What Is a HiCo Magnetic Stripe Card? Strength Explained

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Swipe a card. Data transfers instantly. The transaction completes. It seems almost mundane - until you realize that tiny stripe of magnetic material on the back of millions of cards is doing some seriously heavy lifting every single day. But not all magnetic stripes are created equal, and if your business is considering a card program, understanding the difference between High Coercivity (HiCo) and Low Coercivity (LoCo) magnetic stripe cards could save you real money and real headaches.

HiCo magnetic stripe cards are the gold standard for durability and data integrity in demanding environments. Whether you are running a loyalty program at a busy retail location, managing employee access credentials across multiple facilities, or issuing membership cards that will spend years inside a wallet, HiCo is almost certainly the specification you want. The physics behind it are fascinating, and the practical advantages are immediately measurable.

This page breaks it all down - what HiCo means technically, when to use it versus LoCo, how to encode it, and why businesses across the United States have trusted CPE for over 25 years to supply precisely the right cards for every application imaginable.

HiCo vs. LoCo Magnetic Stripe Cards: Quick Comparison
Feature HiCo (High Coercivity) LoCo (Low Coercivity)
Coercivity Rating 2750 Oersteds 300 Oersteds
Stripe Color Dark Brown / Black Brown
Resistance to Demagnetization Very High Moderate
Typical Applications Loyalty, ID, Access, Membership Hotel keys, Short-term use
Longevity Long-term programs Short to medium-term
Encoding Requirement High-coercivity encoder Standard or low-coercivity encoder

Coercivity is a measure of how strongly a magnetic material resists demagnetization - expressed in units called Oersteds (Oe). A HiCo magnetic stripe card operates at approximately 2750 Oe, compared to a LoCo card's 300 Oe. That difference is not trivial. It is roughly nine times more resistant to having its encoded data scrambled or erased by external magnetic fields.

Think about what a card encounters in daily life. It sits next to a smartphone in a pocket. It passes near speaker magnets, magnetic closures on bags, security systems at store entrances. A LoCo card in that environment is playing defense on the thinnest possible margin. A HiCo card shrugs off those encounters without losing a single bit of encoded data. For any card program meant to last months or years, this is not a minor detail - it is the foundational reason HiCo exists.

The magnetic stripe on a card contains iron oxide or barium ferrite particles suspended in a binder. When a card is encoded, a magnetic write head magnetizes those particles in specific patterns, creating a binary representation of data across up to three tracks. Track 1 holds alphanumeric data (up to 79 characters). Track 2 is numeric only (up to 40 characters). Track 3 is less commonly used but supports read/write operations.

Encoding a HiCo card requires a write head capable of generating a stronger magnetic field than what a LoCo encoder produces. Using the wrong encoder on a HiCo card will result in blank or corrupted data - a surprisingly common mistake for organizations new to running card programs. Card printers from Evolis, Zebra, and Fargo all offer HiCo-compatible encoding modules, and CPE can help you confirm exactly which configuration matches your cards.

HiCo stripes typically appear darker - often described as dark brown or nearly black - while LoCo stripes present as a lighter brown. This visual difference serves a practical purpose: it allows trained staff and card program administrators to visually verify card type at a glance before encoding. In a production environment where both card types might be present, this small detail prevents costly encoding errors.

Some card programs specify a custom-colored or holographic overlay on top of the magnetic stripe for branding or security purposes. This is entirely compatible with HiCo cards, provided the overlay does not physically interfere with the read head path during swiping. CPE offers both standard dark-stripe HiCo cards and options with specialty stripe finishes depending on your program needs and volume.

HiCo magnetic stripe cards conform to ISO/IEC 7810 and ISO/IEC 7811 standards - the same international specifications that govern the physical and magnetic properties of ID cards worldwide. CR80 cards (85.60mm x 53.98mm, 30 mil thickness) are the baseline format, though magnetic stripes are also available on CR79 and other sizes for specialty applications like key tags and access fobs.

ISO compliance matters beyond just interoperability. It ensures that your cards will function reliably with standard point-of-sale readers, access control terminals, and card printers from any of the major manufacturers. When a card program spans multiple locations, ISO-standard HiCo cards eliminate compatibility headaches before they start. That kind of operational reliability is exactly why CPE stocks only ISO-compliant magnetic stripe cards across its entire inventory.

