What is the best way in showing off your plastic card? Definitely the more color you use the better in most cases. At Plastek Cards we do not charge extra if you are doing 2 colors or 4 colors on one or both sides. This gives you unlimited design ideas so that you don’t have to watch your budget just because you don’t want to spend more on your custom plastic card design.

We offer a variety of gift card displays and card sleeves for your convenience. These products will help you increase your product for your promotion cards at your business.

As a custom manufacturer of wholesale business and corporate plastic gift cards we ensure that our cards are compatible with most POS software or service providers. Whether you have a provider who you are currently working with or you need us to refer one to you, our cards can be custom ordered, designed and programmed to work with your current or new system.

Smart card contains electronic memory, and possibly an embedded integrated circuit (IC). Smart cards have two different types of interfaces– the contact smart card and the contactless smart card. Contactless smart cards only require close proximity to a reader to enable the transmission of data, commands and card status, hypothetically taking less time to authenticate versus contact smart cards. Both reader and card have an internal antenna that securely communicates with the other.

Contact Card

Contact smart cards must be inserted into a smart-card reader. The reader makes contact with the card module electrical connectors that transfer data to and from the chip.

Contactless Card

Contactless smart cards is normally a credit card sized plastic card which is embedded with an integrated circuit chip. It provides not only memory capacity, but computational capability also. Because of this characteristic, smart cards are often used in different applications which require strong security protection and authentication.

RFID Card

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. A RFID system consists of an antenna and a transceiver, which read the radio frequency and transfer the information to a processing device , and a transponder , or tag, which is an integrated circuit containing the radio frequency circuitry and information to be transmitted.

ifare Card

Mifare card is a type of RFID. Philips has developed Mifare MC1 1C S50, Mifare MC1 1C S70 to be used in contactless smart card according to ISO/IEC14443A. The Mifare system is designed for optimal user convenience. The high data transmission rate allows transactions to be handled less than 100ms.

“A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC), is defined as any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process information. This implies that it can receive input which is processed - by way of the ICC applications - and delivered as an output. There are two broad categories of ICCs. Memory Cards contain only non-volatile memory storage components, and perhaps some specific security logic. Microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally PVC, but sometimes ABS. The card may embed a hologram to avoid counterfeiting.”

You can read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card#Contact_smart_card

Many businesses use paper loyalty cards to encourage customers to return multiple times to purchase their products and services. Repeat purchase programs such as “Buy 10 get 1 free” offers entice the customer by keeping them in a state of anticipation for their reward, and people simply love to see the card get punched – it makes them feel like they have gained something tangible each time it happens. What many businesses are coming to realize, however, is that plastic loyalty cards can be even more effective at boosting sales than paper ones. Here are a few tips that you can use to increase your bottom line with plastic loyalty cards.

• Use multiple types of cards, each with its own bold, glossy color, to keep the loyalty offers fresh. For example, the first card can have a simple “Buy 10 get 1 free” offer. But when that card gets redeemed, switch it out for a “10% off on 10 purchases” card. Make each reward a little more interesting and/or valuable than the last, and your customers will stay with you longer.
• Plastic loyalty cards allow you to use thermal printing to put your customer’s picture on the front of the card. By making it “their” card, you increase their perceived value of it, especially if you specify your product in a caption. For example, if you’re running a music shop, you could print “Music Lover” under the customer’s picture.
• Consider making a “mystery loyalty” card that uses special scratch-off overlay panels instead of punch holes. Have different one-time discounts under each panel that must be scratched off by the cashier to be redeemed. Your customers will feel the suspense of wondering what the next discount will be, but they will have to walk into your store to find out!
• Use an encoded magnetic strip to make the loyalty card an easy way to track customer sales over time – something you can’t do with an ordinary paper card. By recording the price of the purchases that your customer makes, you can offer them incentives such as discounts or gift cards as they reach certain purchase thresholds. You can also discover who buys particular types of products and use that information to target your marketing more precisely.

Plastic loyalty cards also have many additional benefits over their paper counterparts. Plastic cards are sturdier than paper ones by nature, which means they will not only be easier to slide in and out of wallets without creasing, but they will also not tear after being hole punched. They also have a more “credit card” or “gift card” feel to them because of size, shape and texture, so customers associate them as being more valuable than easy-to-lose pieces of paper.

Finally, you can count on the uniqueness of a plastic loyalty card that uses any of these tips to draw in more repeat purchases. Very few people are using these strategies and you can benefit from having an interesting twist on the familiar. When you are planning your next loyalty card program, consider the benefits of plastic cards and make your marketing strategy one that has the highest chance of making your customers repeat buyers for years to come.

In the past trading business cards has always been the typical way of getting into a prospect’s contact list. But times have changed. Cards are traded back and forth so often that many have become numb to them, collecting them in stacks on desks or filing them away into wallets, never to be looked at again, until they get cleaned out and tossed into the trash. Today, in order to stand out, be noticed, and get callbacks from the people you want to connect with, it’s more important than ever to have a business card that’s memorable enough to make people want to get in touch with you again and again.

