Magnetic Stripe Cards: Secure Reliable Custom Options

Welcome to Plastic Card ID: Your Trusted Source for Magnetic Stripe Cards

Every great business relationship starts with a handshake - but it's often sealed with a card. At Plastic Card ID, we have spent more than 25 years helping businesses of every size make that lasting impression. From the first swipe of a magnetic stripe card to the final stamp on a loyalty program, we are here to make your brand memorable, tangible, and powerful.

We have served over 100,000 businesses and printed more than 50 million cards, and we are just getting started. Our magnetic stripe cards are used everywhere - from hotel front desks to retail checkout counters, gym membership offices to event venues. When you need cards that work hard and look sharp, we are the team you call. Reach us anytime at 800-835-7919 and let us help you get started today.

What sets us apart is not just what we print - it is how we think. We act as a true partner to every client, listening carefully to their goals and then crafting a card solution that fits perfectly. Whether you need 500 cards or 500,000, our process is smooth, our quality is consistent, and our commitment to you never wavers. We ship nationally, so no matter where your business is located, we have you covered.

What Are Magnetic Stripe Cards?

Magnetic stripe cards are plastic cards with a thin band of magnetic material on the back. This stripe stores data that can be read by a card reader when swiped. They are one of the most trusted and widely used card technologies in the world, and they remain a go-to choice for businesses that want reliable, affordable performance.

The magnetic stripe can hold different amounts of data depending on the track format used. Most cards use one or more of three standard tracks, and each track serves a specific purpose. This flexibility makes magnetic stripe cards useful for a wide range of applications, from hotel room access to retail gift card programs.

We offer magnetic stripe encoding as part of our full card printing services, so your cards arrive ready to use right out of the box. No extra steps, no extra hassle - just cards that work the moment you need them to.

Who Uses Magnetic Stripe Cards?

The short answer is: almost every industry. Hotels use them as key cards. Retailers use them as gift cards and loyalty cards. Gyms use them as membership cards. Casinos use them as player reward cards. If there is a need to store and read information quickly and securely, magnetic stripe cards are often the perfect answer.

We work with businesses across the country in retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, entertainment, and more. Each client gets the same careful attention to detail and the same high standards of card quality. No matter what your industry is, we bring the same dedication to excellence to your project.

From small local businesses launching their first loyalty program to large organizations printing thousands of ID badges, our team has the experience and the equipment to handle it all. We love helping businesses grow through the power of a well-designed, properly functioning plastic card.

Why Magnetic Stripe Still Matters

In a world full of apps and digital wallets, you might wonder if a magnetic stripe card is still relevant. The answer is a confident yes. Magnetic stripe technology is proven, affordable, and accepted by a massive installed base of card readers already in use at businesses everywhere.

Upgrading to more complex technology means replacing readers, retraining staff, and spending more money. For many businesses, a reliable magnetic stripe card program gives them everything they need without the added complexity or cost. It is a smart, practical choice that continues to deliver real results.

We believe in choosing the right tool for the right job. When magnetic stripe is the best fit for your needs and budget, we make sure you get the highest quality version of that solution - cards that swipe smoothly, encode accurately, and last for years of everyday use.

Our Magnetic Stripe Card Products and Options

We offer a wide selection of magnetic stripe card options to match the specific needs of your business. Whether you are launching a gift card program, setting up an access control system, or creating membership credentials, we have the right product ready to go. Our cards are printed on durable PVC material and meet industry-standard dimensions of CR80, the same size as a standard credit card.

Every card we produce goes through a quality check before it ships. We take pride in delivering cards that not only look great but also perform flawlessly in the field. Our encoding services ensure that your data is written correctly and consistently across every single card in your order.

