Magnetic Stripe Cards: Custom Printed for Secure Transactions

Welcome to Plastic Card ID: Your Trusted Source for Magnetic Stripe Cards and More

There is something powerful about holding a card in your hand. It feels real, it feels official, and it says something important about the business that gave it to you. At Plastic Card ID, we have spent over 25 years helping businesses across the country make exactly that kind of impression. From magnetic stripe cards to loyalty programs, membership IDs, and gift cards, we deliver products that work hard for your brand every single day.

We ship plastic cards, card printers, and all the refill supplies you need directly to your door, no matter where you are in the country. Whether you are a small boutique or a large enterprise, our team is ready to help you find the right solution. Getting started is easy. Just reach out to us at 800-835-7919 and we will walk you through everything from card design to delivery.

Our portfolio covers an impressive range of card types and technologies. We have proudly served more than 100,000 businesses and produced over 50 million cards, so you can trust that we know what works. Our commitment is simple: give every client the tools they need to build stronger customer relationships and grow their brand with confidence.

When businesses choose us, they are not just buying a product. They are investing in a long-term partnership built on quality, reliability, and results. That is the Plastic Card ID difference, and it shows in everything we do.

Why Magnetic Stripe Cards Are Still Essential

Magnetic stripe cards have been a cornerstone of business operations for decades, and for good reason. They are fast, reliable, and compatible with a huge range of card readers and point-of-sale systems already in use by businesses everywhere. When you swipe a magnetic stripe card, information is read in an instant, making transactions smooth and professional every time a customer interacts with your brand.

These cards store encoded data on a dark stripe running along the back of the card. That stripe can hold account numbers, loyalty points, access credentials, and more. Because so many businesses already have magnetic stripe readers installed, switching to magnetic stripe cards often requires little to no additional equipment investment, making them one of the most cost-effective card technologies available today.

We offer magnetic stripe cards in a variety of formats, including standard CR80 size, which fits perfectly in any wallet. Whether you need gift cards, membership cards, hotel key cards, or access control badges, magnetic stripe technology gives you a proven, dependable solution that your customers and staff can count on without any learning curve or complicated setup.

What We Offer: A Complete Card Product Line

Our product line is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. We carry everything from blank PVC cards ready for printing to fully custom-designed cards printed with your logo, colors, and branding. We also stock card printers from leading brands, as well as all the ribbons, overlaminates, cleaning kits, and other supplies you need to keep your printing operation running smoothly day after day.

Businesses love working with us because they can get everything in one place. There is no need to juggle multiple suppliers or worry about compatibility issues between your printer and your supplies. We make sure everything we sell works together seamlessly, saving you time, money, and frustration. Our knowledgeable team is always available to help you choose the right combination of products for your specific needs.

We ship nationally, which means whether you are in a major metropolitan area or a smaller market, you can access the same high-quality products and customer service that our clients everywhere enjoy. Fast, reliable shipping is part of our promise to you, and it is one more reason why so many businesses choose us as their go-to card supplier year after year.

Getting Started Is Simple

Starting your order with us is straightforward and stress-free. You can call us directly at 800-835-7919 to speak with one of our friendly team members who will help you understand your options, answer your questions, and guide you to the best products for your goals. We believe great service starts with great communication, and we are always happy to talk through the details with you.

We understand that every business has unique needs and budgets. That is why we offer a wide range of products at various price points, so you can find a solution that fits both your vision and your financial plan. From simple magnetic stripe loyalty cards to premium custom-printed gift cards, we have options for every type of business and every type of customer interaction.

The Power of Magnetic Stripe Cards for Your Business

Magnetic stripe cards are one of the most versatile tools a business can add to its operations. They work across industries, from retail and hospitality to healthcare and education. Because the technology is so widely adopted, your customers are already familiar with how to use them, which means no confusion, no delays, and no missed opportunities at the point of interaction.

One of the biggest advantages of magnetic stripe cards is their flexibility. The same card format can serve as a gift card today, a loyalty card tomorrow, and an access control credential next week. By investing in magnetic stripe card infrastructure, businesses gain a platform that can grow and adapt alongside their changing needs without requiring a complete overhaul of their systems.

We have seen firsthand how businesses transform their customer relationships when they introduce a well-designed magnetic stripe card program. Retailers who switch from paper gift certificates to plastic gift cards with magnetic stripes often report sales increases of up to 100%. That is not a small improvement. That is a dramatic shift in how customers engage with a brand, and it all starts with the card in their wallet.

Types of Magnetic Stripe Cards We Carry

Our inventory of magnetic stripe cards covers virtually every use case a business might encounter. We carry cards with low-coercivity (LoCo) stripes for applications like hotel room keys and gift cards, as well as high-coercivity (HiCo) stripes for more demanding applications like access control and loyalty programs that require longer-lasting data integrity. Choosing the right coercivity level matters, and we help you make that choice correctly.

