Business cards are an important part of business whether you’re a freelancer, running a start-up or a veteran with an established business. Even in an increasingly digital world, this old fashioned method of networking does not seem to be going away and it’s not a surprise why. Starting a conversation with someone is somewhat easier after handing them a business card. According to CreditDonkey , 27 million business cards are printed daily. Daily! That’s a big number and goes to show how people value physical business cards despite the digital age we are in. In fact, it’s now common for people to have different business cards for their different interests. You don’t want to be handing out your work business card where your title is Financial Analyst when meeting new clients for your bakery business on the side.
There are undeniably many types of business cards. We are talking of die-cuts, raised foil, velvet laminated, silk laminated, metallic foil, layer cake, and much more. We can’t exhaust the list.
But, let’s talk about one of the most popular business cards which are the 30mil plastic business cards.
You want the best right? Then get the best quality 30 mil plastic business cards from trusted printing companies. At 4OVER4 30mil plastic business cards have the following characteristics:
One of the best things about 4OVER4 is where most companies will keep you waiting for ages to print plastic business cards, they get it done in 5 days!
Other great places where you can get plastic business cards are Vistaprint, Snapfish, UPrinting, and other print companies.
You can also look for them in retail stores. The only problem is that they are pre-designed meaning you won’t get the chance to custom make them to your liking, therefore, defeating their purpose.
Specifications Company | magnetic strip | credit card size thickness | UV gloss or matte silk laminated finish option | Foil stamping and spot UV coating | Finishes available |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4OVER4 | ✔ | 30mil | ✔ | ✔ | clear, frosted, white |
VISTAPRINT | X | 20mil | X | X | clear, frosted, white |
4OVER4 | X | 20mil | X | X | clear, frosted, white |
Nobody can deny the beauty of a clear business card. To add the cherry on top, when they are the right thickness which is 30mil it makes them more durable. For a long time 30mil thick clear plastic business cards have not been readily available but not anymore.
They are fully customizable to your liking but you must consider the prepared instructions. For instance if ordering foil stamping or UV spot finishing you’ll need to prepare a CMYK file (CYMK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black which are the primary colors of pigment) with all areas that do not have a metallic finish. You will need to include a 100% black foil mask of the elements for your design to be stamped with foil. Only one foil color is available per card design whether you print on the front, back or both.
You even have the option of utilizing both sides of the clear business card and stand out more than the average plastic business card. Once you’ve added some unique finishes to the card, you’re certain to have very sophisticated looking cards which will elevate your brand by leaps.
They most certainly are. Plastic business cards are undoubtedly professional!
As Small Business Trends stated, 72 percent of people judge a company or person based on the quality of their business cards. And 39 percent of people would choose not to do business with a company if they had a “cheap-looking” business card.
For plastic business cards, thanks to its smooth finish and heavy-duty construction, plastic can make a real impact. What adds to its professionalism is how you decide to customize it.
Professional plastic business card
With just a bit of creativity and simplicity, you can make your cards look high-end which in actual fact makes your business look reputable. Just be sure to include the most important information which includes:
Invest in quality. This goes to the paper types you choose. You can choose from:
Pick an appropriate font. Fonts that are distorted are a no go zone! Use fonts that are readable and easy to read by everyone. Gimmion has written about the 21 best free fonts for business cards.
Use a simple layout. Don’t go overboard with the overall look of your cards. Leave enough space between logos and text. Have great spacing among your words and as tempting as it may be, don’t fill every space with color and words. This will help people focus on the card. A “busy” card won’t land you clients and customers. It will throw them off!
Be consistent with your message. Use your brands’ colors and aesthetic in every single card. This will help you avoid confusion with your potential clients.
Choose your card shape. You can stick with the regular rectangular shaped cards but if you want something unique but still professional, then you can have your plastic business cards with rounded corners or even die-cut. If you are a realtor, a cool design would be to have your cards designed in the form of a house or a key. If you’re a bakery owner, your plastic card can be die-cut in any shape even in the form of a cake. If you are in the automotive sector, you can have your card designed in the form of a car wheel. The good thing about die-cut cards is that at first glance of your card, people can recognize what your business is all about. Be careful not to go overboard as it will remove the professionalism out of it. You can even do something as simple as just having the corners rounded that will make your card stick out.
