Bleed: A printing term that allows you to run artwork to the edge of a printed item. On press, artwork is printed on a sheet and then trimmed down to size. If you do not allow for bleed, any misalignment while cutting could result with the artwork not running to the edge. Bleeds ensure your art will extend up to the very edge of the card.

Embossing: Raised numbers or letters such as on credit cards. A maximum of 3 lines of text is recommended. The raised text is typically foil tipped in silver, gold, or black.

Encoding: The process of electronically “writing” information on to magnetic stripe or smart card chip.  Mag stripes contain tracks that can accept data. A blank magnetic stripe requires information to be encoded to work with a door lock or POS system. Track 1 accepts alpha and numeric data; a total of 79 characters. Track 2 accepts numeric data only; a total of 40 characters. Track 3 accepts alpha and numeric data; a total of 107 character limit. Your systems requirements will determine what track(s) will need to be encoded and data needs.

(HiCo) High Coercivity Magnetic Stripe: Coercivity is the term used to designate how much energy is required to put information onto the magnetic stripe and therefore how immune the data is to damage from magnetic money clips and purse snaps. HiCo stripes are almost immune to domestic-type magnets and are used for major credit cards and other applications needing a long life card. The Oersted rating for a HiCo mag is 2750 Oe.

(LoCo) Low Coercivity Magnetic Stripe: LoCo magnetic stripes are composed of iron oxide and are most commonly used in applications that do not require long term or heavy use, such as hotel keys and gift cards. The Oersted rating for a LoCo mag is 300 Oe.

 

 

Matte Finish: A smooth subdued finish that will not readily show fingerprints or scratches. Offers a clean upscale modern look to cards and can create a writable surface.

Ultra Finish: A flatter finish then our matte finish

RFID: RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses radio frequency waves to identify people or objects. Cards with RFID are similar to cards with a barcode in that they transmit a unique ID when read. Unlike a barcode, RFID technology is much harder to duplicate and can be programmed to communicate much more than just a unique ID.

An RFID reader uses radio waves to find and “talk” to a tag or card that has a microchip and antenna embedded inside it. Once identified, the tag or card responds to the reader by sending a unique string of data back.

Scratch Off Panel: Thought a thermal printing process a layer that is applied over  pin numbers, codes, sequential numbering, barcodes, names or winning numbers that can be eliminated with the edge of a coin to expose the preprinted or text printed underneath it.
Available in gray with a black wavy pattern.

Signature Panel: A clear or white panel designed to be be written on with a pen that is applied to a card. These panels are often used for signatures.

Thermal Personalization: Non-raised printing of letters, numbers, or barcodes on a varnished card.

Variable Information: Variable data printing (VDP) is a form of digital printing in which elements such as text and images may be changed from one printed piece to the next during the printing process. Variable information is provided from a database or external file.