Plastic business cards are an excellent way to stand out from the competition from the moment you place one in a new contact’s hand. Since few people leverage the powerful visual and psychological effects of a non-traditional business card, you can make it easier to create the powerful first impression you need to be remembered. Just think of the times you have received a card that was a little out of the ordinary, and reflect on how you still can remember it after all that time.

Here are a few ways you can use the power of plastic to make your calling card unforgettable as well.

• Make use of a great visual effect on the front of your card. If a people find your card attractive, they will be much more likely to hold on to it. In fact, a well designed card is often shown to friends and other business contacts long after your initial meeting. But unlike traditional paper cards that wear easily, your plastic card will look crisp and neat for a long time to come. Consider for a moment how profitable it would be if your callback rate doubled or tripled, and you’ll see why investing in a compelling design for your card can be a real business-booster.
• Make it effortless for a contact to remember who you are and what you do the first time they look at the card. If you have a professional-quality picture of yourself, you can include it on the front along with a short line about what you do that goes beyond your professional title. This way, your contact will be able to associate a face to your name as well as a general idea of what you offer. This is a powerful way to achieve “top of mind” status with them so your name is the first one they think of when your services are needed.
• Don’t just give out information – let your card become a true conversation starter. While this can be difficult to do with a traditional paper card, plastic business cards with their double-sided nature make this easy to accomplish. On the back of the card, you can create reasons for your contact to call you quickly, whether for a free price quote or a sample consultation to find out if your services are the right fit for them. You could also feature quotes from satisfied customers, or include a special coupon code that compels them to take action. And if you’re not selling anything, the back of the card is always a great place to expand upon your personal story.

Remember, in today’s fast-paced world, it can be extremely difficult to capture people’s attention long enough to start building a long-term business relationship. By giving your contact a well-designed Plastic or laminated business card that will get them to perk up and take notice, you can make it much easier to create a memorable impression that could bring you business for years to come.

Swaying away from the paper gift certificates and using plastic cards instead is a great way to promote and advertise your business. People are giving gift cards for holidays now to save them time from shopping. Offering gift cards gives the consumer a option to buy for someone at your store without having to know specifically what that person likes. With the daily hustle of going to work, spending time with loved ones, making dinner, etc…gift cards are a more convenient way to shop.

Because almost everyone carries at least one plastic card in their wallet or purse, plastic cards are a great opportunity to create awareness for your services or products. Plastic cards allow you to promote your name and your message to the public.

Here are some ways to promote your business by using plastic cards:

1. Business cards. While many people use the traditional business card printed on card stock, nothing about their card really stands out except any colors or images. Make your business card stand out by printing it in high quality plastic that is both durable and strong.
2. Membership Cards. If your business requires a membership, consider having plastic membership cards instead of paper cards. Your membership cards can be printed on plastic that be punched when your members come into your business or purchase items in your store.
3. Gift Cards. For the holidays, you can create customized gift cards on durable plastic. Plastic cards can be printed on one side with your business information – logo, location, etc. – and the other side can include strips to write who it’s to, who it’s from, and how much the gift card is worth.
4. Loyalty Cards. To reward your frequent purchasers, consider giving them a loyalty card that gives them a certain percentage discount every time they buy from you. Consider having a “Share Your Loyalty Day” and have them bring in friends for discounts on certain days.
5. Key Access Cards. If your business has doors that require keys for in/out access, consider switching to a key card access. Your company’s logo can be printed on one side, and the magnetic stripe for in/out access can be printed on the other.
6. Prepaid Phone Cards. Use prepaid phone cards as a way to promote your business and provide long distance service to your customers or prospects. A prepaid phone card with your business logo and information doubles as a gift and a marketing tool.
7. Fundraising Cards. Fundraising cards are perfect for organizations that need fundraising results. These cards entitle the holder to discounts and provides the donating company with increased business. Use these to grow awareness of your business.
8. Key Cards. Any plastic card can be made into a key card that attaches to a key ring for easy access and visibility. Membership and loyalty cards can be made into key cards, or advertise your business or website by printing info on a key card.
9. Luggage Tags. Personalized luggage tags can help you identify your bag from the rest and can help promote your business. You can provide your employees with personalized luggage tags so that they’re promoting your business while traveling.
10. Calendar Cards. Print a calendar on one side of a plastic card and print your business information on the other. People will be inclined to keep the card for the convenience of having the calendar and will be reminded of your services every time.

Most plastic cards are made from PVC, which is frequently used in the plastic card industry and is known for its durability and strength. For an environmentally-friendlier alternative, look into ABS recycled plastic cards, which are manufactured with the same high quality printing and personalization as our standard PVC plastic cards.

When you’re looking to promote your business and/or services, look to plastic cards to promote that message.