Every card we carry is manufactured to meet or exceed ISO standards for size, thickness, and stripe performance. This means your cards will work reliably with the card readers and printers you already own or plan to purchase. We take quality seriously because we know that a card that fails at the point of use reflects poorly on your business, and that is something we are determined to prevent.

• Standard CR80 magnetic stripe gift cards
• Loyalty and rewards cards with HiCo stripes
• Hotel key cards with LoCo stripes
• Membership and club access cards
• Employee ID and time-tracking cards
• Casino player tracking cards
• Retail point-of-sale transaction cards

Card Printers That Work With Magnetic Stripe Cards

Printing magnetic stripe cards in-house gives your business incredible flexibility and control. You can produce cards on demand, update card designs without waiting weeks for a new print run, and customize each card individually if your workflow requires it. We carry card printers from top brands that are specifically designed to handle magnetic stripe encoding alongside full-color printing, so you get a professional finished product every time.

Our card printers range from compact, single-sided desktop models perfect for small offices to high-volume dual-sided printers built for large organizations that need to produce hundreds or thousands of cards regularly. Each model we carry is selected for its reliability, print quality, and compatibility with the magnetic stripe encoding standard your cards require. We can help you match the right printer to your volume and budget.

Investing in a card printer is one of the smartest moves a growing business can make. It eliminates the per-card cost of outsourcing, gives you total control over timing and design, and pays for itself quickly when you factor in the savings over time. Printer prices typically range from $300-$2,500 depending on features and volume capacity, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Ribbons, Supplies, and Accessories

A card printer is only as good as the supplies you use with it. We stock a full range of compatible ribbons, cleaning kits, overlaminates, and card trays to keep your printer running at peak performance. Using the right supplies not only ensures vibrant, sharp print quality but also extends the life of your printer, protecting your investment over the long term.

Our ribbon options include full-color YMCKO ribbons for vivid multi-color printing, monochrome ribbons for fast black-and-white text and barcode printing, and specialty ribbons for security printing applications. We also carry topcoat overlaminates that add a protective layer to finished cards, shielding them from scratches, UV fading, and everyday wear so your cards stay looking sharp longer.

Gift Cards That Drive Real Revenue

Card Type	Technology	Best Use Case
Gift Cards	Magnetic Stripe / Barcode	Retail, Restaurants, Spas
Loyalty Cards	Magnetic Stripe / Barcode	Retail, Healthcare, Fitness
Membership Cards	Magnetic Stripe / RFID	Clubs, Gyms, Associations
Access Control Cards	RFID / Magnetic Stripe	Offices, Hotels, Campuses
ID Badges	Photo ID / Magnetic Stripe	Schools, Corporations, Events

Gift cards are one of the single most effective sales tools a business can deploy, and the numbers back that up convincingly. Studies show that businesses that introduce plastic gift card programs can see sales boosts of 35-50% compared to their previous paper-based alternatives. When customers give gift cards, they are essentially prepaying for a future visit, guaranteeing return traffic and introducing new customers who might never have visited otherwise.

We help businesses design and produce gift cards that look and feel premium. A beautifully printed gift card with a magnetic stripe is far more likely to be kept, used, and even shared than a flimsy paper certificate. The card itself becomes a mini billboard for your brand, sitting in a customer's wallet alongside their most valued payment cards, putting your business in great company every single day.

Gift card programs are not just for large retailers. Salons, restaurants, gyms, auto shops, and dozens of other business types have seen tremendous success adding gift cards to their offerings. We make it easy and affordable for businesses of every size to launch a professional gift card program quickly, with beautiful cards ready to sell and impress from day one.

How Gift Card Programs Increase Customer Spending

When a customer redeems a gift card, they almost always spend more than the card's face value. This is called gift card uplift, and it is one of the most well-documented benefits of running a gift card program. Customers who come in with a $25 gift card often leave having spent $40 or $50, turning a simple card redemption into a significantly higher transaction than you might otherwise see.

There is also the matter of unredeemed balances. A portion of gift cards are never fully redeemed, meaning a business retains some revenue without providing the corresponding goods or services. While we always encourage businesses to deliver great customer experiences, understanding the full financial picture of gift card programs helps you appreciate just how powerful these small plastic cards can be for your bottom line.

Beyond individual transactions, gift card programs build long-term loyalty. Customers who receive a gift card become customers of yours, often for the first time. If they have a great experience, they are likely to return on their own, tell friends and family about your business, and maybe even purchase more gift cards themselves. This cycle of engagement is exactly what strong businesses are built on, and we are proud to help you create it.

