Digital Printing Plastic for Payment Card Production
Digital printing plastic selection is crucial for achieving high-quality results in modern bank card production. Different plastic materials offer unique visual characteristics that affect color reproduction, surface appearance, and overall card aesthetics.
Types of Plastic for Card Production
Professional card manufacturing offers several plastic substrate options, each with distinct properties that influence the final product appearance.
White Plastic - Universal Foundation
White plastic remains the most popular and economical option for payment card production. Key advantages include:
- Universal compatibility: Works with all color schemes and designs
- Accurate color reproduction: Minimal color distortion during printing
- Cost-effective: Lower material costs for large production runs
- Consistent results: Predictable output across different designs
White plastic serves as the standard substrate for most chip cards and everyday payment solutions.
Metallic Plastic Options
Metallic plastic substrates create premium visual effects but require careful design consideration.
Silver Plastic (Standard)
Features a sparkling, shimmering silver structure that adds visual interest to card designs:
- Surface effect: Subtle metallic shimmer throughout the card
- Color limitation: White elements appear silver instead of pure white
- Design flexibility: Different background fills create varying silver tones
- Best applications: Corporate cards, premium memberships
Silver Plastic (Super Platinum)
An enhanced version offering increased sparkle and strengthened metallic effect:
- Pronounced gleam: More visible metallic appearance
- Premium positioning: Ideal for high-end card products
- Light interaction: Creates dynamic visual effects under different lighting
Gold Plastic (Standard)
Gold plastic provides warm, luxurious tones for premium card applications:
- Rich surface: Sparkling gold finish throughout
- Color shift: Colors may shift from original design due to gold base
- Sample verification: Recommended before large production runs
- Applications: VIP cards, luxury memberships, premium banking
Gold Plastic (Super Gold)
Offers enhanced sparkle under any lighting conditions:
- Maximum brilliance: Intensified golden shimmer effect
- Elegant finish: Creates sophisticated final products
- Premium appeal: Perfect for exclusive card programs
Pearl Plastic - The Premium Choice
Pearl plastic is considered the premium option for digital card production, offering unique properties unmatched by metallic variants.
Pearl Plastic Advantages
- Distinctive luster: Unique surface appearance that varies by viewing angle
- Color preservation: Unlike metallic variants, maintains accurate color reproduction
- Saturated output: Designs appear vibrant and rich without distortion
- Light-reactive: Creates subtle visual changes under different lighting
- Premium perception: Conveys quality and exclusivity
Pearl plastic is ideal for specialty cards requiring both visual impact and color accuracy.
Plastic Thickness Specifications
Different card applications require specific plastic thickness for optimal performance:
Thin Materials (0.15mm)
- Contactless cards with embedded antennas
- Business cards requiring flexibility
- Overlay layers in multi-layer cards
Standard Materials (0.30mm)
- Club and membership cards
- Discount and loyalty cards
- Gift cards and promotional materials
Full-Thickness Cards (0.76mm)
- Payment cards meeting ISO standards
- Smart cards with embedded chips
- Access control and identification cards
Design Considerations for Digital Printing
Successful digital printing on plastic substrates requires understanding material-specific requirements:
Color Management
- White plastic: Standard CMYK color matching applies
- Metallic plastic: Adjust designs for color shift; avoid white elements
- Pearl plastic: Colors reproduce accurately; ideal for complex designs
Sample Production
For metallic and specialty plastics, always produce samples before full production runs. This ensures:
- Accurate color expectations
- Verification of visual effects
- Client approval before bulk manufacturing
Material Selection for Premium Cards
Premium card products often benefit from specialty materials:
- Metal cards: For maximum luxury appeal
- Wooden cards: For eco-conscious premium positioning
- Biometric cards: Combining technology with premium substrates
Professional Card Production Services
At ASMO, we offer comprehensive digital printing services on all plastic substrate types. Our production capabilities include color management expertise, sample production for material verification, and quality control throughout manufacturing.
Learn more about our eco-friendly options and commitment to payment standards compliance.