Concepts and terms

Offset printing is the most used method in plastic card printing. It has a lot of advantages and the only significant disadvantage of offset is that only large editions of 5,000 cards are available.

Digital printing is carried out using digital printers, which allows you to print small runs of plastic cards with a simultaneous change in variable data.

Silk-screen printing in the manufacture of plastic cards is used to apply signature stripes in various colors. Quite efficiently, this printing method is suitable for the production of cards with a metallized effect.

Varnishing of cards – coating with a transparent protective coating – varnish, applied over the printed image on the surface of the card.

Transparent plastic is needed for printing image bonus or discount plastic cards, creative business cards. Since the card is transparent, the image is printed only on one side of the card, but it is possible to print some elements on the back of the card.

3 Tag card is a standard 54x86mm perforated card that can be divided into three mini-modules after cutting (each with a round hole that allows the mini-module to be used as a key fob). The modules are easily separated from each other thanks to special cuts.

2 TAG is a standard 54×86 mm card that can be easily converted into two full-fledged cards. They can have the same print number or barcode. One of the mini-cards has a hole with which it can be conveniently placed on the key ring.

Personalization of plastic cards is a technological process of applying individual data on a card (variable serial number, unique code, or others) related only to this card. Personalization is an important stage in the production of plastic cards and one of the ways to protect the card from its misuse.

A barcode is a unique digital identifier. The numbers and / or characters encoded in it, after reading, can be used as a customer identifier, which is used by the sales system to determine the price, current discount and other commercial data entered into the database.

Magnetic stripe card — A type of card that has a magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe is designed to store any information. The information is recorded by magnetizing tiny particles on the surface of the strip and containing iron (magnetic material). Reading information is performed by swiping a strip over the magnetic head. Today the strip can be of two types – HiCo and LoCo, depending on the strength of the magnetic field.

A chip or contactless module is a microscopic microcircuit with an antenna located inside a plastic card, between the front and back of the card. The contactless chip has no mechanical or any other contact with the reader. Depending on the type of embedded chip, the operating distance of the chip ranges from 5 to 12cm to the surface of the card reader. The contact chip must directly contact the reader. Embossing is not possible on cards with a chip. the antenna may be damaged.

Indent printing on plastic cards is one of the types of personalization. In simple words, this is the indentation of numbers or letters on the surface of a plastic card, painting it black or another color. Ident printing occurs without deformation of the plastic on the back of the card.

Embossing is the other way around – embossing numbers or letters on a finished plastic card. The set of symbols, unfortunately, is not large and is limited to those available in the embosser. The standard embosser drum contains symbols of the Latin alphabet, as well as two sets of numbers, 4.5 and 3 mm in size.

Tipping or typing is the covering of embossed symbols with a special foil. The coating with gold, silver colors looks most impressive, but other shades of foil are also used.

Thermal printing of the barcode takes place on the finished card. The barcode is best printed with black ink on a light background for confident reading by the scanner.

UV DOD personalization uses an ink that hardens under UV light, which makes the image resistant to any mechanical or chemical attack.

Protective elements on plastic cards are micro font, Braille, UV printing, hologram. These methods are designed to protect plastic cards from fraud.

A hologram is a modern and very reliable security element for plastic cards. An image obtained with the help of holography is either produced using a special holographic foil by hot stamping onto a self-destructive self-adhesive or laminated card. It is also possible to apply a hologram under the protective layer of the laminate.

Lamination is an important stage in the manufacture of plastic cards. This is the sintering of plastic and transparent laminate between themselves in a special press laminator under high pressure and temperature. A plastic card, like a sandwich, consists of 4 layers: first layer: transparent laminate that protects the image and all information printed on the surface of the front side of the card; second layer: plastic with the printed image on the front side of the card; third layer: plastic with the printed image on the back of the card; fourth layer: transparent laminate that protects the image on the back of the card. Lamination can be glossy or matte. Matte is different, it all depends on the grain of the mirrors.
Further, after sintering (lamination), the plastic cards are cut.

Delamination is the reverse process of lamination. Delamination is peeling of the laminate from the surface of a plastic card due to a violation of the printing technology or requirements for the card layout. This is a marriage.

Foil stamping is carried out using a specially made stamp with gold, silver or holographic foil under pressure and temperature on the surface of a plastic card. The manufacture of a stamp has its own nuances and limitations.

A scratch strip is a security panel that covers a PIN or other information. It is used in recharge cards, lottery tickets, gift certificates.

The signature strip is used for the convenience of applying personal information with a pen or pencil directly when issuing a card and identifying the cardholder. As a rule, this is the signature of the cardholder. This method can also be used as a security element.

Frequently asked Questions

What services does your company offer?

Our company is a manufacturer of plastic cards and POS materials of any complexity and personalization, as well as an integrator of the EconectID mobile application

What cards can you order?

Standard – The ISO card size is exactly 85.72 x 54.04 mm and is 0.76 mm thick. Material – double-sided laminated PVC, as well as any parameter we can change at your request or layout.

Can I order a bank card?

Not. We are manufacturers of all types of cards, except for payment cards.

What types of card personalization do you do?

We can do all types of card personalization in our production (with a magnetic stripe, barcode, scratch stripe, printed numbering, embossing, indent printing). For this we have our own specialized equipment and professional software.

What types or purposes can I order from you?

You can order gift plastic cards, bonus, discount, club, fuel, insurance, business cards and badges, mini-cards, access key cards, various advertising media cards.

Why do we need plastic cards?

A plastic card is a great way to attract customers and build their trust. The world is developing rapidly, you need to keep up with the times and improve your activities. Ordering plastic cards is the right decision for any businessman. Give your customers the opportunity to save money and they will buy even more. And with a good card it is much more convenient to do it – after all, it is compact, versatile and aesthetic.

What material do you make cards from?

In our production we use PVC 0.3 mm or 0.15 mm white, transparent, silver, gold and other colors, if desired.

How is it possible to place an order?

To order, you need to contact our manager by phone number on the website or fill out the online order form.

Why do you need to order plastic cards from you?

We are direct manufacturers and suppliers of material for our production. We have a flexible pricing system for regular customers, for VIPs, as well as discounts for intermediaries. We have a staff of qualified employees, and our managers will find an individual approach to any client.

Is there any kind of guarantee for your products?

We produce high-quality products and are responsible for them, therefore, within 12 months we guarantee their use 100%. In case of receiving low-quality products, free replacement is carried out as soon as possible.

How to find out the prices and calculate your order correctly?

Online calculator and online ordering service are available for any client 

How much will the delivery cost?

For circulation of 1000 pieces, we make delivery at our own expense to your city by postal service.

What is the minimum circulation?

It is customary to consider the minimum circulation as 100 pieces, but if necessary, we do from 1 piece.

What are the production times?

The production time depends on the circulation and complexity. On average, 4 to 14 days.