Custom Gift Card Printing: High-Quality Cards for Your Business
Welcome to Plastic Card ID: Where Custom Gift Card Printing Comes Alive
What makes a customer come back? Sometimes it is great service. Sometimes it is a good price. But more often than you might think, it is something small and tangible sitting inside their wallet - a beautifully printed plastic gift card that carries your brand everywhere they go. At Plastic Card ID, we have been turning that simple idea into powerful business results for over 25 years.
We have helped more than 100,000 businesses create custom gift cards, loyalty programs, membership credentials, and much more. With over 50 million cards sold and shipped nationally, we know what it takes to help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace. Whether you are a small boutique or a growing enterprise, we are ready to be your strategic partner in print.
Our team is passionate about delivering high-quality, durable plastic cards that make a lasting impression. We do not just print cards - we craft tools that connect your brand to your customers in a very real, very physical way. And when you are ready to get started, we make the entire process as smooth and simple as possible, from design to delivery, right to your door.
Ready to elevate your brand? Call us today at 800-835-7919 and let us show you what a difference a great card can make for your business.
Why Plastic Gift Cards Outperform Paper Every Time
Paper gift certificates have their place in history, but plastic gift cards have taken the spotlight - and for very good reason. Studies show that businesses switching from paper certificates to professional plastic gift cards see sales increases of up to 100%. That is not a typo. A single upgrade in card material can double your gift certificate revenue by making the product feel more valuable and more permanent in the hands of your customers.
Plastic cards are durable, professional, and far less likely to be lost, damaged, or forgotten. They feel like something worth keeping. When your customer holds a well-designed plastic gift card, they feel the quality of your brand before they even walk through your door. That first impression creates confidence and drives spending in ways paper simply cannot match.
We design and print our plastic gift cards with rich, vibrant color and sharp detail that makes your logo, artwork, and brand colors pop. The result is a card that looks premium because it is premium. When you invest in your brand presentation, your customers notice - and they reward you for it with their loyalty and their wallets.
Gift Cards That Grow Your Sales by 35-50%
One of the most exciting things about custom gift card printing is what the numbers say. Gift cards are proven marketing tools that boost sales by 35-50% compared to businesses that do not offer them. They drive new customers into your store, encourage larger purchases, and often result in recipients spending more than the card's face value. It is one of the smartest marketing investments you can make.
When a customer gives one of your gift cards as a present, they are essentially doing your marketing for you. They are handing a new potential customer a branded, physical invitation to experience your business. That kind of organic, word-of-mouth promotion is invaluable - and it all starts with a card that looks and feels good enough to give as a gift.
We help you design cards that people are proud to give. From the layout to the finish, every detail is handled with care so that your gift card becomes a reflection of everything great about your brand. Let us help you turn gift-giving season - and every season - into a sales opportunity you cannot afford to miss.
National Shipping, Fast Turnaround, Total Convenience
No matter where your business is located, we ship custom plastic cards directly to you, anywhere in the country. We have built our fulfillment process around speed and reliability so that you get your cards when you need them, without stress or delays. Our national reach means your local business gets the same attention and quality as any big-city brand.
We also make reordering simple. When you run low on cards, all it takes is a quick call or message to get your next order rolling. We keep your artwork on file, making reorders fast and hassle-free. You should never have to worry about running out of the cards that keep your customers coming back.
Custom Gift Card Printing: Our Expertise, Your Advantage
Custom gift card printing is not just a product we offer - it is a specialty we have refined over decades of experience. We understand the details that matter, from card thickness and coating options to full-bleed printing and magnetic stripe encoding. Every card we produce is built to the highest standards so that it works flawlessly and looks stunning every single time.
Our portfolio covers an impressive range of card types. Whether you need a straightforward gift card for a restaurant, a tiered loyalty card for a retail chain, or a sophisticated membership card for an exclusive club, we have the tools and experience to deliver. We are a one-stop shop for everything related to plastic card printing, and we take pride in knowing our craft inside and out.
Types of Custom Cards We Print
Our product line spans a wide variety of card categories designed to serve different business needs. No matter your industry, we have a card solution that fits your goals and your brand perfectly. Here is a look at the types of cards we produce for businesses across the country:
- Custom Gift Cards with magnetic stripes or barcodes
- Loyalty and Rewards Cards for repeat customer programs
- Membership Cards for clubs, gyms, and associations
- Employee ID Badges and photo ID cards
- Hotel Key Cards and access control cards
- Casino Player Cards and VIP cards
- RFID and contactless smart cards
- Clear plastic cards and specialty shape cards
- Luxury metal cards crafted from stainless steel or gold-finish materials
- Alumni and union credential cards
Each of these card types is available with custom design options, finishes, and functional features that align with your specific needs. We work with you to determine the right specifications so that your cards are not just beautiful - they are functional, durable, and perfectly suited for how you plan to use them in your business.
