Loyalty Program Plastic Cards: Offer Strategies For Success

how to offer loyalty program plastic cards

Plastic loyalty cards are a great way to attract new customers and reward loyal, returning customers. They are a fantastic marketing strategy to encourage repeat business and can be customised to fit your business needs. When setting up a loyalty program, it is important to set a goal and create a plan for your business. You can then decide on the design, features, and distribution method of your loyalty cards. Some popular features include punch cards, key tags, custom shapes, embossing, barcodes, and magnetic stripes. You can also choose to send the cards directly to your customers or distribute them in-store.

Characteristics Values
Card Material PVC, Composite Laminate, Plastic
Card Features Punches, Key Tags, Combo Cards, Custom Shapes, Embossing, Foil Stamping, Spot UV, Scratch-Off Rewards, Barcodes, Magnetic Stripes, Signature Panels, QR Codes
Card Functionality Track purchases and shopping behavior, allow admittance to events or venues, redeem for rewards or discounts
Card Design Customizable with company name, logo, message, colors, and variable data such as member name, address, phone number
Card Size Standard credit-card size, break-away key tags
Card Production Time As soon as 4 days, 4-6 day turn times
Card Shipping Free shipping, option for expedited shipping
Card Distribution Send to business for distribution or directly to customers
Card Cost No set-up fees, online pricing

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Customise your plastic loyalty cards with your company name, logo, colours, and message

Customising your plastic loyalty cards with your company name, logo, colours, and message is a great way to promote your brand and encourage repeat business. You can choose from a variety of design options, including:

  • Card material: PVC is the most common material, as it looks and feels like a typical credit card. Composite laminated cards have the same functionality as PVC cards but with a shinier appearance due to thicker laminate. You can also choose from other materials like Poly Laminate Plastic, which is durable, cost-effective, and has low minimum order quantities.
  • Card shape: Standard credit-card-sized cards are the most common option, but you can also choose custom shapes to make your loyalty cards stand out. For example, you can create a loyalty card in the form of a key tag or combo card, making it convenient for customers to carry.
  • Design features: You can add visual interest to your loyalty cards with features like foil stamping, embossing, clear or frosted accents, and spot UV coating. These features can make your cards eye-catching and help elevate your branding.
  • Encoding options: Consider including features like magstripes, barcodes, or variable number printing to fit your specific needs. These options can be useful for tracking purchases and customer spending behaviours.
  • Visual elements: Bright colours tend to work well with the high-gloss shine of plastic cards. You can also incorporate your company's logo, colours, and any relevant imagery or photographs to make the design truly yours.

When customising your plastic loyalty cards, it's important to work with a reputable company that can guide you through the process and offer design assistance. They can help you choose the right options to create a card that effectively promotes your brand and engages your customers.

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Choose from different encoding options, including magstripes, barcodes, and variable number printing

When creating a loyalty program with plastic cards, you can choose from several encoding options to store and track customer information. Three of the most common options are magstripes, barcodes, and variable number printing.

Magstripes, or magnetic stripes, are the dark strips found on the back of plastic cards like gift cards, loyalty cards, and membership cards. They contain tiny magnetic particles used to store information. Magstripes come in two varieties: high-coercivity (HiCo) and low-coercivity (LoCo). HiCo magstripes are more durable and suitable for loyalty cards that need to be swiped frequently, while LoCo magstripes are less durable but still suitable for most applications.

Barcodes are another popular option for loyalty cards. They are a series of wide and narrow bars that can be scanned to bring up information in a POS system. Variable barcodes can be changed for each card, allowing unique identification and tracking of customer purchases. Common types of barcodes include Type 128, Type 39, and UPC-A.

Variable number printing allows for unique numbers to be printed on each loyalty card. These numbers can be used to identify customer accounts and track their purchases. They can also be used for security purposes, such as providing access to restricted areas.

You can choose one or combine these encoding options to create a versatile loyalty card that can track purchases, monitor balances, and provide rewards to your customers.

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Decide whether you want to distribute the cards to your customers or send them directly via mail

Deciding on the distribution method for your loyalty cards is an important step in the process of setting up a reward program. You can either choose to distribute the cards to your customers yourself or send them directly to your customers via mail. Both options have their own advantages and considerations to keep in mind.

