Print and read-back modules for tickets, cards and parking systems
Integrated printer–reader units for parking, airport and ID kiosks
This category includes specialised print and read-back modules that combine ticket and card printing with automatic validation in a single device. The units are designed for parking applications, public transport and airport access, as well as customer identification kiosks where tickets or cards must be checked immediately after printing. The range features modules from manufacturers such as CUSTOM and ELTRA, including full-width ticket printer and scanner units, dedicated parking card verification and printing modules and high-capacity magnetic card dispensers. Using these devices you can build end-to-end solutions for issuing, checking and collecting tickets and cards in unattended kiosks and terminals.
Print and read-back modules for tickets, cards and access control systems
Typical applications and device types
Print and read-back modules are the right choice wherever a ticket or card must be machine-validated immediately after it is printed. Typical examples include parking systems, public transport and airport gates, stadium and venue access control, and self-service kiosks for issuing customer or bank cards. These modules combine a thermal print engine with various reader technologies such as CIS barcode scanners, magnetic stripe readers, smart card interfaces and RFID or NFC readers, so they can both print and verify data on tickets and cards. In this category you will find devices from manufacturers like CUSTOM and ELTRA, including dual-feeder ticket printers with integrated scanners, dedicated parking card verification and printing modules, and high-capacity magnetic card dispensers designed for integration into unattended kiosks.
Technology, read-back and card handling
The print engines typically use direct thermal technology at 200–300 dpi, which is sufficient for crisp text, logos, barcodes and QR codes on parking tickets, boarding passes or customer cards. Read-back functions are provided by CIS sensors, 1D/2D barcode and QR code readers and, in many cases, RFID and NFC modules so that the system can check whether the printed code is readable and whether the ticket or card is valid. Some modules support read-after-print operation: the printer scans the ticket before presenting it to the user and only dispenses it if the code can be decoded correctly, reducing the risk of bad or unusable tickets.
Card handling is supported by motorised transports, retract and capture slots and high-capacity magazines, allowing the module to hold back unpaid or invalid cards and tickets automatically. Features that are missing from most consumer-grade printers – such as dual paper feeders for different ticket types, integrated RFID read/write functions, magnetic stripe encoding or automatic ticket capture – are standard in these industrial modules because they are built for 24/7 unattended operation and secure ticket and card management.
Quality, local support and operation
A failure in a print and read-back module can quickly stop access control or disrupt parking operations, so build quality, local service and proper operational planning are critical considerations.
- local technical support in Hungary to help you select, integrate and service the right modules for each kiosk project;
- regular maintenance – cleaning the print head, paper path and card transport – to extend mechanical life and minimise jams;
- observing the recommended operating conditions (temperature, humidity, dust and moisture protection, stable power supply), especially in outdoor or semi-outdoor kiosks;
- adequate spare-part and device stock plus scheduled deliveries to meet the needs of larger roll-outs or replacements;
- flexible logistics options, including different shipping methods, customs handling and freight forwarding for multi-site or cross-border deployments;
- commercial flexibility such as post-payment terms, invoicing in foreign currencies and project-based pricing that takes total lifecycle cost into account.
FAQ – print and read-back modules
- Why is automatic read-back after printing so useful?
Read-after-print operation allows the module to verify barcodes or QR codes before the ticket is presented to the user. This prevents unreadable or damaged tickets from being issued, reduces complaints and cuts down on manual inspection work at exits and gates. - How do these modules differ from standard receipt printers?
Standard receipt printers only print, while print and read-back modules also include scanners, card and ticket handling mechanisms and often RFID or magnetic stripe readers. They can issue, validate and, if necessary, capture tickets and cards autonomously – a capability that consumer devices usually lack. - What parameters should you evaluate before choosing a module?
Key aspects include supported media types (paper tickets, plastic cards, thermal stock), print width and resolution, available reader technologies (CIS, barcode, RFID, magnetic stripe), interface options (USB, RS232, Ethernet) and the expected daily duty cycle and operating temperature range. - What additional capabilities do industrial modules offer over entry-level devices?
Industrial modules can manage two different ticket stocks with dual feeders, present and retract tickets automatically, store large numbers of cards, integrate RFID and NFC reading and encoding and provide advanced diagnostics and event logging – all of which are essential for reliable 24/7 kiosk operation.