Designing Gift Cards That Get Noticed

A gift card's design is its first impression, and first impressions matter enormously. We work with businesses to create card designs that reflect their brand identity with precision and style. From bold, vibrant colors to elegant minimalist layouts, we have the printing capabilities to bring virtually any design vision to life on a durable, professional plastic card that customers will be proud to give and receive.

Our printing process ensures color accuracy, sharp text, and smooth finishes that make every card look like it came from a premium brand. We use high-quality PVC stock that resists cracking, fading, and everyday wear, so your cards keep looking great long after they leave your hands. A card that looks and feels premium communicates quality, and quality is something customers remember and come back for.

Call Us to Launch Your Gift Card Program

Ready to see what a gift card program can do for your business? Our team is standing by and eager to help you get started. Whether you are looking for a few hundred cards to test the waters or a full-scale program with thousands of cards, we have options to fit your needs and your budget. Call us now at 800-835-7919 and let's make something great together.

Getting started takes just one conversation. We will help you choose the right card design, stripe encoding, and quantities to match your goals. From there, we handle production and ship everything directly to you, wherever you are in the country. It is truly that simple, and our clients tell us every day how glad they are that they made the call.

Loyalty Cards: Building Repeat Business, One Swipe at a Time

Customer loyalty is not something that happens by accident. It is built intentionally, one positive interaction at a time, with tools designed to reward customers for coming back. Loyalty card programs are one of the most effective and proven ways to encourage repeat visits, increase average spending, and turn occasional buyers into devoted brand advocates who choose you over the competition again and again.

We produce loyalty cards in a wide range of formats, from simple punch-card-style designs to sophisticated magnetic stripe cards that track points automatically through your POS system. Whatever level of technology you are working with, we have a loyalty card solution that will integrate smoothly and impress your customers. Our cards are durable, attractive, and built to survive years of daily use in a busy wallet.

Businesses that run loyalty programs report significantly higher customer retention rates compared to those that do not. Retaining a current customer costs far less than acquiring a new one, which means every loyalty card you hand out is an investment with a strong, measurable return. We are proud to be the partner that helps you make that investment with confidence and style.

Types of Loyalty Programs That Work

There are several proven loyalty program formats that businesses use to keep customers engaged and coming back. Points-based programs reward customers with accumulating points for every dollar spent, which can later be redeemed for discounts, free products, or special experiences. These programs are highly motivating because customers can see their rewards growing with every visit, which gives them a tangible reason to choose you over a competitor.

Tiered loyalty programs take engagement even further by offering escalating rewards for higher levels of spending. When customers know they can unlock a premium tier with better perks, they are motivated to spend more to get there. This type of program works especially well for businesses in hospitality, beauty, fitness, and specialty retail, where the customer relationship has natural depth and ongoing potential for growth.

• Points accumulation programs for retail and food service
• Tiered reward programs for premium client relationships
• Punch card equivalents in durable plastic format
• Visit-based reward programs for service businesses
• Referral reward programs linked to magnetic stripe cards

Why Plastic Loyalty Cards Outperform Digital Alternatives

Digital loyalty apps have their place, but they also have their limits. App download rates are low, notification fatigue is real, and a significant portion of customers simply will not engage with a digital-only loyalty program. A physical loyalty card, by contrast, is immediate, tangible, and always accessible the moment a customer opens their wallet. There is no app to download, no password to forget, and no battery to worry about.

Physical cards also serve as a constant brand reminder. Every time a customer opens their wallet, they see your card. That small moment of brand visibility adds up over weeks and months into a meaningful level of top-of-mind awareness that digital alternatives simply cannot replicate. It is a quiet but powerful form of marketing that works around the clock without any additional effort or ongoing cost from your side.

We often hear from clients who tried digital-only loyalty programs and then switched to physical magnetic stripe cards. The difference in customer engagement is noticeable almost immediately. Customers ask about the program more often, use their cards more consistently, and feel a stronger sense of connection to the business. That is the kind of result that keeps our clients coming back to us for more cards year after year.

Custom Card Carriers, Sleeves, and Presentation Packaging

A loyalty card is a gift you give to your customer, and like any gift, how it is presented matters. We offer a full range of custom card carriers, protective sleeves, and presentation packaging that elevate the moment of card delivery from a simple transaction into a memorable brand experience. A beautifully packaged loyalty card tells your customer that you value them and that your business pays attention to the details that matter.

Our carriers and sleeves can be printed with your branding, program terms, instructions, and promotional messages, turning a simple card holder into a powerful marketing piece in its own right. We also offer card mailing services, so you can send loyalty cards directly to new members or valued customers without any additional handling on your part. We take care of the details so you can focus on running your business.

