CSA Z243.32:M83 (R2023)

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Standard Z243.32, Formsets for Use with Embossed Cards and Imprinting Equipment, which supersedes the first edition published in 1977. It is based upon modifications published in the Canadian Bankers’ Association Standard S9, Formsets for Use With Embossed Cards, and Imprinting Equipment in the Banking Industry. The material presented is updated to the current document formset requirements for other industries as well as the banks.

Dimensions are given in both SI (metric) units (rounded) and exact inch units due to the precise requirements of these documents.

This Standard does not apply to charge forms itemized by many point of sale devices such as cash register printers.

Standardization of these formsets results in:

(a) Improved automatic processing of standardized charge form media in an interchange environment where more than one card issuer’s charge form and payment/transaction card have to be processed; and

(b) A reduction in the need for multiple imprinters at the point of sale.

Examples of industry relationships which may benefit from imprint standardization are:

(a) Financial institutions (airline, petroleum, retail, entertainment);

(b) Petroleum (financial institutions, travel, entertainment) ;

(c) Retail (financial institutions, travel, entertainment); and

(d) Airlines (financiaI institutions, traveI, entertainment).

Each industry has varying degrees of interchange among its own members.

This Standard was prepared by a Working Group of and approved by the Technical Committee on Credit Cards and Identification Cards under the jurisdiction of the Standards Steering Committee on Computers, Information Processing and Office Machines, and was formally approved by these Committees.

Scope

1.1

The purpose of this Standard is to define common media for the transferring of information from sources, including the embossed characters on a card, by means of imprinting equipment.

1.2

The existence of two standards in relation to formset dimensions is recognized as are the several different methods of capturing the information contained on completed formsets.

1.3

This Standard is recognized as being related to:

(a) CSA Standard Z243.17, Embossed Credit Cards - Specifications, Numbering System and Registration Procedures;

(b) CSA Standards Z243.22, Style A Character Sets for Optical Character Recognition, and Z243.24, Style B Character Sets for Optical Character Recognition, and Appendices;

(c) CSA Standard Z243.41, OCR Paper;

(d) ANSI Standard X4.18, Location of Information on a Credit Card Charge Form;

(e) CBA Standard S9, Formsets for Use with Embossed Cards, and Imprinting Equipment in the Banking Industry;

(f) CGSB CAN2-9.63, Grammage of Fine Papers; and

(g) ISO Standard 1831, Printing Specifications for Optical Character Recognition.

1.4

This Standard does not apply to charge forms itemized by many point of sale devices such as cash register printers.