Carding Forum
Professional
White plastic
White plastic is a popular and economical option for making cards. There are no restrictions on printing, personalization and decoration when working with it.
The color on the finished plastic card usually matches the one stated in the layout. Color distortions sometimes occur, because even white plastic can have a different shade - colder or warmer. Such inaccuracies are barely noticeable, but we ask you not to neglect ordering a trial print run and color proofs.
White plastic is printed both by offset and digital methods. Both methods produce high-quality prints, the differences being in the color space coverage. Offset printing uses PANTONE paints, so it can convey a wider range of shades: pastel, acid, complex gradient colors.
Gold plastic
Gold plastic has a grainy metallic texture that shines and shimmers in the sun. Gold is a rich, self-sufficient color, it recreates a feeling of luxury and prosperity. Cards made of gold plastic are suitable for high-value discount cards, gift certificates, VIP cards, elite and limited series.
White can only be printed on a gold surface using offset printing. Digital equipment cannot print white on gold.
Please note that due to the gold base, the other colors on the card will differ from those stated in the layout. The original shades can be easily preserved by placing a white base over the gold, but then the metallic shine will be lost. This method is used when the design is applied only to part of the gilded card. When filling with color, print on silver plastic.
Before starting to manufacture cards on gold plastic, we recommend ordering a trial run of plastic cards or ready-made samples.
If you place a barcode on gold plastic cards, consider the reading indicators of the device, since not all scanners have the necessary sensitivity. The barcode is guaranteed to be read when a white plate is first applied to the gold surface, and then the barcode.
The price of gold plastic cards is higher than white ones. Take a look at the portfolio of the company "Country of Cards", there you will find design options for gold plastic cards.
Silver plastic
Silver plastic has a sparkling, iridescent structure. In its main parameters, it is similar to gold plastic: pleasant shine, similar grainy texture.
On a silver surface, as on a gold one, white color is applied only by means of offset printing. Digital printers print in all colors except white.
The silver base distorts the colors less, they are superimposed on top, merge and acquire a metallic shade. You can apply a colored image to a white base, then the shades will be richer, but the specific metallic texture will disappear. In the portfolio of "Country of Maps" you will find design layouts in which this method is used.
Before ordering a print run of plastic cards, be sure to ask for a trial print run or ready samples. This way you will be sure of the print quality and ensure that the color rendering is correct.
The cost of manufacturing plastic cards from silver plastic is the same as from gold. New generation devices rarely have problems with scanning barcodes, but for guaranteed reading it is recommended to apply a white plate. High contrast will eliminate possible problems.
Transparent plastic
Transparent plastic is used to create cards with an interesting, creative design. This type of plastic can be printed on without any limitations using the offset method. If you print using a laser, the image will be translucent in most cases, even if you apply a white base underneath. Transparent plastic can be glossy or matte, the latter having less transparency. With certain methods of placing information, cards can be double-sided. Embossing, textured foil stamping and selective varnish are well applied to transparent plastic.
If you want to remove transparency in a specific area of a plastic card, first apply white paint, and then a full-color drawing on top. If we talk about “creative” design of plastic cards, then in 90% of cases this applies to cards made of transparent plastic - artists, photographers, art agencies and design studios use them as an advertisement for their creative skills.
Order a trial print run in advance or ask the manager to send samples, then questions about the quality of printing and getting into the layout will immediately disappear. Be sure to look at the portfolio of the company "Country of Cards", there we have posted design options for plastic cards made of transparent plastic.
Mother of pearl plastic
Mother-of-pearl plastic has a fascinating sparkling surface and very fine grain. The color of mother-of-pearl is close to white, so it distorts the original colors to a much lesser extent than gold and silver. Moreover, it makes them more saturated and juicy. The fine grain fraction gives the mother-of-pearl shine modesty and delicacy.
There are no limitations when printing on pearlescent plastic using the offset method. If you print an image using digital printing, you will not be able to apply white color or a white base.
The price of cards made of mother-of-pearl plastic is no different from cards made of silver and gold.
Although pearlescent plastic slightly distorts colors, we strongly recommend ordering a trial run or requesting samples to 100% ensure the quality of printing and color accuracy.
