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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10 colours to include in your 2011 marketing and loyalty campaigns for added benefit

What is going to get the attention of your clients this year?

Pantone predictions
Colour authority Pantone released their predictions in late December and as we noticed late last year– exotic, vibrant colours are on the up and up.

The colour of 2011 is Honeysuckle – a fresh, cheerful and versatile shade of pink. You can expect this colour to feature across the industries in new marketing campaigns, clothing designs and even home industry trends.

Pantone also gave Russet, Regatta, Coral Rose, Peapod, Blue Curacao, Beeswax, Lavender, Silver Peony and Silver Cloud the thumbs up for 2011.

This palette is strong, intriguing and healthy with a particular nod to saturated African and Indian inspirations.

How it will help you

Forecasting
Armed with this knowledge, you have the edge in trend appeal. You can choose to embrace the power of popularity– much like the turquoise of yore, these colours have mass staying-power and will still look hip and fresh for the next few years according to trend analysis.

African Influence
Local is Lekker and with the unique African influence these colours are primed and ready to pounce on your target audience.

Colour Association
Harnessing the power of colour provides subconscious messages to your audience.
These colours are energetic and vibrant. Using these colours for a marketing or loyalty campaign associates your campaign is associated to youthful vibrancy and positivity.

Putting it on plastic
We love this new palette of dramatic , rich shades– even more so because they look so good on plastic. Pair Coral Rose with Regatta and Honeysuckle for high energy impact – or Peapod and Blue Curacao with a touch of Silver Peony for a subtle chic result.

Give it the 2011 twist with increased interest in striking colour combinations. You can’t go wrong in this palette– so go big and reap the benefits of trend appeal.

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Client FAQ: What do I need to start a card orientated loyalty programme?

Card orientated loyalty programmes for retailers is a popular solution for companies looking to increase revenue and client loyalty.

There are just two key steps that we recommend to clients who are ready to start their own highly effective loyalty programme.

Back-End software:
The software can be as simple as RewardsPlus or as complicated as hiring a loyalty provider.

This back end software will manage the rewards and keep track of all details of the clients. Think of it as your heavy lifter that will do all the hard work for you.

Plastic cards:

Once you determine your system and are ready for implementation, you will just need some cards to round off the system. You can use barcodes, magnetic stripes or even contactless technology– depending on the system you choose. At CardsPlus, you can be up and rolling in just 10 days or fewer.

There you have it! Just two step to a highly effective loyalty programme in your retail
establishment.

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Seize the holiday spirit today!

Christmas is on the way bringing hustle and bustle and lots of money to retail establishments! Families are preparing their holiday plans, purchasing gifts, and readying themselves for the most expensive time of the year for consumers. Are you ready to seize the moment?

People often express anxiety as to how to bless their friends and family over the holiday season, and you can make it easy to ensure their money is spent at your establishment.

Globally, companies have been grabbing the moment to cash-in on the holiday season. United States companies like Facebook and Amazon.com have formed partnerships to allow their clients the added bonus of giving gift cards to their friends and family.

In South Africa, gift cards are rapidly replacing paper gift certificates for their ease of use, fraud prevention and the added benefit of data collection.

Other benefits include:

* Frequent shopping and convenience - Cards can be reloaded, creating opportunities for repeat store visits.


* In-store credit - Instead of using paper credit vouchers or cash back, gift cards can be issued for merchandise returns and in-store credits.


* Advertising - A card in the customer’s wallet is a constant advertisement. We like to call it the 'mini-billboard'.


* Promotion - Plastic cards are great as a marketing tool! Gift cards can be treated as a new product line that you can broadcast to your customers and clients. The added option of utilising a cleverly designed hang-tag gives more promotional weight to your card system.

* Increase Sales-

• 61% of customers spend more than value of gift card
• 50% of the money on the card is spent at retail price than discount sale price
• 10-20% of a card’s value may never be redeemed
• Acquire cash upfront before delivering the product or service
• Money is turned into store credit
• Customer's cash kept in-store
• Gain new customers
• Encourages repeat business

Truth is, there is no better time to launch your Christmas Gift Card programme than today! CardsPlus has all the tools you will need from plastic cards printed in a jiffy to a manage-it-yourself gift card programme, RewardsPlus... all at a very reasonable cost!

Call us at 086 16 CARDS (22737) or if outside South Africa (+27) 11 894 3914 for more information about how CardsPlus can equip you with everything you need to Carpe the Christmas time Diem!

