Why Adding Special Finishes to Your Cards Matters: A Guide to Holograms, UV Inks, and More

Printed Cards -

Why Adding Special Finishes to Your Cards Matters: A Guide to Holograms, UV Inks, and More

When making your cards more secure or unique, the little details often make the biggest difference. 

Whether you're printing ID cards for your employees, membership cards for your customers, or any form of PVC card, adding special finishes can move your cards from ordinary to extraordinary. Many businesses are adding security features and special finishes to their cards to help increase security in their business and prevent their cards from being duplicated. 

With a lot of options like holograms, tactile impressions, UV inks, and watermarks, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

Many of our customers have expressed confusion over the differences and benefits of each option. For instance, one client recently asked us to clarify the difference between a tactile impression and a watermark on a PVC card. If you have these kinds of questions then you’ve come to the right place!

This blog aims to explain these special finishes on what they are, how they work, and why you should consider incorporating them into your card designs.

The Importance of Special Finishes in Card Printing

Special Finishes on Cards

Why should you consider adding special finishes to your cards?

  1. Enhanced Security: With fraud and identity theft on the rise, adding security features to your cards is very important. Special finishes can protect your cards from being copied.
  2. Professional Appearance: A card with special finishes creates a professional appearance and attention to detail, reflecting positively on your brand or organisation.
  3. Uniqueness: Stand out from the crowd by incorporating unique design elements that catch the eye and leave a lasting impression.
  4. Durability: Many special finishes not only look good but also add an extra layer of protection, increasing the lifespan of your cards.

Holograms: A Shimmering Finish to Your Card

Holographic Overlay

What Are Holograms?

Holograms are multi-dimensional (3D)  images that appear to change when viewed from different angles. 

Why Use Holograms on Cards?

  • Security Enhancement: Holograms are difficult to replicate, making them an effective deterrent against counterfeiting.
  • Brand Recognition: Custom holograms can incorporate logos or specific designs, perfect for brand identity.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: The visual change and colours of holograms can make your cards more attractive and engaging.

Types of Holograms:

  1. Overlay Holograms: Applied as a thin film over the card's surface.
  2. Embedded Holograms: Integrated into the card material during the manufacturing process for added security.

Use Cases:

  • Government-issued IDs
  • High-security access cards
  • Membership and loyalty cards

Adding special finishes to your cards often requires specific printers or additional equipment. Here's a breakdown of which card printers are compatible with these unique features:

Compatible Printers

Compatible Laminator Printer for DS3

These card printers support holographic lamination modules. 

After printing, the card is automatically fed into the lamination module. The lamination module applies heat and pressure to fuse the holographic laminate onto the card's surface.The holographic laminate comes in rolls and can be either a generic pattern or a custom design specific to your organisation

Although these printers support a holographic module, the modules can be quite costly. Doing it through us can be much more cost effective and saves you the time of doing it yourself. Unless you already have one of these printers, we advise you to contact us for printing with our factory. Alternatively, if you have one of these printers then you can just add the holographic lamination module to your card printer. 

Here are a few ideas on holographic security laminates that you could put on your cards and ones we have in stock:

Holographic Security Laminates
  • Compass
  • Secure Globe
  • Authorized Personnel 
  • First Responder
  • Geometric Curves
  • Secure Locks 
  • Secure Crest
  • Genuine Authentic

Look at these and decide if you’d like to implement them in your card design or create your own. Our design team will be happy to assist you.

Tactile Impressions: Feel the Difference

Tactile Impression Module on Cards

What Are Tactile Impressions?

Tactile impressions involve creating raised or indented areas on the card surface. This adds a touchable element to the card, unique for your customers and employees.

You can make this unique with your logo on the tactile impression module or you can use the generic impressions that we have including globes, and bank stamps. 

Why Use Tactile Impressions?

  • Security Feature: The physical texture is hard to duplicate without specialised equipment such as a tactile impression module.
  • Premium Feel: Adds a layer of sophistication and quality.
  • Accessibility: Can assist visually impaired individuals in identifying cards, especially the blind. 

