ISO/IEC 7811-1:2018

Overview

ISO/IEC 7811-1:2018 - Identification cards - Recording technique - Part 1: Embossing - defines minimum requirements for embossed characters on ID-1 size identification cards. The standard covers the mechanical and optical parameters that ensure embossed characters can be reliably transferred by imprinters, read visually or read by machines, and remain interoperable for international interchange. It addresses both human and machine aspects (font, spacing, relief height) and sets card construction and dimensional limits that affect embossing performance.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Purpose: Requirements for embossed characters intended for imprinters, visual reading and machine reading.
• Fonts and character sets: Machine-readable embossing uses OCR-A, OCR-B (Sizes I and IV) or Farrington 7B (Annex B). Visually readable embossing typically uses OCR-B Size I or equivalent alphanumeric fonts.
• Character spacing:
  • Machine-readable: centreline spacing 3.63 mm ± 0.15 mm.
  • Visually readable: centreline spacing 2.54 mm ± 0.15 mm.
• Character and relief dimensions:
  • Maximum character height at the printing surface: 4.32 mm.
  • Relief (unused cards): machine characters 0.40–0.48 mm; visual 0.36–0.46 mm.
  • Relief (returned/issued cards): machine 0.30–0.48 mm; visual 0.26–0.46 mm.
• Card physical limits:
  • Maximum warpage (convex side up): 2.5 mm (including thickness).
  • No raised surface distortions > 0.51 mm in specified front area.
• Embossing areas: Two designated zones - Area 1 for identification number line (visual + machine) and Area 2 for name/address (visual only).
• Materials and construction: PVC, PVCA or equivalent materials (polyesters, polyethylenes, polycarbonates) recommended to resist crushing/collapsing.
• Integration with contactless components: Minimum spacing recommendations (typically ≥3 mm) and new Annex D define spacing between embossing and IC/antenna to avoid damage.
• Testing: ISO/IEC 10373‑1 provides the test methods to verify compliance.

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO/IEC 7811-1:2018:

• Card manufacturers and embosser machine vendors (ensure embossing specs and tooling compatibility).
• Payment, banking and transit card issuers (magnetic/imprinted legacy workflows).
• Government ID and driver’s license producers using embossed legacy fields.
• Systems integrators and printing bureaus producing cards for imprinters and visual inspection.
• Test laboratories and QA teams performing compliance testing (use ISO/IEC 10373‑1 procedures).

Practical benefits:

• Ensures embossed cards work with legacy imprinters and optical/machine readers.
• Reduces read/failure rates by standardizing fonts, spacing and relief heights.
• Protects IC and antenna integrity when embossing contactless cards.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 7810 (card physical characteristics)
• ISO/IEC 7811‑9 (Tactile Identifier Mark)
• ISO/IEC 7812‑1 / 7812‑2 (issuer numbering)
• ISO/IEC 10373‑1 (test methods)
• ISO 1073‑1 / ISO 1073‑2 (OCR fonts)
• ISO 1831 (OCR print specs)
• ISO/IEC 14443‑1, ISO/IEC 15693‑1 (contactless physical characteristics)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 7811-1:2018, embossing, identification cards, embossed characters, OCR-A, OCR-B, Farrington 7B, relief height, machine-readable, visually readable, embossing areas, card warpage, contactless IC spacing.