There is no doubt that everyone has at least one gift card made of pvc. The card looks simple, everyone thinks it’s simple, so did I, 7 years ago. After I got into the plastic card industrial, I fond I was totally wrong, the simple card really complex & difficult labour.

1. How does a gift card was born?
There is no doubt that everyone has at least one gift card made of pvc. The card
looks simple, everyone thinks it’s simple, so did I, 7 years ago. After I got into the
plastic card industrial, I fond I was totally wrong, the simple card really complex &
difficult labour.
Let me introduce the card world to you!
In ancient China, an allusion about Menciuss mother moved the three. That means
the environment is very important, so does the gift card. A clean and tidy factory is
essential to reduce the dust and dot on your card surface when lamination.
On the other hand is workers’ serious degree. as we know everybody get a mobile
phone, bring much convenient during communication, at the same time, also
decrease efficiency. when doing the QC, as long as going through the news on the
mobile, who can guarantee the quality. so we have rules on workers, no mobile
phone during working.
Besides those rules, we also have activities, we build a military, familial, scholastic
manufacturer. on one side, treat every job seriously, on the other, keep workers’
passion. let them know, clients not only sales representatives’, but also the whole
factory’s, give our clients a reliable support.
Get the good environment, then let’s focus on the cards-self.
From the choices of material, can influence the price, please check the following
picture

2. From gray to blue-white and white, too gray is recycled pvc, I know some clients
required recycled pvc in case of environment-friendly. If meet the MOQ, we can
purchase recycled pvc to customize the cards. Otherwise, we prefer the white pvc,
totally new. Do not ask: why your price is higher than others? I deeply know the card
is a representative of yourselves, of your company. you cost a lot time and
money,reject the design again and again, finally, you think the color and design are
perfect suitable to your company, however, due to the cost of USD0.01, you choose
the cheaper one, the color totally changed display on the gray or blue-white pvc, did
you think it’s worth? Even worse, some recycled material is easily cracked, do not
want your brand cracked, please forget the profit of USD0.01.
The size of gift card’s mother is 305*460mm, white or transparent pvc. Each gift
card has 25 brothers and sisters, (5*5 pcs).
gift card
The first step is printing:
Offset printing: Adjust the color, test several pieces of big sheets, once the color is ok,
will start the printing. That’s why the quantity larger, unite price lower. The time of
color adjusting all the same for each job, no matter for 500pcs or 500000pcs, testing
material needed the same.
Screen printing: If your gift cards need silver or gold background, some person called
shimmer, it need screen printing. screen printing slower than offset printing, after
printing, have to wait the ink dry.
Here is a detail remind designers, if the color is black, dark blue, or any dark color,
we suggest make matte face.
After printing is lamination:
Each steel plate only can put on one sheet of card, both sides with printing material,
and inlay in the middle. Putting in the machine with high temperature for 15-20
minutes, with low temperature for 15-20 minutes. Then take every pvc sheet outside
the lamination machine. So do not push too much during the processing, it’s will not
be controlled by human.
Cutting each piece of small gift card from their mother’s body
25 pieces gift cards cut down from whole sheet, which required designers pay
attention to the content should keep the distance from the edge of the card, or
would cut down during cutting process. At the same time, suggest designers do not
make frame, it’s would be easy to see the tolerance.
Gift cards into pieces, the next step is QC, survival of the fittest is also suitable in the
card world. Only can be picked up after so many process without too much serious
problems.
If your gift cards only need print, now, they can be packaged in the plastic film and
then paper box, cartons. However, most of gift card will not stop now, there are
many other personalized crafts, here list one by one.

3. Magnetic Stripe Card
Usually used magnetic stripe,lo-co and hi-co,color can be black, silver, gold, brown,
also can be customized.
Add magnetic stripe on the card can not wait cards into piece, before lamination,
should put the magnetic stripe on the position 12.5mm from the card edge.
Encoding on track 1, 2, 3, you can make your choice.
Bar Code Card
Bar code is a convenient and cheap craft, code 128, code 39, EAN 13, Code 25 and
others for your choice. Can print by ink-jet or DOD.
Signature Card
Signature craft used too many for bank card, white or transparent signature panel.
Embossed number Card
For serial number, embossed number is ok, big or small, gold color or silver color.
For random number, NBS can solve it, but it’s slower than embossed.
Scratch off label Card
For pin number and scratch off card, ink-jet or DOD printing. Scratch off label can be
gray or zebra. Scratch off card is better printed a serial number, this help QC check
out which card is missing, which card need make up.
Hot stamp Card
Some gift card need hot stamp for gold, silver, or laser color, the area of hot stamp
can not too big, also can not close to the card edge. If for large area, we suggest use
screen printing. The same suggestion for UV printing for the logo, if full screen
printing of UV or large area UV, would be easy to see dust or bubbles. Especially
important thing is can not design both sides for UV & hot stamp crafts.
Hologram Card
Hologram is a signal for anti-fake, due to the hologram cost is higher, need mold cost,
also need the original design. Less than 50000pcs, the cost of unit price is higher
than normal card.
Gift Card with hole
Your gift card with hole, please make sure the hole place will not influence your
design. The hole you can choose different size, 3mm,4mm,5mm, even 3*5mm or
customized.
Till now you may have a general opinion about the gift card world, it’s really not
simple as it seen, so if want to make any card project, let us customize for you.
Email now catherine@zbtechsz.com.