Sofia Martinez
There are several options for writing on a plastic card. You can use a marker pen to write on plastic cards, which will produce clear writing that does not fade for a long time. Alternatively, you can print on plastic cards using a desktop card printer or a thermal ID card printer. The cheapest blank plastic cards are white with a gloss finish, but cards are also available in a variety of colours and finishes, including matte, satin, and fluorescent. You can also add features such as magnetic stripes, scannable barcodes, and QR codes to increase security. Holographic overlays and UV black light ink can also be used to secure the information on your plastic cards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Card colour | Clear, Frosted, White, Black, Metallic, Fluorescent, Light blue, Medium blue, Dark blue, Hospital blue, Cranberry, Medium green, Dark green, Grey, Orange, Pink, Red, Tan, Yellow, Red gold, Green gold, Silver, Copper |
| Card finish | Glossy, Satin, Matte |
| Card thickness | 30 mil, 24 mil |
| Card corners | ¼ rounded, ⅛ rounded, Square, 2 rounded |
| Card add-ons | Drill holes, Magnetic stripe, Scannable barcodes, QR codes, Magnetic stripes, Holographic overlays, UV black light ink |
| Card creation | Custom design, IDCreator's Badge Maker, Microsoft Word placement guide, Synthetic printing paper, Butterfly laminating pouch, Microperforated sheets |
| Writing on cards | Marker pen, Matte finish |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a card type: Clear, frosted, white, or coloured plastic
When choosing a card type, it's important to consider the purpose of the card, the desired level of durability, and the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. Here are some options to consider:
Clear Plastic Cards
Clear plastic cards are 100% transparent and offer a unique, modern look. They come with a thin protective film that should be removed before use to prevent the ink from scratching off. While you can print QR codes on clear plastic, it is not recommended as the transparency may interfere with scanning. This card type is ideal if you want a sleek, minimalist design with bold blocks of colour and large contrasts.
Frosted Plastic Cards
Frosted plastic cards are semi-transparent, providing a textured, cloudy finish. This option is perfect for showcasing lighter colours or photos, as the semi-transparent material can enhance the visibility of softer designs. Frosted cards are also water and tear-resistant, making them a durable choice.
White Plastic Cards
White plastic cards offer a traditional, classic look while still providing the benefits of plastic. They are durable, water-resistant, and tear-resistant, making them long-lasting. White plastic cards are slightly thinner than standard cards, and they are available with various printing options and sizes, including rounded corners.
Coloured Plastic Cards
Coloured plastic cards, including fluorescent and metallic options, are a great way to stand out and be easily recognised. They are made from durable PVC material and are ideal for highly secure operations. It is recommended to print monochrome designs on coloured cards to ensure the text or images are clear and visible.
Each card type offers distinct advantages and design possibilities, allowing you to create a card that suits your specific needs and preferences.
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Card finish: Gloss, satin, or matte
When it comes to card finishes, you have three main options: gloss, satin, or matte. Each finish has its own unique characteristics and advantages, so choosing the right one will depend on the specific needs and desired aesthetic of your card.
Gloss finishes are extremely slick with the highest amount of sheen. They reflect light and make colours look more vibrant, bold, and sharp. This finish is ideal for cards with images, as it makes them pop and stand out. Gloss is a popular choice for credit cards and gift cards as it is easy to clean and provides additional protection against stains and damage.
Satin is a smooth, semi-gloss finish that falls between gloss and matte in terms of shine. It has less sheen than gloss but is not as flat as matte, making it a perfect middle ground. Satin finishes show vibrant colours very well and are a good choice if you want to avoid an extremely glossy or flat look.
Matte finishes have a flat, gritty-textured appearance and a muted, non-shiny feel. They reflect light in different directions, reducing glare and making them easier to read. Matte finishes are the best option if you need to write on your card, as they are more writable surfaces. They are also suitable for cards with dark-coloured backgrounds as they are easier on the eyes.
Ultimately, the choice between gloss, satin, or matte depends on your personal preference, the specific use case of the card, and the impression you want to make. Each finish will complement the design of your card while being durable and withstanding normal wear and tear.
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Design: Simple, bold, with blocks of colour
When designing a plastic card, it's important to keep in mind that the design should be simple, utilising bold blocks of colour with large contrasts between printed objects and the plastic material. This is especially important if you're using clear or frosted plastic, as what appears white in your design will actually be the transparent plastic material.
If you're looking for a simple design aesthetic, consider using a limited colour palette with bold blocks of colour. This can create a striking visual effect, especially if you use colours that contrast well with each other. For example, you could use dark blue and light blue blocks of colour for a crisp, clean look. Or, for something more vibrant, try pairing fluorescent yellow with pink or orange.
