Glossary of ID Terms

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Access Control Cards	Cards that are used to gain access to premises, usually associated with magnetic stripe and proximity cards.
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Bar Code	An array of machine-readable rectangular bars and spaces arranged in a specific way defined in international standards to represent letters, numbers and other human-readable symbols.
Bar Code Scanner	A device used to read and interpret bar codes, when scanned and puts the data into a software program, just as if it was typed in. Bar code scanners come in a variety of desktop models. Most plug into a USB port or RS232 port, and do not require a separate power supply, making them easy to install and use.
Biometrics	Biometrics utilize "something you are" to authenticate identification. This might include fingerprints, retina pattern, iris, hand geometry, vein patterns, voice password or signature dynamics. Biometrics can be used with a smart card to authenticate the user. The user's biometric information is stored on a smart card, the card is placed in a reader and a biometric scanner reads the information to match it against that on the card. This is a fast, accurate and highly secure form of user authentication.
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Coercively	A technical term used to designate how strong a magnetic field must be to affect data encoded on a magnetic stripe. Coercivity is measured in Oersteds (Oe). Coercivity is the measure of how difficult it is to encode information in a magnetic stripe.
Color Matching	Several color matching options are included with Card Printer/Encoders. These options are built directly into the printer driver so they are easily selected. Colors print with more clarity, detail and accuracy.
Contact Smart Card Encoder	The contact smart card encoder connects the ISO contact pins mounted on the e-card docking station to a Gemplus GemCore 410 smart card coupler mounted inside the printer. The GemCore 410's digital I/O is converted to a RS-232 signal which is accessible to application programs through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Smart Card."
Contactless Smart Card Encoder	The contactless smart card encoder connects an antenna mounted on the e-card docking station to a Gemplus GemEasyLink 680SL coupler mounted inside the printer/encoder. Application programs can access Mifare® contactless cards via a RS-232 signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Mifare/Contactless."
Credit card size	Actual card size 2 1/8" x 3 3/8" with rounded radius corners. An industry standard card size for identification, aka CR80.
CR80 Size	Same as credit card size, 2 1/8" x 3 3/8"
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Digital Imaging	Scanning or otherwise capturing images which may be subsequently edited, filed, displayed or printed on a plastic card.
Direct-to-Card (DTC) Printing	The Direct-to-card printing process prints digital images directly onto any plastic card with a smooth, clean, glossy PVC surface.
Dye Sublimation	Dye sublimation is the print process Card Printer/Encoders use to print smooth, continuous-tone, photo-quality images. This process uses a dye-based ribbon roll that is divided into a series of color panels. The color panels are grouped in a repeating series of three separate colors along the length of the ribbon: yellow, magenta and cyan (YMC). As the ribbon and card pass simultaneously beneath the printhead, hundreds of thermal elements heat the dyes on the ribbon. Once the dyes are heated, they vaporize and diffuse into the surface of the card. Varying the heat intensity of each thermal element within the printhead makes it possible for each transferred dot of color to vary saturation. This blends one color into the next. The result is continuous-tone, photo-realistic color images.
Docking Station	ID Card printers provide an optional e-card docking station on select models that can be ordered with encoders for one, two or three different types of e-cards. These printer/encoders allow application software to read and/or store information in the memory of e-cards. The optional encoders provide everything needed for an application program to communicate with a specific type e-card through a standard RS-232 interface. The Fargo e-card docking station comes standard with the read/write pins (as defined by ISO) needed to communicate with contact smart cards. The e-card docking station also can be ordered with a magnetic stripe encoder for either an ISO magnetic stripe that supports dual high/low coercivity tracks 1, 2 and 3 or a JIS II magnetic stripe.
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Encoding	The process of electronically "Writing" information on magnetic stripes or smart card chips.
E-card Encoder	Select Card Printer/Encoders support reading and/or storing information in up to three different types of e-cards: ISO 7816 contact smart cards, Mifare® contactless smart cards and HID proximity cards.
Edge-to-Edge printing	Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/encoders with edge-to-edge printing capability can print just to the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with virtually no border.
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Hi-Co magnetic stripe	Abbreviation for High Coercivity. HiCo magnetic stripes provide the highest level of immunity to damage by stray magnetic fields. They are more difficult to encode than LoCo magnetic stripes because the encoding requires more power. HiCo magnetic stripe cards are slightly more expensive for this reason.
High-Volume Printing	Fast, efficient printing for producing large quantities of cards with minimal down time for supplies loading or maintenance.
High Definition Printing™ (HDP™)	The high-definition printing process prints full-color images onto clear HDP transfer film. The HDP film is then fused to the card through heat and pressure via a heated roller. This revolutionary technology enhances card durability and consistently produces the best card color available - even on tough-to-print matte-finished cards, proximity cards and smart cards.
High-Speed Printing	Card Printer/Encoders are among the fastest desktop card printer/encoders in the industry. High-speed printing allows for more efficient card production - saving time, money and resources.
Hologram	A unique photographic printing that provides a three-dimensional effect on a flat surface. Holograms cannot be easily copied and are used for security and aesthetic purposes on cards.
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Image Capture	A hardware and software products used to obtain and save personal data, a cardholder photographic and cardholder signature.
ISO Magnetic Stripe Encoder	International Standards Organization specification for magnetic stripe encoding. The encoder supports dual high/low coercivity and tracks 1, 2 and 3.
