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How to Make Your Plastic Loyalty Cards More Effective

With more plastic loyalty cards on the market, how can yours be more effective? Better targeting and communications can have a greater impact.

More and more of people may have signed up to loyalty schemes, but how many really take advantage of the plastic loyalty cards in their wallets? By looking at your scheme in more detail, you can create an efficient product that customers will want to be a part of and use regularly.

Plastic loyalty cards are still extremely popular, but they’re not always used to their full potential. A quarter of consumers don’t use the rewards that they’ve built up, often due to the fact that they’re unaware of what they could exchange them for. As well as this, customers sign up for the plastic cards but don’t always keep them in their wallets, so can’t take advantage of them when they make a purchase.

One way of encouraging more people to use their cards regularly is to target your offerings better. Not every shopper behaves in the same way or makes the same purchases. So it’s important that whenever you’re speaking with them you understand exactly what their personal requirements are.

Many loyalty schemes regularly send their customers special offers or vouchers to spend in store. It’s important that these are unique to the customer and based on their individual shopping data. This way, the customer will think that they’re getting a personalised approach and will be more likely to use vouchers that are aimed directly at them. One business that does this well is Tesco. When they send out discounts to their 12 million active users there are over 6 million different variations, making them more relevant to the individual customer.

Not only is the quality of the communication important with plastic loyalty cards, but also the frequency of it. One of the reasons many consumers stop using their cards is because they feel forgotten about and are unsure of the benefits of the scheme. By keeping in regular communication with your customers, you can help them to see how rewarding the scheme is and what they could exchange their points for.

At Company Cards we can create plastic loyalty cards for businesses of all sizes. For further information on these or our other products, including plastic business cards, please explore the rest of the site or contact our team.

Attracting Students with Plastic Membership Cards

As the new term starts, plastic membership cards are good for students. Plastic ID cards with discounts will encourage them to visit you.

With the start of the new academic year just around the corner, it’s important that you start planning your marketing approach for the student population. With many of them moving into the area, it’s important that they’re aware of the different brands that are available and what you can offer them in terms of discounts and offers. Plastic membership cards are a great way of achieving this.

Students are always trying to get the most that they can from their limited budgets, so it’s important that they know the savings they can achieve. They’re likely to go where the best deals are and a membership card can help you to promote these to them. Once they’ve got their cards, you can offer them a range of incentives, including free drinks, percentage discounts or exclusive student-only events.

Plastic cards are much more durable than the alternatives, which makes them a great choice for students. At the start of the year, they’ll collect numerous different cards which will then all be stored in their wallets and purses. A plastic card will last much longer than a card one, which means they’ll be able to continue using it throughout the year rather than throwing it away.

With students having so many plastic membership cards, you need to make sure that yours stands out and is instantly recognisable. With plastic cards you can create a more unique and memorable impression with the use of strong colours, or the card can be cut into a particular shape. The membership card can also be personalised to provide the perception of a more valuable asset.

Students might have a limited budget, but they’re also happy to spend it on enjoying themselves. Therefore it’s important that you know exactly how to target your marketing specifically at this group. The membership card application forms will contain details of their emails and phone numbers, allowing you to send them information about the brand and any additional special offers. You can also use this information to connect with them via social-networking sites.

Company Cards can offer you a great range of solutions for attracting students, including plastic membership cards. To discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of our team.

New Type of Plastic Card Available

Company Cards extend our growing range of plastic card products

We are proud to launch our new range of  550 micron plastic cards. This type of card is ideal for plastic business cards and membership cards as it still fairly ridged but not as bulky as the standard 760 micron. This is a great type of plastic card for anyone looking for a thinner card which can still have options such as signature panels and thermal printing. Call today for your free samples!

Fargo Machine Installed

High definition surface printing of pre-made plastic cards

Our latest piece of equipment has now been installed. We can now offer high definition overprinting of proximity cards. Previously we could only thermal print plastic cards, now with the new machine we can offer superb high quality printing onto contactless, and smart cards.

