Omar Khalid
Printing on blank plastic cards can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your desired outcome and budget. If you're looking to print on PVC cards, you'll need a printer that's compatible with an inkjet PVC card tray. These trays allow the ink to be absorbed into the card, resulting in a waterproof finish. You can also purchase blank PVC cards with a magnetic stripe, in a variety of colours, including light blue, dark blue, cranberry, medium green, grey, orange, pink, red, tan and yellow. If you're looking for a more upscale option, black or metallic cards are available in silver, copper, and gold. Alternatively, for a super bright option, fluorescent cards are also available. It's important to note that printing on plastic cards requires specialised equipment, and attempting to use a regular inkjet or laser printer may result in damage to your equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Printing equipment | Inkjet printer, thermal ID card printer, laser printer, laminator |
| Printer brands | Datacard, Evolis, Fargo / HID, Magicard, Zebra, Eltron |
| Card type | PVC, Teslin, magnetic stripe, gloss finish, matte finish, satin finish |
| Card colours | Light blue, medium blue, dark blue, hospital blue, cranberry, medium green, dark green, grey, orange, pink, red, tan, yellow, black, metallic (red gold, green gold, silver, copper), fluorescent (yellow, pink, green, orange, blue, red) |
| Card size | 3.375” x 2.125” (CR-80) |
| Card thickness | 30 mil |
| Cost per card | $0.05-$0.15 |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a printer: Use a printer designed for plastic, like a thermal ID card printer
- Inkjet PVC card trays: Use a special tray for ink absorption
- Card type: PVC cards are standard, but other colours and finishes are available
- Card design: Use software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word to design your card
- Cost: Consider the cost of the printer, software, and blank cards
Choosing a printer: Use a printer designed for plastic, like a thermal ID card printer
If you want to print on blank plastic cards, it's important to use a printer designed for the job. Regular inkjet and laser printers are not suitable for printing on plastic, and attempting to do so will likely damage your equipment.
Thermal ID card printers are the most popular type of printer for non-commercial use. They can be used to print almost any type of design onto blank PVC cards. Top brands of thermal card printers include Datacard, Evolis, Fargo/HID, Magicard, and Zebra. The cost of the machine itself typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000+, and this often does not include the necessary software.
When choosing a printer, it's important to consider your specific needs. Some printers can only print on one side of a card, while others offer double-sided printing. You may also want to consider whether you require additional features such as a magnetic stripe encoder or lamination. The speed of printing may also be a factor if you plan to print a large number of cards.
The cost of printing on plastic cards can add up, especially if you're using coloured ink. Thermal printers use thermal ribbons rather than ink or toner, and the cost of these ribbons can vary depending on the colour. Black ribbon is relatively inexpensive, averaging $0.01–$0.02 per card side, while coloured ribbon can cost $0.28–$0.40 per card side. This means that the ribbon cost alone for a single plastic card printed in colour on both sides is $0.56–$0.80.
Another option for printing on plastic cards is to use an inkjet printer with a special inkjet PVC card tray. These trays allow you to print on inkjet PVC cards, which have a special coating that absorbs the ink from the printer. However, it's important to check the compatibility of your printer with these trays before purchasing.
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Inkjet PVC card trays: Use a special tray for ink absorption
Printing on blank plastic cards requires a special printer, such as a thermal ID card printer, designed for printing on plastic. Inkjet printers, which are commonly used, cannot print on plastic cards without a special tray. These trays are designed to match the disc printing tray in specific printers, allowing PVC cards to be printed instead of discs.
Inkjet PVC card trays are available for a variety of Epson and Canon printer models. For example, Epson printers that use a 5 3/8" x 11 1/2" DVD printing tray, such as the Epson R200, R300, and others, are compatible with a specific Inkjet PVC Card Tray. Similarly, Canon printers like the Canon PIXMA TS70x, TS82xx, TS83xx, and TS95xx Series Printers, which use a "Multi-Purpose" CD/DVD tray, can utilise a special tray insert to hold two credit card-sized inkjet PVC cards.
It is important to check the compatibility of your printer with these special trays. Some printers may have software issues that prevent printing on the full surface of a card, rendering the tray useless. Additionally, certain printer models may have unique trays that are not used by other printers, making it unfeasible to create a compatible inkjet PVC card tray.
Inkjet PVC cards, which are used in conjunction with these special trays, have a unique coating that allows them to absorb ink from the printer. Without this coating, the ink would pool up and not be absorbed by the card. These cards are available in various colours and finishes, such as gloss, satin, and matte, and can be customised with features like magnetic stripes.
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Card type: PVC cards are standard, but other colours and finishes are available
When it comes to card type, PVC cards are the standard option, but that doesn't mean you're limited to just this one variety. There are several other options to choose from when it comes to colours and finishes.
Firstly, it's important to note that PVC cards are the standard for a reason—they are the typical ID card, used for identification, credit/debit cards, membership cards, access cards, and more. They are durable and versatile, and you can print on them using an inkjet printer, but you will need a special tray that works with certain printers. Inkjet PVC cards have a special coating that allows them to absorb ink, whereas regular PVC cards without this coating will not absorb ink and it will pool on the surface.