Magnetic Stripe Card Types We Offer

We carry a broad range of magnetic stripe card styles. Each type is designed for a different use case, and our team can help you figure out which one is the best fit for your program. Here are some of the most popular options we provide:

• HiCo (High Coercivity) magnetic stripe cards - ideal for hotel keys, access cards, and cards that need long-lasting data retention
• LoCo (Low Coercivity) magnetic stripe cards - perfect for short-term use like gift cards, event passes, and promotional cards
• Single-track and multi-track magnetic stripe cards
• Combo cards with both a magnetic stripe and a barcode
• Magnetic stripe cards with signature panels
• Encoded magnetic stripe cards - ready to use upon delivery
• Blank magnetic stripe cards - for businesses that encode in-house

We also offer custom printing on all of these card types, so your brand identity shines through on every card you hand out. Full-color printing, UV coating, glossy or matte finishes - we handle all the design details so you do not have to.

Card Printers for Magnetic Stripe Cards

If your business needs to print and encode cards on demand, we also carry a strong lineup of card printers. These printers are designed to handle magnetic stripe encoding right alongside the printing process, giving you a complete, all-in-one solution for card production at your location.

We carry printers from trusted brands that are built for both small-volume and high-volume printing environments. Whether you need a desktop printer for a front office or a heavy-duty model for a large organization, we can match you with the right equipment for your needs and budget.

Our team is happy to walk you through the options and help you understand what each printer can do. We also carry all the refill supplies you need, including ribbons, cleaning kits, and blank card stock, so you can keep your printer running without interruption. Call us at 800-835-7919 to learn more about our printer lineup.

Ribbons and Refill Supplies

A card printer is only as good as the supplies that go into it. We stock a full range of printer ribbons and accessories compatible with the most popular card printer brands on the market. From full-color YMCKO ribbons to monochrome black ribbons for simple single-color printing, we have what you need to keep your operation running smoothly.

We also carry cleaning kits that help extend the life of your printer and ensure consistent print quality over time. Regular cleaning is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and avoid costly repairs. Our team can recommend the right cleaning schedule and supplies for your specific printer model.

Gift Cards That Drive Real Sales Results

Gift cards are one of the most powerful marketing tools a business can use, and magnetic stripe gift cards are a proven sales driver. Studies show that businesses switching from paper gift certificates to plastic gift cards often see sales increases of up to 100%. That is not a small difference - that is a transformation.

When customers hold a well-designed plastic gift card, they associate it with value and quality. It feels more like a real purchase, more like a gift worth giving. Our magnetic stripe gift cards are built to create that premium experience every time, helping your brand stand out from the competition in a very real and measurable way.

How Gift Cards Boost Your Bottom Line

Gift cards do more than just generate immediate revenue. They bring new customers through your door, they encourage repeat visits, and they often result in customers spending more than the card's face value. Research consistently shows that gift card recipients spend an average of 20-40% more than the card amount during their visit.

We help businesses set up complete gift card programs, from the design and printing of the cards to the custom carriers and packaging that make them look amazing at the point of sale. A beautiful card display near your checkout counter can generate impulse gift card purchases you never even had to advertise for.

Gift card programs also generate revenue in another quiet but meaningful way - through breakage. A percentage of gift cards are never fully redeemed, and that unredeemed balance stays with your business. Combined with the spending lift that card users bring, the financial case for a magnetic stripe gift card program is very strong.

Custom Design Options for Gift Cards

We offer complete custom printing on all of our gift cards. Your logo, brand colors, photography, artwork - all of it can be incorporated into a stunning card design that represents your business at its best. Our design team can work with your existing assets or help you create something new from scratch.

We also offer seasonal and event-based gift card designs for holidays, grand openings, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Having a variety of card designs available throughout the year keeps your program fresh and gives customers a reason to keep buying them as gifts. A well-timed holiday card display can dramatically spike your gift card sales during peak seasons.

Card Carriers and Packaging

The presentation of your gift card matters almost as much as the card itself. We offer custom card carriers, sleeves, and folders that hold your cards beautifully and reinforce your brand message at the moment of sale or delivery. A card tucked inside a custom-printed carrier feels like a complete gift - not just a transaction.

