Why Cards Plus?

With a growing number of companies in South Africa who having offerings to the Plastic Card industry, perhaps you are wondering why you should buy from Cards Plus.

What would be the advantage you would have in our being your supplier?

1. We are a South African Manufacturer of Plastic cards -we do not bring our preprinted
cards from China or the United States -we print and manufacture our own at our factory in Johannesburg. What is the advantage to you, the client?

a. Speedy service – our standard turnaround time, express and next day service all have set new benchmarks in South Africa
b. Flexibility – need to check if your colour looks the way you want on your card? You can
run a sample – or better yet, utilize our standard and speedy Hard Copy Proofing service –
then make adjustments if it isn’t the way you had dreamed.
c. Quality Control – if there should be any issues with your cards after approval of the hard copy, you have immediate recourse for addressing the issue - and (see point 2b) we will stand by our product and if we have made a mistake, we will fix it!
d. We are creating jobs in South Africa and keeping your money in our economy
e. Come and visit us for a tour!

2. We only represent the best quality products

a. From our equipment to the type of plastic we print on – we do not buy junk! What we
offer our clients is tried and tested by us to be of excellent quality. We don’t cut corners to
increase our margins or decrease our pricing.
b. We believe so strongly in our product that we offer our own guarantees on our products.

3. We have a variety of solutions to meet every need – are you budget sensitive, time critical or need a flexible solution? We have products and services to meet each of these.

4. We offer full support and training if needed
Having trouble getting your software to work? Does your printer need to be serviced? We
can help. Perhaps you need a new printer but don’t know how to work it? We will be very
happy to train you.

5. Our Brain Trust – a great resource for consultation

With over 23 years in the auto ID industry, and a vast amount of experience and knowledge, we have trained up knowledgeable staff and have the resources to assist you with deciding what the best solution is for your requirement.

We believe strongly that you deserve the best, and we strive to offer you what you need.

Please feel free to contact us if there is anything we can do to assist you
0861 16 CARDS (22737) or +27 11 894 2914 www.cardsplus.co.za

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The Answer to Your Problem: The Cards Plus Solution

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word solution as:

a: an action or process of solving a problem
b : an answer to a problem : explanation; specifically : a set of values of the variables that satisfies an equation.

This term is the newest buzzword in our industry - it is appearing more and more in advertising and marketing campaigns and popping up in websites and blogs. Its definition however it can mean different things to different people.

At CardsPlus, we have modeled ourselves from the beginning to be a solution-based company.

First, we believe that knowledge is power in the hands of our clients - therefore, we do our best to educate through our website, newsletters and consultation regarding the technology, terminology and products. Providing our clients with this makes them a more informed consumer and gives them the ability to choose what they need without having to blindly trust a salesperson who may have only one agenda.

Second, we have positioned ourselves with a full range of products offering many different ways to approach a project.

If you are budget conscious, we have a perfect option to print for you or provide you with your own card printer;

If you are time restrained, we have excellent service offerings including Quickcards and Just in Time service;

If you require high level technology, we have products specifically designed and uniquely positioned as well as trained and certified staff who can consult, train and install for you.

(click here for an overview of the services and products we offer)

Third, we can offer you educated advice if you require. We have years of experience in this industry including implementation of many different types of solutions into many different applications, including high end government solutions, retail environments and membership platforms.

We feel that our approach to the term "Solution" is a full rounded approach - offering not
just one angle, but many - giving you the result you require.

We would love the opportunity to discuss with you the project you are working on - be it a straightforward implementation, or a complex multifaceted project - to help you to determine what you require to complete your goals and get your project rolling.

Contact us at 011 894 3914 or 086 16 CARDS or email us at moreinfoplease@cardsplus.co.za to speak to one of our helpful team.

Let us serve you!

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The CardsPlus Approach to Environmental Concerns

A rising awareness is taking hold in South Africa regarding our responsibilities in relation to the beautiful land we have been blessed with. Terminology such as "carbon footprint", "eco-efficiency" and "biodiversity" is becoming more and more a part of our language.

