Tomcat
Professional
- Messages
- 2,689
- Reaction score
- 963
- Points
- 113
Plastic cards have become part of our life. Almost all financial institutions, shops and entertainment centers have terminals that allow you to quickly pay for services and goods received, using a seemingly small but important plastic card that carries information about your account.
Plastic cards are also used in the field of marketing. To attract more visitors, various establishments (shops, shopping and entertainment centers, etc.) offer their customers bonus programs in the form of plastic cards, which allow them to save financial resources.
Most likely, rarely did anyone think about how this miracle of technical progress was created, which greatly simplifies the process of paying for services and purchases. What technologies are used in their manufacture?
How are plastic cards printed?
The main printing methods for traditional PVC-based cards are offset or sublimation printing, and a special digital machine is used for laminated board products. Next, we will take a closer look at each of these methods for printing cards.
Plastic cards offset printing
Offset printing makes it possible to obtain an image of the highest quality, which will fully correspond to the original, and at the same time, the elaboration of even the smallest details will be carried out at a high level. In addition, the brightness of the colors also provides advantages for this type of printing.
Offset printing technology is the best option for the production of discount cards or other types of such products in large quantities. In this case, it will be possible to significantly reduce the cost of products, which will naturally affect customers. Also, it is important that with the help of this technology it is possible to apply a varnish coating that reliably protects the product.
Sublimation method of printing (thermal printing) of plastic cards
Printing using this method can only be performed on a special printer. During the application of the image, thanks to special equipment, the paint is literally fused into the surface of the card. This technology makes it possible to create a product that is resistant to mechanical factors.
This procedure is most appropriate when only a small number of cards are required. But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that with this technology it is possible to apply an image only with a low resolution (300 dpi). Very small picture elements may not be printed.
Digital printing of plastic cards
Digital printing today is the most advanced technology that allows you to obtain images with high resolution (2400x2400 dpi). All the necessary manipulations, in this case, are carried out directly from the computer.
The advantages of this method are high printing accuracy, color saturation, and high speed. For protection, the card is laminated on both sides. It is also important that in this way you can immediately personalize the card.
Plastic cards are also used in the field of marketing. To attract more visitors, various establishments (shops, shopping and entertainment centers, etc.) offer their customers bonus programs in the form of plastic cards, which allow them to save financial resources.
Most likely, rarely did anyone think about how this miracle of technical progress was created, which greatly simplifies the process of paying for services and purchases. What technologies are used in their manufacture?
How are plastic cards printed?
The main printing methods for traditional PVC-based cards are offset or sublimation printing, and a special digital machine is used for laminated board products. Next, we will take a closer look at each of these methods for printing cards.
Plastic cards offset printing
Offset printing makes it possible to obtain an image of the highest quality, which will fully correspond to the original, and at the same time, the elaboration of even the smallest details will be carried out at a high level. In addition, the brightness of the colors also provides advantages for this type of printing.
Offset printing technology is the best option for the production of discount cards or other types of such products in large quantities. In this case, it will be possible to significantly reduce the cost of products, which will naturally affect customers. Also, it is important that with the help of this technology it is possible to apply a varnish coating that reliably protects the product.
Sublimation method of printing (thermal printing) of plastic cards
Printing using this method can only be performed on a special printer. During the application of the image, thanks to special equipment, the paint is literally fused into the surface of the card. This technology makes it possible to create a product that is resistant to mechanical factors.
This procedure is most appropriate when only a small number of cards are required. But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that with this technology it is possible to apply an image only with a low resolution (300 dpi). Very small picture elements may not be printed.
Digital printing of plastic cards
Digital printing today is the most advanced technology that allows you to obtain images with high resolution (2400x2400 dpi). All the necessary manipulations, in this case, are carried out directly from the computer.
The advantages of this method are high printing accuracy, color saturation, and high speed. For protection, the card is laminated on both sides. It is also important that in this way you can immediately personalize the card.