Source
White plastic is a popular and economical option for making cards. There are no restrictions on printing, personalization and decoration when working with it.
The color on the finished plastic card usually matches the one stated in the layout. Color distortions sometimes occur, because even white plastic can have a different shade - colder or warmer. Such inaccuracies are barely noticeable, but we ask you not to neglect ordering a trial print run and color proofs.
White plastic is printed both by offset and digital methods. Both methods produce high-quality prints, the differences being in the color space coverage. Offset printing uses PANTONE paints, so it can convey a wider range of shades: pastel, acid, complex gradient colors.
Gold plastic
Gold plastic has a grainy metallic texture that shines and shimmers in the sun. Gold is a rich, self-sufficient color, it recreates a feeling of luxury and prosperity. Cards made of gold plastic are suitable for high-value discount cards, gift certificates, VIP cards, elite and limited series.
White can only be printed on a gold surface using offset printing. Digital equipment cannot print white on gold.
Please note that due to the gold base, the other colors on the card will differ from those stated in the layout. The original shades can be easily preserved by placing a white base over the gold, but then the metallic shine will be lost. This method is used when the design is applied only to part of the gilded card. When filling with color, print on silver plastic.
Before starting to manufacture cards on gold plastic, we recommend ordering a trial run of plastic cards or ready-made samples.
If you place a barcode on gold plastic cards, consider the reading indicators of the device, since not all scanners have the necessary sensitivity. The barcode is guaranteed to be read when a white plate is first applied to the gold surface, and then the barcode.
The price of gold plastic cards is higher than white ones. Take a look at the portfolio of the company "Country of Cards", there you will find design options for gold plastic cards.
Silver plastic
Silver plastic has a sparkling, iridescent structure. In its main parameters, it is similar to gold plastic: pleasant shine, similar grainy texture.
On a silver surface, as on a gold one, white color is applied only by means of offset printing. Digital printers print in all colors except white.
The silver base distorts the colors less, they are superimposed on top, merge and acquire a metallic shade. You can apply a colored image to a white base, then the shades will be richer, but the specific metallic texture will disappear. In the portfolio of "Country of Maps" you will find design layouts in which this method is used.
Before ordering a print run of plastic cards, be sure to ask for a trial print run or ready samples. This way you will be sure of the print quality and ensure that the color rendering is correct.
The cost of manufacturing plastic cards from silver plastic is the same as from gold. New generation devices rarely have problems with scanning barcodes, but for guaranteed reading it is recommended to apply a white plate. High contrast will eliminate possible problems.
Transparent plastic
Transparent plastic is used to create cards with an interesting, creative design. This type of plastic can be printed on without any limitations using the offset method. If you print using a laser, the image will be translucent in most cases, even if you apply a white base underneath. Transparent plastic can be glossy or matte, the latter having less transparency. With certain methods of placing information, cards can be double-sided. Embossing, textured foil stamping and selective varnish are well applied to transparent plastic.
If you want to remove transparency in a specific area of a plastic card, first apply white paint, and then a full-color drawing on top. If we talk about “creative” design of plastic cards, then in 90% of cases this applies to cards made of transparent plastic - artists, photographers, art agencies and design studios use them as an advertisement for their creative skills.
Order a trial print run in advance or ask the manager to send samples, then questions about the quality of printing and getting into the layout will immediately disappear. Be sure to look at the portfolio of the company "Country of Cards", there we have posted design options for plastic cards made of transparent plastic.
Mother of pearl plastic
Mother-of-pearl plastic has a fascinating sparkling surface and very fine grain. The color of mother-of-pearl is close to white, so it distorts the original colors to a much lesser extent than gold and silver. Moreover, it makes them more saturated and juicy. The fine grain fraction gives the mother-of-pearl shine modesty and delicacy.
There are no limitations when printing on pearlescent plastic using the offset method. If you print an image using digital printing, you will not be able to apply white color or a white base.
The price of cards made of mother-of-pearl plastic is no different from cards made of silver and gold.
Although pearlescent plastic slightly distorts colors, we strongly recommend ordering a trial run or requesting samples to 100% ensure the quality of printing and color accuracy.
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