Distributing the cards yourself gives you more control over the process and allows you to personally hand over the cards to your customers. This can be a great opportunity to engage with your customers directly, explain the benefits of your loyalty program, and spark interest. However, this option may require more time and resources, especially if you have a large customer base or multiple locations. You will need to plan and organise the distribution process, including storing and managing the inventory of cards.

On the other hand, sending the cards directly to your customers via mail can be a convenient and time-saving approach. This method allows you to reach a wider audience, especially if your customers are spread out geographically. It eliminates the need for customers to visit your physical location to obtain a card, making it easier for them to enrol in your loyalty program. However, you will need to ensure that you have accurate and up-to-date customer address information to ensure successful delivery. Consider the cost implications of direct mail distribution, as postage fees can add up, especially for larger volumes.

To make an informed decision, consider your business needs, customer base, and the overall goal of your loyalty program. If you have the resources and opportunity to engage with your customers directly, distributing the cards yourself can create a more personalised experience. On the other hand, if your customers are located across different areas or if convenience and speed are important factors, sending the cards via mail may be more suitable.

Remember that the success of your loyalty program depends not only on the distribution method but also on the attractiveness of the rewards and the overall customer experience. Ensure that your loyalty cards are well-designed, engaging, and integrated with your existing systems to track purchases and redeem rewards seamlessly.

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Consider adding a signature panel to verify the identity of the user and ensure they know the terms and conditions

Loyalty cards are a great way to attract repeat business and reward loyal customers. When creating a loyalty program, it is important to consider the design of the card, the features it should include, and how it will be integrated into your business.

One feature you may want to consider is adding a signature panel to your loyalty cards. This can serve multiple purposes: firstly, it can be used to verify the identity of the user, ensuring that the person presenting the card is the legitimate owner. This adds a layer of security to the card and helps prevent fraud.

Secondly, the signature panel can act as a visual confirmation that the user has read and agreed to the terms and conditions of your loyalty program. This is especially important if your program has specific requirements or limitations that users need to be aware of. By signing, customers acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of these terms.

Additionally, you can include a scratch-off panel to conceal any confidential data, such as a PIN or access code. This ensures that only the authorized user can access certain benefits or rewards, adding another layer of security.

When designing your loyalty cards, you can choose from various materials, such as PVC or composite laminated cards, and add features like foil stamping or embossing to make them more visually appealing and engaging for your customers. You can also consider including punches, key tags, or combo cards to make it easier for customers to track their progress and stay engaged with your loyalty program.

Remember, the goal is to create a loyalty program that not only rewards your customers but also encourages them to return and promotes your brand effectively.

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Use punches on your cards to engage your customers and help them keep track of their progress

Punch cards are a key component of any good loyalty program. They are an excellent way to engage your customers and help them keep track of their progress. The idea is simple: customers get a punch or stamp on their card every time they make a purchase, and after a certain number of punches, they receive a reward. This could be a discount, a free item, or exclusive access to sales or new products. For example, a cafe may offer a free coffee or small treat after a certain number of purchases.

Punch cards create an emotional connection with your customers and inspire them to become loyal brand advocates. Customers know they can get rewards from repeat interactions, so they keep coming back. This also helps your business to learn from their buyer behaviour and offer more personalised experiences.

You can offer physical punch cards, digital punch cards, or a combination of both. Digital punch cards can increase customer engagement and retention while providing valuable insights into customer behaviour. Mobile apps, for instance, offer a user-friendly interface for customers to track their progress and redeem rewards. However, some customers may prefer the familiarity of a physical card, which looks and feels like a typical credit card.

When designing your punch card, consider your brand identity and what your customers are looking for. If you are designing from scratch, you may want to make use of a designer's services or choose from a range of online templates. You can also select from various printing features, such as foil stamping, Spot UV, and embossing, to make your card stand out.

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Frequently asked questions

Loyalty cards are a great way to attract new customers, reward repeat customers, and get the word out about your business. They can also help you analyze spending and buyer behavior.

You can select from various design templates, or create a custom design. You can also choose from different encoding options, including magstripes, barcodes, and variable number printing. Some popular features include punch cards, key tags, custom shapes, embossing, and foil stamping.

First, set a goal and create a plan specific to your business. Consider what kind of incentives or offers would motivate customers to use a reward card program. Determine if you have a customer processing or point-of-sale system to manage the program, and if not, seek recommendations for one. Decide how you want to distribute the cards (e.g., in-store or via mail) and whether there are any deadlines or special programs the cards should support.

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