Alexei Volkov
Printing on plastic cards can be done in a number of ways, depending on your budget and the desired quality of the final product. If you're looking for a simple, low-cost solution, you can purchase business card blanks, graphics editing software, a colour printer, and a heavy-duty laminator to create custom plastic cards at home. However, for higher-quality results, you may need to invest in specialised equipment, such as ID card printers, which can handle printing on thicker PVC cards and add features like magnetic stripes and convex printing.
Characteristics and Values Table for Printing on Plastic Cards
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Printer Type | Inkjet or color laser |
| Printer Model | Eltron, Zebra, Canon CP-220, P310i |
| Printer Features | Special tray for plastic cards, compatibility with card stock |
| Card Material | Teslin, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) |
| Card Thickness | 30 mil (0.8mm) |
| Card Finish | Waterproof, immediate drying |
| Card Customization | Graphics editing software, templates for Adobe Photoshop, GNU GIMP, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Apple Pages |
| Card Protection | Heavy-duty laminator, pouches with magnetic stripes |
| Cost | $0.10 - $0.15 per card |
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What You'll Learn
Printing on plastic cards at home
Step 1: Determine Your Needs
Before investing in any equipment or supplies, it's essential to consider your specific requirements. Ask yourself: Do you need single-sided or double-sided printing? Is a magnetic stripe encoder necessary? How many cards do you plan to print at once, and how important is speed? These factors will influence the type of printer and supplies you'll need.
Step 2: Choose the Right Printer
Select a printer that suits your needs. Some popular options for printing on plastic cards include ID card printers, inkjet printers, and laser printers. Consider the compatibility of the printer with inkjet PVC card trays, as most plastic cards require these special trays for printing. You can also check if your printer can accommodate the thickness of the cards you intend to use.
Step 3: Gather the Necessary Supplies
In addition to your chosen printer, you will need blank plastic cards, ink or toner, and possibly a laminator. Blank plastic cards come in various colors, finishes, and thicknesses, so choose the ones that best suit your requirements. If you opt for a laminator, you can add an extra layer of protection and durability to your printed cards.
Step 4: Prepare Your Design
Use graphics editing software to create your card design. You can set up your design using applications like Adobe Photoshop, GNU GIMP, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, or Apple Pages. Ensure that your design is correctly sized and positioned for printing, especially if you plan to add features like magnetic stripes or slot holes.
Step 5: Print and Finish Your Cards
Once your design is ready, load your printer with the blank plastic cards or the inkjet PVC card trays. Follow the instructions for your specific printer model to ensure proper feeding and printing. After printing, if you're using a laminator, apply the laminate sheets to add a professional finish and protect your cards.
By following these steps and choosing the right equipment and supplies, you can successfully print on plastic cards at home, customizing them according to your specific needs and preferences.
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Using an inkjet printer
Printing on plastic cards can be challenging due to the material's low surface energy, which affects ink adhesion. PVC, the most common material for plastic cards, has a non-stick nature, often resulting in poor print quality. To address this, you can use a specialised printer or prepare the card surface with treatments like Plasma Treatment.
If you're using an inkjet printer, there are some important considerations. Firstly, ensure your printer is compatible with plastic card printing. Check if there is a PVC card tray designed for your printer model. These trays are necessary for printing on plastic cards as they provide the required support and positioning.
Once you have a compatible tray, you'll need the right type of cards. Look for Inkjet PVC Cards, which have a special coating that absorbs ink from inkjet printers. Without this coating, the ink will pool up and not absorb properly. You can use any software application to design your card, but ensure it's set up to print in the correct position. Templates are available online for popular software like Adobe Photoshop, GNU GIMP, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages.
Finally, consider the ink adhesion issue. While Plasma Treatment is one solution, it may not be feasible for smaller operations. An alternative is to use a different material with higher surface energy, such as treated polymers, ceramics, metals, or composite blends. Testing different materials and inks is crucial to finding the right combination for adequate adhesion.
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Choosing the right printer
First, decide on the type of printer you need. Inkjet printers are commonly used for printing on plastic cards, but you'll need to ensure your printer is compatible with the inkjet PVC card trays required for this process. Dye-sublimation printers, such as the p310i model, are also suitable for printing on thicker PVC cards and can produce high-quality, long-lasting results. However, they are more expensive and may only be cost-effective for continuous use.
Another option is to use a specialised ID card printer. These printers are designed specifically for printing on plastic cards and often include additional features such as magnetic stripe encoding and lamination. Brands like Eltron and Zebra offer ID card printers that can produce high-quality results, but they may be more costly.
If you're on a limited budget, a more economical solution is to use business card blanks, a colour printer, and a heavy-duty laminator. You can purchase pre-cut card stock and coating spray to give your cards a more professional feel. This method may be more suitable for reward or loyalty cards, but it requires practice to achieve decent results.
