Anyone who has gone to a gym or lived in a dorm has probably used a magnetic stripe card. Mag stripe cards are swiped through a reader in the same way that a credit or debit card is swiped through a machine. Information encoded in the stripe is read, and access is either granted or denied.

The simplicity of the technology and the extremely low cost involved are the two major reasons for the popularity of magnetic cards. Generally, it costs less than $2.00 to produce an ID with a magnetic stripe. Institutions like universities that have thousands of people to outfit with IDs often see mag stripe cards as the only sensible way to go.

Advantages of Mag Stripe Cards

One option instead of a mag stripe card is the barcode. Unfortunately, barcodes can be easily photocopied. While perhaps being initially less expensive, they can be costly if clients or customers misuse them.

Proximity cards are another option. While there are some benefits of proximity cards, when it comes down to the bottom line, mag stripe cards are just as effective and are more economical. Many businesses end up utilizing mag stripe cards because they offer a middle ground in terms of quality, functionality, and price.