Station ID: Full Meaning

Station ID is the sender information, name and fax number, printed automatically at the top of every fax page.

Sarah Mitchell

Published on

September 9, 2026

Last updated on

September 24, 2026

Station ID is the sender identification, typically a name and fax number, printed automatically at the top of every fax page sent.
On traditional fax machines, this is called the TSID and is programmed once into the machine's settings.
Fax.Plus's Custom Fax Header setting controls the same information: custom text, date format, and how the sending number is displayed.

What Is a Fax Station ID?

A Station ID is the sender identification, typically a name and fax number, that prints automatically at the top of every page a fax machine or service sends. On traditional fax machines, this is programmed once as the TSID and reused for every outgoing fax from that point on.

Station ID vs. Caller ID

A Station ID and a Caller ID are easy to confuse, since they're often the same number, but they aren't the same thing. Caller ID is used during call setup, before the fax even starts transmitting; the Station ID is printed inside the document itself, alongside the date, time, and page count. Fax.Plus's Custom Fax Header setting is where this information, the sender's custom text, date format, and number display, gets configured for outgoing faxes.

A Common Case: A Professional Header for Claims Documents

A mid-size insurance company in Pennsylvania sends claims paperwork by fax to adjusters and repair shops across several states and wants every page to look consistent and professional on arrival. Using Fax.Plus's Custom Fax Header setting, the company sets its own Station ID text and chooses a date format its out-of-state recipients will recognize immediately.

FAQs

What information appears in a fax's Station ID?

Typically the sender's name or company name, along with their fax number, printed at the top of every page. Fax.Plus's Custom Fax Header setting also lets you control the date format and how the number itself is displayed.

Is a Station ID the same as Caller ID?

No. Caller ID is used during call setup, before the fax even starts transmitting. The Station ID is printed inside the document itself, alongside the date, time, and page count.

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