Magnetic Encoding in Access Control Software

Open Mag Encoding with IDP Drivers

IDP’s SMART and SOLID series support Open Magnetic Encoding — a flexible mode that lets you match legacy magnetic-stripe formats by customizing start and end characters (a.k.a. Prefix / Suffix or markers). This is especially useful when migrating from older card printers or when an access control system expects non-standard sentinels.

Step 1 — Find your software’s magnetic settings

Access control platforms (e.g., CCURE 9000) usually expose a printer profile or a place to define per-track sentinels in the card design / printer configuration.

If IDP isn’t listed, pick any supported brand (e.g., Magicard) and note each track’s Prefix and Suffix. You’ll replicate these in the IDP driver.

Step 2 — Configure encoding in the IDP Windows driver

1. Open Devices and Printers in Windows.
2. Right-click your IDP printer → Printing Preferences.
3. Go to the Encoding tab (ensure a mag encoder is installed).
4. Check Do Encoding.
5. Click Advanced Encoding Option.
6. For each track, enter the matching Prefix (start) and Suffix (end) in Markers.

Once saved, the printer will encode using those markers, aligning your card data with the access control system’s expected format.

Method A — Text-Field Driven Encoding (design software)

Some workflows prefer to send the entire track string from the card design itself.

1. In your card design tool (IDP Smart Designer or third-party), add a hidden text field.
2. Populate it with the full per-track string, including your start/end sentinels and LRC if your system requires it.
   Example (legacy ABA style): %B1234567890^LAST/FIRST^24051010000000000000? for Track 1; ;1234567890=24051010000000000000? for Track 2.
3. Hide the text from print (match background color or place on a non-printed layer) but allow it to pass to the encoder.
4. Print as normal — the printer encodes the exact string supplied.

Tip If printing occurs but the stripe is blank or fails, generate a PRN to verify the exact characters sent (see PRN Verification).

Method B — Driver “Open Encoding” (markers)

When your design software sends only the payload (account number, etc.), the IDP driver can add markers for you.

• Match each track’s Prefix / Suffix to your system.
• Ensure payload characters meet each track’s spec (e.g., Track 2 is numeric).
• Let the driver assemble start + payload + end for each track.

This method keeps the card template clean and reduces human error in typing sentinels.

Default Marker Patterns (IDP Americas common mapping)

For legacy migrations, teams sometimes map “pipe style” markers in the driver. Below are common defaults we use when the target system expects custom sentinels (override as needed):

Track	Start (Prefix)	Stop (Suffix)	Example payload	Resulting string
Track 1	|1	|	ABC12345	|1ABC12345|
Track 2	|2	|	1234567890	|21234567890|
Track 3	|3	|	000123456789	|3000123456789|

These are not ISO/ABA defaults — they are custom markers used to emulate legacy systems. If your platform expects ABA sentinels, use the standard %/; start and ? end characters instead.

PRN Verification & Walkthrough

When results don’t match expectations, a PRN file reveals exactly what the driver sends.

1. In Printing Preferences → Advanced, enable printing to file or use your app’s “Print to file” to generate .prn.
2. Open the PRN in a text viewer. Confirm each track’s string includes the intended sentinels/markers.
3. Walkthrough for encoding tests:
   • Send the job to the IDP printer and save PRN.
   • Verify track payloads line up with the selected method (text-field vs driver markers).
   • If a track is blank or fails, check the driver’s Advanced Encoding Option matches your access control settings.

; Example intent (illustrative only) T1: |1ABC12345| T2: |21234567890| T3: |3000123456789| ; or ABA style that your system expects: T1: %B1234567890^LAST/FIRST^24051010000000000000? T2: ;1234567890=24051010000000000000?

If your software requires an LRC, ensure it’s included (text-field method) or calculated by the system you’re integrating with.

Troubleshooting

• Encoder options are missing — Confirm the printer SKU includes a magnetic encoder and the driver sees it (power-cycle printer & PC; reinstall driver if needed).
• Printed card, no encoding — Generate a PRN and verify sentinels; ensure the design’s hidden text isn’t stripped by the template; confirm the driver’s Markers match the software profile.
• Read/Write errors — Clean the mag head, verify card coercivity (HiCo vs LoCo) matches your cards, reduce print speed if smearing, and ensure payload characters fit track rules (Track 2 is numeric).
• Only some tracks encode — Check per-track enable flags and markers; confirm the software didn’t leave a track payload blank.
• Legacy brand migration — Replicate that brand’s start/stop characters in IDP’s Advanced Encoding Option. Test with a small batch first.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to embed sentinels in my text field?
A: Only if your workflow uses the text-field method. If you use the driver’s markers, send just the payload.

Q: Our access control expects different sentinels per track — supported?
A: Yes. Set each track’s Prefix / Suffix independently in Advanced Encoding Option.

Q: Can I mix methods (text field on Track 2, driver markers on Track 1)?
A: Yes, but keep it consistent inside a single job to avoid confusion.

Last updated: September 19, 2025 • Applies to IDP SMART/SOLID printers with magnetic encoder option.