HID Access Cards – Characteristics and Types

These access cards are made using a badge printer with printing and encoding capabilities like an Evolis printer. They are compatible with all proximity card readers and each providing external number for easy identification and control. They all use RF-programmable technology with 125 kHz frequency or higher and can be slot punched either vertically or horizontally.

The following are the types of proximity cards used in printing or making HID access cards which are parts of the access control system.

1. Printable Prox cards. These are cards which can have a photo printed on it, aside from the information imbedded on the chip, using direct image or thermal transfer printer like an Evolis printer. It has an external control number.
2. Printable Proximity cards with magnetic stripe. This one offers multiple proximity technology, photo and magnetic stripe on a single card. The card can have custom pre-printed artwork if desired and uses direct thermal or thermal transfer method of printing.

These cards are non-printable proximity cards. This is the industry choice for proximity access control because of the fact that they are cost effective.
In order to make a photo ID, a PVC overlay, which is a 10 mil thick pressure sensitive card, applied to it. This PVC overlay uses direct image printers. It is durable and has a consistent read range.

4. This is not a proximity card but a small disk-shaped transponder which has an adhesive backed tag used to attach it to any non-metallic card or device.

This easily turns a plastic ID card or smart contact card into a proximity card. It upgrades any existing Wiegand, magnetic stripe or barium ferrite technologies by just attaching this tag. Also, it can be attached to a cellphone, PDA and other similar non-metallic device and the same proximity capability is acquired by the owner.

How this is possible is due to the fact that the tag is just the size of a coin and easily attaches to non-metallic materials. It is RF-programmable for ease of encoding using HID's PRox programmer. Also, it offers consistent read range and is reliable.

If you want to have an access control system, you have the options mentioned using either the hid proximity cards for your HID access cards using an Evolis printer; or the tag which converts your present ID cards to proximity cards, using an HID Proximity programmer.