The specification on paper is one thing. Where HiCo magnetic stripe cards truly prove their worth is in the applications that demand daily, high-cycle performance over extended time periods. From the gym membership card swiped every morning to the employee badge that opens a dozen doors per shift, HiCo is the format built for repetition and reliability.

Retailers who have switched from paper punch cards or basic LoCo loyalty cards to HiCo plastic loyalty cards report measurable improvements in program participation and data integrity. The reason is straightforward: when a card works every time, customers use it every time. And when customers use a loyalty card every time, businesses capture the behavioral data needed to make smarter marketing decisions. A loyalty program is only as good as its data - and HiCo cards protect that data.

Gift card programs built on plastic outperform paper alternatives by a significant margin - retailers switching to plastic gift cards have seen sales increases in the range of 35-50%. Loyalty cards tell a similar story. A card that lives permanently in a wallet, survives the wash cycle once or twice, and still swipes cleanly three years later is an ambassador for your brand that paper simply cannot replicate.

HiCo loyalty cards can be pre-encoded with unique sequential numbers, account identifiers, or point-of-sale integration codes before they ever reach your counter. CPE can supply cards blank for in-house encoding, or pre-encoded to your specifications for larger programs. Either way, the infrastructure scales with your business - from a boutique retailer running 200 cards per season to a regional chain moving tens of thousands per quarter.

Few applications punish a weak magnetic stripe faster than an access control system with heavy daily traffic. Employee badges swiped dozens of times per day, every day, in environments ranging from climate-controlled offices to warehouses and manufacturing floors - these cards need the durability that HiCo provides. A badge that fails to swipe is not just an inconvenience; it is a security gap and a productivity drain.

For organizations running dual-technology cards - combining HiCo magnetic stripe with proximity or RFID technology - CPE offers combo cards that support both contact and contactless reading on the same credential. This matters increasingly for organizations that are upgrading their access infrastructure without wanting to re-issue an entirely new card to every employee. Reach out at 800.835.7919 to discuss combination card configurations and which encoder setup pairs with your existing readers.

Membership organizations - health clubs, country clubs, professional associations, private dining establishments - rely on HiCo cards because member cards are long-lived credentials that need to keep performing year after year. A member who pulls out a crisp, clean plastic card with your logo on it at the point of entry experiences your brand in a way that a printout or digital alternative simply does not deliver. Physical cards signal permanence, legitimacy, and investment in the member relationship.

Casino player reward cards represent one of the most demanding HiCo applications. These cards are swiped at slot machines, table game readers, restaurant POS terminals, and hotel check-in kiosks - potentially dozens of times per visit, by players who may visit multiple times per week. CPE supplies casino-grade HiCo cards built to meet exactly this kind of high-cycle, high-stakes demand, with encoding configurations compatible with major gaming management systems.

Not every HiCo card is the same. Beyond the magnetic stripe specification itself, there are meaningful decisions to make around card material, thickness, finish, and any additional technology layers. Getting this right from the start saves money and avoids reprints, re-encodings, and compatibility headaches down the road.

The starting point for most programs is the standard CR80 blank PVC card with a HiCo magnetic stripe - the workhorse format that works in virtually every card printer and reader on the market. From there, the customization options branch out considerably depending on what your program requires in terms of security, aesthetics, and functionality.

Blank HiCo cards give your organization total design control and the flexibility to print on demand. Rather than ordering pre-printed cards in large batches, you maintain a stock of blank cards and print exactly what you need, when you need it. This approach dramatically reduces waste from design changes, employee turnover, or program updates - and the per-card cost over time is typically lower than outsourcing printing for every update.

Blank cards also allow you to encode on the fly using a card printer with an integrated HiCo encoding module. Zebra, Evolis, and Fargo all manufacture printers with this capability, and CPE carries the full lineup alongside compatible ribbons, cleaning kits, and card carriers to keep your printing operation running smoothly. An in-house card program gives you speed, control, and a surprisingly manageable cost structure when set up correctly from the beginning.

