About this service
We appreciate that card scheme requirements vary enormously, which is why we offer an extensive choice of card personalisation options including embossing, encoding, barcoding, 2D codes, thermal printing, “Drop on Demand” printing, inkjet printing and thermal re-transfer.
DoD
Our superfast drop on demand system utilises the latest plasma surface technology to ensure the highest quality personalisation without compromising output. Numbers names or barcodes are printed perfectly with the potential to encode a magnetic stripe at the same time.
Thermal printing
Flat thermal card personalisation is supported by a comprehensive range of equipment including a bank of NBS S18 Imagemasters. In addition to this, encoding can also be achieved in the same pass as high-speed thermal printing. Font styles are unlimited and for any special font requirements we can use customer supplied fonts. We are also able to personalise in a variety of different colours.
Embossing
Card embossing with encoding is fulfilled in-line by industry standard Datacard systems, providing bank quality card personalisation in both OCR B and Simplex characters. Specific card designs and applications can be enhanced by choosing embossing as a form of card personalisation. Embossed data is colour tipped as standard from a variety of colour choices using the best available, durable and high quality foil.
Encoding
This process involves both writing to the stripe and reading back the information to verify the encoded data is always within ISO specification. All our methods are capable of encoding both loco and hico magnetic stripe cards. Mifare chip encoding modules are run in-line with thermal card printers, providing a dedicated and secure infrastructure from which to issue contactless smart cards.
Barcoding
Using barcodes on plastic cards provides customers with a number of benefits including fast and accurate automated work processes, which can save businesses time and money. Plastic Card Services® are fully equipped to apply high quality barcodes to plastic cards or key fobs. The standard methods are either 360/720dpi high quality DoD UV inkjet or thermal card personalisation. State of the art barcode analysis hardware and software is used to ensure barcodes are printed in accordance with ANSI/ISO grading. Barcoded cards can be provided with either standard eye-readable characters or special characters for partially-sighted people.
2D/QR
Plastic Card Services® can produce 2D codes, also referred to as QR codes using thermal and DoD printing. 2D codes provide the added benefit of being able to store significantly more than the more traditional 20-character barcode, giving you the opportunity to be more creative with your scheme and encourage customer engagement.
Variable fields
Using VDP technology and card personalisation equipment we can print names, numbers, dates etc. onto finished cards. Cards are processed in conjunction with a data set supplied by the customer. Data can be supplied in many formats depending on your requirements and our experienced Data Department can help to set up any bespoke requirements.
Atlantic Zeiser
Our custom built premises are equipped with the very latest in card personalisation technology. Following a major period of investment in this area, we became the first in Europe to install an Atlantic Zeiser DoD UV inkjet system capable of offering personalisation in white as well as black.
The Atlantic Zeiser DoD is capable of personalising, encoding and attaching labels to cards at speeds of up to 30,000 cards per hour.
Digital VDP
As well as printing variable data (names, numbers etc) onto finished cards, we can also use our digital print capabilities to personalise cards at the point of print, using HP’s SmartStream software and our HP Indigo digital press. Whether this be personalised text or images for photo ID cards, or completely unique card designs.
Data Processing
We recognise that although our customers may have data they can supply to us for card personalisation, it may only be formatted for their own in-house requirements and not necessarily suited to ours. Wherever possible, we aim to format, collate and cleanse (if required) the source data so that your final personalised cards and accompanied mailings are exactly how you envisage.
Anything from a sequential number range, to barcode and magnetic stripe encoding can often be produced without the requirement to even supply us with any data. We can also pre-sort larger batches of mailing data to enable you to save money on postage.
Let us know what you need
Our team of card specialists can help you choose the right level of personalisation for you card scheme.