Common Techniques:

  1. Embossing: Raising parts of the card surface to create a 3D effect.
  2. Debossing: Pressing into the card surface to create an indented effect.

Use Cases:

  • Credit and debit cards for banks
  • Luxury brand membership cards
  • Corporate IDs
  • Mining operations 

Compatible Printers

Compatible Printers for Tactile Impression

All these printers stated above have a tactile impression or embossing module. This adds a physical texture to enhance the security of your cards. Remember that this is difficult to replicate and is great to have your own personalised impression that is unique to your business so it cannot be replicated.

Here are a few ideas on tactile impression modules cards and ones we have in stock:

Tactile Impression Module ideas
  • Pillars
  • Globe
  • Bank
  • Secure Lock
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Security English
  • Digital Thumbprint
  • Casino VIP
  • Sherriff
  • Airplane

Look at these and decide if you’d like to implement them in your card design or create your own. Our design team will be happy to assist you. Custom designs are always a little bit more expensive because they have to create a dye especially for you and it will take time to ship from our importers but it is not impossible and is definitely the most secure for your business. 

How does it work?

The tactile impression module (TIM) can be added to the back of a Sigma DS3 or CR805 card printer. Similar to the lamination module. It allows you to place an impression on the front or back of the card. Once you have decided which stamp you are going to use (your own or the ones given). The impresser then uses the installed die to stamp an impression on the card, and can use an installed foil that is fused into the impression. The tactile impresser uses heat to create the impression, and to fuse the foil to the card creating a bumpy feel on the card.

The tactile impression is applied after the card has been printed and laminated. This creates a beautiful stamp that is unique to your card only. If you’d only like to print a few cards and don’t want to buy the whole card printer then contact us and we can quote you for our factory printing. 

UV Inks: Invisible Yet very Useful 

UV Inks on Plastic Cards

What Are UV Inks?

UV inks are special inks that are invisible under normal light but become visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. They can display images, text, or patterns when exposed to a UV light source.

Why Use UV Inks?

  • Security Measure: Hidden features that are hard to detect and replicate without UV light. Those who want to clone your cards will be unable to.
  • Space-Saving: Allows for additional information without cluttering the card design and only visible when shined upon.
  • Creative Branding: Offers unique ways to incorporate logos or messages.

Types of UV Inks:

  1. Visible UV Inks: Appear as a faint colour under normal light and glow under UV light.
  2. Invisible UV Inks: Completely invisible until exposed to UV light.

Use Cases:

  • Event tickets
  • Secure IDs
  • Promotional cards with hidden messages

Compatible Printers

How does it work?

UV Ink View
  • Specialised Ribbons: Printers use ribbons that include a fluorescent (F) panel containing UV-sensitive ink.
  • Printing Process: During printing, the printer selectively applies UV ink from the F-panel onto designated areas of the card as per the design.
  • Design Software: Card design software allows you to specify which elements should be printed using UV ink.
  • Layering: UV ink can be used alongside standard CMYK printing, allowing for complex designs that combine visible and invisible elements.

The cost of the F - Panel is usually more expensive when buying a ribbon. Ensure that your printer model supports UV printing and that necessary modules are installed. Avoid overly intricate UV designs that may not print clearly.

At Card Monster, we're here to help you explore UV ink printing options and select the right equipment for your needs. Whether you need guidance on printer selection, setup, or design, our team of experts is ready to assist. Contact us today.

If you do not want to purchase a separate ribbon, rather ask us to print it for you. Our factory is able to print batches for you without the admin of getting a new ribbon or configuring your card printer. Contact us. 

Watermarks: The Subtle Signature

Watermark feature on Cards

What Are Watermarks?

Watermarks are faint designs printed onto cards, visible when held up to light or moved around. 

Traditionally watermarks are used in paper currency and official documents. For example, when you hold up one of our South African notes into the light, the R200. You can see the imprint of a leopard on the other side showing its authenticity. 

