ID Card Printing: Benefits, Features, Best Practices, and More

Introduction

ID card printing technology has made it easier than ever to print custom cards for use in countless contexts. Whether you need to issue employee ID cards complete with access control, create student IDs, or print custom gift or loyalty cards for your business, there are a variety of technologies and designs available to accommodate your needs. Though card printing may seem simple, understanding the basics of the printing process can help maximize the quality of your prints and ensure that your cards last for the duration of their intended use.

Plastic Card Printing

Features and Benefits

Choosing to print plastic cards to meet your needs can provide you with a number of advantages compared to other types of card printing. For example, plastic cards are tough and durable, meaning that they stand up better to wear and tear compared to paper cards. They're also able to be printed in multiple layers, allowing for extra features such as magnetic stripes or contactless technology. This makes them ideal for use in access control applications, as well as a wide variety of other purposes.

Pros and Cons

When deciding between plastic and paper cards, consider how you'll be using the cards in order to make an informed decision. Here are a few of the pros and cons of plastic cards to help you decide:

• Pros: Durable, weather-resistant, customizable, multi-layered, lasts longer.
• Cons: More expensive, not eco-friendly, may require special printing equipment.

Case Studies

Below are two popular examples of how plastic card printing has been used to improve the functionality and identity of businesses, organizations, products, and services.

• Access Control: A multinational transportation company switched from paper to plastic cards for employee ID cards to improve security and access control. The plastic cards were designed with RFID technology so that each employee had to scan their card before entering the building. This greatly reduced the risk of unauthorized access.
• Loyalty Programs: A national coffee chain introduced plastic loyalty cards in order to provide customers with personalized benefits based on their purchases. The cards allowed customers to earn rewards points with each purchase, which they would be able to redeem for discounts on future purchases. The cards also provided the chain with valuable customer data that they could use to better target their promotional efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the process of plastic card printing? Plastic card printing is a process involving specialized equipment and materials that involves the printing of images and text on plastic cards. It can include embossing, lamination, and/or additional features like magnetic stripes and RFID chips.
• What are the different types of plastic cards? The most common types of plastic cards are ID cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, and gift cards.
• Does plastic card printing require special equipment? Yes, most printing machines are not designed to print on plastic cards. It requires a specialized printing machine capable of managing the material and printing in multiple layers.

Mistakes to Avoid

When printing plastic cards, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid:

• Not researching your card printer: Be sure to research your printer options and read customer reviews before committing to a model.
• Picking the wrong card stock: Make sure to select the appropriate type and thickness of cardstock for your needs.
• Failing to test print a sample card: Before printing in bulk, print a sample card to ensure that the colors and text look right.
• Skipping lamination: Lamination is an important step to protect your cards from wear and tear, so be sure to include it in the printing process.

Best Practices

When printing plastic cards, there are a few best practices that you should follow:

• Select high-quality cardstock: High-quality cardstock will produce better results and cards that last longer.
• Consider design: Design is important since it affects the readability and professional presentation of the card. Make sure to use the appropriate fonts and colors.
• Check the card before printing in bulk: Make sure to test print a card before printing in bulk to avoid errors or wastage.
• Laminate the cards: Lamination drastically improves the quality and longevity of the cards.
• Limit the information provided: Keep the information on the cards to only the essentials for security and compliance reasons.

Final Notes

Card printing is a powerful and flexible technology used in a variety of contexts. By understanding the associated features and best practices, you can leverage the same technologies used by top businesses and organizations to meet your own card printing needs. With care and attention to detail, you can be sure to get the most out of plastic card printing for whatever application you need.