There are several things to avoid when it comes to business cards in general. This include:
30mil plastic business card with magnetic stripe
It’s a pretty straight forward process. When getting them printed at 4OVER4 this is what you’ll need before printing:
Qualities to look out for from your print company:
According to research, the 30mil plastic card is thicker than the ordinary plastic card. It is essentially the same as a credit card in terms of size and thickness.
Yes, you can!
Having a QR code makes your card look more trendy and unique. Some of the benefits that come with QR codes on plastic business cards are:
If you want your plastic business cards to have foil stamping it's possible. Currently, this type of finish can only be done at 4OVER4. Foil adds shimmer to your cards and mostly comes in two colors: gold and silver. Whichever you choose you should ensure it blends well with your card. Where packaging & distinction is paramount, foil adds a level of exclusivity and increases brand awareness.
Small business exchange describes foil stamping as the application of metallic print and foil on materials such as plastics, paper, and card, using heat and pressure. It can be used on printed products with dark-colored surfaces as it does not involve the use of any ink.
There are different types of foils used during foil stamping which include:
30mil plastic business card with gold foil tipping
Holographic foil on plastic business card with a frosted finish
Foil stamping has various benefits to your plastic business cards such as:
Some of the print companies that offer magnetic strip plastic cards include:
If you’re looking for the option of magnetic strips with encoding on plastic business cards this is not common with most printers.
Plastic card with magnetic stripe
A magnetic stripe card contains encoded data. The stripes are usually black, brown, or gold. In plastic cards, magnetic stripe cards are usually for access control, identification cards, stripe gift cards, discount cards, and membership cards.
Some of the benefits that come with the magnetic strip are:
Magnetic strips work via a tiny row of magnets. Any data that is entered into the strip alters the polarity of the magnet. The changes in the polarity are read in binary code as ones and zeros. The code embedded within the card serves as your control so that once someone swipes the card in the card reader, the information is sent to the proper channel so that access can be granted.
30 mil plastic business cards are certainly more costly than paper business cards. However, one of the best places to get them at a good price is 4OVER4. Below is the current price list.
30 Mil White Plastic business card prices
Quantity | Dimension | Price |
---|---|---|
250 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $179.00 |
500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $219.00 |
1000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $299.00 |
2000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $549.00 |
2500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $699.00 |
3000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $799.00 |
3500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $899.00 |
4000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $999.00 |
4500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,099.00 |
5000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,199.00 |
7500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,599.00 |
10000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,959.00 |
The following are the specifications that you get from 4OVER4 for your 30 Mil white plastic cards:
Here are some of the uses of 30 mil white plastic cards:
White plastic cards offer a distinctive look and help you stand out in the crowd of equally efficient competitors.
30 Mil Clear Plastic Business Cards
Quantity | Dimension | Price |
---|---|---|
250 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $419.00 |
500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $499.00 |
1000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $899.00 |
2000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,049.00 |
2500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $699.00 |
3000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,199.00 |
3500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,349.00 |
4000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,499.00 |
4500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,624.00 |
5000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,749.00 |
7500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $2,199.00 |
10000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $2,699.00 |
You can order the cards with additional foil stamping. Here are the conditions that come with the different add-ons: If ordering optional foil stamping, please follow the prepared instructions. Please prepare a CMYK file with all design areas that do not have a metallic foil finish. You MUST include a 100% Black Foil Mask of the elements of your design to be stamped with foil. Only one foil color is available per card design, whether you print on the front, back, or both sides.
If you order an optional spot or raised spot UV, please follow the prepared instructions found on the same page. Once again, you must include a separate 100% Black Foil Mask of the elements of your design to be spot UV coated.