Membership and ID Cards: Belonging Has Never Looked Better

There is a profound psychological power in holding a card that says you belong. Whether it is a gym membership, a professional association credential, a union card, or a student ID, membership cards create a sense of identity and community that strengthens the bond between an organization and its members. We produce membership and ID cards that do all of this while projecting the professional image your organization deserves.

Our membership cards are fully customizable with your logo, member name, ID number, photo, and any other information your program requires. We can add magnetic stripes for system integration, barcodes for quick scanning, or RFID chips for contactless access control. Whatever your needs, we have the technology and expertise to build a membership card solution that works beautifully from day one.

From alumni associations and sports clubs to corporate employee programs and healthcare systems, we serve organizations of all types and sizes with the same dedication to quality and service. Every membership card we produce is a reflection of your organization's identity, and we take that responsibility seriously because we know how much it matters to you and your members.

Photo ID Badges for Security and Professionalism

Photo ID badges serve a dual purpose: they enhance security by clearly identifying who belongs in a given space, and they project a professional image that reflects well on your organization. Whether you need ID badges for a school, a hospital, a corporate campus, or a large-scale event, we provide the cards, printers, and supplies to produce sharp, professional photo IDs quickly and reliably on your own schedule.

Our ID card printers are capable of printing full-color photo IDs with remarkable clarity and precision. Faces are recognizable, text is crisp, and logos and design elements print with vibrant accuracy. We stock printers that encode magnetic stripes during the printing process, so you can produce a fully functional, fully branded employee ID or member card in a single pass through the printer, saving time and ensuring consistency across every card you make.

Security is a growing concern for organizations of every type, and a well-designed ID badge program is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective ways to address it. When every person in your facility carries a visually distinctive, hard-to-replicate photo ID card, unauthorized access becomes significantly more difficult, and your staff and members feel noticeably safer and more confident in their environment every single day.

Alumni, Union, and Association Cards

Alumni cards carry tremendous sentimental and practical value. For universities and schools, they are a tangible symbol of the bond between institution and graduate, a connection that can last a lifetime and translate into donations, referrals, and community engagement for decades to come. We produce alumni cards that look and feel prestigious, with premium printing and durable construction that honors the significance of what they represent for every holder.

Union cards and professional association credentials carry similar weight. They represent membership in a community with shared values and goals, and the card itself is a daily reminder of that belonging. We work with unions, trade associations, and professional organizations to create membership cards that are both functional and meaningful, combining practical features like magnetic stripe encoding with designs that members are genuinely proud to carry in their wallets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Membership Cards

One question we hear often is how quickly we can produce and ship membership cards. The answer depends on the quantity and customization level required, but we consistently deliver fast turnaround times because we know that timing matters for your programs and events. Our team will give you a clear timeline upfront so you can plan with confidence and never be left waiting when you need your cards in hand.

Another common question is about minimum order quantities. We work with organizations of all sizes, including those that only need a small number of cards to start. Whether you need 50 cards for a local club or 10,000 cards for a national organization, we have production options that make economic sense for your situation. We never make you feel like your order is too small to matter, because to us, every client matters equally.

Access Control and Security Cards: Protecting What Matters Most

Security is not just a feature. It is a foundation. When people enter your building, your event, or your system, you need to know they are authorized to be there. Our access control and security cards give organizations a reliable, scalable way to manage who gets in and who does not, using technologies that are trusted by hotels, campuses, casinos, and corporations around the world every single day.

We carry a full range of access control card technologies, from traditional magnetic stripe cards to RFID smart cards with contactless reading capabilities. Our team helps you understand which technology is right for your existing infrastructure or helps you plan a new system from the ground up. The goal is always the same: give you the most effective, most reliable access control solution for your specific situation and budget.

Access control programs also provide valuable data. Every card swipe is a record, and those records can be used to monitor attendance, track activity patterns, and investigate security incidents when they occur. This level of operational visibility is invaluable for organizations managing large facilities or complex access hierarchies, and it starts with the right card in the right hands at the right time.

Hotel Key Cards and Hospitality Solutions

Hotel key cards are one of the most recognized applications of magnetic stripe card technology, and for good reason. They are fast, reliable, and can be programmed and reprogrammed at the front desk in seconds, making them ideal for a high-turnover hospitality environment where efficiency and guest experience are everything. We supply hotels, resorts, and short-term rental operators with key cards that perform flawlessly and look great with custom branding.

A branded hotel key card is more than just a room key. It is a piece of your guest experience, something the guest handles dozens of times during their stay. By printing your logo, property name, and design on the card, you turn a functional item into a brand touchpoint that reinforces your hotel's identity every time a guest reaches for their card. It is a small detail that leaves a lasting impression long after checkout.

