Omar Khalid
Printing plastic cards can be done at home or through a company. To print at home, you need a printer with a PVC tray, Teslin, and a laminator. You can then print your design onto the Teslin and laminate it. This method is low-cost but may lack durability. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made cards with your company logo and barcodes and assign them to customers. This ensures good quality and professionalism without the expense of customising each card.
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What You'll Learn
Check for compatible printers and PVC cards
Printing on a PVC card requires a special tray that is compatible with certain printers. Inkjet printers, such as Canon and Epson, are compatible with PVC card trays. However, some printers may have software issues that prevent printing on the full surface of a card, so it is important to check compatibility with your specific printer model.
There are also dedicated PVC card printers available from manufacturers like AlphaCard, which use specialized printing processes such as dye sublimation and reverse transfer. These printers can be more expensive, with entry-level options starting at around $700.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, you can consider printing on stickers using a standard inkjet or laser printer and then pasting them onto plain PVC cards. This method may not produce the same level of durability and print quality as dedicated PVC card printers or compatible inkjet printers with PVC card trays.
Another low-cost option is to use business card blanks, graphics editing software, a color printer, and a heavy-duty laminator. This method may require some practice to achieve decent results, and the durability of the cards may not be as high as those printed directly onto PVC.
It is important to consider your specific requirements, such as the number of cards you need to print, your budget, and the desired level of durability and print quality, before deciding on a compatible printer and PVC card combination.
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Use Teslin and a laminator
To print a plastic card at home, you can use Teslin and a laminator. Teslin is a synthetic paper that is made of plastic. It can be printed on using a standard home or office inkjet or laser printer. The type of Teslin you require depends on the printer you have—Inkjet Teslin or Laser Teslin. If your printer uses pigment-based ink, you can opt for either Inkjet or SP 1000 Teslin.
The Teslin sheets are available in different thicknesses, with 10 mil being the most commonly desired thickness, and 14 mil being used for more rigid cards. The thicker the Teslin, the more rigid the card. You will also need to purchase a laminator and laminate sheets. The laminate sheets are available in the standard ID card size of 8.5" x 11".
After printing your design on the Teslin sheet, you will need to laminate the Teslin sheet between two full-sheet laminates. Then, cut the sheets to create two 4" x 11" sheets. These sheets can then be fed into an ID Die Cutter to stamp out the ID cards. You can either design your card template from scratch or choose from pre-made templates.
Using this method, you can create decent-looking reward/loyalty cards at a low cost.
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Print on Inkjet PVC Cards
Printing on Inkjet PVC Cards can be a straightforward process, but it's important to ensure you have the right equipment and follow the correct steps to achieve the desired results. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you through the process:
Choosing the Right Printer and Cards
Firstly, you'll need to select a suitable printer and PVC cards for your task. While regular inkjet printers can handle basic printing on PVC cards, they may not offer the same durability and professional features as dedicated PVC card printers. Consider factors like print quality, durability, and any special requirements, such as magnetic stripes or smart card chips. Dedicated PVC card printers, like the HPRT CP-D80, are designed specifically for card printing and often provide superior results.
Preparing the Cards and Printer
Inkjet PVC cards have a special coating that allows them to absorb ink. Ensure you are using the correct type of cards compatible with your inkjet printer. Check your printer's compatibility to see if it supports using an inkjet PVC card tray. You will need this tray to print on Inkjet PVC Cards.
Designing and Printing
You can use software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, GNU GIMP, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, or Apple Pages to design your card. These applications offer templates to ensure your design is set up correctly for printing. Pay attention to the printing settings and ensure your design is aligned with the correct printing location on the card.
Finishing and Protection
Once your cards are printed, you can add finishing touches, such as a slot hole using an ID Card Slot Punch. To enhance the durability of your Inkjet PVC Cards, consider adding protection. You can use ID Holograms or a Clear Overlay to safeguard your cards. Additionally, you may want to utilise badge holders, badge clips, or lanyards, which provide convenient ways to carry and display your printed cards.
Remember, while printing on Inkjet PVC Cards is achievable, dedicated PVC card printers offer specialised features and optimal print results. If you require a high volume of cards or desire a more professional finish, investing in a dedicated PVC card printer might be more suitable.
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Add a magnetic stripe
Magnetic stripes are commonly used for gift cards, security access cards, membership cards, credit and debit cards, and more. They are used to encode data into the plastic card. This data is stored in the magnetic stripe, which is made up of iron-based particles in a plastic film. Each small iron particle is a tiny magnet.
When adding a magnetic stripe, you will need to select the proper type and encode it with data. There are two types of magnetic stripes: Low Coercivity (LoCo) and High Coercivity (HiCo). LoCo stripes are less expensive and are used for cards that do not contain highly secure data or get swiped often. HiCo stripes offer greater durability and are better suited for high-security functions. LoCo stripes are typically dark brown, while HiCo stripes are black.
The width of the magnetic stripe can vary, with common widths being 1/2", 7/16", 5/16", and 1/8". There can be up to three tracks for data encoding, although track 3 is rarely used. The number of characters is generally between 8 and 16. The data can be encoded as sequential or variable. Sequential numbering means that each card will have a unique number in sequence, while variable data means that each card will have a unique or random number sequence.
To encode the magnetic stripe, you will need to use an encoding device. This device will create a pattern of positively and negatively charged particles, directed by a computer. This unique pattern will be read by the point-of-sale (POS) system or card reader when the card is swiped, and the data will be decoded. The data to be encoded will depend on the use of the card and the POS system. For example, a gift card will contain an account number that can be used to look up the available monetary value.
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Purchase cards with barcodes
Printing plastic cards with barcodes can be a useful and cost-effective solution for businesses. It is a way to create identification cards, access security cards, membership cards, visitor cards, and more.
Firstly, it is important to determine your needs. Do you require a single-sided or double-sided printer? Do you need a magnetic stripe encoder? Is speed important? How many cards will you be printing at a time?
There are a variety of options available for printing plastic cards with barcodes. One option is to purchase a plastic card printer, which can be used to create customized cards on demand. These printers use a thermal printing process, utilizing special film ribbons. Another option is to use a standard printer with synthetic printing paper and laminate the cards using a butterfly pouch, which creates a borderless, firm, waterproof, and durable card.
If you are looking for a more cost-effective solution, you may consider purchasing pre-made cards with barcodes and your company logo on them. This option allows you to assign cards to customers as you give them out, and you can still use a barcode scanner to track them.
There are also online printing companies that offer printed plastic cards with barcodes, which can be a good option if you are only printing a small number of cards or do not want to invest in a printer.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need business card blanks, graphics editing software, a colour printer, and a heavy-duty laminator. You can also buy pre-cut Teslin and pouches to laminate the cards with magnetic stripes.
First, print your desired design onto the card blanks. Then, laminate the printed card blanks. You can also add a magnetic stripe or a slot hole to the card.
You can purchase plain cards with barcodes and your company logo on them and assign them to customers. Alternatively, you can forgo the use of cards altogether and link your customers' membership to their phone number in your POS system.
You can use an inkjet printer or a colour laser printer. However, to print on PVC cards, you will need an inkjet PVC card tray.