Watermarks have been created in their own way of authenticity for PVC cards.

Why Use Watermarks?

  • Authentication: Difficult to replicate, providing a layer of security.
  • Brand Integrity: Subtle yet effective way to incorporate branding elements.
  • Elegance: Adds a touch of class without overwhelming the design.

How Are Watermarks Applied?

Watermark feature on PVC Cards

Watermarks are created using varying card material densities or by embedding special films during the manufacturing process.

Use Cases:

  • Government IDs
  • Certificates
  • High-value membership cards

Compatible Printers

How It Works - DS3 Card Printer

The Sigma DS3 uses ribbons that include a fluorescent (F) panel containing UV-sensitive ink. UV ink is invisible under normal light but becomes visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. This allows you to embed a watermark or security pattern that only appears under UV light.

The printer can apply custom watermarks during the printing process.These patterns act as overlays that are subtly visible under certain lighting conditions or angles.

The cost of the F - Panel Ribbon is usually more expensive. Just make sure that your printer model supports UV printing and that necessary modules are installed. Avoid UV designs that are a bit too complicated and not easy to see. 

At Card Monster, we're here to help you explore UV ink printing options and select the right equipment for your needs. Whether you need guidance on printer selection, setup, or design, our team of experts is ready to assist. Contact us today.

If you do not want to purchase a separate ribbon, rather ask us to print it for you. Our factory is able to print batches for you without the admin of getting a new ribbon or configuring your card printer. Contact us. 

Spot UV Finishing & Foil Stamping: Shine Where It Matters

Spot UV and Foil Stamping

What Is Spot UV Finishing?

Spot UV finishing involves applying a clear, glossy coating to specific areas of the card. This creates contrast by highlighting certain elements against a matte background.

We did a few cards for Isabella Garcia that allowed us to create a unique touch to the cards. A clear gloss coating highlighted the design underneath the text and logos. 

Spot UV can also create subtle artistic effects and 3D effects. Spot UV is often used for business cards, conference badges, and gift cards.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-PIUDa1wmgg

Why Use Spot UV Finishing?

  • Visual Contrast: Draws attention to key design elements like logos or text.
  • Tactile Experience: Adds a slight texture difference that can be felt.
  • Durability: Provides extra protection to the coated areas.

Design Tips:

  • Use on logos or designs to make them pop.
  • Highlight contact information or important details.
  • Create patterns for a subtle yet sophisticated look.

Use Cases:

  • Business cards
  • VIP membership cards
  • Gift Cards
  • Promotional cards

What Is Foil Stamping?

Foil stamping on PVC Cards

Foil stamping applies a metallic foil to the card surface using heat and pressure. This creates shiny, reflective designs that catch the eye.

We did this with our Truworths Gift card designs. The text “gift card” pops out when you move the cards around creating a very unique touch to the cards.

Why Use Foil Stamping?

  • Luxury Appeal: Metallic finishes suggest high quality and exclusivity.
  • Color Variety: Available in gold, silver, holographic, and various colors.
  • Design Versatility: Can be combined with embossing for a more dramatic effect.

Design Tips:

  • Use sparingly to highlight key elements.
  • Combine with matte backgrounds for contrast.
  • Ensure readability if applying to text.

Compatible Equipment

Our factory is able to print unique finishes for your cards. We have the highest quality machines that are able to get your cards to look and feel unique. Our team of experts is ready to assist. Contact us today.

For more intricate designs, professional printing services like Card Monster can provide high-quality spot UV and foil stamping finishing.

Embossing: Elevate Your Card's Profile

Embossed Cards

What Is Embossing?

Embossing raises specific parts of the card surface to create a three-dimensional effect. It's a classic technique commonly seen on credit cards.

Why Use Embossing?

  • Prestige: Conveys a sense of importance and quality.
  • Brand: Unique textures can set your card apart from the competition.

Considerations:

  • Design Balance: Ensure embossing doesn't interfere with other card features.
  • Compatibility: We can only print embossed cards with our factory as specialised equipment is needed that is not found in a card printer. 