Specialty Card Options That Make Brands Unforgettable
Sometimes a standard card is not enough. For brands that want to make an extraordinary impression, we offer specialty options that go far beyond the ordinary. Clear plastic cards give your design a sleek, modern feel that turns heads and sparks conversations. Custom-shaped cards in die-cut designs make your brand memorable in a way that a rectangle simply cannot achieve.
Our luxury metal cards are crafted from premium materials including stainless steel and gold-finish metals. These cards carry an undeniable sense of prestige and exclusivity. When a customer receives a metal card, they do not just feel appreciated - they feel special. That emotional connection is exactly what builds long-term brand loyalty at the highest level.
We also offer RFID smart cards equipped with contactless technology, including options like MIFARE DESFire, ideal for access control, hotel key functions, or advanced loyalty programs. These high-tech cards combine cutting-edge functionality with beautiful design, giving your business a professional, forward-thinking image that your customers will respect and remember.
Encodings, Magnetic Stripes, and Functional Features
A great-looking card is only part of the story. The technology inside or on the card is what makes it truly useful. We offer magnetic stripe encoding, barcode printing, sequential numbering, signature panels, and RFID chip integration - all handled in-house with precision and care. These features turn a decorative card into a powerful business tool.
Magnetic stripes allow your gift cards and loyalty cards to integrate seamlessly with point-of-sale systems, making transactions fast and easy for both your staff and your customers. Barcodes and QR codes offer flexible tracking and redemption options that work with a wide range of software platforms. We make sure every card we produce is ready to work the moment it reaches your hands.
Card Printers and Refill Supplies: Everything You Need In One Place
| Printer Type | Best For | Print Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Sided Desktop Printer | Small businesses, ID cards | Low to Medium |
| Dual-Sided Desktop Printer | Employee badges, membership cards | Medium |
| High-Volume Card Printer | Retailers, large organizations | High |
| RFID Encoding Printer | Access control, smart card programs | Varies |
We are much more than a card printing company. We are also a leading supplier of card printers and all of the refill supplies you need to keep your in-house card program running smoothly. Whether you are printing employee badges at your front desk or running a full loyalty card program from your retail location, we have the right printer for the job and we ship it straight to you, anywhere in the country.
Choosing the right card printer can feel overwhelming, but we make it easy. Our team helps you evaluate your printing volume, the types of cards you need, and the features that matter most to your operation. From there, we recommend the best solution and get everything set up so that you can start printing professional cards right away without any guesswork.
Top Card Printer Brands and Models We Carry
We carry a curated selection of card printers from the industry's most trusted manufacturers. These printers are chosen for their reliability, print quality, and ease of use, so that whether you are a tech-savvy IT professional or a small business owner new to card printing, you can get great results without frustration. Our selection includes models from brands known for consistent performance and long-lasting build quality.
From compact desktop printers ideal for printing a few dozen cards per week, to robust high-volume machines built for printing thousands of cards per day, we have options across the full spectrum of business needs. We also carry dual-sided printers that allow you to print on both sides of the card in a single pass, saving you time and ensuring a polished, professional result every time.
Printer Ribbons, Overlaminates, and Refill Supplies
A card printer is only as good as the supplies that feed it, and we stock everything you need to keep production running without interruption. Our ribbon selection includes YMCKO, monochrome, and specialty options designed for different card types and printer models. We stock genuine replacement ribbons that deliver sharp, accurate color reproduction with every print run.
We also carry cleaning kits, blank card stock in multiple thicknesses, overlaminate film for added durability and scratch resistance, and printer maintenance supplies. Keeping your printer in top condition is easy when you have a reliable supplier who ships fast and knows the products inside and out. That is exactly what we offer, and we are just a phone call away at 800-835-7919 when you need to restock.
- YMCKO full-color ribbons for vibrant card designs
- Monochrome ribbons for clean, single-color ID printing
- Retransfer film for edge-to-edge, high-definition printing
- Overlaminate film for UV protection and scratch resistance
- Cleaning cards and roller cleaning kits
- Blank PVC cards in CR80 standard and custom thicknesses
- Card cleaning swabs and maintenance tools
How to Choose the Right Supplies for Your Printer
Matching your supplies to your specific printer model is critically important for getting the best results and protecting your investment. Using the wrong ribbon can damage print heads, create poor image quality, or cause jams that interrupt your workflow. We help you identify the exact supplies that are compatible with your printer so that you never have to guess or risk a costly mistake.