We also offer card affixing services, where we attach your cards directly to mailers or promotional pieces for you. This makes launching a direct mail gift card campaign as simple as possible. We handle the printing, the encoding, the affixing, and the mailing - you just watch the customers come in.

Loyalty Cards That Keep Customers Coming Back

Customer loyalty is not built overnight, but the right loyalty card program can accelerate the process significantly. Magnetic stripe loyalty cards give customers a reason to choose your business again and again. Every swipe earns them a reward, and every reward deepens the relationship between them and your brand.

Loyalty programs powered by magnetic stripe cards are easy to set up, easy to use, and incredibly effective at increasing visit frequency and average transaction size. We have helped hundreds of businesses launch and grow loyalty programs that deliver measurable, lasting results across every kind of retail and service environment.

Types of Loyalty Programs We Support

We support a wide range of loyalty program structures with our magnetic stripe card solutions. Whether your program is points-based, visit-based, or tier-based, our cards can be encoded to match your system and integrate with popular POS and loyalty management software. Here are some popular loyalty program types we help businesses run:

• Points accumulation programs where customers earn points per dollar spent
• Punch card style visit-tracking programs
• Tiered VIP membership programs with escalating rewards
• Spend-based cashback or discount programs
• Referral-based reward programs tied to unique card numbers

Each of these program types works beautifully with a magnetic stripe card, and we can help you choose the card format and encoding setup that makes your program run as smoothly as possible from day one. Our goal is to make implementation easy so you can focus on running your business.

Why Physical Loyalty Cards Outperform Digital-Only Solutions

Digital loyalty apps have their place, but physical loyalty cards offer something that apps simply cannot replicate - a tangible reminder of your brand that lives in a customer's wallet. Every time they open their wallet, they see your card. That kind of passive, repeated brand exposure is enormously valuable and completely free after the initial printing cost.

Physical cards also tend to have higher enrollment rates because they require no app download, no account setup, and no tech skills. A customer can be enrolled in your loyalty program in seconds, right at the register. Lower barriers to entry mean more participants, and more participants mean a more powerful program overall.

Membership and ID Cards for Organizations of All Sizes

Beyond marketing cards, we are also a trusted provider of membership and identification cards for clubs, unions, associations, universities, healthcare organizations, and more. A well-crafted membership card does more than identify its holder - it creates a sense of pride, belonging, and community that strengthens your organization from the inside out.

Our magnetic stripe membership and ID cards can be encoded with member numbers, access levels, and other data that makes managing your membership program efficient and secure. We handle everything from design to encoding to delivery, so your organization gets a polished, professional product without any of the usual hassle.

Types of Membership and ID Cards We Produce

We produce membership and ID cards for a remarkably wide range of organizations. Each card is custom-printed and encoded to meet the specific needs of the issuing organization, ensuring both functionality and a strong brand presence. Some of the most common types we produce include:

• Gym and fitness center membership cards
• Alumni and student ID cards
• Union and trade association membership cards
• Club and social organization membership cards
• Healthcare and patient ID cards
• Corporate employee ID badges

Every card we produce for membership and ID purposes is built to the same exacting quality standards as our commercial cards. They look professional, they scan reliably, and they hold up to regular everyday use without fading or warping.

Security Features for ID Cards

For organizations that need an extra layer of security, we offer ID cards with additional security features beyond the standard magnetic stripe. These features help prevent counterfeiting and unauthorized use, giving your organization confidence that only verified members can gain access or use their credentials.

Options include signature panels, sequential numbering, UV-reactive inks, and custom holographic overlaminates. These features, combined with magnetic stripe encoding, create a card that is both highly functional and genuinely difficult to duplicate. We are proud to offer these security enhancements as part of our complete card solution portfolio.

Hotel Key Cards and Access Control Solutions

One of the most common applications for HiCo magnetic stripe cards is hotel key card access. Hotels, resorts, apartment complexes, and office buildings rely on magnetic stripe key cards every single day to control who can enter which areas and when. We produce key cards that are compatible with the most widely used access control systems on the market.