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JIS II Magnetic Stripe Encoder	Japanese Industrial Standard for magnetic stripe encoding; published and translated into English by Japan Standards Association.
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Lamination	The process of combining lamination material and core material using time, heat and pressure. Laminate patches used in card printers come on rolls, with and without carriers/liners.
LCD Display	The LCD - or Liquid Crystal Display - shows the current status of the printer and changes according to the printer's current mode of operation. LCD communicates an error with text, which is easier to interpret than LED lights.
Lockable Hopper	Some Card Printer/Encoders provide a lockable card hopper door. This lock is intended to help prevent theft of your blank card stock. This feature is especially helpful if using valuable card stock such as preprinted cards, smart cards or cards with built-in security features such as holograms.
Lo-Co Magnetic stripe	Abbreviation for Low Coercivity. Easier to encode and slightly less expensive than HiCo magnetic stripe cards.
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Machine-Readable	A code or characters that can be read by machines.
Magnetic (“Mag”) Stripe	Mag stripe refers to the black or brown magnetic stripe on a card. The stripe is made of magnetic particles of resin. The resin particle material determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher the coercivity, the harder it is to encode - and erase - information from the stripe. Magnetic stripes are often used in applications for access control, time and attendance, lunch programs, library cards and more.
Memory Card	A type of smart card. Also known as a synchronous card, it features 256 bit or 32 byte memory and is suitable for use as a token card or identification card.
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Output Stacker	The output stacker stores printed cards in a first-in/first-out order. This feature makes it easy to keep printed cards in a specific order for faster issuance or to print serialized cards.
Oversized Cards	Oversized cards are used for more efficient visual identification and are available in many nonstandard sizes. The most popular sizes are CR-90 (3.63" x 2.37"/92 mm x 60 mm) and CR-100 (3.88" x 2.63"/98.5 mm x 67 mm).
Overlaminate	Protective clear or holographic material designed to offer advanced card security and durability. Two types are typically available: Thermal Transfer Overlaminate is a .25 mil thick material that enhances card security and durability. PolyGuard Overlaminate is available in a 1 mil and .6 mil thick material and provides extraordinary protection for applications that require highly durable cards.
Overlay Panel	The clear overlay panel (O) is provided on dye sublimation print ribbons. This panel is automatically applied to printed cards and helps prevent images from premature wear or UV fading. All dye sublimation printed images must have either this overlay panel or an overlaminate applied to protect them.
Overlay Varnish	A thin transparent layer applied (using the print head) to cards to resist scratching and fading from exposure to UV radiation.
Over-the-Edge	Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/encoders with over-the-edge printing capability can print past the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with absolutely no border. Some darker colors may tend to slightly discolor near the edge on direct dye-sublimation printers.
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PolyGuard™	A card overlaminate available in 1 mil and .6 mil thicknesses that provides extraordinary card protection; ideal for harsh or more secure environments. Available as clear or with embedded holographic-type security images.
Proximity (“Prox”) Card	Proximity cards allow access and tracking utilizing contactless technology (usually by communicating through a built-in antenna).
Prox Card Encoder	The prox card encoder uses a HID ProxPoint® Plus reader mounted on the e-card docking station inside the printer/encoder. The ProxPoint is a "read only" device producing a Wiegand signal that is converted to RS-232 using a Cypress Computer Systems CVT-2232. Application programs can read information from HID prox cards via a RS-232 signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Prox."
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Resin Thermal Transfer	Resin thermal transfer is the process used to print sharp black text and crisp bar codes that can be read by both infrared and visible-light bar code scanners. It is also the process used to print ultra-fast, economical one-color cards. Like dye sublimation, this process uses a thermal printhead to transfer color from the ribbon roll to the card. The difference, however, is that solid dots of color are transferred in the form of a resin-based ink which fuses to the surface of the card when heated. This produces very durable, single-color images.
Resolution	Dimension of the smallest element of an image that can be printed. Usually stated as dots per inch (dpi).
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Smart Card	Smart cards have an embedded computer circuit that contains either a memory chip or a microprocessor chip. There are several types of smart cards: Memory, Contact, Contactless, Hybrid (Twin), Combi (Dual Interface), Proximity and Vicinity.
SmartGuard™	SmartGuard is a printer security option that uses a custom access card and a built-in reader to restrict printer access. With this feature, only those with a valid access card can print cards. This makes both your printed cards and your overall system more secure.
SmartShield™	This option allows the printer/encoder to print custom, reflective security images on the card that fluoresce under a black or UV light source.
Standard Cards	The standard card size is CR-80. CR-80 dimensions are 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6 mm x 54 mm).
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Thermal Printing	The process of creating an image on a plastic card using a heated printhead.
Thermal Transfer Overlaminate	A card overlaminate available in a .25 mil thickness that increases card security and durability; often used for moderate durability applications or when additional security (such as holographic images) are needed.
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YMC	Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print colors for cards. The three colors are combined in varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors. YMCKO is the same as YMC plus black (K) and clear protective overcoat (O). The overcoat is sometimes referred to as the Topcoat by some manufacturers and is designated as “T”.
YMCKOK	A ribbon that is designed for printing full color on the front of the card, with the protective overlay, and resin black on the back of the card. This type of ribbons is most commonly used with duplex printers.
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