Now, if you're looking for something a little different, you can opt for coloured PVC cards. These cards are made from the same durable PVC material but come in a variety of colours, including fluorescent and metallic shades. You can find them in colours like red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, grey, tan, cranberry, and more. They are perfect for membership and loyalty programs, gift card programs, identification, and any situation where you want your card to stand out and be easily recognised. However, it's recommended that you only print monochrome on these coloured cards.
In terms of finishes, the standard option is a gloss finish, but you can also choose from satin and matte finishes, depending on your preferences and the look you want to achieve.
Additionally, you can also add features such as magnetic stripes to your PVC cards, which can be especially useful for ID cards, gift cards, membership cards, or business cards. These magnetic stripes can be either LoCo (Low Coercivity) or HiCo (High Coercivity), with the latter being ideal for highly secure operations.
So, while PVC is the standard card type, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to colours, finishes, and additional features to create a card that suits your specific needs.
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Card design: Use software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word to design your card
Card design is an essential step in the process of printing on blank plastic cards. Software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word offers users the ability to create customised card designs with varying levels of complexity. Here are some detailed instructions for designing cards using each of these programs:
Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop, a popular image editing software, offers a range of features for card design. Users can create greeting cards using Photoshop Elements, utilising various layouts and designs. One can add up to 22 photos to a page, along with text and graphics. Photoshop allows users to print their cards at home or through online services like Shutterfly. To begin, simply select "Create" and choose "Greeting Card" from the list. From there, users can select a size and theme, add images and text, and customise their card using the various tools and modes available.
Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor that can be used to design cards with precise and scalable artwork. While specific instructions for card creation in Illustrator were not readily available, the software is commonly used for graphic design and illustration, offering robust tools for creating detailed and professional-looking cards.
Word
Microsoft Word, a widely-used word processing software, also includes basic card design functionality. Users can create custom note cards, holiday cards, or corporate announcements. Word offers built-in card templates that can be customised with personal text, images, and clip art. To create a card in Word, users can click on the "File" tab, select "New," click on the "Cards" button, and then choose from the available templates. After selecting a template, users can add their own text, images, and other design elements to create a personalised card.
Each of these software options provides a unique set of tools and functionalities for card design, allowing users to create professional-looking cards for various purposes. Whether using Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word, users can leverage the features of these programs to design eye-catching and personalised cards for printing on blank plastic cards.
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Cost: Consider the cost of the printer, software, and blank cards
Printing on plastic cards can be a costly endeavour, with several factors influencing the overall expense. Firstly, the printer itself is a significant investment. Thermal ID card printers, the most popular type for non-commercial use, typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more. It's important to note that this cost often excludes the necessary software, which will further increase the overall price. Brands like Datacard, Evolis, Fargo / HID, Magicard, and Zebra are among the top choices in this category.
The cost of the printer is just the beginning. To print on plastic cards, you'll need to purchase the blank cards themselves, which can vary in price depending on the quantity, quality, and any additional features you require, such as magnetic stripes or fluorescent colours. For example, fluorescent plastic cards can cost around $0.125 to $0.14 each for quantities of 1,000 to 5,000.
Another significant expense is the thermal ribbons used in ID card printers. These ribbons come in black and colour options, with the latter being significantly more expensive. Black ribbon averages $0.01 to $0.02 per card side, while colour ribbon can cost $0.28 to $0.40 or more per card side, depending on the brand. This means that the ink or ribbon cost for a single plastic card with colour on both sides can reach up to $0.80 per card.
It's also worth considering the cost of your time and the volume of cards you need to print. Printing a large number of cards can be time-consuming, and the speed of your printer will impact how long this process takes. Additionally, you may want to factor in the cost of outsourcing printing to an online printing company, which can offer competitive prices, especially for bulk orders.
While the initial investment in a plastic card printer may be substantial, it can offer convenience and customisation options for those who need to print cards on demand, such as membership cards with personalised information. However, for those who require static designs or bulk printing, outsourcing to a printing company may prove to be a more cost-effective solution.
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Frequently asked questions
You need a printer that is designed specifically for plastic. The most popular type for non-commercial use is a thermal ID card printer. Some top brands include Datacard, Evolis, Fargo / HID, Magicard, and Zebra.
Blank plastic cards come in a variety of colours and finishes. Standard colours include light blue, medium blue, dark blue, hospital blue, cranberry, medium green, dark green, grey, orange, pink, red, tan, and yellow. The standard finish is gloss, but satin and matte finishes are also available.
The cost of printing on blank plastic cards depends on the quantity, colour, and finish selected. The cheapest option is typically white cards with a gloss finish, priced at roughly $0.05 each for quantities of 1,000-5,000.
Printing on plastic cards requires a special tray that works with certain printers. Check compatibility with your printer to see if it supports using an inkjet PVC card tray.