Our hotel key cards are printed with your property's branding and encoded to your exact specifications. They are built to withstand the wear of repeated swiping and the everyday conditions of a busy hospitality environment. When a guest checks in and receives one of our key cards, they are holding a product that reflects the quality of your property.

Access Card Features and Compatibility

We encode our access and key cards to work with a wide variety of popular door lock and access control systems. Our team can discuss your specific system requirements to make sure the cards we produce will work seamlessly with your existing readers. HiCo magnetic stripe cards are the standard for access applications because their data retention is significantly stronger than LoCo cards, making them the reliable choice for security-sensitive environments.

We also produce combo access cards that include both a magnetic stripe and other technologies, giving your property flexibility in how guests or employees interact with your access system. These versatile cards are especially popular in large facilities where multiple access points may use different reader types.

Ordering Access Cards in Bulk

For hotels and large facilities, ordering in bulk keeps your operation running without gaps. We make bulk ordering easy with straightforward pricing, fast turnaround times, and nationwide shipping that gets your cards to you quickly. Whether you need a few hundred cards for a small property or tens of thousands for a large resort, we scale to meet your volume needs without sacrificing quality or speed.

Our team is always just a phone call away when you need to reorder or adjust your specifications. We keep records of your previous orders to make reordering even faster, so you never have to start from scratch. Quick, reliable fulfillment is part of what makes working with us such a smooth experience for hospitality clients.

Casino Player Cards and Entertainment Venue Applications

The casino and entertainment industry relies heavily on card-based programs to engage guests and reward loyal players. Magnetic stripe casino player cards are at the heart of most player rewards programs, tracking play activity and unlocking perks that keep guests coming back to the floor. We produce player cards that are durable, visually impressive, and encoded precisely to your program's requirements.

Beyond casinos, entertainment venues like movie theaters, amusement parks, and sports arenas use magnetic stripe cards for season passes, VIP access, and stored-value programs. We understand the fast-paced, high-volume demands of the entertainment world, and our cards are built to keep up with those demands day after day.

Player Rewards Card Design and Encoding

Your player rewards card is a direct reflection of your brand and the experience you promise your guests. We offer full custom printing with vivid colors, metallic accents, and premium finishes that give your cards a look of luxury and exclusivity. When a guest pulls out their player card, it should feel like something special - because it is.

We encode each card with unique player ID numbers and any other data your rewards management system requires. Our encoding process is accurate and consistent across large print runs, so every card in your batch is ready to perform the moment it reaches a guest's hand. We take quality seriously because we know your program's success depends on it.

Stored Value and Prepaid Cards for Entertainment Venues

Many entertainment venues also use magnetic stripe cards as stored-value or prepaid spending cards, allowing guests to load a balance and use the card throughout the venue. This creates a cashless experience that speeds up transactions, reduces handling costs, and encourages guests to spend more during their visit because the money is already loaded and ready to use.

We produce stored-value cards with the same care and precision as our other card types. The magnetic stripe is encoded to work with your payment processing system, and the card design reinforces your brand at every transaction point. It is a smart, stylish solution that benefits both you and your guests.

Specialty Cards: Stand Out From the Crowd

Sometimes a standard plastic card is not enough. Sometimes you need a card that makes someone stop, look twice, and say "wow." That is where our specialty card options come in. From crystal-clear transparent cards to bold custom shapes to breathtaking metal cards, we offer specialty options that turn an ordinary card into an unforgettable brand experience.

Our specialty cards are ideal for premium brands, luxury services, high-end real estate, exclusive clubs, and any business that wants to signal to its customers that it operates at a higher level. These cards command attention and convey a sense of quality that lasts long after the first impression.

Clear and Transparent Plastic Cards

Clear plastic cards are a stunning choice for brands that want to make an immediate visual impact. The transparent material allows for creative layered designs where the card's background - a table, a hand, a wallet interior - becomes part of the design itself. It is a conversation starter in the best possible way.