At CardsPlus we believe that the correct approach to being environmentally conscientious involves taking into account the entire picture - and finding a solution that addresses the entire requirement. We believe this is the environmentally responsible way to loving our planet.

It is a general consensus that the methodology of "reduce, reuse and recycle" is the model to follow.

Consider these thoughts:

• Is the use of a "biodegradeable plastic" going to reduce the number of cards needed? Most biodegradable products do not last as long as alternatives such as PET plastic or even PVC.
• Is the plastic of choice going to accomplish the requirement we have for the use of the card - ie branding? strength? security? Different plastics offer different benefits
• Is the plastic of choice able to be reused in a different form? Or alternatively can it safely be disposed of? PLA or Biodegradeable plastic cannot be reused by design, but is meant to "compost", however there are no correct composting landfills in South Africa. PVC produces an emission which is not good for the environment in general, however it is the most easily recycled into other products. PET however, has a longer life and is a carbon based plastic - having less of an impact on the environment.

In light of the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" methodology, CardsPlus has implemented the following in its offerings and practices:

• We recycle our plastic, and offer a recycling option to our local clients. For those outside of the Johannesburg area, we are in process of developing a network of recycling stations where our clients can organize for their used plastic cards to be recycled into new products such as field pipes.
• We offer a variety of plastics to our clients to enable them to address the best solution for their requirements
• We offer services, such as a Just In Time service, which enables our large volume clients to reap the benefits of ordering just as they need - reducing the number of out of date cards on the floor.

Feel free to contact any of our helpful team at CardsPlus to discuss which solution best fits your requirement. +27 (0)11 894 3914 or email moreinfoplease@cardsplus.co.za

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Client FAQ: Why does the Datacard SP35 look JUST like the EDIsecure DCP240+?

The SP35 and DCP240+ have similar bodies and look similar on the outside.

However, the two printer brands do not operate the same.

Why we prefer the DCP240+

• Advanced print driver gives the ability to enhance print graphic quality
• The powerful printer drivers have access to every parameter of the card printing job- so you can change any aspect in one central place
• Unmatched Graphic User Interface (GUI) ensures better colour matching from screen to print.
  

To quote a long term Datacard user, “The DCP240+ is like the SP35 except better!” What a great compliment!

Thanks for asking & Print on!

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High-end Card Security is Linked to Specific Covert Tactics

Security on an ID or access control card is imperative for the safety of your organisation.

There are two types of security features – overt features are visible with the naked eye and covert features that require an additional assistant for viewing.

A secure card has a balance of both covert and overt features.

These 3 tips are covert security features and things that those validating entry or identification can recognise as valid or fraudulent using specific tools.

Ultra-violet Ink – Reprint logos, text or card holder’s identification in UV ink. Under a UV light source, the light reflection will be visible. Under normal light, the ink is not visible.

On the right is an example of the UV printing under a UV light.


Invisible Personal Information (IPI) - IPI encodes personal data into the photo. This information is invisible to the naked eye, but can be seen through a simple decoding device as seen on the left.





Optically variable ink (OVI) Printing – Colour shifting inks reflect various wavelengths in white light differently, depending on the angle of incidence to the surface. An unaided eye will observe this effect as a change of colour as the viewing angle is changed.

A colour copier or scanner will only scan the document at one fixed angle relative to the card’s surface making unauthorised replication very difficult.

On the right you can see an example of OVI printing



Call in today to see how we can help amp up your card security!

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Making the Switch

This month, CardsPlus is offering you the opportunity to launch your card printing from the okay into the phenomenal with a trade in and upgrade special. Trade in your Zebra, Evolis, or Datacard printer for over R10 000 off the affordable line of XID Retransfer printers and gain the edge in card printing.

Plastic card printers like the Evolis Tattoo or Evolis Pebble; the Zebra P110i, P330i, or P430i; the Fargo C30 Persona or DTC550; the Datacard SP range and even the EDIsecure DCP range all print with a process termed "direct-to-card printing".