Quantity | Dimension | Price |
---|---|---|
250 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $419.00 |
500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $499.00 |
1000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $899.00 |
2000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,049.00 |
2500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $699.00 |
3000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,199.00 |
3500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,349.00 |
4000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,499.00 |
4500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,624.00 |
5000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $1,749.00 |
7500 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $2,199.00 |
10000 | 2.125” x 3.375” | $2,699.00 |
Apart from business cards, frosted plastic cards can be used as gift cards, credit cards, magnetic strip added hotel key cards, opaque white loyalty cards, and more. Some businesses use frosted plastic to highlight how valued and appreciated their business is to prospective clients. There are a few companies that use it for selective marketing campaigns.
Interestingly, the frosted cards are printed on plastic that adds extra flair making your brand easily noticeable. They offer a more professional look to your cards. 4OVER4 frosted plastic cards are light in weight and waterproof. You can remove smudges or marks easily when you opt for the frosted cards.
Business cards don’t just provide fundamental details such as the name and contact information of your business, they also say a lot about your brand. They also shape the perception of your business.
Check out the following interesting statistics about business cards from data company- Small business trendz:
People feel more intimately connected with a business and its representatives when they engage in eye contact and actually exchange physical cards.
Generally, these are amazing reasons why you should consider using plastic business cards.
Plastic business card for a tech company
When you think of plastic business cards, you should think of uniqueness and strength. Custom 30 mil plastic business cards are sleek and strong. They should be precision-printed so that they feel substantial when touched. The technology used makes the texture feel both pleasurable and firm.
Opt for a print company that has white rigid vinyl finishes, metallic touches, tear-proof durability, water-resistant construction, structural integrity, and most importantly, print clarity that will last many years.
Unlike ordinary business cards, cutting-edge technology is pitted into the customization of plastic business cards. They require more attention and time because they are designed for the long haul. Plastic business cards were made with longevity in mind. So the better the product, the more time it takes. Longevity is one of the main advantages of a plastic business card.
Owing to the fact that these cards can last long, let us paint a case scenario of how it can bring monetary benefits to your business. Mike owns a SaaS company. There is a luncheon coming up with Silicon Valley CEOs. So he prints clear plastic business cards so that he can give them to prospects at the luncheon. The luncheon happens and he gives out five cards to five Silicon Valley C-Suite officials. He never hears from them for more than three years. One day he gets a call from the HP new CEO. The CEO was really impressed by the card when he saw it in the business cards rack. It was fresh, new-looking, and very strong despite being three years old. And with that, he negotiates himself a deal for his company.
Some other nice features that make plastic business cards admirable are:
Digital printing companies with a wealth of experience will give you the chance to choose whether you want silver or gold metallic foil.
Generally, the plastic business card makes you appear professional, admirable, personable, excellent in your work, and most importantly leaves an unforgettable, pleasurable impression.
Clear plastic business card with white font
They allow you to show that you have set the bar high in creativity on one side while the basic details are etched on the other side of the card. That is why businesses that deal in graphic design, photography, and the likes prefer them. Their distinctive design features are seen through their back and clear finishes.
Full color plastic business card
If you choose full-color flexible cards you can accentuate them further and cement their unique dominance by adding a silver or gold metallic foil finish. Rounded corners make for a soft and sophisticated white rigid vinyl card.
Clear plastic business card with blue and white font
Plastic business cards are no doubt the dream of many entrepreneurs because they are very durable and sturdy. They are also very prestigious and classy. All these factors in combination make them hard to discard. And as a two-edged sword, they command attention which opens the door for quality conversions from high-profile, high-end, high-paying clients because they shape perception.
For an entrepreneur, when they hand in these amazing cards, their business and products look professional and of good quality.
Manufacturing plastic business cards, be it clear, frosted, white, or black, is a very rigorous process. As they say, Rome was not built in a day. Therefore, it takes time and great ingenuity to come up with those beauties.
