Gift Card Printing

Magnetic Stripes are the choice of businesses that want to swipe a gift card or those that need to use their credit card processing system to process cards. Restaurants tend to use magstripes on gift cards, while retail stores tend towards barcodes.

There are two different types of magnetic stripes on the market. HiCo stripes are used for bank cards, hotel key cards and identification cards that need to be swiped hundreds of times. Gift cards are typically made with LoCo magnetic stripes. LoCo magnetic striped cards are brown in color and last for up to two years or 2000 swipes. The more expensive HiCo stripes are good for up to five years or 5000 swipes.

Magnetic Stripe cards should be printed with Human Readable Numbers in case the magnetic stripe is accidentally damaged or demagnetized.

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Barcodes are machine-readable optical labels added to gift cards to make them scannable by retail POS Systems. There are approximately 700 different types of barcodes, although Code 39, 128/128A, UPC and EN13 bar codes are most often used for gift cards. The specific type of barcode used on a gift card is typically determined by a business’ existing POS System.

Barcodes are one-dimensional and must be printed black over white to work properly. Navy and grey are occasionally compatible with barcode readers if they are printed dark enough.

Gift cards printed with barcodes are more durable than magnetic strip cards. The barcode can be protected by a laminate and is readable by barcode scanners if the laminate covering is scratched. Businesses are able to reuse barcode gift cards as long as the overall card remains in good condition.

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An abbreviation of Quick Response Code, QR Codes are two-dimensional barcodes (also known as Matrix barcodes) that are able to store more information than a typical barcode. They are rising in popularity as more businesses use mobile phones to complete transactions. QR codes can be printed in any color and the code can be reversed out so that the matrix barcode is printed in a light color on a dark background. This is possible because a phone takes an images of a QR code and use the measurements to compare the code to a database. Traditional barcodes are read by a beam of light that measures the spaces between black lines.

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Face Value Cards come with a monetary value printed directly on the card. They can be printed with the value alone or combined with magnetic stripes and bar codes.

Face Value Cards are ideal for small businesses that don’t have a POS system or who have POS systems that aren’t compatible with gift cards. They are also frequently used for promotional giveaways, such as complimentary add-ons, free consultations, or a set amount of money applied to the next purchase.

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Human Readable Numbers are numerals used on gift cards in addition to magnetic stripes or bar codes. Typically written in small type underneath the magnetic stripe or barcode, Human Readable Numbers can be used to pull up a gift card account by manually entering the number into a POS system.

Many businesses add Human Readable Numbers to gift cards as a backup in case a card is demagnetized or broken. They are also frequently used by businesses that don’t have a barcode scanner or magnetic strip reader.

Human readable numbers can also be placed under a scratch-off to redeem a promotion or reveal an activation code.

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Scratch-off gift cards offer businesses an additional level of security. By enclosing part of a barcode, businesses are able to make their cards harder to replicate.

Since scratch-offs are viewed as a “cool” feature, they’re also popular for gift cards used in promotional giveaways. Businesses can use variable printing to create cards filled with unique promotional offers, such as a percentage off or a special gift with purchase, that will be revealed after they are handed out to customers.

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An embossed card can be a great way to get someone's attention.  Get the look of a credit card or use embossing to highlight important information such as your business name, logo, value amount,  or other important information

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Add some shine to your gift cards with the luxurious touch and feel of a foil stamped card. This feature can be used on the whole card or to make important parts stand out. This feature is sure to make your gift cards stand out. 

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