But, what are the actual differences between your direct-to-card Zebra, Evolis, Datacard, Fargo printers and the XID Retransfer printers?

5 Reasons why you need to make the switch

1. Better Print Quality Imaging on the XID retransfer printers is comparable to offset press printed cards- Colours are brighter and crisper; lines are sharper and cleaner.

2. Off-the-edge Printing Direct-to-card printers all leave a faint line on one side of the card to protect the printhead from damage. Yuck! Thankfully, Retransfer print heads do not make contact with the card, allowing a 'over-the-edge' printing appearance.

3. Lifetime Warranty on the Printhead Only the XID printers offer you the assurance of a lifetime warranty on the print head. No shady card count restrictions need apply.

4. Completely Modular The XID printers are fully customisable- meaning you purchase only what you need at this time with the option of adding modules (without requiring an upgrade) when your needs change. Why spend more when you don't have to?

5. Affordability Don't be deceived that the generosity of the CardsPlus discount reveals that the printer is outside of your budgeting bracket. The XID printers give you true value for your money.

You can read a brief introduction on the variety of print processes here and a comprehensive article on direct-to-card and retransfer printing methods here.

As always, please feel free to give us a call on 086 16 CARDS (22737) to hear more about print technology, printers and this offer.

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Magnetic Stripe – the Facts Revealed

Technology can seem mysterious and sometimes daunting, but once explained, it becomes useful and familiar. It is then that its full power is loosed and one can utilize it for all it was meant to be.

These days, that simple black stripe on the back of your bank card seems somewhat outdated – so “yesterday” as the youth today would say- compared to the glitzy looking smart chip. However, it has not failed have a very fitting use for those who are in need of an affordable, straight forward way to collect and maintain data.

The stripe itself is a band of magnetic material – and it is capable of storing data by the modification of the iron-based particles through the process of encoding. The stripe is “read” by physical contact and swiping past a reading head.

Two types of magnetic stripes are available – each with its own level of strength, or coercivity – high-coercivity (Hi/Co) and low-coercivity (Lo/Co). Each stripe features 3 Tracks for encoding - Track 1 holds 79 alpha/numeric characters; Track 2, 40 numeric; Track 3, 107 numeric characters

How it functions:
As outlined, it is obvious that a magnetic stripe is simply a storage device. Its “magic” is held in the program that the magnetic reader communicates with.
The code, be it simply a name and ID number, or an encrypted code, containing secure information, is read into the program, then it, depending on its design, accomplishes the task that is required.

An excellent article on magnetic stripe cards and readers can be found at Magnetic Stripe Systems - A Primer .

Cards Plus, manufacturers and distributors of printed cards and card printing equipment, can assist with the printing and encoding of magnetic stripe cards. If you would like to discuss the potential use of a magnetic stripe in your card project, contact Cards Plus at 086 16 CARDS or 011 894 3914.

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PVC Card Printing 101

Plastic cards have become part of everyone's life, from credit cards to driver's licenses, membership cards to employee identification badges. Their standard size, portability and durability have made them the vehicle of choice for many applications.

Digital plastic card printers offer the ability to create custom cards ideally tailored to the application or to customize and personalize cards on demand, right at the point of issuance.

Closely integrated with image capture systems (digital cameras, etc.) and computer database systems, the printer provides the delivery point of a highly integrated system. The printing process is fast (just a few seconds per card) so that cards are generated and personalized while the customer cardholder waits, quickly connecting the customer or cardholder to the issuing organization or program.

Digitally printed plastic cards provide numerous technological features, but start with a blank plastic card that can be printed with any combination of artwork, graphics, text, digital photograph, bar codes, logos, etc., limited only by the issuer’s imagination. Additional machine readable information can also be encoded such as magnetic stripes and smart card chips.

Digital plastic card printing has replaced previous card generation methods and has integrated the card delivery process into the electronic environment that runs and tracks the rest of your business or agency.

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