Creating Your Perfect Custom Plastic Card: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Custom plastic cards are the perfect tool to make a lasting impression and build customer loyalty. Whether you're creating personalized loyalty cards, employee access cards, or membership cards, having a plastic card printer and its accompanying accessories are essential. In this article we'll review the features, benefits, pros and cons of plastic card printers, the various types of card printer accessories, and wrap up with a summary review.

Plastic Card Printers

Features

Plastic card printers are versatile, allowing you to print detailed full colour designs onto the surface of any custom card. Whether you're using simple text and logos, or more complex artwork like photo IDs, the plastic card printers guarantee a high-quality finish every time.

Benefits

The craftsmanship and print quality of plastic card printers make them ideal for any business or organization. Whether you're managing a small business or a large enterprise, the plastic card printers are a reliable, cost-effective solution to creating professional-looking prints without the need for a third-party printing service. This reduces time, effort and cost associated with bulk orders.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Prints custom, high-quality professional designs.
• Cost-effective and efficient solution for bulk orders.
• Versatile and easy to use.

Cons:

• Can be costly for low volume orders.
• Requires a learning curve to get the best quality prints.

Case Study 1

ABC Entertainment is an event venue hosting large-scale parties and special occasions. ABC Entertainment wanted an efficient and cost-effective way to create customised membership cards for their yearly members, and chose to invest in a custom plastic card printer. The printer allowed them to make professional looking membership cards that appealed to their customers, while also reducing costs and time compared to if they'd used third-party printing services.

Case Study 2

XYZ Bakery is a small business that creates custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. XYZ Bakery wanted to create custom loyalty cards for their customers so they could reward them for repeat purchases. The bakery had the custom plastic card printer delivered to their store and used it to make loyalty cards with detailed artwork. This increased customer loyalty and allowed the bakery to increase their profit margins.

FAQs

• How much do custom plastic card printers cost? The cost of a plastic card printer varies based on the quality and features. The average cost is around $1,200, but some can range up to $20,000.
• Are plastic card printers easy to use? Yes, plastic card printers are easy to use when the guidelines are properly followed. However, they may require a learning curve to get the best quality prints.
• Are plastic card printers a good solution for companies? Yes, plastic card printers are a great solution for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to large enterprises. They are typically cost-effective and provide a reliable, professional printing solution.

Mistakes People Make

• Not following the instructions for installation and operation.
• Using cheap, low-quality card stock that doesn't hold up well.
• Not cleaning and maintaining the printer regularly.
• Forgetting to update the software.
• Not accounting for ink and card stock costs.

Best Practices

• Read the instruction manual before using.
• Use card stock specifically designed for plastic card printers.
• Clean and maintain the printer on a regular basis.
• Make sure the printer software is up to date.
• Calculate the total cost of the plastic card printer, including ink and card stock costs.

Card Printer Accessories

Cameras

Cameras are essential for taking high-quality photos to be printed on the plastic cards. Cameras are typically more expensive than traditional film cameras, but they are designed to be used specifically with plastic card printers for the best quality prints.

Colour Ribbons

Colour ribbons are used in conjunction with the camera to create a full-colour image on the custom card. They are essential for reproducing detailed artwork and graphics. They typically come in standard and glossy finishes and are compatible with most plastic card printers.

Card Stock

Card stock is the material that the custom card is made from. It is important to use card stock specifically designed for plastic card printers, as it will hold up better and provide a higher-quality print. The card stock should also be appropriately sized for the printer and compatible with the camera and colour ribbons.

Card Enclosures

Card enclosures are used to protect the custom card from dirt, dust, and moisture. They come in a range of materials, such as plastic, metal, and leather. Card enclosures also help to make the card look more professional and can be customised with printing, logos, and artwork.

Summary Review

Custom plastic card printers are great for businesses and organisations of all sizes. Whether you're creating personalized loyalty cards, employee access cards, membership cards, or photo IDs, plastic card printers provide a reliable and cost-effective way to create professional-looking prints. Accompanying accessories such as cameras, ribbons, card stock, and enclosures provide extra protection and help to create the best quality prints. Plastic card printers are a great investment for companies that are looking for an efficient and cost-effective printing solution.