Use Cases:

  • Financial cards
  • Luxury brand cards
  • Access control cards
  • Hotel Key cards
  • Membership cards
  • Governmental cards

Compatible Equipment

We can emboss for you. Our factory is able to print unique finishes on your cards like embossing. We have the highest quality machines that are able to get your cards to look and feel unique. Our team of experts is ready to assist. Contact us today.

Understanding Embossing

What Is Embossing?

  • Process: Embossing involves mechanically pressing characters and numbers into the card material to create raised (embossed) or indented (debossed) text and images.
  • Applications: Commonly used for credit cards, debit cards, and some types of membership cards and hotel key cards where raised characters are required.
  • Equipment Required: Specialised embossing machines are necessary for this process.

Please feel free to contact us on the unique embossing that you’d like for your cards. 

Addressing Common Customer Confusions

At Card Monster, we often encounter customers who are unsure about the differences between these features. Let's clarify some common misunderstandings.

Tactile Impression vs. Watermark

Tactile Impression VS Watermark Cards
  • Tactile Impression: A physical alteration of the card surface, either raised (embossing) or indented (debossing). It's felt by touch and seen by sight.
  • Watermark: A subtle image embedded within the card material, visible when held up to light but not felt by touch.

UV Inks vs. Spot UV Finishing

UV Inks VS Spot UV
  • UV Inks: Invisible inks that appear under UV light, used for hidden images or text.
  • Spot UV Finishing: A glossy coating applied to specific areas, visible under normal light to create contrast.

Embossing vs. Foil Stamping

Embossing vs foil stamping cards
  • Embossing: Raises parts of the card for a 3D effect without adding color.
  • Foil Stamping: Adds a colored or metallic foil to the card surface, which can be flat or combined with embossing.

Why Invest in Special Finishes?

Special finishes on PVC Cards

Security Enhancement

In an age where data breaches and fraud are rampant, securing your cards is non-negotiable. Special finishes like holograms, UV inks, and watermarks make it significantly harder for unauthorised individuals to replicate your cards.

Brand Differentiation

Stand out in a saturated market by offering something unique. Special finishes not only make your cards more attractive but also reinforce your brand's commitment to quality and innovation.

Customer Trust

When customers or clients receive a high-quality card, it instills confidence in your organisation. It's a tangible representation of your brand's values and attention to detail.

Long-Term Savings

While adding special finishes may have an upfront cost, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial investment. Reduced fraud, increased card lifespan, and enhanced brand loyalty contribute to overall savings.

Choosing the Right Features for Your Needs

Special Card Features

Selecting the appropriate special finishes depends on several factors:

  • Purpose of the Card: Is it for security access, branding, or both?
  • Target Audience: What will resonate with your cardholders?
  • Budget Constraints: Some features are more cost-effective than others.
  • Printing Capabilities: Ensure your chosen features are compatible with your card printer.

For more insights on choosing the right card printer and understanding associated costs, check out our previous blogs:

How Card Monster Can Help

At Card Monster, we're dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of card printing. Our team of experts can guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the right special finishes that align with your objectives and budget.

Services We Offer:

  • Consultation: Personalised advice based on your specific needs.
  • Design Assistance: Help with creating designs that incorporate special finishes effectively.
  • Quality Printing: State-of-the-art equipment to produce high-quality cards with your chosen features.
  • After-Sales Support: Ongoing assistance to address any concerns or questions.

Final Thoughts

Special finishes for plastic cards

Adding special finishes to your cards is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's a strategic decision that can enhance security, promote your brand, and make a lasting impression on recipients. By understanding the different features available—holograms, tactile impressions, UV inks, watermarks, spot UV finishing, embossing, and foil stamping—you can make informed choices that align with your goals.

Don't let confusion hold you back from elevating your cards to the next level. Reach out to Card Monster today, and let's transform your cards into powerful tools for security and branding.

We look forward to creating awesome cards with you, we hope that we have inspired you to create beautiful cards of your own.

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