New product available from Company Cards

As a cost effective alternative to the traditional plastic card, our 340 laminate board cards are a perfect solution for cards only requiring a short life span.

As I am sure that you know, we at Company Cards are always aiming to extend our range of quality print services that we can provide to you. We are now pleased to present a new product, a full colour, double sided 340 laminate board card. Unlike a traditional plastic cards, this type of card is made from a 340gsm core, digitally printed with 40 micron laminate to both sides. These cards are ideal for a short life span and are very cost effective.
The cards have already proven to be successfully used as temporary membership cards or give away / promotion cards for use at trade shows.
Please feel free to contact us in order to receive some samples of the card or for a personal quotation.

Could you save costs and resources with Thermal Rewritable Plastic Cards?

The world of plastic card printing has been completely revolutionised with thermal rewritable plastic cards!

For years the choice regarding plastic ID cards has been between pre-printed plastic cards from digital plastic card manufacturers such as Company Cards and overprinted plastic cards using desktop plastic card printers to surface print the card. With a thermal rewritable plastic card this a perfect blend of both – giving you back the control.

The writable plastic cards are compatible with thermal Rewrite desktop plastic card printers. They are produced with a specialist thermal recording material which allows the surface of the card to be overprinted and erased up to 500 times. The generic artwork of the card would be digitally printed as standard and would not change.

This makes the thermal rewriteable plastic cards perfect for organisations which require visitors to wear photo identification during their visit. Now rather than providing a less than impressive paper card, or in the case of ski passes an expensive RFID card which is rendered useless once the card leaves the resort, you can now reap the advantages of thermal rewritable plastic cards.

By holding a stock of pre-printed plastic cards you can quickly overprint the necessary personalised details, whether that is text or photo ID. The details can be overprinted in a choice of blue or black and just as quickly erased once the card has been handed back at the end of the card holders stay. The card is then stored away and reused with your next visitor.

The idea is genius! Not only are you able to provide quality plastic ID cards, but you are saving costs and resources by using the same plastic cards over and over again – up to 500 times.

Over the past few months Company Cards have seen much interest in the thermal rewritable plastic cards, especially coupled with the access control cards. The idea behind having an RFID card with thermal rewrite capabilities could save companies who require short use plastic ID cards great savings.

For more information about Company Cards and our thermal writable plastic cards please contact our sales team today.

What could a plastic business card say about you and your company?

Plastic business cards are becoming increasingly popular, so what could a plastic business card say about you and your company?

Plastic business cards are becoming increasingly popular, so given that they are the first piece of branded material which is likely to be handed to a new contact, what could they say about you and your business? Read on to find out more about the advantages of plastic business cards for you and your company.

A business card shouldn’t just be used to pass on information and contact details; it should be used to give people an insight into your company. Plastic business cards are unique and eye-catching and they allow you to present a professional image to your clients. The dynamic design is a reflection of how dynamic your company is and the range of material and finishes available mean that you can tailor your plastic card to perfectly represent your company.

If you want to ensure that a client is going to retain your details then a plastic business card has several advantages over old-fashioned paper cards. A plastic card is durable, it can survive being left in a pocket or going through the washing machine and your details won’t smudge if a drink gets spilt on it. In addition, a plastic business card can’t be written on or screwed up and thrown away; this in itself may make a client think carefully about keeping your business card rather than throwing it away through habit.

If you’re concerned about the impression that a plastic business card will give to potential clients in terms of being environmental friendly then a biodegradable card may be for you. A biodegradable plastic business card gives you all of the benefits of a regular business card with the added advantage of knowing that your card will degrade in less than three and a half years once it has been introduced to the environment.

With the range of materials and finishes available you can ensure that your business card gives a professional and dynamic view of your company. So if you’re looking for a new way of ensuring that new and prospective clients get the best possible impression of your company a plastic business card could be perfect for you.

For more information about our plastic business cards, or to receive a free sample pack please contact our team today.

Plastic ID Cards Can Prove Your Age

It’s easy to check someone’s age with the use of plastic ID cards; this offers considerable convenience for both retailers and consumers.

