Print Processes and Card Features

Dye Sublimation

The quickest and cheapest print option available.

A 300dpi print process, suitable for basic designs. Colour replication is accurate but exact Pantone matching is not possible.

Does not print to the edge so not suitable for cards requiring a full edge to edge background design.

Same day service available on most orders.

Retransfer

Also a 300dpi print process but retransfer offers full edge to edge printing.

A two phase process that works by first printing the full design on to a clear film and then bonding this film to the surface of the card.

Heat and pressure ensure a flawless finish even when printing on uneven surfaces such as smart technology cards.

Digital Printing

Digital printing, at 600dpi, gives a higher quality print than retransfer and dye-sublimation and is a more resilient print.

Digital printing also allows for secure features to be added to the card design such as guilloche/fine line designs, microtext and UV printing, along with secure holograms.

It is available on quantities of 100+ cards.

Allow 14-21 working days for delivery although an expedited service is available at extra cost.

Litho Printing

Litho printed cards offer the most superior finish (1200dpi as opposed to 300dpi for standard desktop card printers), allow for highly intricate designs and can be fully Pantone matched.

They are however only suitable for large print runs and minimum orders start from 1000 cards.

Allow 14-21 working days for delivery although an expedited service is available at extra cost.

Hot Foil

Add a luxury feel, and added security, to your cards with hot foil stamping available in gold or silver.

Suitable for text and block images.

Flexible so won’t crack or split if cards are bent.

Allow 14-21 working days for delivery.

Personalisation

Cards can be personalised in a number of ways including.

Photos Add card holder photos in monochrome or full colour.

Printed Signatures or variable images.

Barcodes & QR Codes Can be positioned anywhere on the card. Printed in black resin for crisp lines and easy scanning.

Personal details Include any details relevant to your organisation such as name, title, access rights and expiry dates.

• Sequential numbering - a basic and cost effective security feature to assist with tracking ID card allocation.

  Signature Panels - Can actually be any size, shape and position on the card that you need.

  Scratch Off Panels - Can be placed in any position required on the card to obscure the information printed below, until the panel is scratch off.

Rewrite Cards

Rewrite cards have a heat sensitive surface that changes colour (available in black or blue) when ‘printed’ with a special rewrite printer.

The text or image printed can be removed with the reapplication of heat via the printer, leaving the card blank and ready to be printed again.

Cards can also be printed in full colour in any of the above formats.

Smart technology rewrite cards also available.

Environmentally Friendly Cards

Biodegradable cards Look and perform exactly the same as standard white cards but naturally degrade over a 3 year period when composted.

Security Features

Card forgeries are on the increase due to the growing number and reduced cost of card printers. Card issuers battle against forgeries and card copiers but these can be avoided by introducing simple security features in to card design. Depending on the level of security required, there are a range of printing techniques that can be used

• • - HoloImage
  • - HoloDesign
  • - Holographic Foils/Hot Foil Stamping
  • - Fine Line/Guilloche printing
  • - U.V. overlay printing
  • - Embossing
  • - Signature Panel
  • - Scratch Panel
  • - Microtext
  • - Braille

Smart Cards

We can supply, print and encode a variety of contact and contactless smart technology cards including MIFARE®, HID, Paxton, PAC, TDSi and Cotag, to work with whatever on-site systems you require such as access control, cashless catering, print & copy release or library management.

We also offer MIFARE® chip serial number (CSN) capture and sector encoding/encryption and can supply this information back to you for integration in to your own systems.

Teslin Cards & Fobs

TESLIN® substrate is a synthetic paper material, which provides superior strength over standard PVC cards, plus stronger lamination secures data and prolongs the life of the card. The lamination material bonds into the card as opposed to sitting on top of the surface.

Print and data is further protected through the inks being locked in to the card surface(as opposed to being printed on top).

The flexibility of TESLIN® helps to protect mag stripes and built in card electronics in addition to dissipating static.

Can be cut to any shape or size.

Print on Demand

This service is ideal for organisations that need personalised cards for new members or replacements for lost cards on an ad hoc basis.

Rather than having to own the printing equipment yourself, or wait until you have a large quantity to print, you can send us your requirements as you need them.

We hold your design on file and as and when you require a card, just email us the details and we’ll print the new cards and post them out to you.

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• • - Personalised carrier letters
  • - Leaflet insertion
  • - Lanyard/Badge holder insertion