When it comes to designing clear plastic cards, the best way to do it is by designing one side at a time. The design on one side can reflect the artwork onto the second side. This design ensures that your prospects can see your peculiar pattern or artwork from whatever side or angle they are viewing it at. It also helps the prospect see the contact information from whatever side they are viewing the card from.
If you don’t want to have both sides printed, you can have all your information loaded on one side of the transparent card. Both styles will equally impress your potential clients.
The designers encapsulate digitally printed artwork between two thick sheets of clear Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). That process protects the artwork and design against wear and tear. On top of that, you can choose a matte or glossy surface texture and different thicknesses.
The artwork on the card is printed in full on both sides and some are personalized with the signature of the recipient of the card, signature strips, individual names, and numbering.
Frosted plastic business card
The plastic that is used to make is the one that allows light to pass through easily. This feature allows designers to input unique design elements such as watermarks, dual-plane printing, and so forth.
Interestingly, these cards are printed by hand using traditional, precise, delicate artisan methods. According to Plasma Design, plastic card design specialists, handcrafting and designing allows the artwork to be produced in fine detail and pixel perfect registration.
The ink used is metallic so that the business card can be visually appealing and attractive, like the proud peacock, to any prospective client.
Other types of plastic business cards:
According to Plasma Design UK, they get their name from the refined matte texture of their surface. They are produced using solid core polymer plastic. The designer uses the unique nature of the material’s surface to create contrasts of texture by applying gloss varnish to selected areas.
Like the frosted plastic business cards, these are specially handcrafted using traditional and somewhat prehistoric artisan styles.
The tinted translucent plastic cards are made by chemically laminating a plastic color gel with a layer of translucent polymer. The surface of the card has a matte texture which helps light diffuse beautifully as it passes through.
Traditional artistry is applied by applying each metallic or pigment ink to the cards’ surface. As a result, you get crisp, fine detail, and precise registration.
Plastic business cards will literally fit any business in any industry because they are so exquisite and beautiful. However, there are some industries and businesses that tend to target high-end clients and thus will be the best fit for plastic business cards.
These are some of the businesses that would best be complemented by plastic business cards:
Financial advisors, designers (fashion designers, architects, graphic designers, interior designers, décor designers, and many others), photographers, videographers, entertainment business entrepreneurs. Upscale service professionals such as luxury cars, luxury clothes, five-star hotels, luxury homes, expensive jewelry, and others.
Credit card plastic business cards
First and foremost embossed means a carved, molded, or stamped design on a surface or object. Embossed plastic cards are those whose numbers are raised. If you take the example of a credit card or a bank card, the numbers are raised a little bit higher from the normal surface of the card.
Even without looking, you can read the numbers on the cards when you feel them with your hand. You can have your business cards looking like credit cards if you ask the printing company to have optional embossing as an add-on.
Many businesses these days want their business cards to resemble credit cards to stand out from equally talented and qualified competitors. They, therefore, have their information such as name, website, phone number, URL, logo, and so forth embossed.
30 mil Plastic business cards are ideal for printing cards on most direct-to-card printers. These graphic-quality cards are vision inspected and by the print company who gives them foil stamping, spot UV and matte, or a classic UV gloss finish.
These are the caliber of cards that are used as keycards due to their thickness and sturdiness.
Plastic business cards are here to stay as entrepreneurs seek to differentiate themselves from the competition. Getting your plastic card in 30mil thickness is a great idea as the card will be more durable and considered too valuable to toss in the trash by your customers or prospects. Make sure your cards have all the necessary information. The way you choose to design your card will affect the outlook of the card. Depending on the purpose of the card, you can add certain specifications such as a magnetic stripe. Where you print your cards will also determine how accurate the design will be in the printed card. Aim for perfection and work with print companies with decades of experience in premium quality printing standards. Look out for accreditation such as the G7 qualification which means that the company uses the most modern technology, techniques, proofing, press controls, and standards required to produce a close visual match from proof to print. 4OVER4 certainly meets this criteria and therefore you can consider your search for a credible print company over.
Plastic Card Printing Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Jun 18, 2022Copy Link
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