Magnetic Stripe Cards: Secure Encoding Printing and Management

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Plastic Card ID (PCID) is a leading custom plastic card specialist with a legacy of helping brands convert casual customers into loyal advocates. With over 50 million cards produced and more than 100,000 businesses served, Plastic Card ID delivers durable, high-impact physical solutions that complement modern marketing strategies and operational needs.

PCID operates as a strategic partner rather than a simple supplier, combining creative printing, secure production, and value-added services into a single offering. Our approach emphasizes real-world results, long-term relationships, and tailored programs that make tangible business impact for retailers, hotels, clubs, and institutions.

Card Type Best For Standout Feature
Gift & Loyalty Cards Retail & Promotions Boosts sales by up to 100%
ID & Membership Cards Universities & Associations Secure, brandable identity
RFID & Access Cards Hotels & Casinos Contactless control

Our catalog spans traditional magnetic stripe cards through advanced RFID smart cards, providing the full spectrum of options for branding and security. We prioritize precision printing, material selection, and finish choices that ensure each card becomes a memorable touchpoint in the customer experience. Expect consistent quality and rapid turnaround on all orders.

Beyond the card itself, Plastic Card ID bundles services such as card affixing, custom carriers, sleeves, and mailing programs so campaigns launch seamlessly. These value-added services create a simplified supply chain and let clients focus on strategy while we handle production and distribution with care and accuracy.

Gift and loyalty programs are among the most cost-effective ways to increase repeat purchase behavior and lifetime value. Our cards support custom artwork, barcodes, and magstripes for integration with POS systems, enabling a measurable uplift in engagement and revenue without sacrificing brand aesthetic.

Retailers often see immediate improvements when switching from cheaper paper solutions to branded plastic cards; these products signal professionalism and longevity and help convert one-time buyers into repeat customers through visible, tangible incentives.

PCID's full-service fulfillment options include card affixing, custom packaging, and managed mailing lists to power turnkey campaigns. By streamlining production and shipping, clients enjoy reduced logistical overhead and predictable launch schedules that align with promotional calendars and seasonal demand peaks.

Our internal quality checks ensure each piece meets specifications before leaving the facility, so campaigns ship with confidence. For partners seeking scale, we provide program management that handles volume spikes and recurring production needs with precision.

Requesting a custom quote is straightforward: provide artwork, desired quantities, and specifications and our team will respond with an itemized estimate and timeline. We pride ourselves on responsive service and practical advice that balances budget with desired outcomes for every project.

For immediate assistance, call 800.835.7919 or email our production team; we respect timelines and answer pricing questions promptly to keep schedules on track and projects moving forward.

Brands use customization to create standout assets that carry powerful brand equity. Plastic Card ID offers techniques like foil stamping, clear plastic, custom shapes, and specialty materials like stainless steel or plated finishes to elevate the perceived value of cards and promotions.

Customization isn't only aesthetic: it improves functionality by incorporating magnetic stripes, barcodes, or encoding for loyalty integration, while specialty shapes and tactile finishes make cards more likely to be retained and used, strengthening brand recall and customer loyalty.

Choosing plated metals, transparent plastics, or premium laminates transforms a simple card into a luxury item that commands attention at point-of-sale and in customer wallets. These materials are ideal for high-end gift cards or VIP membership credentials seeking to impress and retain top-tier customers.

We work closely with clients to balance cost, durability, and visual impact, recommending finishes that align with campaign goals and distribution methods so every card performs as intended in market environments.

Custom die-cut shapes and attached carriers help cards feel bespoke and collectible, which increases the likelihood of reuse and referral. Whether you want rounded corners, tag-style carriers, or multi-panel holders, our production team ensures functionality and visual appeal are both optimized.

Even minor design choices-edge color, gloss versus matte lamination, or embossed elements-can influence customer perception and campaign ROI; PCID provides mockups and sample runs to validate choices before mass production.

Every custom order includes proofing steps and sample options so clients can approve artwork, encoding, and finishes with confidence. This layered approach reduces surprises and leads to predictable, high-quality deliveries tailored to brand standards and operational requirements.

For clients who need fast validation, we offer expedited proofs and short-run samples that represent full production quality, enabling quicker decision-making without compromising accuracy or finish integrity.

Security is a core competency at Plastic Card ID, particularly for organizations needing reliable identity and access solutions. Our magnetic stripe cards can be combined with RFID chips or encoded magstripes for multi-factor systems in hotels, casinos, and membership organizations where control and convenience are essential.

We support technology like MIFARE DESFire and contactless RFID options alongside classic magstripe encoding, so each client receives a tailored configuration aligned with their existing hardware and security protocols for seamless integration.

Hotel key cards and access credentials require both durability and ease of use. We supply robust cards encoded for industry-standard locks and provide on-site or remote encoding services when needed, ensuring guests enjoy frictionless entry while facilities benefit from reliable security controls.

Customization can include serialized printing, guest messages, or advertising space on keys to drive ancillary revenue, turning an operational item into a marketing opportunity without sacrificing security or functionality.