We also supply the card printers and encoding equipment that hotels need to manage their key card programs in-house. With the right printer on your front desk, your staff can issue a new key card in under a minute, keeping the check-in process smooth and guest satisfaction high. Our hospitality solutions are designed for speed, reliability, and ease of use in a fast-paced hotel environment where every second counts.

Casino Player Cards and RFID Smart Cards

Casino player cards are a sophisticated application of magnetic stripe technology that drives enormous business value for gaming operations. By encoding a player's account information on a magnetic stripe card, casinos can track play activity, reward loyal players with points and perks, and build personalized relationships that keep players coming back. We produce casino player cards that are durable, precise, and ready for high-volume use in demanding gaming environments.

For organizations requiring contactless access and more advanced data storage, we offer RFID smart cards including MIFARE DESFire technology. These cards communicate with readers wirelessly, making them ideal for high-traffic access points where speed is essential and physical contact with a reader is impractical. RFID cards are widely used in corporate campuses, transit systems, and secure government facilities around the world, and we are proud to supply them nationally.

• Casino player tracking cards with magnetic stripes
• RFID access control cards for corporate offices
• MIFARE DESFire contactless smart cards
• Hotel key cards for single and multi-property use
• Campus access cards for universities and hospitals
• Event access credentials for conferences and shows

Encoding and Personalization Services

Getting the right data onto your cards is just as important as the card itself. We offer professional magnetic stripe encoding services that ensure every card is programmed accurately before it ships to you. This means your cards arrive ready to use, with no additional encoding steps required on your end unless you prefer to handle encoding in-house with your own equipment, in which case we supply everything you need to do that smoothly as well.

Personalization services go beyond encoding. We can print individual names, numbers, photos, or variable data on each card in a single production run, making mass personalization fast and affordable. This is especially valuable for membership organizations, employee ID programs, and any application where each card needs to be uniquely tied to a specific individual for tracking, security, or customer experience purposes.

Specialty Cards: When Ordinary Simply Will Not Do

Some moments call for something extraordinary. When your brand wants to make a truly unforgettable impression, our specialty card options deliver a level of impact that standard cards simply cannot match. From transparent clear plastic cards to custom-shaped cards and luxury metal cards crafted from stainless steel or gold, we offer premium options that communicate excellence in every detail and make recipients feel genuinely valued and impressed.

Specialty cards are not just novelties. They are strategic brand investments. A metal card, for example, has a weight and presence that immediately sets it apart from anything else in a wallet. When a client or VIP customer receives a metal card from your business, the message is clear: you are serious about your brand, and you value them enough to give them something that reflects that seriousness in a tangible, physical way.

We work with businesses in luxury retail, high-end hospitality, financial services, and other premium markets to create specialty cards that align perfectly with their brand positioning. Whatever your vision, our production capabilities and design expertise are here to help you realize it in stunning, durable fashion. Call us to discuss specialty card options and discover what is possible for your brand today.

Clear Plastic and Transparent Cards

Clear plastic cards are a striking, modern option that immediately captures attention. Because most cards in a person's wallet are opaque, a transparent card stands out visually every single time the wallet is opened. This unexpected visual moment is a powerful brand touchpoint that keeps your business top-of-mind in a completely passive and effortless way. We produce clear cards with crisp, vibrant printing that pops against the transparent background with remarkable visual impact.

Clear cards work especially well for businesses in fashion, beauty, technology, and design, where a forward-thinking, modern aesthetic is part of the brand identity. They can be equipped with all the same functional features as standard cards, including magnetic stripes, barcodes, and signature panels, so you never have to sacrifice utility for style when choosing a clear card format for your program.

Custom Shape Cards and Die-Cut Options

Why be rectangular when you can be anything? Our custom-shape and die-cut card options let your brand break the mold, literally. Cards shaped like your product, your logo, or any distinctive form factor create an instant conversation piece that people remember and share. Custom-shaped cards are particularly effective for promotional applications, product launches, and specialty retail programs where standing out from the crowd is the entire point of the exercise.

Die-cut cards are produced using precision cutting technology that delivers clean, consistent edges on even the most complex shapes. We have produced cards in dozens of custom shapes, and our team is experienced at translating creative designs into finished cards that look exactly as envisioned. If you can draw it or describe it, we can very likely produce it in durable, high-quality plastic card form.

Luxury Metal Cards for VIP Programs

Metal cards are the ultimate statement of premium brand positioning. Made from materials like stainless steel, brushed aluminum, or gold-toned alloy, these cards have a physical presence and perceived value that no plastic card can replicate. When your best customers receive a metal card, they know it. They feel the weight, they hear the sound when it is set on a counter, and they never throw it away because it feels too valuable to discard. That is the definition of lasting brand impression.

