Printing Plastic Cards: Benefits, Pros and Cons, and Best Practices

Introduction

Plastic card printing, also known as PVC card printing, is the process of creating personalized plastic cards for a variety of applications that require customization and durability. These cards can be printed with text, logos, images, holograms, barcodes, embossing, or gold or silver foil. When combined with the right software, plastic card printing can be used in a wide variety of settings to instantly provide custom solutions for cards, badges, tags, and identifiers.

Plastic Card Printing Benefits

One of the primary advantages of printing plastic cards is that they are designed to last far longer than traditional paper cards. Plastic cards are more than just a durable option - they are also incredibly versatile. They can be printed to any size, shape, or color, and can also incorporate features like holographs and barcodes. Depending on the type of plastic card you are printing, you may even be able to use magnetic strips or smart chips. Plastic cards are also highly customizable, allowing companies to create unique, stylish, and functional card designs that can be used for any type of identification, access, or payment purpose.

Plastic cards are also much more difficult to counterfeit or copy than traditional paper cards. Depending on the technology used to print them, they can incorporate a wide range of security features, like holograms and magnetic strips, that can help prevent fraud and theft.

Pros and Cons of Printing Plastic Cards

Pros

• Highly durable and resilient
• Extremely versatile and customizable
• Highly secure and difficult to counterfeit
• Available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors
• Possibility to include special features like holograms and magnetic strips

Cons

• Incurs extra costs because of the need for specialized printing technology
• Longer lead times for ordering in comparison to traditional paper cards
• May be more difficult to recycle than paper cards

Case Studies

Plastic card printing is a popular option for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Here are some examples of how organizations have successfully used plastic cards to streamline their operations and improve their customer experience.

Airline Loyalty Cards

Airline loyalty programs rely heavily on plastic card printing to issue cards to their members. These cards are used to track members' actions and reward them with discounts, bonuses, and other benefits. The cards also serve as a form of photo identification for boarding, allowing members to quickly and easily access flights and other services.

Keycards

Plastic card printing is a popular choice for organizations that need to issue secure, durable, and easily identifiable keycards to their members. Keycards are often used in office buildings, hospitals, and other secure locations to control access to certain rooms or areas. They are also used in hotels and other hospitality settings to allow guests to easily access their rooms.

FAQs

Do plastic cards need to be laminated?

It depends on the type of plastic card you are printing and the intended application. Some card types, like hotel keycards, would need to be laminated to protect against wear and tear. Other types, like membership cards, may not need lamination as the plastic is designed to be durable.

What are the most common types of plastic cards?

The most common types of plastic cards are ID cards, loyalty or membership cards, hotel keycards, and access control cards. Depending on the type of card you need to print, different types of plastic and printing processes may be necessary.

Mistakes People Make When Printing Plastic Cards

• Not paying attention to detail: It is important to pay attention to all the details when printing plastic cards, such as ensuring the design is correct and all the personal information is accurate.
• Not using the right plastic: Using the wrong type of plastic can cause problems with printing and cause the card to break too easily.
• Not accounting for costs: There are additional costs associated with printing plastic cards beyond the cost of the card itself. These include the cost of the printer, plastic, and software.

Best Practices for Printing Plastic Cards

• Choose the right plastic: It is important to choose the right type of plastic for your card, depending on your application.
• Read the instructions: Always read the instructions that come with your printer or card-printing software before beginning any printing process.
• Create sharp images: Printing a card with a blurry or low-quality image will make it look unprofessional and can detract from the overall value of the card.
• Incorporate security features: Adding security features like holograms and magnetic strips can help prevent fraud and theft.

Summary and Review

Plastic card printing is an incredibly useful tool for organizations and businesses of all sizes. It has a wide range of benefits, including durability, customization, security, and versatility. However, it also comes with additional costs and longer lead times. It is important to pay attention to all of the details when printing plastic cards, such as selecting the right plastic and incorporating security features, to ensure a successful card printing experience.