We print clear cards with high-resolution graphics that pop against the transparent background. The result is a card that looks unlike anything else in a customer's wallet. For brands in fashion, beauty, hospitality, and luxury services, clear cards are a particularly powerful brand statement that clients remember and talk about.

Metal Cards for the Ultimate Brand Statement

For the absolute pinnacle of card luxury, our metal cards are in a class of their own. Crafted from materials like stainless steel or brushed gold, these cards are weighty, substantial, and genuinely impressive. When someone receives a metal card, they feel it before they even read it - and that physical sensation communicates quality instantly and unmistakably.

Metal cards are the perfect choice for premium membership clubs, elite loyalty tiers, VIP access credentials, and any brand that wants to make an extraordinary impression. They are durable, striking, and incredibly memorable. We offer metal cards with custom engraving, color printing, and a range of metal finishes to match your brand's aesthetic perfectly.

Custom Shaped Cards

Who says a card has to be a rectangle? Our custom-shaped cards let your creativity run free. We can cut cards into virtually any shape - a house for a real estate firm, a car for an auto dealership, a coffee cup for a cafe loyalty card. Custom shapes make your cards impossible to ignore and incredibly effective as marketing tools because they stand out in any stack of standard cards.

Custom-shaped cards work especially well as promotional giveaways, event passes, and novelty loyalty cards. They generate genuine excitement and curiosity, which means they are more likely to be kept, shared, and talked about. If you want people to remember your brand, give them something they have never seen before.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Magnetic Stripe Cards

We get a lot of great questions from businesses who are new to ordering plastic cards or exploring magnetic stripe options for the first time. We love these conversations because they give us a chance to share our expertise and help people make the best decisions for their programs. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.

If your question is not listed below, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team directly. We are always happy to talk through your specific situation and find the right solution together. A quick call can save a lot of time and help you feel completely confident in your order.

Common Questions and Answers

One of the most common questions we receive is: what is the difference between HiCo and LoCo magnetic stripes? The simple answer is durability and data retention. HiCo cards are harder to accidentally erase and are better for applications where the card will be used repeatedly over a long period, like hotel keys or access badges. LoCo cards work well for shorter-term applications like promotional gift cards or event passes where permanent data retention is less critical.

Another frequent question is about minimum order quantities. We work with businesses of all sizes, and our minimum order quantities are designed to be accessible for small businesses while still giving large organizations the volume pricing they need. Our team can give you exact pricing and minimums based on your specific card type and quantity needs - just give us a call and we will walk you through the numbers clearly and transparently.

People also often ask how long it takes to receive their order. Our turnaround times are competitive, and we ship to every corner of the country. Standard production and shipping timelines vary based on card type, quantity, and customization level, but our team always gives you a clear timeline upfront so you can plan accordingly. Rush options are also available for time-sensitive projects.

Questions About Card Printers and Supplies

Many of our clients ask whether they should order pre-printed cards from us or invest in their own card printer for in-house production. The answer depends on your volume, frequency of printing, and the level of personalization you need on each card. For high-volume, one-time or occasional print runs, ordering from us is almost always more cost-effective. For businesses that need to print personalized cards on demand - with names, photos, or unique numbers - an in-house printer may make more sense.

We also get questions about which printer ribbons are compatible with specific printer models. Our supplies team knows these products inside and out, and we can quickly match you with the correct ribbon, cleaning kit, and card stock for your printer. Using the right supplies is essential for getting the best print quality and the longest possible life out of your equipment.

Case Study: How a Regional Retail Chain Transformed Their Gift Card Program

One of our favorite success stories involves a regional retail chain that came to us after struggling with a paper-based gift certificate program. Their certificates were easy to counterfeit, difficult to track, and frankly, did not look professional enough to represent their brand well. They needed a better solution - and fast.

We worked with them to design and produce a magnetic stripe gift card program that included custom-printed cards, matching card carriers, and full encoding. The results were remarkable. Within the first three months, their gift card sales had nearly doubled compared to the same period the previous year with paper certificates. Customers loved the look and feel of the new cards, and staff found them far easier to process and track.

