tracks: specify encoding and reader requirements.
RFID/NFC: provide chip/inlay information for hybrid cards.
Contact chip: identify module requirement where applicable.
Personalization: barcode, QR, laser engraving, embossing or variable data.
Testing standard: identify applicable ISO/IEC 7811 or customer-specific criteria.
Quantity: sample, trial and commercial production volume.
Destination: provide country and shipping requirements.
Sustainability should be evaluated using the complete card construction rather than describing one substrate as universally environmentally superior.
A magnetic card can contain polymer layers, magnetic tape, coatings, inks, adhesives, signature panels, chips, antennas and other components that affect end-of-life processing.
PET itself can enter suitable recycling systems, but a finished multi-material magnetic or smart card may require specialized collection and processing.
Long-life cards that resist premature delamination, stripe wear and replacement can reduce repeat manufacturing, but environmental claims should still be based on the actual product and end-of-life system.
Wallis supplies multiple overlay-material options so card manufacturers can match the film to their card body, lamination process and required service life.
Magnetic grades can be selected according to the reader/encoder system, intended card use and resistance-to-erasure requirement.
Stripe width, color and location can be discussed for compatible customized card-production layouts.
Card manufacturers can evaluate coating systems according to their core-sheet material, ink and lamination equipment.
Magnetic stripe overlay can be integrated into card constructions that also use RFID/NFC inlays, contact chips and other personalization features where the complete structure is validated.
Sample evaluation allows buyers to verify bonding, magnetic encoding, reader compatibility, finished card thickness and appearance before commercial production.
It is an overlay film with magnetic tape pre-positioned for integration into a laminated card. It combines the card overlay with the magnetic recording stripe required by the finished magnetic card.
Magnetic tape is the magnetic recording material itself. Magnetic stripe overlay film generally refers to an overlay material on which the magnetic tape has already been positioned for card lamination.
LoCo means low coercivity. A common commercial grade is around 300 Oe and requires a lower magnetic field for encoding than HiCo.
HiCo means high coercivity. Common commercial options include approximately 2750 Oe and 4000 Oe and provide greater resistance to accidental magnetic erasure than LoCo.
No. ISO/IEC 7811-2 defines performance requirements for low-coercivity magnetic stripe cards, but coercivity itself is not specified as one mandatory Oe value.
No. 2750 Oe is a common commercial HiCo grade, but ISO/IEC 7811-6 focuses on finished-card magnetic performance and does not specify one universal coercivity value.
HiCo is more resistant to accidental magnetic erasure, but this should not be confused with cryptographic security or anti-counterfeiting capability.
Magnetic stripe cards are normally swiped or moved past a magnetic reader head. Tapping is associated with RFID/NFC contactless technology.
Yes. Hybrid cards can combine a magnetic stripe with an NFC or other contactless inlay when both technologies are designed into the card and tested independently.
Yes. Magnetic stripe and contact-chip interfaces can coexist in one card when the card architecture and personalization process support both technologies.
12.7mm is a common wide magnetic-stripe dimension. Narrower or customized stripe widths can also be used depending on the card and encoding specification.
The stripe and encoded tracks must align correctly with the magnetic head in the reader. Incorrect positioning can cause intermittent or failed reading.
Yes. Sheet formats such as A4, A3, A3+ and customized layouts can be discussed according to the production system.
Reel or roll formats can be evaluated for continuous converting and automated card-production systems.
Coated overlay incorporates a bonding layer designed to support adhesion during card-body lamination.
No. PET and PETG are related polyester materials but have different formulations and processing characteristics. Confirm the required material before ordering.
Polycarbonate is widely used in durable multilayer credentials because compatible constructions can support strong lamination, long service life and laser personalization.
Specialized overlay or card structures can include laser-reactive additives or layers. The magnetic stripe itself does not create laser-personalization capability.
Customized magnetic tape colors can be available for selected products. The stripe should still meet the required magnetic encoding and reader performance.
Not by itself. Magnetic stripes provide machine-readable stored data, while secure credential systems may require chips, encryption, controlled issuance, laser personalization and additional authentication features.
ISO/IEC 7816 relates to contact integrated-circuit cards. It is relevant when the finished card includes a compatible contact chip, not to the magnetic stripe overlay alone.
ISO/IEC 14443 applies to proximity contactless card technology. It is relevant only where the final hybrid card also contains the applicable contactless chip and antenna system.
Test both incoming materials where appropriate and the final laminated, punched and personalized card. Final-card testing is especially important because production processes can affect stripe location and performance.
Yes. Representative production cards should be tested with the actual or approved reader and encoder equipment whenever system compatibility is critical.
Wallis can discuss customized overlay thickness according to material, card stack, coating and production requirements.
Provide card application, overlay material, thickness, LoCo or HiCo requirement, coercivity grade, stripe width and position, sheet or reel format, printing process, lamination conditions, finished card thickness, electronic features, quantity and destination.
Selecting magnetic stripe film for smart-card production requires more than choosing PVC, PC or PET. The magnetic grade, stripe width, stripe location, overlay coating, printing process and lamination conditions must all work together in the finished card.
Professional buyers should evaluate material compatibility, overlay thickness, coercivity, tape adhesion, lamination bond, stripe position, encoding performance, reader compatibility, abrasion resistance and applicable ISO/IEC 7811 criteria as one complete system.
Send Wallis your card stack, magnetic stripe specification, reader/encoder requirements, production process and expected volume to evaluate a suitable magnetic stripe overlay before bulk production.