We produce luxury metal cards for VIP membership programs, exclusive loyalty tiers, corporate gifting, and high-end promotional campaigns. These cards can be engraved, etched, or printed with your branding for a finished product that looks and feels genuinely prestigious. Metal cards can also be equipped with magnetic stripes and other functional features, so your VIP clients get both the prestige of a premium card and the practical utility of a fully functional program credential.

Postcard Mailers and Direct Mail Card Programs

Direct mail is far from dead. In fact, card-based postcard mailers consistently achieve double the response rates of traditional paper direct mail, making them one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available for businesses looking to reach customers at home with a message that gets noticed and acted upon. We produce postcard mailers that combine the attention-grabbing power of plastic with the reach and personalization of direct mail.

Our postcard mailer programs allow businesses to affix custom plastic cards directly to a printed mailer, creating a combined piece that is both a communication and a physical product. When a recipient opens their mailbox to find a mailer with a real plastic gift card, loyalty card, or discount card attached to it, the response rate jumps dramatically compared to a piece with nothing more than text and images printed on paper. It is a powerful combination that we help businesses execute flawlessly.

We offer full-service card affixing and mailing, meaning we can handle the entire production and delivery process from card printing all the way through to final postage, saving you time, effort, and coordination headaches. Our national shipping capabilities mean we can serve businesses targeting audiences anywhere in the country with the same efficient, professional service regardless of geography or campaign scale.

How Direct Mail Card Programs Work

The process is simpler than most businesses expect. You provide us with your mailing list, your card design, and your mailer design, and we take it from there. We print the cards, produce the mailers, affix the cards to the mailers, and send everything out to your target audience on schedule. The result is a cohesive, professional campaign that arrives in recipients' mailboxes looking polished and purposeful from the very first piece.

These campaigns work especially well for customer reactivation, where you are trying to bring back lapsed customers with a compelling offer attached to a physical card. They also shine in new customer acquisition campaigns, grand opening announcements, and seasonal promotions where a physical incentive makes all the difference in getting people off the fence and through your door. We have helped countless businesses run highly successful direct mail card campaigns, and we are ready to help yours too.

Combining Magnetic Stripe Cards With Direct Mail

Adding a magnetic stripe to your direct mail card program takes it to the next level. Instead of a simple discount card that gets manually processed at the register, you can send recipients a fully encoded magnetic stripe card that ties directly into your POS system, tracks redemption, and builds a customer profile from the very first swipe. This integration between direct mail and your in-store technology creates a powerful closed loop that turns marketing into measurable business results.

We encode magnetic stripe cards as part of our direct mail production process, so every card that goes out in the mail is ready to scan from the moment the recipient walks into your store. This seamless experience is one of the things that sets our direct mail card programs apart from generic paper offers, and it is a huge reason why businesses see such strong results when they invest in plastic card mailer campaigns with us as their production partner.

Why Businesses Across the Country Choose Plastic Card ID

With so many card suppliers in the market, it is fair to ask what makes us different. The answer comes down to three things: our depth of experience, the breadth of our product line, and the quality of our customer service. When you call us, you speak to someone who actually knows cards, printers, and supplies inside and out, and who genuinely wants to help you find the best solution for your specific needs rather than simply processing an order and moving on.

We have served more than 100,000 businesses over more than 25 years. That breadth of experience means we have likely encountered your exact situation before, and we know what works and what does not. We bring that hard-won knowledge to every client conversation, helping you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions that produce the results you are looking for from your card program.

Our national shipping capability means that no matter where your business is located, you get the same fast, reliable delivery and the same high-quality products. We are not limited by geography, and neither are our clients. From coast to coast, businesses trust us to deliver the cards, printers, and supplies they need, on time and exactly as ordered, every single time they place an order with our team.

Over 100,000 Businesses Served and Counting

The number 100,000 is not just a statistic. It represents 100,000 individual businesses that placed their trust in us and found that trust well rewarded. Each of those businesses came to us with a need, and we helped them meet it with a product that delivered real, measurable value. That kind of consistent performance over a quarter of a century does not happen by accident. It is the result of a relentless commitment to quality and customer satisfaction that runs through everything we do.

Our client base spans virtually every industry and business type. Retailers, restaurateurs, healthcare providers, educational institutions, hospitality operators, corporate campuses, entertainment venues, and dozens more have all found value in our products and returned to us again and again for new orders as their businesses grew and their card program needs evolved. That loyalty from our clients is something we take great pride in and work hard to earn every day.