The Program Details

The retail chain ordered 10,000 custom-printed HiCo magnetic stripe gift cards in their first production run. Each card was fully encoded and shipped ready to activate at the register. We also produced matching card display holders and custom carriers that made the cards look stunning at the point of sale and as packaged gifts.

The cards were designed with vibrant full-color printing that matched the chain's seasonal marketing campaigns. We produced three different card designs - a standard everyday design, a holiday edition, and a birthday design - giving customers a reason to buy multiple cards as gifts throughout the year. This variety strategy was a significant contributor to the dramatic sales increase the chain experienced.

The Results

After six months of running the magnetic stripe gift card program, the retail chain reported a 94% increase in gift card revenue compared to the previous year's paper certificate program. They also noted a measurable increase in new customer visits, as gift card recipients often became first-time visitors to the store who went on to make additional purchases and join the loyalty program.

This case illustrates something we see over and over again in our work: the switch from paper to plastic is almost always a financial win. The investment in professionally printed magnetic stripe cards pays for itself quickly through increased sales, improved customer experience, and stronger brand perception. It is one of the most straightforward upgrades a retail business can make.

Why Businesses Across America Choose Plastic Card ID

We have been doing this for a long time, and in that time we have learned something important: our clients do not just need cards. They need a partner who understands what those cards need to do and who delivers on that promise every single time. That is the commitment we bring to every order, whether it is for 200 cards or 200,000.

Our national shipping means that businesses from coast to coast can count on us for fast, reliable delivery. We have clients in every state, in every kind of industry, and they all receive the same dedication to quality and service. When you work with us, you are not just another order number - you are a relationship we take seriously and want to grow for years to come.

What Makes Our Cards Different

The quality of our cards starts with the quality of the materials we use. We print on premium PVC card stock that meets CR80 specifications and resists warping, fading, and cracking even under regular daily use. Our printing process produces vivid, accurate colors that stay sharp over the life of the card, so your brand always looks its best.

Our magnetic stripe encoding is performed with precision equipment that ensures every stripe is written accurately and consistently. We test our encoding process regularly to catch any issues before cards ship, which means you receive a batch of cards that perform reliably from the very first swipe to the very last. That kind of consistency matters in a card program - and it is something we never compromise on.

Our Commitment to Fast, Nationwide Shipping

We ship to businesses across the entire country, and we take our shipping commitments seriously. When we give you a delivery estimate, we work hard to meet it. Our fulfillment process is streamlined to minimize delays, and we use reliable shipping partners to make sure your cards arrive on time and in perfect condition. We know your program has a launch date, and we respect that.

For clients with urgent timelines, we offer expedited production and shipping options. Need cards for a grand opening next week? Give us a call and we will tell you exactly what we can do to make it happen. We have come through for clients on tight timelines many times before, and we are proud of our ability to deliver when it counts most.

Call Us Today to Get Started

Call PCID now at 800-835-7919 to speak with one of our card specialists. We are ready to help you design, produce, and deliver the perfect magnetic stripe card solution for your business - fast, easy, and professionally done from start to finish.

Ready to Order? Contact Plastic Card ID Today

Getting started with your magnetic stripe card order is simple. Our team is friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to help you build a card program that makes a real difference for your business. From the very first conversation to the moment your cards arrive at your door, we are with you every step of the way.

We invite you to call us, ask your questions, share your goals, and let us show you why over 100,000 businesses have trusted Plastic Card ID with their plastic card needs. Our combination of experience, quality, and customer service is simply unmatched, and we are confident that once you work with us, you will not want to go anywhere else for your card printing needs.

Whether you need magnetic stripe gift cards, loyalty cards, hotel key cards, membership cards, access badges, or any of our other specialty card products, we have the solutions, the experience, and the passion to deliver outstanding results. Do not wait to give your brand the powerful, physical presence it deserves. Call Plastic Card ID today at 800-835-7919 and let us get to work for you.