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The Complete ID
Printer Buyer's Guide

This guide walks you through all the important considerations you'll need to know when selecting an ID card printer.

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Ordering iCLASS Cards

Ordering iCLASS Cards

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There’s a lot of choices when ordering iCLASS smart cards – the easiest thing to do to make sure the cards will work in your current system is to use the same information as your current cards. If you’re not sure what all those options are, this guide walks you through all the choices.

Do note that the specific options on each iCLASS card type will vary depending on card type.

Select Your Memory Size & Allocation

The memory size and allocation is what determines how much and what data you can store on the card. Options include:

  • 2k Bits (256 Bytes) with 2 Application Areas
  • 32k Bits (4K Bytes) Application Areas 16k/2 + 16k/1
  • 32k Bits (4K Bytes) Application Areas 16k/16 + 16k/1

Select Your Security Programming

The Secure Identity Object Programming decides if your card comes programmed from the manufacturer or unlocked so can encode it. If you are ordering a card that combines multiple types of smart card technology you may have to select more than one programming type.

Programming options include:

  • Programmed with standard iCLASS Access Control Application
  • Programmed with Security Identity Object (SIO), and standard iCLASS Access Control Application
  • Programmed with Security Identity Object (SIO), and standard iCLASS Access Control Application, 125kHz Unprogrammed
  • Programmed with Security Identity Object (SIO), and standard iCLASS Access Control Application, 125kHz programmed with HID Prox or Indala format
  • Programmed with standard iCLASS access control application, 125 kHz HID Prox unprogrammed for use with iCLASS SE Encoder
  • 125 kHz Programmed with HID Prox or Indala format, iCLASS programmed with standard access control application
  • iCLASS Unprogrammed, for use with iCLASS SE Encoder, HID Prox Unprogrammed for use with iCLASS SE
  • iCLASS Unprogrammed, for use with iCLASS SE Encoder, 125 kHz programmed with HID Prox or Indala format
  • iCLASS Programmed, HITAG2 blank
  • iCLASS configured field programmable, HITAG2 blank
  • Unprogrammed, for use with iCLASS SE Encoder

When ordering smart cards, you will also need to include the following card programming information:

  • Format number (make sure this matches your current cards)
  • Facility code (make sure this matches your current cards)
  • Card sequence start number (make sure this is the next number in from your current cards, for example if your last order included cards 501-551, your sequence start number is card 552)

Select Your Card Front

Like a normal PVC or composite card, smart cards are plain white cards. You may have some options however:

  • Plain white with gloss finish
  • Plain white vinyl with matte finish (Clamshell only)

Select Your Card Back

You can also choose what the back of your smart card will look like. Options include:

  • Plain white with gloss finish
  • Plain white with gloss finish and magnetic stripe

Select Your Card Numbering

Do you want your smart cards to have their card number printed on the card, or another identification number? Then you’ll want your card numbers printed. Options include:

  • No printed card numbering
  • Sequential matching encoded/printed
  • Sequential encoded/sequential non-matching printed
  • Random encoded/non-matching sequential printed

Select Your Slot Punch

And finally, you can select your slot punch (if applicable – not every card style allows for a slot punch). Please note that if you plan to print on your smart cards you should not get them slot punched. Options include:

  • Vertical slot punch
  • Horizontal slot punch
  • No slot punch, printed vertical slot punch indicators
  • No slot punch, printed horizontal slot punch indicators