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5 Reasons to Make the Switch to Retransfer Printing Right Now

Retransfer technology is all the rage right now and being marketed across the world as cutting edge print technology at it’s finest.

But, what are the actual differences between the direct-to-card Zebra, Evolis, Datacard, Fargo printers and Retransfer printers? And what actual benefits are there in switching to the finest print technology available?

Let’s have a look at the original retransfer brand of printers– the EDIsecure XID family.

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 print head from damage. Yuck!

Retransfer print heads do not make contact with the card, allowing a fluid 'over-the-edge' print, even on the uneven edges of smart cards.

3. Lifetime Warranty on the Print head Only the XID printers offer you the assurance of
a lifetime warranty on the print head. No shady card count restrictions 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 The XID printers give you true value for your money and the cost per card is comparable to direct to card printing!

Demonstrations are available if you would like to see the technology in action. Join the revolution and schedule your demonstration for an XID retransfer printer now.

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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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True CardsPlus Innovation Makes World History

We are incredibly proud to be the very first to offer a secure National ID card on a digital offset press worldwide .

1.2 million cards were printed, barcoded and personalised in a mere 25 days! Production shifts were doubled and extra security measures were brought into place to ensure that the massive print run would go off without a hitch.

The HP s2000, our digital offset press, was the champion behind it all. She gave us the ability to instantly personalize each card with a variety of data fields and still print 21 cards at a time.

Our top-of-the-line finishing equipment gave each card a true gloss and a precision punched card edge.

Due to the offset process, we were able to print the cards at a fraction of the cost of a desktop solution.

• No cutting corners.

• No cheap substitutes.

• True innovation.

Putting the ‘Smart’ into Card Solutions… indeed.

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Great Expectations

Knowing what to expect with working with a manufacturer will ensure that your experience is prosperous.

This is what you can expect when you order a small or large card run from the CardsPlus team:

• A confirmation that your order has been received in good order. This way you can be assured that your order is in the system.

• A proforma invoice specifying the services ordered within 24 hours.

• A digital proof indicating artwork and personalization specifications within 24 hours.

• Confirmation of a received deposit and the expected dispatch date.

As soon as the cards are ready they are dispatched ready to be enjoyed by you and your clients!

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Comparing Plastic Card Prices- Apples, Oranges and Lemons

When shopping for a car, the wise consumer collects all the data he can on each vehicle he considers - mileage, petrol consumption, body wear and tear - then he takes these things into consideration when he makes the final decision on which car has the best value. It is not always the car that has the lowest price, but rather the car that has the lowest cost of ownership. Will it need frequent repairs? Will it need to visit the petrol station too often? Will it get me to where I need to go?

The same tactic must also be used when considering and comparing the offerings out there in the plastic card market. A low cost per card price is not always indicative of the overall cost of the project.

Are there set up costs? Is the cost per card inclusive of all of the features needed on the card - including magnetic encoding, personalization, etc? Are there confusing price breaks?

Pricing that seems low at first glance, might actually have charges hidden in the fine print of the quotation. Make sure that when you request a price for a card, that you are getting finished card pricing, because often it can increase your cost per card by as much as 100%, depending on the volume and features you are looking for.

At Cards Plus, we don't have any hidden charges - or minimum quantities for that matter. The only minimum charge is R50.00 for an invoice minimum. All of our cards quotes are for finished card pricing - and if you request a line item charge for an added feature such as personalization, we will notate it, and even figure the finished cost for you.

We have our clients best interest at heart, and we show it by our integrity when we send out our quotation. Give us a chance to provide a quotation on your next project, and we will show you that we have the best solution on the market.

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Plastic Card Printers - which one is right for you?

A quick search on Google for plastic card printers brings out a huge variety of brands, models and features available to anyone looking for a plastic card printer. But how can you know which one is right for you? How do you know what features are important and which ones are just "bells and whistles"?

Most people start out looking for the most affordable printer, which is understandable. Everyone wants the best for the least. However, it is important to consider other factors as well.

First, it is important to look at what your needs are. Are you looking to print a standard ID card? Do you need a printer that has the capability to provide an excellent full colour image? Do you need a fast printer that has the capability to print a high quantity of cards, or one that is designed to print smaller volumes? Each of the questions brings about a different answer...and one that goes beyond the price of the printer.