Fast, Reliable National Shipping

Speed matters. When you need cards for a campaign, a grand opening, or a membership drive, waiting weeks for delivery is simply not an option. We understand that, and our production and shipping processes are built around getting your order to you as quickly as possible without ever sacrificing quality. Most orders ship within days, and we offer expedited options for time-sensitive situations because we know your deadlines are real and important.

We ship to all 50 states, so no matter where your business operates, you have full access to our complete product line and services. Whether you are ordering a small supply of blank cards and ribbons for your in-house printer or placing a large custom card order for a major campaign, the shipping process is the same: fast, trackable, and backed by our commitment to getting your order right the first time without exception.

Our Promise: Quality You Can Count On

Every card we ship, every printer we sell, and every ribbon we supply is held to a high standard of quality that we are genuinely proud of. We source from trusted manufacturers, test products for performance, and stand behind everything we sell. If something is not right, we make it right, because our reputation is built one satisfied client at a time, and we intend to keep building it with the same dedication that has carried us through 25 years in business.

Our quality promise extends to our customer service as well. When you reach us at 800-835-7919, you will find a team that is knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping you succeed. We take your questions seriously, we give you straight answers, and we follow up to make sure everything arrived correctly and is working as expected. That is not just good business. That is who we are, and it is the foundation of every relationship we build.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Products and Services

We love helping our clients understand their options, and we have answered a lot of great questions over the years. Here are some of the most common questions we hear, along with the answers that help businesses make confident, informed decisions about their card programs. If you have a question that is not covered here, our team is always available and happy to talk through whatever is on your mind, anytime.

Understanding the full scope of what we offer helps businesses get the most value from their investment in plastic cards and printing equipment. The more you know about what is possible, the better equipped you are to build a card program that truly serves your business goals and delivers a return that justifies and exceeds the investment you make in getting started.

What Is the Difference Between HiCo and LoCo Magnetic Stripes?

High-coercivity (HiCo) magnetic stripes are more resistant to demagnetization, making them ideal for cards that will be used frequently or stored near other magnetic sources like keys or credit cards in a busy wallet. HiCo stripes are the right choice for loyalty cards, employee IDs, and access control credentials that need to perform reliably over months or years of regular daily use by active cardholders.

Low-coercivity (LoCo) magnetic stripes are easier and less expensive to encode, making them well-suited for short-term applications like hotel key cards, event access credentials, and gift cards that will typically be used for a limited time before being retired. Choosing the right coercivity for your application is an important decision, and our team is always ready to help you make it correctly the first time to avoid compatibility or performance issues down the line.

What Card Printers Do You Recommend for Small Businesses?

For small businesses printing cards in-house for the first time, we typically recommend a compact, single-sided desktop card printer in the $300-$700 range. These printers are easy to set up, produce excellent quality cards, and are compatible with the full range of magnetic stripe encoding features that most small business card programs require. They are a great starting point that many businesses continue using as their programs grow and scale over time.

For businesses with higher volume needs or more complex requirements, such as dual-sided printing or inline lamination, we carry a range of mid-range and professional-grade printers in the $800-$2,500 range. Our team will help you assess your monthly print volume and card design complexity to recommend the printer that gives you the best combination of quality, speed, and value for your specific situation and long-term printing goals.

Can You Help With Card Design?

Absolutely. While we do not replace a full design agency, our team is experienced at helping clients translate their brand guidelines and visual ideas into card-ready artwork files that will print beautifully. We can guide you through specifications, provide design templates, and review your artwork before production to catch any issues that might affect print quality or encoding functionality so your finished cards look exactly the way you envision them.

Many businesses come to us with an existing logo and color palette but without card-specific artwork. We help bridge that gap with practical guidance and technical support that makes the design-to-production process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Great design combined with our production quality is what makes cards people genuinely want to carry, and we are committed to helping you achieve that result with every order.

Case Study: How Magnetic Stripe Cards Transformed a Mid-Size Retailer

Consider a regional clothing retailer with 12 locations that was struggling to convert one-time shoppers into returning customers. They were using paper punch cards for their loyalty program, and the results were disappointing. Cards were lost, damaged, or simply ignored. Redemption rates were low, and the program felt cheap compared to the brand's otherwise polished retail experience. They needed a change, and they came to us for help.

We worked with them to design a custom magnetic stripe loyalty card that matched their brand perfectly, with vibrant colors, their logo prominently featured, and a clean, modern look that customers were genuinely excited to receive. We also helped them select and set up card printers at each of their 12 locations, along with the supplies and training needed to keep the program running smoothly. The transition was completed in under three weeks from first call to full deployment across all their stores.