For programs with stable designs and larger volumes, pre-printed custom HiCo cards offer consistency and professional finish that in-house printing rarely matches. Full-color offset or digital printing on CR80 PVC with a dark HiCo stripe and your choice of gloss or matte laminate produces a card that looks - and functions - like the real deal, because it is.

Custom card orders through CPE scale from relatively modest quantities up to mass production in the tens of thousands. The per-card cost drops significantly at volume, and the combination of professional print quality with reliable HiCo encoding makes this the preferred route for retail chains, franchise systems, and any program where visual brand consistency across locations is non-negotiable.

Standard white PVC is not your only option. Clear plastic cards with a HiCo magnetic stripe offer a striking visual effect - the stripe appears to float, and any printing on the card takes on a translucent quality that stands out in a wallet. Frosted cards split the difference, providing a soft matte texture that photographs beautifully and feels premium in hand. Both formats are available with HiCo stripes and full encoding compatibility.

Combo cards layer HiCo magnetic stripe with RFID or proximity technology in a single CR80 card body. This is the format increasingly chosen by organizations running hybrid access environments, where some readers are swipe-based and others are contactless. CPE offers MIFARE DESFire, MIFARE Classic, and standard 125kHz proximity options in combination with HiCo stripes for a truly versatile credential.

Buyers new to magnetic stripe card programs tend to arrive with a consistent set of questions. The answers below reflect what CPE hears most often from customers at every scale - from a local gym owner ordering their first 500 cards to a multi-location retailer building out a national loyalty program.

No - and this is one of the most important technical points to understand before purchasing equipment. HiCo encoding requires a write head rated for high coercivity magnetic media. Attempting to encode a HiCo card with a LoCo encoder will result in data that is either partially written or entirely absent. The card will swipe incorrectly or not at all.

Card printers that support HiCo encoding will typically indicate this in their specifications as "HiCo/LoCo switchable" or will include a dedicated HiCo encoding module. Evolis Primacy, Zebra ZC Series, and Fargo HDP Series printers all offer this capability. When purchasing through CPE, customers receive guidance on which printer configuration is appropriate for their card type - no guesswork required.

Under normal conditions, a quality HiCo magnetic stripe card will maintain reliable read performance for thousands of swipes. The physical durability of the PVC card body typically determines the end-of-life point before the magnetic stripe fails. Cards that are stored carefully - not bent repeatedly, not scratched against abrasive surfaces, not stored directly against powerful magnets - routinely last three to five years in active use.

High-traffic applications like casino floors or transit systems push card volumes that would wear out most credentials, but in standard business applications (loyalty programs, employee badges, membership cards), HiCo cards easily outlast the typical program cycle without data degradation. The durability advantage of HiCo over LoCo is most visible in exactly these long-cycle, real-world scenarios.

  • Track 1: Up to 79 alphanumeric characters - useful for names, account identifiers, and alphanumeric codes.
  • Track 2: Up to 40 numeric characters - the standard track used by most POS and loyalty systems for account numbers.
  • Track 3: Up to 107 numeric characters - supports read/write operations and is used in specific financial and access applications.
  • Sequential card numbering, unique identifiers, and program-specific codes can all be encoded across any combination of tracks.
  • Magnetic stripe data is not encrypted by default - for sensitive programs, combine with smart chip or RFID technology for layered security.

Choosing HiCo magnetic stripe cards is the right call for the majority of business card programs - but specifying the card is just step one. A successful card program requires thinking through the full lifecycle: card design and printing, encoding, distribution, reader compatibility, and eventual re-issue or replacement. CPE has guided over 100,000 customers through exactly this process.

Start with the questions that drive every other decision. How many cards will you issue initially, and at what ongoing rate? Will cards be printed in-house or ordered pre-printed? Does your program require sequential numbering, unique barcodes, or specific track encoding? Do your existing readers support HiCo, or will you need updated equipment? Answering these questions before purchasing anything saves significant time and money.

Volume is particularly important. Programs running fewer than 500 cards per month will often find in-house printing with blank HiCo cards to be the most flexible and cost-effective approach. Programs at higher volumes - especially those with stable designs and consistent encoding requirements - may benefit from bulk pre-printed orders. CPE handles both scenarios with equal competence and consistent supply.