For universities, corporations, and unions, secure ID solutions incorporate barcodes, magnetic stripes, and optional holographic overlays to guard identities and control access. Our production standards and QA processes ensure credentials meet organizational policies and industry expectations for longevity and tamper resistance.

We also offer batch management and lifecycle services for reissues or replacements, allowing institutions to maintain consistent badge programs without disrupting access or membership services.

PCID provides technical guidance for integrating cards into existing systems, including encoding specifications, testing protocols, and troubleshooting for card readers and POS hardware. Our team helps align card features with back-end software so deployments are smooth and dependable.

To discuss technical requirements, call our specialists at 800.835.7919 for fast, practical support that keeps projects on schedule and ensures compatibility with your systems and vendor equipment.

Plastic cards are powerful marketing tools that drive measurable outcomes-gift cards frequently boost sales by 35-50% and physical loyalty tokens encourage repeat business far more effectively than one-time coupons or paper alternatives. Plastic Card ID helps clients design programs that turn cards into revenue engines and brand ambassadors.

For affiliates and marketers, the demand for high-quality plastic cards creates a compelling revenue stream. Over 60 affiliate sites currently generate income by promoting our products, and PCID supports partners with creative assets, product knowledge, and reliable fulfillment that enhance conversion rates and lifetime value.

Case examples demonstrate how gift and loyalty cards increased promotional ROI: retailers who switched to branded plastic saw up to 100% sales increases on targeted campaigns. Other clients reported improved response rates for postcard-style mailers when coupled with a redeemable plastic card incentive.

We document these wins to help new partners plan campaigns that mirror proven strategies so that expectations are set realistically and results are repeatable across industries and program types.

Affiliates gain access to co-branded collateral, performance insights, and fulfillment timelines that make promotions both attractive and reliable. PCID's model emphasizes long-term partnerships with predictable margins and product quality that protects brand value for all stakeholders.

We also provide creative suggestions for optimizing landing pages, recommendations for bundled offers, and turnkey fulfillment options that simplify campaign logistics for affiliate marketers and their audiences.

  • Measurable uplift in repeat purchases when gift cards are integrated with promotions.
  • Higher response rates for postcard mailers paired with redeemable plastic incentives.
  • Scalable fulfillment options including sleeves, carriers, and managed mailing.
  • Quality assurance that preserves brand integrity during mass distribution.

The combination of tangible value and strategic distribution makes plastic cards an effective tool for both direct marketers and affiliate partners seeking sustainable revenue from physical marketing products.

Bringing a card program to life requires coordinated design, encoding, and fulfillment; PCID acts as the single point of contact to iron out logistics and maintain timelines. From initial concept to final mailing, our teams ensure clear communication and predictable delivery so campaigns launch as scheduled.

We tailor warranty and service options based on volume and use case, offering replacement policies and production guarantees that protect investments and minimize risk for businesses deploying mission-critical credentials or high-volume promotional cards.

New clients begin with a discovery phase where goals, volumes, and technical requirements are clarified. Our project managers then map milestones, proof timelines, and production windows to reduce friction and ensure expectations are met on time and on budget.

This disciplined approach translates into fewer surprises, better inventory planning, and a smoother path from design approvals to finished goods in-hand for distribution or direct mailing campaigns.

To reduce operational errors, PCID provides documentation and training materials for POS integration, encoding procedures, and card handling. These resources expedite staff readiness and help ensure that programs run reliably from day one.

Whether clients prefer digital guides or brief on-site sessions, our team adapts the training format to fit the organization's scale and technical comfort level, reinforcing consistent execution across channels.

Ready to explore custom options or request pricing? Send specifications or artwork files and we'll provide a clear, itemized quote with suggested production timelines. For direct consultation, call 800.835.7919 and speak with a production specialist who can answer technical and scheduling questions immediately.

Start your project today with a partner who delivers precision, reliability, and measurable marketing impact.

When you're ready to move from concept to distribution, Plastic Card ID stands ready to partner on design, production, and fulfillment. Our experienced team supports campaigns of all scales, providing both creative guidance and production excellence to maximize card program effectiveness.

For proposals, technical consultations, or to request samples, reach out and experience the benefits of working with a trusted supplier that treats each card as an opportunity to elevate your brand and create lasting customer connections.

Our sales team can help you define the right card type, discuss specialty finishes, and provide pricing scenarios that fit budgets and timelines. We emphasize transparent pricing and practical solutions that align with your campaign objectives.

Contact our team directly at 800.835.7919 for tailored estimates, or submit a request online and receive project-oriented guidance within one business day.

Logistics are handled from our centralized facility with strict QA at every stage of production. Whether you need short runs for test promotions or high-volume fulfillment for seasonal campaigns, PCID manages production flow and shipping to meet tight deadlines.

We also support international shipping and can advise on packaging and carrier options to ensure delivery reliability and cost efficiency for larger distribution programs.

Partner with Plastic Card ID to transform one-time interactions into lasting relationships-call 800.835.7919 to begin your custom card program today.