Products
- Gift & Loyalty
- Membership
- Rewards / VIP
- Business
- Licence & Accreditation
- Telephone
- Library Cards
- Keytag / Combination
- Photo & Student ID
- Luggage Tags
- Pre-Printed Base Stock
- Specialty Cards
- Consumables
Product Range
From simple paper to fully laminated plastic, paper and plastic cards have been around for many years and with the development of new technology, it is now possible to print cards in screen print quality in very small quantities.
Gift & Loyalty Cards
Gift or loyalty cards are often associated with a closed loop system meaning they are redeemed through a specific retailer, a linked retail group or a wider based scheme.
Gift card programs usually allow the cardholder to view their transactions and remaining funds via a secure online portal and will cease operation once the loaded funds have been used in full or the card has reached it's expiry.
Loyalty cards usually do not offer online access to the cardholder but instead offers a regular discount towards each purchase without the need of an expiry.
Loading card specifications...Membership Cards
The primary purpose of a membership card is to contain the member's details, acting as an identification tool, both visually (photo and printed/embossed text) and via integrated technology (barcode, magnetic strip, smart chip, RFID). It is through one of these mediums that the membership number is recorded to correspond with other membership details within the organisation's in-house database.
Membership cards may have an indefinite life expectancy or expire after a lapsed amount of time whereupon renewal with a fee will normally apply.
Loading card specifications...Rewards / VIP Cards
Beginning in the US during the 1980's, the 'customer loyalty movement' was initially devised for the airline industry and has since migrated into virtually every other type of business. Customer loyalty cards with attached rewards offer customers a benefit for historical spending behaviour and dramatically increases future customer retention. It has proven to be as important to not only source new clientele but to retain existing. Rewards play an important role in ensuring this to happen.
Loading card specifications...Business Cards
Plastic business cards are becoming more popular in portraying a company's professional image. The card has the same dimensions as a financial card (85mm x 54mm) however they are normally supplied using thinner stock of 0.38mm instead of the more commonly supplied standard card thickness of 0.76mm. The plastic business card offers much longer durability over its cardboard counterpart.
Other unique features used in plastic business cards include transparent or opaque stock and surface UV printing.
Loading card specifications...Licence & Accreditation
Generally licences are issued under the authority of a governmental body allowing authorisation or ownership of a specified product or service. Often licences incorporate anti-counterfeiting measures restricting the forfeiture of such cards.
Most governmental bodies will require pre-printed base stock supplied by contractors and then personalise the cards in-house as and when issuance is required - usually with their own in-house personalisation printers under their own security arrangement.
Loading card specifications...Ticketing / Accreditation Cards
Since the introduction of the paper card, many transport, sporting and event management companies have invested in ticketing solutions whereby the card is discarded following just a single use. These cards usually incorporate a barcode or magnetic strip and once scanned are either retained by the system or returned for expense claiming, where applicable.
Accreditation is often an ongoing process with both skill-sets being updated frequently and the necessity to produce proof upon request. Carrying a plastic card becomes a convenient means to provide up-to-date information on-the-spot.
Loading card specifications...Telephone Cards
Plastic telephone (calling) cards are an extremely effective marketing medium with often generous returns. The prepaid telephone card will comprise of a number to dial, a unique PIN for identification (usually located beneath a scratch panel) and where used through public pay phones, a SIM chip that stores the remaining card credit. The non-chip cards are disposable once credit has been exhausted while the chip-based cards can be credited with further funds for continued use.
Most common applications include long distance calling, Internet connection and other similar communication services.
Loading card specifications...Library Cards
Often integrated with a photo, student ID cards are commonly used within school libraries however photos are generally optional in public libraries. Often the cards will incorporate barcode or magnetic strip technology, both of which will communicate with a management system for record keeping.
Most libraries will source pre-printed base stock from 3rd parties and utilise their in-house printing equipment to personalise cards as and when required for issue.
Loading card specifications...Keytag / Combination Cards
Not every organisation requires a standard card. Rather than having yet another card hidden in a wallet or purse, more exposure is given to a keytag contained on a key ring. Industries such as health clubs, gyms and video stores give preference to this style of card, many electing to go with a combination card (connected keytag + standard card) to cover both bases.
Many variations of 'non-standard' cards exist... these include; 2-Up and 3-Up keytag, combination card, dual card, mini card, custom shaped card.
Loading card specifications...Photo & Student ID Card
The use of photo ID cards is becoming more common due to the digital camera and availability of plastic card printing companies. Contractors for instance heavily rely on this medium as part of their identification process to the public.
Students identification cards are commonly integrated through a school management system ('SMS') and will comprise of such information as; name, DOB, ID number, house, group, barcode (library code), expiry and photo. These days technology plays a bigger role and allows the student card to become multi-use with such applications as vending, photocopying, access control, time and attendance and external concessions to name but a few.
Loading card specifications...Luggage Tags
With so many travel cases and bags circulating at airports, hotels & transport terminals, this is an ideal method to identify ownership when making a collection and for others who may need to contact you in the event of finding a lost item.
Luggage tags may be thermally pre-personalised with the owner's details or supplied with one or multiple writing panels that allow the owner to write personal details at short notice. The tags can be supplied with a pre-punched hole enabling easy securement to the travel item.
Loading card specifications...Pre-Printed Base Stock Cards
Organisations will often have an ongoing requirement to issue cards to new members, existing members that have misplaced their card or to those whose cards have expired. Once supply of the initial pre-personalised cards have been issued, a membership club, who may have already invested in their own personalisation printing equipment, may order an over-and-above quantity of 'non-personalised' base stock. This allows for total versatility and economical advantage in obtaining the lowest 'per card price' during placement of the original order.
Loading card specifications...Specialty Cards
Not all plastic cards are the same and often organisations want their card to stand out from the crowd. Some of the many non-standard card technologies include:
- Scented - created with a specialised ink, scents include coffee, fruit, fragrance, etc.
- One-Time-Password (OTP) - incorporating a LED screen the card provides additional banking security.
- Textured - printed or applied to the card's surface, textures include denim, engraved, brushed, etc.
- Metal / Transparent / Recycled - typically laminated PVC, other materials available upon request.
- Lenticular - two images can be applied to a card to be viewed individually from different angles.
- Shaped - using a specially made die-cutter, cards can be customised to order.
Loading card specifications...Consumables
Solution Plastic prides itself on being a quality provider of blank card stock, ribbons and card consumables to organisations that have made investment into plastic card printing equipment. We supply the following blank card stock:
- Standard Card - white, yellow, red, light and dark blue, light and dark green, teal, beige, black, metallic silver and gold
- Standard Card (specialised) - solid colour core, transparent, opaque
- Standard Card (varying thickness) - 0.38mm, 0.50mm, 0.76mm, 1mm
- Standard Card (incorporating technology) - Lo-Co, Hi-Co magnetic strip, RFID, smart chip, SIM chip
- Non-standard card - 2-Up and 3-Up keytag, combination card, dual card, mini card, custom shaped card
Full consumables listing:
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