It is also important to look at the reliability of the printer. What type of reputation does this printer have? Does it have a good warrantee? Is it backed by a company who will be able to offer quick and trustworthy service, should it be needed. These are all questions that must be taken into consideration when evaluating the brands and models of plastic card printers currently on the market.

Our experience in the plastic card industry has given Cards Plus tried and true knowledge in what is available as well as what advantages and disadvantages are found in each brand of printer. It was with this knowledge that we have put our name behind Digital Identification's EdiSecure Plastic Card Printers. Not only does Digital Identification Solutions have the same customer focused, solution based business model, but they provide a product that is trustworthy, innovative and solid. From their affordable Value Line of desktop Plastic card ID Printers, to their highly secure XID Retransfer Printers, they provide consistantly excellent printers that far outshine their competition. And while we certainly understand that there are many in South Africa who are comfortable with their current brand of printer (and we will gladly assist them with any needs they might have), we truly believe that Edisecure is the best available - it's not the cheapest, but it is affordable. And it truly gives the best value for money.

We invite anyone who is interested to come by our offices and see a demonstration of EdiSecure brand printers - the cappucino is on us! Contact our customer service department to schedule an appointment. Call 011 894 3914 or 086 16 CARDS (22737)

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To Print or Not To Print - THAT is the Question!

For many people who are looking into adding plastic cards to their business, the big question is what is the most cost effective solution for me? Is this something that will add value to my business for having it, or is there a less expensive solution for me?

These are very valid questions, and definitely worth the research. The mistake most easily made, however is the analysis of only the cost of the materials and machine.

For some, laminate cards are a seemingly less expensive option.

Back in the "olden days", laminate cards were "it". They offered a water proof, more durable option to the previously popular heavy paper stock cards. However, the actual process of making the card was painful. The machine had to warm up, the paper had to be printed, then placed into the special sleeve, then run through the machine...trimmed.... It was laborious. And to do several at a time was cumbersome. Nevermind that someone had to more or less be assigned to do only this task for a significant time period. Then of course there was the durability- a little wear and the dog earred cards delaminated and needed to be printed again.
Painful and costly.

If one was to only look at the cost of the machine and materials versus the cost of a PVC card printer and consumables, one might easily demise that laminated cards were a more cost effective solution, however, as illustrated above, when consideration is made for durability and time investment, never mind the less than professional image that a laminated card provides, it actually can COST a company money in the end.

The lesson here? In finding the right solution for your company, don't simply stop at the actual cost of the items. Factor in to your costing the durability of the card as well as the time investment needed to print your cards - and add on as the bonus the fact that you will have a finished, colourful and professional looking item at the finish.

At Cards Plus, we offer a variety of solutions for our clients - from high quality card printers to large and small volume preprinted cards, to our very popular "Quick Card" service, with no minimum quanity, and a speedy turnaround time.

Give us a call and let us help you find the right solution for your company. +27 011 894 3914 (South Africa) www.cardsplus.co.za

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Its All About Options for Card Printing

So, here you are - you know what it is you need. Perhaps you have a very clear picture of what your needs are and exactly what it will take to fill that need. Or perhaps you only know what you need, but not what it will take to satisfy your requirement.

Isn't it great to know that you don't have to settle for a "one size fits all" solution that only truly suits a very small percentage of people?

At Cards Plus, we are all about solutions that fit our clients needs. We aren't out to push a product for the product's sake - or to try to squeeze our clients into our mould for our purposes. We believe that offering a variety of options, tailored to what the client needs gives our clients not only the solution that will satisfy their requirements, but also gives them the knowledge to choose for themselves what best fits their particular situation.

It is our practice to put together a variety of options for you to choose from that will take into consideration your budget, your time constraints, the details of your situation and give you the power to choose what is best for you, even if it means that you choose to not purchase from us.

Contact us at 086 16 CARDS (086 16 22737 )/ 011 894 3914 or email us at moreinfoplease@cardsplus.co.za to discuss the project you are working on and see what kind of options we can put together for you.

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HOT NEWS!!

Cards Plus is very excited to announce being awarded the supply of printers and consumables for a large scale project in Ethiopia. For this project, involving printing of 3,000,000 cards over a period of 18 months, the Edisecure DCP 360i was chosen as the perfect solution for the project due to its reliability, portrait print mode and print speed.

Edisecure printers have a fabulous reputation in large scale government projects including US Department of Motor Vehicles, NASA, UAE National ID, Oman National ID, as well as large government projects in Mexico, Indonesia and now Africa.

