Whether customer cards, employee or visitor badges – at YouCard, you can order printed plastic cards and PVC alternatives in your custom design – exactly as you envision.
With 20 years of experience, we ensure the best possible print results for you. At YouCard, you receive high-quality plastic card printing, including optional encoding and personalization with photo, name, barcode, embossing, and more. We support you from start to finish with expert advice and professional solutions.
Simply send us your plastic card request via our contact form and you will receive a customized offer from us shortly.
How to personalize your cards
Personalization
In addition to the base layout, which is the same for all cards, each individual card can be customized. Personalization can include, for example, a photo, name, barcode, or other attributes.
Security Features
To protect your ID cards against tampering, you can enhance them with secure features such as embossing, signature fields, scratch-off fields, or custom holograms.
Chip Encoding
You can also receive your cards with contact and contactless chips from us. As a partner of leading manufacturers, we offer you all common transponders with your desired encoding.
Plastic Cards in Credit Card Format
The most common plastic card is produced in the credit card format and defined by ISO standard 7810 ID-1. PVC cards therefore typically measure 85.6 mm x 53.98 mm x 0.76 mm (W x H x D).
Alternatively, we also offer other card formats, such as various card thicknesses (0.76 mm; 0.47 mm; 0.25 mm), XL badges, or alternative card materials in a range of sizes.
Printing Methods for Plastic Cards
A plastic card can be printed with your desired layout using various methods. Each printing method has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you choose to have your cards printed by us, this is typically done using either offset or digital printing. These two industrial printing technologies ensure maximum print quality and utmost convenience.
If you decide to print your cards yourself, you can do so using a dye-sublimation or a retransfer card printer. Both methods offer an ideal combination of high print quality and flexibility.
Plastic Cards vs. Alternative Materials
PVC plastic cards, the classic among ID cards, remain the most in-demand product on the market.
As an alternative, YouCard offers environmentally friendly card materials that have a lower ecological footprint. Our sustainable products feature properties such as biodegradability, compostability, and recyclability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plastic Cards
Which security features do your plastic cards offer?
The more security features an ID card has, the better it is protected against forgery and tampering attempts. YouCard offers you a wide range of options to upgrade your cards.
1. Embossed Holograms
Small holograms a few centimeters in size, embossed directly onto the card blank using a heated stamp in a so-called hot-stamping process. In addition to standardized designs (e.g., globe or authenticity certificates), individual holograms are also available, for example in the form of your company logo.
2. Holographic Laminates
Unlike small embossed holograms, holographic laminates cover the entire card surface and fully protect it from external influences and wear. These protective films, also called holographic overlays, can be customized according to your wishes.
3. UV and IR Inks
Both inks create hidden security features.
Ultraviolet (UV) inks with fluorescent pigments cause the print to glow brightly when illuminated with a UV lamp. Under normal light, the print remains invisible.
Infrared (IR) active inks are visible in daylight but change color suddenly under infrared light. For example, a dark green motif transforms into bright red.
4. Microtext
Very small, nearly hidden text with a maximum size of 0.3 mm. This poses a difficult challenge for counterfeiters trying to copy ID cards.
5. Guilloché Patterns
Guilloché are extremely fine patterns made up of complex, intertwined waves and loops consisting of multiple woven and asymmetric lines.
6. Laser Engraving
The most modern and also the most reliable optical security technology is laser engraving. In this process, personalized data (e.g., name, company, ID number, or security code) is deeply engraved into the plastic card using an industrial laser.
Our card printing experts are happy to assist you with any questions about these security features.
Can your plastic cards be equipped with magnetic stripes, contact chips, or RFID technology?
In addition to standard plastic cards without embedded technology, we offer magnetic stripe cards, contact plastic cards, as well as contactless (RFID) cards.
Alternative card materials, such as wooden cards or paper cards, can also be equipped with different technologies.
Detailed information is available upon request.
Can I personalize plastic cards afterwards as well?
Plastic cards and IDs can be personalized afterwards if the pre-printed card is laminated. This is the standard at YouCard.
You can have the personalization done by us, or you can do it yourself using a suitable card printer. Our experts can advise you on which card printers are suitable for this. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Which special effects or finishing options can be realized?
YouCard offers you a wide range of special effects and finishing options for your cards.
These include:
- Screen printing / metallic colors
- UV coating or spot coating
- Hot stamping
- Pantone colors
- Holograms
- Scratch-off fields
- Writable fields
- Embossing
- Personalization
- Punching
Where can I get print templates for creating layouts?
Perfect print quality is our top priority. To meet these standards, we set certain minimum requirements for your print data to ensure the best possible print result for you.
Our plastic card print templates help you create your card layout correctly. Use our guidelines so that we can achieve a perfect result for you.
Can I receive sample cards with a layout example?
Sample cards with your personal layout are available from YouCard upon request. However, the so-called live sample production involves a small fee.
Alternatively, you can receive free sample cards that may resemble your layout or design if needed. This also provides a good reference for how your card will look later.