Our team is knowledgeable about all the major printer brands and models we carry. When you call us, we can quickly look up your printer's specifications and recommend the right ribbon, overlaminate, and blank card stock to match. It is a level of personalized service that you will not find from a generic online retailer, and it is one of the reasons our customers keep coming back to us year after year.
Loyalty Cards and Reward Programs: Building Relationships That Last
In today's competitive market, earning a customer's first purchase is just the beginning. The real value lies in turning that first-time buyer into a loyal, repeat customer who keeps choosing your brand over every competitor. That is exactly what a well-designed loyalty card program achieves, and we are here to help you build one that works beautifully and consistently.
Loyalty cards give customers a tangible reason to return. Every visit, every purchase, every reward earned is represented by a physical card that reminds them of your brand and the value you provide. Unlike a digital app that can be deleted with a tap, a plastic loyalty card lives in the wallet - always present, always reminding your customer of the rewards waiting for them when they return.
Designing a Loyalty Program That Drives Repeat Business
The key to a successful loyalty program is simplicity paired with real value. Customers should be able to understand and use your program without any confusion. We help you design loyalty cards that are clear, attractive, and aligned with the rewards structure you offer. Whether it is a punch card, a points accumulator, or a tiered membership system, we design the card to communicate your program quickly and effectively.
A beautifully branded loyalty card also serves as a constant marketing touchpoint. Every time your customer opens their wallet, your brand is right there in their hand. This kind of passive brand exposure is extraordinarily valuable because it happens organically, with no ongoing advertising cost, simply because you invested in a quality card that they want to keep.
Pairing Loyalty Cards with Gift Cards for Maximum Impact
Some of the most successful customer retention strategies combine both gift cards and loyalty cards into a unified program. When a customer receives a gift card and uses it for the first time, that is your opportunity to introduce them to your loyalty program. We print both types of cards so that they share consistent branding and work together to create a seamless, premium customer experience from the very first visit.
This dual-card strategy turns gift card recipients into loyal repeat customers by giving them a reason to come back even after the gift card balance is spent. It is a proven approach used by major retailers and restaurants alike, and we make it accessible to businesses of every size with our flexible printing options and competitive pricing on all card orders, large and small.
Membership, ID, and Credential Cards: Identity You Can Hold
Beyond gift cards and loyalty programs, there is a whole world of plastic card solutions designed to establish identity, grant access, and build community. We specialize in creating membership cards, ID badges, union credentials, alumni cards, and much more for organizations of all types. These cards do something unique - they give the holder a sense of belonging and a physical representation of their relationship with your organization.
From a sleek employee ID badge that grants building access to a beautifully designed alumni card that keeps former students connected to their school, every credential we produce carries the quality and professional polish your organization deserves. We handle the design, production, and national shipping so that you can focus on what matters - running your organization and serving your members.
Employee ID Badges and Secure Access Cards
Employee identification is a foundational security measure for businesses of every size. A professionally printed ID badge communicates authority, builds customer trust, and helps manage secure access to restricted areas within your facility. We print full-color photo ID badges with options for magnetic stripe encoding, proximity chip embedding, and barcode inclusion, giving you a card that works as hard as your team does.
We also offer RFID access control cards for businesses that need to manage building access electronically. These cards can be programmed to restrict or allow access to specific areas of your facility, making them ideal for corporate offices, manufacturing floors, healthcare facilities, and educational campuses. Security and functionality, wrapped in a card your employees will be proud to carry.
Alumni, Union, and Association Membership Cards
Membership cards are powerful tools for fostering community and recognizing belonging. Whether you are a university issuing alumni cards, a trade union providing credentials to members, or a professional association celebrating its membership base, we produce cards that honor the pride your members feel in being part of your group.
These cards are often kept for years, sometimes decades, making them one of the most enduring brand touchpoints your organization can create. We work with your design team - or our own - to produce a card that reflects your organization's heritage and values in a way that members will treasure. The result is a physical connection between your institution and your people that lasts far beyond any digital message or email.
Card Carriers, Sleeves, and Full-Service Mailing Solutions
A great card deserves a great presentation, and we have got you covered from the card itself to the moment it lands in your customer's hands. We offer a full range of custom card carriers, protective sleeves, and packaging options that elevate the unboxing experience and reinforce your brand at every touchpoint. Because the packaging is part of the impression, and first impressions matter enormously.