The results were remarkable. Within 90 days, their loyalty program enrollment more than doubled. Redemption rates climbed significantly, and average transaction values among loyalty card holders were noticeably higher than among non-card-holding customers. The retailer also reported that their staff found the new system faster and easier to use than the old paper program, which improved the checkout experience for everyone involved from the very first swipe.

Key Takeaways From This Case Study

The most important lesson from this retailer's experience is that the quality and professionalism of your loyalty card directly impacts how customers perceive and engage with your program. A well-designed magnetic stripe card sends a signal of credibility and commitment. When customers see that you have invested in a real, functional card program, they are more likely to take it seriously and participate actively over time.

Technology integration was also critical to the retailer's success. Because their magnetic stripe cards connected directly to their POS system, the program ran automatically without requiring extra effort from staff or customers. This frictionless experience is a key driver of loyalty program success, and it is something we help businesses achieve through careful product selection and setup support that takes the guesswork out of the technical side of things.

• Loyalty program enrollment doubled within 90 days of launch
• Average transaction value increased among loyalty card holders
• Staff reported faster, easier checkout processes
• Card design quality directly improved customer perception
• POS integration eliminated friction from the reward redemption process
• Card program ROI was positive within the first program quarter

Apply These Lessons to Your Business Today

You do not need 12 locations to benefit from a professional magnetic stripe card program. Whether you have one location or one hundred, the same principles apply: invest in quality cards, integrate them with your systems, and make the experience seamless for your customers and your staff. We have helped businesses of every size achieve results like the ones described in this case study, and we are ready to help yours do the same.

The path forward starts with a conversation. Tell us about your business, your goals, and your current customer engagement challenges. We will listen, ask the right questions, and come back to you with a practical recommendation that fits your budget and your ambitions. That is how we have helped over 100,000 businesses, and it is exactly how we will help yours when you decide you are ready to take your card program to the next level.

Take the Next Step With Plastic Card ID: Call Us Today

You have seen what magnetic stripe cards, gift cards, loyalty programs, membership credentials, and specialty cards can do for businesses like yours. You have read the case studies, understood the technology, and learned about the full range of products and services we offer. Now the only thing left to do is make the call that starts your journey toward a stronger brand, more loyal customers, and measurably better business results every single month.

Call Plastic Card ID right now at 800-835-7919 and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable team members who are ready to help you today. Whether you have a fully formed plan or just the seed of an idea, we are the right partner to help you take it from concept to reality with speed, quality, and service that you will appreciate from the very first call all the way through to delivery at your door.

We ship plastic cards, card printers, and all the supplies you need nationally, to any address in the country, with fast turnaround times that keep your programs on schedule. We are your one-stop shop for everything card-related, and we are proud to have earned the trust of over 100,000 businesses by delivering on that promise consistently for more than 25 years. Let us add your business to that growing list of satisfied clients who are building better brands one card at a time.

What to Expect When You Call

When you call us at 800-835-7919, you will reach a real person who is knowledgeable about our products and genuinely interested in helping you find the right solution. There is no long hold time, no automated maze to navigate, and no sales pressure. Just a straightforward, helpful conversation about what you need and how we can help you get it in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible for your unique business situation.

We will ask you about your goals, your current setup if you have one, your quantities, and your timeline. Based on what you tell us, we will recommend specific products from our catalog that match your needs and your budget, explain the ordering process clearly, and give you a realistic timeline for production and delivery. By the end of the call, you will have a clear, confident plan for moving forward with your card program.

Ready to Order? Here Is How to Get Started

Getting started with PCID is as easy as picking up the phone. Call 800-835-7919, tell us what you are looking for, and we will handle the rest. Our ordering process is designed to be simple, transparent, and hassle-free from start to finish, because we know your time is valuable and you have a business to run while we take care of the details.

We accept orders for custom-printed cards, blank card stock, card printers, ribbons, and all accessories. We offer competitive pricing, fast production times, and nationwide shipping that gets your order to your door when you need it. Whether this is your first card order or your hundredth, we treat every order with the same care and attention to detail that has made us one of the most trusted names in the card printing industry for over 25 years.

Your Success Is Our Mission

At the end of the day, everything we do comes back to one simple mission: helping your business succeed. The cards we produce, the printers we supply, and the service we deliver are all in service of that mission. When your loyalty program drives more repeat visits, when your gift cards boost your seasonal revenue, and when your membership cards strengthen your community, we feel that success as our own because we played a part in making it happen for you.

We invite you to experience the difference that a true card program partner can make for your business. Call 800-835-7919 today and let's begin a conversation that could change the way your customers experience your brand. Plastic Card ID is here, we are ready, and we cannot wait to help you build something remarkable with the simple, powerful tool that is a great plastic card in the hands of a loyal customer.