How to Set Up Magnetic Stripe Encoding in SMART IDesigner

This walkthrough covers the recommended process for setting up magnetic stripe encoding in SMART IDesigner. It includes verifying the encoder is installed, confirming encoding is enabled in the driver, assigning the correct printer to the template, and enabling the tracks to be encoded within the template itself.

1. Verify the Magnetic Stripe Encoder Is Installed and Enabled

Before creating the template, first confirm the printer has a magnetic stripe encoder installed and that encoding is enabled in the driver.

Step 1: Confirm the encoder is connected

Open Printer Properties
Select the Service tab
Expand the "+" symbol to the left of the printer name
Confirm MS encoder connected is displayed

“MS encoder connected” is required for magnetic stripe encoding.

Step 2: Confirm encoding is enabled in Printing Preferences

Open Printing Preferences
Select the Encoding tab
Ensure Do Encoding is checked

If Do Encoding is not enabled, magnetic stripe data will not be written even if the encoder is installed.

Ensure **Do Encoding** is enabled and the coercivity type is set correctly.

2. Create a New Template in SMART IDesigner

Launch SMART IDesigner and create a new template. The simplest method is to use the default Template Wizard prompts that appear when starting a new template.

Step 1: Select the card layout

Choose the desired card orientation
Select whether the template will be single-sided or dual-sided
Click Next

Step 2: Select the encoding option

In the Encoding step of the Template Wizard, select the option that includes a magnetic stripe
Click Next and complete the remaining template prompts

This step ensures the new template is created with magnetic stripe capability included.

Follow the remaining prompts and save the template accordingly.

3. Assign the Printer to the Template

After the template has been created, open Print Setup to assign the correct printer to the template and confirm the print settings are correct.

Go to File
Select Print Setup
Confirm the correct printer is selected
Click Properties

Once the printer properties window opens:

Review the Printing tab and confirm the print settings are configured correctly for the card and job requirements
- Single-sided or dual-sided printing, Color Sense, and other required print settings
Open the Encoding tab
Confirm Do Encoding is enabled

This step assigns the printer configuration to the template and ensures the template is referencing the correct print and encoding settings.

4. Configure Magnetic Stripe Tracks in the Template

Once the template and printer settings are complete, configure the tracks that will be used for magnetic stripe encoding.

Select the Plugin tab
Click Magnetic Card Encoding

In the Magnetic Setup window:

Check the tracks being used for the template
In this example, Track 1 and Track 2 are enabled
Leave unused tracks unchecked
Click Apply Close

5. Summary

To successfully configure magnetic stripe encoding in SMART IDesigner:

Confirm MS encoder connected in Printer Properties > Service
Confirm Do Encoding is enabled in Printing Preferences > Encoding
Create the template using the Template Wizard and select a magnetic stripe encoding option
Open Print Setup, select the correct printer, and confirm the printer properties are configured correctly
Use Plugin > Magnetic Card Encoding to enable the tracks required for the template

Notes

The encoder must be both physically installed and enabled in the driver
The correct printer should always be assigned to the template through Print Setup
Only enable the tracks required for the card design and receiving system

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