We also offer complete card affixing and mailing services, handling everything from attaching cards to mailer stock to addressing, sorting, and sending your cards directly to your customers. This full-service approach saves you significant time and labor, turning what could be a complex, multi-step operation into one simple order placed with us. We handle the details so you can handle your business.
Custom Card Carriers and Packaging Options
Our custom card carriers are designed to complement your card design and create a premium feel from the first touch. Carriers can be printed with promotional messages, program details, instructions, or additional branding elements that reinforce your message. A well-designed carrier transforms a simple card delivery into a complete marketing experience that impresses recipients immediately.
We offer carriers in a variety of formats, from simple single-fold designs to more elaborate multi-panel pieces that tell your brand story in detail. Protective sleeves keep cards safe during mailing and storage, ensuring that every card arrives in perfect condition. Because a bent or scratched card sends the wrong message, and we are passionate about making sure your message is always exactly right.
Direct Mail Card Campaigns That Double Your Response Rates
Did you know that plastic postcard mailers achieve double the response rates of traditional paper mail? We produce unique plastic postcard mailers that stand out in the mailbox, get noticed immediately, and drive customers to take action. When your marketing piece is unlike everything else in the pile, it commands attention - and attention is the first step toward a sale.
We manage the entire process in-house, from design and printing to addressing and mailing, so that your direct mail campaign is handled with precision from start to finish. This kind of integrated service means fewer vendors, less coordination, and more confidence that everything will be done right and on time. It is the kind of convenience that makes working with us an easy decision for marketing-minded businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Gift Card Printing
We love answering questions. After all, an informed customer makes the best decisions, and we want you to feel completely confident before you place your first order. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from new customers exploring custom plastic card printing for the first time.
If you have a question that is not answered here, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to help. Do not hesitate to reach out - we promise to give you straight, honest answers without the jargon or confusion that sometimes surrounds print production. We speak your language, not a printer's language.
How Many Cards Do I Need to Order?
Order quantities vary widely depending on the type of card and how you plan to use them. For most custom gift card programs, we recommend starting with a quantity that covers your peak season needs plus a reasonable buffer for ongoing sales. We offer flexible minimum order quantities designed to make custom printing accessible to businesses of all sizes, from small local shops to large national chains.
If you are unsure about quantity, we will walk you through the calculation together based on your expected card distribution volume and the pricing advantages that come with larger print runs. Ordering smarter saves you money in the long run, and we are here to help you find that sweet spot between cost efficiency and having exactly the right number of cards on hand.
What Does Custom Gift Card Printing Cost?
Pricing for custom plastic card printing depends on several factors, including card quantity, design complexity, special finishes, encoding requirements, and turnaround time. For a standard custom gift card order, businesses can typically expect to invest somewhere in the range of $75-$200 or more depending on the volume and specifications chosen. Larger orders unlock lower per-card pricing that makes the investment even more compelling.
We believe in transparent, competitive pricing with no surprise fees. When you call us or request a quote, we will walk through every line item so you know exactly what you are paying for and why. Our goal is to deliver maximum value for your investment so that every dollar you spend on custom cards returns to you many times over through increased sales and stronger customer loyalty.
How Long Does Printing and Shipping Take?
Standard production and shipping timelines vary based on order complexity and your location, but we work hard to turn orders around as quickly as possible without ever sacrificing quality. Rush options are available for time-sensitive needs, and our national shipping network ensures that cards reach businesses across the country reliably and on schedule.
Once your order is placed and artwork is approved, our production team gets to work immediately. We keep you informed throughout the process so that there are no surprises and no waiting in the dark wondering about your order's status. Communication is part of our service, and we take it as seriously as the printing itself.
Case Study: How a Local Retailer Doubled Gift Card Revenue
One of the most rewarding parts of our work is hearing from customers about the real-world results they see after switching to professional plastic card printing. Consider the story of a mid-sized boutique clothing retailer who had been selling hand-written paper gift certificates for years. The certificates were functional but forgettable - and sales reflected that. When the owner called us to explore plastic gift cards, we were excited to help transform their program.
After a brief consultation, we designed a stunning full-color plastic gift card featuring the boutique's brand colors, logo, and a high-end glossy finish. The cards were shipped within the agreed timeframe, and the retailer launched their new gift card program just ahead of the holiday season. The results were remarkable and happened faster than anyone expected.