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Can Do Files - One Time Print Solution

At Cards Plus, our goal is to provide solutions that fit our client's needs- going to any length within our power.

Our latest CAN DO project involved a company who organizes events. Most specifically, they help with all the nitty gritty details involved in large scale events. Our client contacted us late in December looking for a cost effective solution for printing ID badges for a fairly large sporting event being held in Johannesburg this month. We could have offered him one of our New Year's Special Printers at a great discount - however this is a one time event, and he cannot justify a capital expense at this point.

Cards Plus to the rescue! We offered this client our DCP 240+ on a lease agreement. He can now print his ID badges in the short time span he needs to, paying for only the consumables needed and a small lease fee.

Perhaps you have a project that has unique circumstances, or you are looking for a solution perfectly tailored to your needs. At Cards Plus we will do everything we can within our power to find you the solution you need. Give us a call at 011 894 3914 or check our our web page at www.cardsplus.co.za

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Going Against the Flow

Cards Plus has never really fit into the mold of typical business in South Africa. Many of our clients have commented on our level of customer service, our quality of product and our desire to keep our clients the most important part of our day. We have been told that our expectations are too high and that our high standards are unrealistic.

In response, we say "Bah Humbug". We do believe that our clients are the most important part of our business, and that giving them the best service, product and information helps them to become the best that they can be. And this drives our every decision.

To celebrate the beginning of 2009, one that we believe- despite what some may say- is going to be a great year - we want to pass on to our clients a boost in the form of a great sale on direct to card printers and ribbons.

Our New Year's Special, the Edisecure DCP 240+, a dynamo of a card printer, is on sale for an unprecedented price. Available with or without magnetic encoders, you can now launch your access control system, membership program, or loyalty program without breaking the bank.

The DCP 240+ has a fantastic record for reliabilty, ease of use and quality of print. Coupled with accompanying software, Card Five Vision, it makes printing your plastic cards a joy rather than a chore.

Give us a call at our offices - 011 826 4915 (South Africa) or check our our company at www.cardsplus.co.za and see why we are pleased to "go against the flow" and offer our clients all the assistance they need to accomplish their goals for 2009

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Can Do Files - The Perfect Match

Can Do Files!

Sometimes, knowing what has been done helps when formulating a plan. This is one of the reasons we have our Can Do Files - not just to show you WHAT we can do, but HOW you can put your project together as well.

One of our latest projects has melded our high tech Edisecure XID Card Printers with a very well organized database management company.

This company's challenge is in printing medium volume sporting credentials for athletes who compete both on amateur and professional levels. Local and national clubs sign up for this great service and request their member cards on an as needed basis. Our client assembles this information and makes it available to us via their own internet based database. Once we've printed the card, their database marks it as "finished", eliminating the possibilities of duplicate prints and follow up on missed cards.

Orders varying from 100 - 300 cards are printed in a matter of 3-5 days, and by weeks end, the athletes have a finished card, with identification, photo, ranking and more printed on a stunning, durable PVC card, which will enable them to compete at the levels they are qualified for.

It's a perfect match.

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Gift Cards - the Gift that Keeps on Giving

It's here - the Christmas buying season. Shoppers are making their lists and checking them twice - and looking for the perfect person-to-gift match. Uncle Joe loves tools, Aunty Pam dies for new shoes. Cousin Mark is into electronics and Granny is just happy to have anything from her dear sweet grandchild.

Around the world, Gift Cards are king of the Christmas season. One of America's top retailers, Best Buy, reports that they sell 70% of its gift cards in the Christmas season. No longer considered the "cop-out gift", a survey done by BIGresearch for the NRF,conducted in early October, found that nearly 55 percent of consumers would like to receive a gift card this holiday season. In the US last year, consumers spent $26.2 billion on gift cards during the holidays, with an average of $40 spent per card. South Africa is quickly following suit.

The benefits of gift cards are obvious. They offer immediate cash sale, with the likelihood of add on purchases; they broaden customer base, working as a classified endorsement from one customer to another; they reduce the amount of returned merchandise, especially around the holiday season, as the receiver is guaranteed to receive the items they want.

Adding a twist to the standard gift card can also increase sales. Multiple options, from custom design to personalization at point of purchase, even as far as the ability to print the card givers photo on the card - all of these options are possible through the products and services offered by Cards Plus. We can even help with quick turnaround on smaller volumes.

So, think out of the "gift box" this year - consider adding a special Christmas gift card to your holiday items - and watch your sales totals increase!

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