ISO/IEC 7811-1:2018 pdf download – Identification cards — Recording technique — Part 1: Embossing.
6 Machine readable characters 6.1 Character set and type font The numeric characters of one of the following type fonts shall be used for embossed characters intended for machine reading, either directly from the card or from card imprints (see Annex A): — ISO 1073-1, OCR-A, Sizes I and IV; — ISO 1073-2, OCR-B, Sizes I and IV; — Type font Farrington 7B as described in Annex B. NOTE To ensure system compatibility in the choice of font, the attention of intended users is drawn to the necessity of agreement with their potential interchange partners. Print specifications are given in ISO 1831. 6.2 Character spacing The centreline to centreline character spacing shall be 3,63 mm ± 0,15 mm (0.143 in ± 0.006 in). 6.3 Character height Maximum height at the printing surface of the embossed characters, encompassing centreline skew, and character misalignment shall be 4,32 mm (0.170 in). 6.4 Relief height of embossed characters Relief height of imprinting character surfaces above the card surface as measured from the non- embossed surface of the card to the highest point on the embossed character is shown in Table 1 for unused cards and for returned cards.
7 Visually readable characters 7.1 Character set and type font A type font such as alphanumeric, upper case characters described in ISO 1073-2, OCR-B, Size I, should be used for embossed characters intended for visually reading directly from the card or from card imprints. 7.2 Character spacing The centreline to centreline character spacing shall be 2,54 mm ± 0,15 mm (0.100 in ± 0.006 in). 7.3 Relief height of embossed characters Relief height of imprinting character surfaces above the card surface as measured from the non- embossed surface of the card to the highest point on the embossed character is shown in Table 1 for unused cards and for returned cards.
8 Assigned embossing areas Two areas for embossing shall be assigned to the card as shown in Figure 2. Area 1 Area reserved for the identification number line according to ISO/IEC 7812-1 and ISO/IEC 7812-2. The characters in this area and imprints of the area are intended both for visual and machine reading. Area 2 Area provided for the card holder’s identification data such as name, address, and other data which may be required. It is called “name and address area”. Data contained in this area of the card or imprinted from the card is only intended for visual reading. When the technology used to form the raised areas causes a physical deformation of the card such as mechanical embossing, then special care shall be taken that such deformation of the card does not adversely affect the required characteristics of the contained components such as IC, antenna, connecting wires, etc. A minimum distance of 3 mm between the contained components and any deformed part of the card is recommended.
8.1 Identification number line The identification number line provides space for a single line of characters of the type specified in 6.1 and comprises a maximum of 19 character positions at a nominal centreline to centreline spacing of 7 characters per 25,4 mm (1.00 in). The actual number of utilised (embossed) character positions will depend upon application requirements. The location and tolerances for embossed characters shall be as shown in Figure 2. NOTE When designing a new system, it is advisable to provide for maximum flexibility of use, e.g.: — justify the embossed identification number to the left; — make allowances for an identification number with maximum length; — for financial applications if a character position is available, it is recommended to insert a blank space between the issuer identification and the individual account identifier of the identification number (refer to ISO/IEC 7812- 1 and ISO/IEC 7812-2).
8.2 Name and address area The name and address area provides space for four lines of 27 characters each at a nominal centreline to centreline spacing of 10 characters per 25,4 mm (1.00 in) of the type specified in 7.1. Any information embossed in the name and address area should always be embossed as far as possible from the identification number. The location and tolerances for embossed characters shall be as shown in Figure 2. WARNING — Those card issuers who require embossing of four name and address lines should be aware that the imprinted documents produced from their cards may not be acceptable in an interchange environment due to OCR clear area requirements on some types of OCR reading equipment. NOTE The first character in the name and address area need not be justified to the left. However the use of 27 character positions is based on a 7,65 mm (0.301 in) distance to the edge of the card as shown in Figure 2.