With heavy fines in force for retailers who sell products to those under age, more and more are choosing to ask for proof of age. Even if you are legally allowed to buy the product, you can still be refused without any ID. For consumers this can be a real inconvenience if they don’t have plastic ID cards. These offer benefits for both retailers and to the consumer.

It’s not just teenagers buying alcohol who can benefit from plastic ID cards that prove their age. There are a wide range of items that require you to confirm how old you are, including some kitchen knives and lottery tickets. If you don’t have any form of ID on you then you will be forced to go home and find some before returning to the store. With increasingly strong legislation in place, retailers simply cannot afford to put their licences at risk and are thus checking that employees are enforcing the rules.

Proof of age cards are far easier and safer to carry around than passports or driving licences. People are used to putting plastic loyalty cards in their wallets and purses, so the inclusion of an additional card is simple enough. A proof of age card is much cheaper to replace if it is in comparison with the administration involved in sending off for replacement official documents.

Plastic proof of age cards are extremely secure and there is little risk of fraudulent copies being made. The photo and details are printed onto the card and then protected behind the laminate. This makes it far harder to copy and provides additional safety measures for the retailer.

Plastic ID cards can hold a wide range of information and data. They can include RFID technology, barcodes or magnetic stripes, containing everything from name and date of birth to address and contact details. They can spend up entry to venues as users can either use swipe machines or contactless readers in order to verify their details, rather than waiting for someone to check them.

At Company Cards we offer a range of technologies to help produce plastic ID cards. Whatever type of scheme you’re running, if you’re looking for plastic cards then one of our team will be happy to help and advise you.

Get Set For Summer with Plastic Membership Cards

Summer is here, so have your plastic membership cards ready; plastic ID cards are great at incentivising visitors to return.

Summer is the time when everyone starts visiting local attractions, from parks and museums through to theme parks and zoos. Unfortunately the season is only short and it can be hard to convince people to visit at other times of the year. A great way of incentivising them to return is through the use of plastic membership cards.

You can offer plastic ID cards to your visitors either as part of their ticket or for a small fee, depending on the size of the attraction and the benefits you intend to offer. Card holders can subsequently use the plastic cards to access a range of benefits when they visit again. Clearly these benefits are dependent upon your business, but could include discounted entry, free return entry, discounts on food and drink, special offers in the gift shop or exclusive entry to events.

This is a fantastic way in which to develop customer loyalty; people are happy to return somewhere if they feel welcome. By holding these plastic cards they become part of an elite group and feel that they’re getting something special and better than ‘standard’ visitors. If they are being rewarded for visiting, they are far more likely to recommend your attraction to family and friends as a good value day out.

In giving out plastic membership cards, you can have a better idea as to when people are visiting, because the plastic cards can include magnetic strips or varaible barcodes that are swiped on entry. This may also provide the holder with faster entry than that available with standard tickets.

Using plastic membership cards is a useful way of obtaining data for your marketing campaigns. Customers can to fill in an application form including address and email details. You can use this information to create ever more targeted marketing based upon their visits. If you’re holding special events, you can send out details in advance to ensure that card holders get first access to tickets. For customers who haven’t visited for a while, a leaflet through the post or via email might just prompt them to come back.

At Company Cards we offer a wide range of plastic membership cards for our clients. We can create unique designs, styles and shapes, as well as handle personalisation. For further information or to discuss your project, please speak to a member of our team.

Technology Brings Advances to Plastic Card Printing

Plastic card printing has been around for years. The latest technology is making it easier to print your business or plastic membership cards.

Plastic cards have now become a part of everyday life and we’d be lost without them. Technology is continuing to advance, with on-going developments in plastic card printing. This enables businesses to provide a better service to their customers and employees.

Plastic cards can now be printed digitally without compromising on the quality. When digital printing was first developed, it wasn’t seen as a viable alternative to lithographic and screen printing. However the latest machines can now produce text and images of the highest quality. This allows cost effective plastic card printing for shorter runs, as well as the ability to work to tight deadlines. Digital printing also allows you to personalise cards with different text or images, making it perfect for printing plastic membership cards or identity cards.