Once your requirements are defined, selecting the right blank HiCo card and compatible printer becomes straightforward. Standard CR80 30 mil PVC with a dark HiCo stripe is the baseline. If your program calls for specialty finishes, clear or frosted stock, or combo technology, those specifications layer on top of the HiCo stripe requirement without complicating the process significantly.

Printer selection follows the card specification. A HiCo-capable printer with the appropriate ribbon - YMCKO for full-color, or K-panel for monochrome - paired with a HiCo encoding module covers the majority of program types. Cleaning kits and card carriers protect your printer and ensure consistent print quality across the life of the equipment. Treating your card printer as a long-term investment rather than a one-time purchase is a mindset that pays dividends.

Cards that are beautifully printed and correctly encoded still need to work in your readers. Before finalizing any card order, confirm that your point-of-sale terminals, access control readers, or loyalty management system are configured for HiCo magnetic stripe input. Most modern systems support HiCo natively, but older installations may need a configuration update or hardware upgrade.

For programs distributing cards to members, employees, or customers at scale, CPE offers card affixing and mailing services that handle the logistics of getting cards into recipients' hands. Whether you are launching a new loyalty program and need 5,000 cards mailed with welcome packets, or re-issuing updated employee badges across multiple locations, the operational support is available without sourcing it from a separate vendor.

Twenty-five years is a long time to stay relevant in any industry. The fact that CPE has not just survived but genuinely thrived - serving over 100,000 customers and supplying more than 50 million cards - comes down to something simpler than a catchy tagline: when businesses call with a card program problem, they get a solution, not a sales pitch.

The catalog covers every format a serious card program could require: blank PVC, HiCo and LoCo magnetic stripe, RFID and proximity, MIFARE DESFire smart cards, clear and frosted stock, custom die-cut shapes, hotel key cards, casino player cards, and luxury metal cards in stainless steel, brass, and gold. Paired with printers from Evolis, Zebra, and Fargo, plus ribbons, cleaning kits, card carriers, and mailing services, CPE genuinely functions as a one-stop shop for card programs of any complexity.

A Partner, Not Just a Supplier

The distinction matters more than it might initially appear. A supplier ships what you order. A partner helps you figure out what you should order - and flags the issues you did not know to ask about. Businesses running their first card program benefit enormously from that guidance. Businesses running established programs at scale benefit from a supplier who can consistently deliver on specifications without errors or delays.

Long-term relationships are the business model at CPE, not one-time transactions. That orientation shows up in practical ways: honest recommendations about card types and quantities, proactive communication about stock and lead times, and the institutional knowledge that comes from having handled card programs across virtually every industry vertical in the United States over more than two decades.

Scalable Supply for Programs of Every Size

Whether your program runs 50 cards per month or tens of thousands, the supply chain behind CPE is built to match your pace. Small programs get the same quality and attention as enterprise accounts. Large programs get the volume pricing and production reliability that mass-scale operations require. And programs that grow - as good programs tend to do - find that scaling with an established supplier is far less painful than re-sourcing mid-program.

To discuss your HiCo magnetic stripe card requirements, get a quote, or ask any of the questions this page has raised, contact the team directly at 800.835.7919. The conversation is straightforward, the advice is genuine, and the cards will work exactly as they should - every swipe, every time.

Commitment to Quality Across Every Card Format

Every card in the CPE catalog meets ISO 7810 standards for physical dimensions and ISO 7811 for magnetic stripe specifications. This is not a marketing claim - it is a baseline requirement. Cards that fail to meet these standards create reader errors, compatibility issues, and program disruptions that cost far more to fix than the small premium quality control commands upfront.

Fifty million cards sold is a number earned through consistent quality, not just marketing reach. Each card shipped is a piece of a customer's business infrastructure - an employee's badge, a loyal shopper's rewards card, a member's credential. That responsibility is taken seriously at every stage of the supply and support process that Plastic Card ID brings to every customer relationship.

Ready to start or upgrade your HiCo magnetic stripe card program? Contact Plastic Card ID today at 800.835.7919 - your program deserves cards that work reliably, look professional, and represent your brand with the permanence plastic provides.