Communication with customers involves the use of highly specialized vocabulary - words that are often understood only by printers. Because of this, there is a misunderstanding of the parties, and not at all the result that was expected. To avoid such embarrassment, we offer a short glossary of terms most often used in the field of printing plastic cards.
Contactless cards are plastic cards, the work of which is carried out thanks to integrated circuits. Such cards work remotely in relation to reading machines. Therefore, a settlement operation or access to an object can be obtained even without sticking with the device card.
A hologram is one of the security elements of a plastic card. For its production, hot stamping of a holographic foil is used, which serves as an indicator of the authenticity of the card.
Security elements are parts on plastic cards that protect them from counterfeiting and fraudulent schemes. The security elements include a micro font, a hologram, and ultraviolet printing.
Indent seal - extrusion of characters that do not protrude on the surface of the card. Letters or numbers are engraved and do not have a relief (unlike embossing). Thus, indent printing does not provide for deformation of the plastic on the back of the card.
Varnishing - covering a printed plastic card with a special varnish that protects the surface of the product from mechanical damage. Thanks to high-quality varnishing, the service life of the cards increases, as well as their field of application. Lacquered plastic cards are suitable for discounts and business cards, as well as for payment bank cards.
Lamination - plastic covering the card with a protective film - laminate. This procedure protects the surface of the product from scratches and abrasions. Compared to varnishing, lamination is more expensive. However, this is justified, because the card covered with laminate will last longer. Laminated plastic cards are abrasion resistant and allow the application of additional elements (hologram, magnetic stripe, signature panel).
A magnetic stripe is an electronic storage medium with limited memory that is applied to the back of the card. Reading information from such a card is performed by swiping a strip along the magnetic head. Magnetic stripes are used in the manufacture of bank payment cards, discounts, telephone and gift cards, key passes, and transport cards.
Microtext are small symbols on the map that are not readable by the human eye. They serve to protect the authenticity of the product and are read by special devices. Microtext application is not a cheap procedure. Therefore, the use of such protection is relevant only for bank cards.
Personalization is putting various information on a plastic card. This can be data about the cardholder, number, date of issue, card expiration date.
Scratch card - a plastic card that has an erasable scratch layer. A secret code is often hidden under it, which serves to activate the card, replenish the account.
Typing is the covering of signs embossed (embossed) on the card with foil or special paint.
Embossing is a relief embossing of signs and symbols on a plastic card.
Contactless cards are plastic cards, the work of which is carried out thanks to integrated circuits. Such cards work remotely in relation to reading machines. Therefore, a settlement operation or access to an object can be obtained even without sticking with the device card.
A hologram is one of the security elements of a plastic card. For its production, hot stamping of a holographic foil is used, which serves as an indicator of the authenticity of the card.
Security elements are parts on plastic cards that protect them from counterfeiting and fraudulent schemes. The security elements include a micro font, a hologram, and ultraviolet printing.
Indent seal - extrusion of characters that do not protrude on the surface of the card. Letters or numbers are engraved and do not have a relief (unlike embossing). Thus, indent printing does not provide for deformation of the plastic on the back of the card.
Varnishing - covering a printed plastic card with a special varnish that protects the surface of the product from mechanical damage. Thanks to high-quality varnishing, the service life of the cards increases, as well as their field of application. Lacquered plastic cards are suitable for discounts and business cards, as well as for payment bank cards.
Lamination - plastic covering the card with a protective film - laminate. This procedure protects the surface of the product from scratches and abrasions. Compared to varnishing, lamination is more expensive. However, this is justified, because the card covered with laminate will last longer. Laminated plastic cards are abrasion resistant and allow the application of additional elements (hologram, magnetic stripe, signature panel).
A magnetic stripe is an electronic storage medium with limited memory that is applied to the back of the card. Reading information from such a card is performed by swiping a strip along the magnetic head. Magnetic stripes are used in the manufacture of bank payment cards, discounts, telephone and gift cards, key passes, and transport cards.
Microtext are small symbols on the map that are not readable by the human eye. They serve to protect the authenticity of the product and are read by special devices. Microtext application is not a cheap procedure. Therefore, the use of such protection is relevant only for bank cards.
Personalization is putting various information on a plastic card. This can be data about the cardholder, number, date of issue, card expiration date.
Scratch card - a plastic card that has an erasable scratch layer. A secret code is often hidden under it, which serves to activate the card, replenish the account.
Typing is the covering of signs embossed (embossed) on the card with foil or special paint.
Embossing is a relief embossing of signs and symbols on a plastic card.
