Technology and Features for Plastic Cards

A printed plastic card is the starting point. Depending on your application, cards can carry a range of functional technologies — each adding capability, cost, and complexity. Most businesses do not need all of them. Here is what exists and what it actually does.

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Printing
All cards start here. Options include single or double-sided printing, full CMYK colour, spot UV, gloss or matte laminate, and specialist finishes like metallic, frosted, or satin. Print quality is determined by the method (offset litho for large runs, digital for short runs and variable data) and the substrate quality.

Barcodes and QR codes
Printed directly onto the card surface. Can be static (same on every card) or variable (unique per card via variable data printing). Used for loyalty card scanning, access control, product identification, and more. No electronics involved — purely optical.

Magnetic stripe
A band of magnetic oxide on the card back that stores encoded data. Standard in hotel key cards, gift cards, and older loyalty card systems. Requires a magnetic stripe encoder and a reader (card swipe terminal or door lock). Two grades: HiCo (more durable) and LoCo. Increasingly being replaced by chip and RFID but still widely used.

Chip (smart card / EMV)
The gold or silver contact pad you see on bank cards. Contains an integrated circuit that processes transactions securely. Used in payment cards, SIM cards, and some high-security ID applications. Requires specific card bodies and personalisation infrastructure — not typically used for standard loyalty or membership cards.

RFID
Radio Frequency Identification. A chip and antenna embedded inside the card transmits data wirelessly when brought near a reader. No physical contact required. Used for access control, public transport ticketing, and membership systems. Range and frequency vary by application (125kHz EM4100 for basic access, 13.56MHz MIFARE for more sophisticated systems).

NFC
Near Field Communication is a subset of RFID operating at 13.56MHz with a strict range of a few centimetres. Used in contactless payment cards, smartphone tap-to-pay, and increasingly in loyalty and marketing cards. Can interact directly with NFC-enabled smartphones without a dedicated reader.

Signature panel
A white writeable panel on the card back where the holder can sign. Standard on payment cards and gift cards. Adds a small cost but useful where verification of identity matters.

Embossing
Raised characters on the card face, created by a mechanical press. Standard on older bank cards. Largely superseded by chip and contactless but still used for premium cards and some gift card applications. Requires specialist embossing equipment.

Choosing the right combination
Most businesses do not need complex technology. A loyalty card for a hair salon needs a barcode and good print quality. A hotel key needs a magnetic stripe or RFID chip. A premium membership card might need RFID plus embossing. Match the technology to the actual use case and budget — do not add complexity for its own sake.

Not sure what you need?
We manufacture plastic cards in England and can advise on the right specification for your application. Get in touch with your requirements and we will point you in the right direction.

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