In terms of layout, keep it straightforward and balanced. Symmetry is often pleasing to the eye, so consider mirroring the design on the front and back of the card. Leave some negative space to ensure the design doesn't feel cluttered. You can also use different shapes to add interest, such as rectangles or circles, which can be filled with colour or left as negative space.
The text should also be kept simple and bold. A clear, easy-to-read font is essential, and you may want to stick to just one or two font styles to maintain consistency. As for the colour of the text, black or dark grey is often the most readable choice, especially if your card has a light background. If you're using a darker colour palette, consider using white or light grey text for contrast.
Finally, consider adding your logo or a simple illustration to the design. This can help to break up the blocks of colour and add a focal point to the card. If you're using a clear or frosted card, keep in mind that the transparency can affect the visibility of certain design elements, so it's best to keep any important information or design features away from the edges to ensure they're easily visible.
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Writing instrument: Marker pen, or UV black light ink
Marker pens are a popular choice for writing on plastic cards, but if you're looking for something more secure, UV black light ink is a great option. This type of ink is not visible to the naked eye under normal light conditions, but when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, it fluoresces and becomes visible as a neon colour. This technology is often used in event tickets to prevent counterfeiting and can be used in a similar way to add security to plastic cards.
When creating your own plastic cards with UV black light ink, you will need to purchase invisible UV ink pens or UV markers, as well as a UV lamp to view the ink. You can write directly onto the card with the UV pen, and when you shine the UV lamp on the card, the ink will become visible. This method can be used to add unique serial numbers, barcodes, or QR codes to your cards, ensuring their authenticity.
UV black light ink is perfect for loyalty cards, membership cards, gift cards, or any other type of card that requires fraud protection. The ink is virtually impossible to replicate, as it will not appear on scans or photocopies, making your cards highly secure. This can be especially useful for businesses looking to protect their customers' information and ensure the integrity of their loyalty or rewards programs.
When using UV black light ink, it's important to note that some print options or combinations may not be possible due to card thickness and other factors. Always test the ink on a small area of the card first to ensure it works as expected and doesn't smudge or fade over time. Additionally, make sure to store your cards in a safe place away from direct sunlight or other UV light sources to prevent accidental activation of the ink.
Overall, using marker pens or UV black light ink to write on plastic cards provides flexibility in customisation and enhances security. Whether you choose marker pens for a simple and direct approach or UV ink for added protection, you can create durable and unique plastic cards for various purposes.
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Extras: Magnetic stripes, barcodes, or holographic overlays
If you want to add any of these features to your plastic cards, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, magnetic stripes are more complex and slightly more expensive to produce than barcodes, as the stripes must be applied before cutting the cards. Barcodes, on the other hand, are simply printed onto the cards, and they do not hinder your card design as long as they are printed on a light-coloured background. However, it is worth noting that barcode scanners tend to be more expensive than magnetic stripe systems. If you plan to use sequential barcodes, you only need to provide the first number, but for unique barcodes, you will need to submit a spreadsheet with all the numbers.
Magnetic stripes come in several widths, the most common being 1/2", 7/16", 5/16", and 1/8". These stripes can have up to three tracks, although track three is rarely used. Typically, if two tracks are encoded, they contain the same information. The data encoded on the tracks is determined by the POS system the cards will be used with.
Holographic overlays are a great way to enhance the security and durability of your plastic cards. These overlays are thin, clear, and self-adhesive, allowing a clear view of the card information while preventing photocopying and forgery. They come in various designs, such as the Secure Lock Pattern Hologram Film with keyholes and microtext, or the Revolving Earth-4 Globes Design with a floating 3D effect.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic cards are cards made of plastic that can be used for various purposes such as membership cards, ID cards, gift cards, or business cards. They are durable and can be customised with different colours, finishes, and features like magnetic stripes, barcodes, or QR codes.
You can use a marker pen to write on plastic cards. Marker pens allow for clear and long-lasting writing without fading. Alternatively, some cards have matte backs or signature panels specifically designed for writing.
There are several options for customising plastic cards, including different colours, finishes, and corner styles. You can choose from various colours, such as white, blue, green, grey, orange, pink, red, or fluorescent colours. Finishes like gloss, satin, or matte are also available. Additionally, you can opt for rounded or square corners to suit your preference.
The cost of printing on plastic cards varies depending on several factors, including the quantity, colour, and finish selected. Blank white cards with a gloss finish are typically the most affordable option, priced around $0.05 each for quantities of 1,000 to 5,000. Colour options and special finishes like metallic or fluorescent will increase the cost per card.
You can design your own plastic cards using software or online tools like IDCreator's Badge Maker, which offers free design templates. After designing, print your cards onto synthetic paper, which helps trap the ink, and then laminate them using butterfly pouches to create durable, waterproof cards. You can also add security features like holographic overlays or UV black light ink for enhanced protection.
