4 benefits of switching your paper business cards into plastic

So many businesses have chosen plastic business cards over paper for their marketing. But what benefits are being enjoyed by our clients with the upgrade to plastic?

Appeal
Plastic business cards can be ordered in different thicknesses and finishes and hold bright, beautiful colours exceptionally well. Logos and other important details come out crisp and clear. There are also many different effects that can be used on the cards, giving them an ultra sophisticated, richly elegant, and professional look.

Innovative Designs
Plastic business cards are the perfect canvases for very innovative designs. Attracting attention is easy on plastic.

Durability
Plastic cards are also extremely durable. Unlike paper business cards that get washed, or worn, torn and dirty and then thrown away– plastic cards are waterproof, scratch resistant and won’t get tossed due to illegibility.

Perceived Value
Handing over a plastic business card gives your client the idea that they have been given something of value and will hold onto the card longer than an ordinary
paper card.

Our clients are quickly seeing the benefits of switching to plastic. It seems to be an
effective, attractive and inexpensive way to create great hype about your company with a mere flick of the business card.

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Client FAQ: I want a card that my clients will feel special having. How can I make my membership card special?

Client FAQ:
I want a card that my clients will feel special having. How can I make my membership card special?

We love the new designs that are coming out this summer!

What’s IN?

· Embossed lettering with silver tipping— An attractive solution for adding some serious dimension to a card



· Colour! Vibrant colours make your card stand out from all the others in your client’s wallet.




· Foil stamped designs offer a touch of class and sophistication!




What’s OUT?

· Platinum, silver and gold cards—Trends sway towards fabulous designs over the clichéd gold/silver card

· Large blocks of a single colour– with the photographic quality of digital offset– companies are choosing ‘big message’ images for backgrounds instead!

· Boring typeface—As seen in FIFA’s 2010 logo, fun and funky fonts are making a come back

Thanks for asking & Print on!

image via looneybeancoffee & hardware wholesalers

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Visit CardsPlus at Markex– World of Events 2010

Let’s get inspired!

CardsPlus will be exhibiting at Markex once again for 2010 at stand C27 in the main hall!

We will be demonstrating several solutions including gift and loyalty software, design and print and visitor management solutions; the operation of the desktop printers; and offering a sneak peek into our QuickCards solution.

The Markex Exhibition will be open to the public from the 24th-26th of August between 10:00 and 18:00.

This year, there is an entrance fee for guests who arrive without a ticket. We would like offer you the opportunity to see the world of promotions, marketing and event planning first hand.

Please request your complimentary tickets through moreinfoplease@cardsplus.co.za or give us a call for more information on 086 16 CARDS (22737).

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Amp up your Card Security with these 6 Visual Tricks

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.

These 6 tips are overt security features and things that those validating entry or identification can recognise as valid or fraudulent.


1. Picture perfect—Does the ID photo show both the ears, nose and chin clearly? An ID photo that clearly shows all facial features is much more secure than one with sunglasses, a hat or even just a blurry overcast.

The ideal ID photo has a white background to prevent distraction from the subject.

2. Get spooky– A ghost image is a less opaque version of the users photo in a smaller size. Ghost image generation is very specific and a fraudulent image is easily detectable.

Keep in mind that a ghost image is not a watermark. In a watermark the brightness of an image is increased so that small detail is washed away. Instead, the ghost image has a dropped opacity which will ensure that the image retains most of the important detail.

3. Embrace the Guilloché– a guilloche pattern is a complex spirograph of curves that are difficult to replicate or scan.

Every guilloche looks different. This one on the right is made with blue and purple lines and a specific step curve.

4. Cast an overlay– A variety of overlays are available from tamper-resistant patches and overlays to security holograms each acting as another barrier against the outside world. Double-team a patch and a holographic overlay for extra assurance.

5. Make it micro (text)– Many passports and security documents have words carefully written in a tiny font along curves of designs. It’s seemingly invisible unless you know to look for it!

On this image can you see the words ‘Royal Importing Corporation’?



6. Printer serialised– Security card printers like the EDIsecure XID retransfer printers have a feature whereby the serial number of the printer and the time printed can be printed automatically on the card to prevent and detect fraudulent cards.

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

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5 Industry Secrets to a Fantastic Card Design

Want to take your client’s breath away when they get their first look at your new card? Try these secrets we have learned on your next design.

1. Put a face on it! Consumers like the cards with gorgeous models. Not only do their faces print wonderfully, but your clients get the human connection that is so vital in advertising and marketing.

2. Choose fonts carefully. Some fonts are clearer to read than others when printed on a small space. There is a lot of information to place on a card and fonts that are consistent in shape print the clearest. Stay away from fonts that have thick and thin lines as they tend to be too difficult to read at a small point size.

3. Go Bold! In colour that is! Cards that take our breath away are full of electrifying, vibrant, bold colours. Keep it young, modern and fresh by pairing a bold colour with crisp white or rich black backgrounds to make the design star of the show!

4. Design in CYMK. There is a big difference between images designed for a webpage (in RGB) and images designed in CYMK for print. Make sure your design programme is set to the correct setting to ensure that the colours are truly as you wish for them to be.

5. Form follows Function. Think of a card as a ‘mini-billboard’ propagating your message. Design accordingly. Make your message the most important message in that 54X86mm space.

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