Plastic card printing can now integrate RFID (radio frequency identification) technology into the actual card. This contactless form of identification is perfect for security or plastic ID cards and access control passes. Rather than having to swipe their card, holders need only be close to the reader for it to register, making the card quick and easy to use. RFID Cards have been around for some time now, however until recently these have always been manufactured as blank white plastic cards which would be surface printed using a desktop card printer. This method of printing has both positive and negative aspects. For instance by printing the cards individually on a desk top printer you can personalise them as and when needed, however the quality of the overprinted image can not compete with the quality of a pre-printed plastic card. Also as the print lays on the surface of the card it can be prone to scratching off or wearing away over time.

At Company Cards we produce plastic RFID cards which are digitally printed onto the plastic core of the card which is then protected underneath the PVC laminate overlays. This method of printing not only assures high quality, it is cost effective and can be done in short turnaround times.

Technology has also developed regarding the punching produce of plastic card production. Gone are the days when you restricted to a standard CR80 sized plastic card, now your business and membership cards can now be cut to unique shapes and sizes. This is the ultimate in customisation and means your plastic card will be easily recognisable and instantly memorable. You can have the card cut to almost any shape you like, for instance the outline of a logo or product. A shaped card is great for increasing your marketing potential and is a good talking point when handing out business cards.

Most firms are now looking for ways in which to improve their environmentally friendly credentials. Using biodegradable plastic for your business or loyalty cards is an excellent marketing tool. It allows you to show your customers that you take environmental issues seriously and that you’re committed to reducing your impact. These cards still offer the same durability and quality as traditional plastic, but they degrade within a matter of months leaving no trace in the environment.

At Company Cards we pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest plastic card printing technology. Our dedicated team will be happy to discuss your individual requirements with you.

Round the Clock Production

Increased production capacity means short leadtime on plastic card orders

Company Cards the leading supplier of short run plastic cards has recently moved to 24 hour production. The company now can produce 220,000 cards per week. “This new shift will allow us to offer our customers a higher quality of service and also enable us to significantly reduce our lead times. With the increase in production capacity, we can now begin a programme of seeking new business and developing current business in order to fill the new found space”.

Target retail customers with plastic loyalty cards

Plastic loyalty cards offer great advantages to retail. These plastic business cards provide a wealth of information on customers’ habits.

Plastic loyalty cards have been around for years and customers now see them as a part of everyday life. They can be found in a range of outlets, from supermarkets and cafes to book shops or music stores. The opportunity to receive discounts on their shopping or to save up for rewards is what appeals to consumers. However, these cards also offer advantages to retailers.

Through a loyalty scheme, retailers can gain valuable information about their customers’ habits, including how often they shop, what they spend and what they buy. Consumers are traditionally creatures of habit and the majority of them buy the same items time and time again. Whether that’s the same brand of washing powder every month, identical loaves of bread every week or a particular colour of lipstick. Plastic loyalty cards can help you reward these regular shoppers with money off the items they usually buy – or those they don’t.

When customers sign up for these schemes, they’ll complete an application form containing their personal details. This information, including age, where they live, whether they have children and if they’re married, can then be combined with their shopping data to build up a complete picture of each consumer. With this information you can refine targeted marketing campaigns, specifically aimed at certain demographics or people who buy particular products.

When customers are in store they can also receive a more personalised service. Customers can swipe their cards at terminals to receive up to date targeted offers or check the points they have available to spend.

Plastic loyalty cards are definitely here to stay for the foreseeable future. They’re enjoyed by customers and the advantages for retailers are significant. However, with technological developments, the way in which both groups use their cards could change. We will see moves towards contactless technology, which until now has been largely confined to debit cards. This will make the transaction process smoother, with no need for customers to hand over their card or a bulky set of keys.

At Company Cards we can produce a variety of plastic cards that are tailored to your specifications. Further details on our plastic loyalty cards can be found on the site or please contact our team with any questions.

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