Finally, consider the volume of printing you need. If you require high-volume print runs, look for printers designed for mass production, such as the p310i, which can handle thicker card stock. On the other hand, if you only need a small number of cards, an online printing service or a local shop specialising in custom card printing may be a more convenient and cost-effective option.
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Adding a magnetic stripe
There are two main types of magnetic stripes to choose from: Low Coercivity (LoCo) and High Coercivity (HiCo). LoCo stripes are less expensive and suitable for cards that do not contain highly secure data or get swiped frequently. They are typically dark brown in colour and are prone to damage from magnets or magnetic fields. HiCo stripes, on the other hand, offer greater durability and are better suited for high-security functions and cards that are swiped frequently. They have a stronger magnetic field, making the encoded data more difficult to erase. HiCo stripes are usually black in colour.
The width of magnetic stripes can vary, with common widths being 1/2", 7/16", 5/16", and 1/8". There can be up to three tracks on a magnetic stripe, and you can encode one, two, or three tracks with data. The number of tracks and characters will depend on the requirements of your POS system or card reader. Data can be encoded sequentially or variably, with sequential numbering meaning each card is numbered in sequence, and variable data meaning each card has a unique number sequence.
To add a magnetic stripe to a plastic card, you can either purchase blank plastic cards with magnetic stripes already attached or work with a company that specializes in card creation and printing, such as Plastic Resource. They can guide you through the entire process, from selecting the right magnetic stripe to encoding and printing the cards. The cost per card will depend on the type of card, design, and quantity you choose. Alternatively, you can purchase printable card stock sheets that can be run through standard printers, although creating your own magnetic stripes may be challenging.
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Cost-effectiveness of different methods
The cost-effectiveness of printing on plastic cards depends on several factors, including the volume of cards needed, the desired print quality, and the level of customization required. Here are some methods for printing on plastic cards and a discussion of their cost-effectiveness:
Outsourcing to a Printing Company
Outsourcing your plastic card printing needs to a company like CPS Cards or Print Robot can be cost-effective, especially if you require large quantities of cards. These companies often offer print-on-demand services, allowing you to order cards as needed. This eliminates the upfront cost of purchasing a plastic card printer, which can range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more. Additionally, printing companies can handle full-color printing, customization, and even pre-printed shells that you can personalize with your own plastic card printer.
In-House Plastic Card Printers
Investing in an in-house plastic card printer can make sense if you frequently need customized cards in small batches. While the initial investment is significant, it offers flexibility and convenience. You can print cards on-demand, control the information on each card, and personalize them with names and photos. However, the cost of printing supplies, such as ribbons and blank cards, should be considered. Black ribbon is relatively inexpensive at $0.01-$0.02 per card side, but color ribbon can be pricier, averaging $0.28-$0.40 per card side. Blank plastic cards also vary in price depending on color and finish, with white gloss finish cards being the most affordable at around $0.05 each.
Traditional Screen Printing
Screen printing is a durable and affordable printing technique that produces high-quality results. It involves using a mesh screen to transfer ink onto the card, resulting in vibrant and accurate colors. This method is versatile and can be used to create various designs. However, it may not be as cost-effective for small batches of cards, as it requires separate screens for each color, adding to the setup cost.
Laser Printing
Laser printing is known for producing sharp, clear text and high-quality graphics. It is suitable for printing on various card materials, including PVC, ABS, PETG, and composites. Laser printers use heat to fuse the ink to the card, resulting in durable prints that won't smudge or fade. While laser printers can be expensive, they may be a good investment for businesses that require frequent printing of high-quality, long-lasting cards.
In summary, the cost-effectiveness of different methods depend on your specific needs. For large quantities of cards, outsourcing to printing companies can be more economical. On the other hand, in-house printing with a plastic card printer or traditional methods like screen printing and laser printing may be more cost-effective for small batches of customized cards, depending on your upfront investment capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
If you want to print on plastic cards, you will need a printer that is compatible with inkjet PVC card trays. These trays are special because they allow the ink to be absorbed into the card. You can then use software such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word to design your card and print it.
Inkjet printers are the most common type of printer used for printing on plastic cards. However, you will need to check that your printer is compatible with inkjet PVC card trays. The p310i printer is also designed for high-volume print runs on credit card-type stock.
In addition to a compatible printer and inkjet PVC card trays, you will need plastic cards with a special coating that allows them to absorb ink. You can also buy printable card stock sheets that can be run through most standard printers.
The cost of printing on plastic cards can vary depending on the materials and equipment used. If you are printing at home, the cost of materials such as card stock, coating spray, and laminators can range from $0.10 to $0.15 per card. For higher-quality results, you may need to invest in a more expensive printer or hire a professional service, which can cost upwards of $750.