The Results: From Paper to Plastic in One Season
Within their first holiday season using plastic gift cards, the boutique reported a near-doubling of their gift certificate revenue compared to the same period the previous year. Customers commented that the cards felt luxurious and made gifting feel more special and thoughtful than handing someone a paper slip. The store saw new customers arriving specifically because they had received a gift card - customers who had never visited before and who, in many cases, spent significantly more than the card's face value.
This outcome is not unique to this retailer. It reflects a broader pattern that we see consistently among businesses that make the switch to professional plastic gift cards. The physical quality of the card signals the quality of the brand, and customers respond to that signal powerfully and predictably. We are proud to have been part of that boutique's success story, and we are ready to help write yours.
Lessons Learned and Tips for New Card Programs
From this and hundreds of similar success stories, we have learned a few important lessons about launching a successful card program. First, design matters enormously. A card that looks professional and on-brand earns more trust and generates more word-of-mouth than a generic, templated design. Second, display matters. Cards placed prominently at checkout and near the register sell significantly faster than cards tucked away in a drawer.
Third, consistency builds momentum. Running your card program consistently through multiple seasons creates a habit among your customers - they start thinking of your gift cards as their go-to gifting solution for friends and family. Over time, your card program becomes a self-sustaining marketing engine that brings in new customers with very little ongoing effort or cost on your part.
Why So Many Businesses Choose Plastic Card ID Again and Again
After more than 25 years and over 100,000 satisfied business clients, we have a pretty clear sense of why people choose us - and why they keep coming back. It comes down to three things: quality, expertise, and service. We deliver cards that look and perform exactly as promised, backed by a team that genuinely knows this industry and cares about your success. That combination is harder to find than you might expect.
We are not a faceless online print vendor processing orders through an automated system. We are real people who answer the phone, listen to your needs, and bring genuine enthusiasm to helping you find the right card solution. That personal touch makes a big difference, especially when you are building a program that represents your brand to your customers every single day.
Our Track Record Speaks for Itself
More than 50 million cards printed. Over 100,000 businesses served. Those numbers represent an enormous amount of trust placed in us by clients ranging from neighborhood shops to national organizations. Every single one of those cards was printed with the same commitment to quality and the same attention to detail that we bring to every order, regardless of size or budget.
Our longevity in this industry is itself a form of proof. In a marketplace full of here-today, gone-tomorrow vendors, we have built a reputation that has lasted decades because we consistently deliver on our promises. When you order from us, you are buying from a company with a proven history of getting it right - and a genuine commitment to making sure you are completely satisfied every time.
What Our Customers Say About Working With Us
Our customers consistently highlight the same qualities when they share feedback about their experience: fast turnaround, outstanding print quality, knowledgeable staff, and a seamless ordering process from start to finish. They appreciate that we take the time to understand their needs before we recommend a solution, and they value the confidence that comes from working with a team that knows plastic card printing at a deep, expert level.
Many of our clients have been with us for five, ten, even fifteen years or more. That kind of long-term relationship is only possible when both parties benefit and trust each other deeply. We work hard to earn that trust with every single order, and we never take a loyal customer for granted. Your continued business is the greatest compliment we can receive, and we treat it that way.
A Partner You Can Count On for the Long Term
We approach every client relationship as a long-term partnership rather than a one-time transaction. When you start a card program with us, we are invested in its success just as much as you are. We track what is working, suggest improvements when appropriate, and stay ahead of trends and technologies that could benefit your program in the future. We grow with you as your needs evolve.
This partnership mindset is what sets us apart from vendors who simply take your order and move on. We see ourselves as an extension of your marketing and operations team, bringing expertise and creativity to every conversation. That is the kind of relationship that produces real, measurable business results - and it is the kind of relationship we are committed to building with every client who calls us.
Ready to Get Started? Contact Plastic Card ID Today
There has never been a better time to invest in custom gift card printing for your business. The market for plastic gift cards continues to grow, customer expectations for professional presentation continue to rise, and the competitive advantages of a well-executed card program have never been more clear. We are ready to help you take full advantage of every one of those opportunities.
Our process is simple, our team is friendly and knowledgeable, and our products are among the finest in the industry. Whether you are starting your very first card program or upgrading an existing one, we have the expertise and the products to help you succeed. And because we ship nationally, no matter where you are, we are never far away.
Getting started is as easy as picking up the phone. Our team will listen to your needs, answer all your questions, walk you through your options, and provide a clear, competitive quote with no pressure and no surprises. We want to earn your business by being genuinely helpful from the very first conversation.
Call Plastic Card ID right now at 800-835-7919 to place your order or get answers to any questions. We are excited to help your brand make a powerful, lasting impression - one beautifully printed plastic card at a time.
