Magnetic Stripe Cards: Secure Reliable Custom Options

Welcome to Plastic Card ID: Your Trusted Source for Magnetic Stripe Cards and More

There is something remarkably powerful about handing someone a well-made plastic card. It feels solid, professional, and real. At Plastic Card ID, we have spent more than 25 years helping businesses across the country make exactly that kind of impression. From magnetic stripe cards to full card printer systems, we ship everything you need, right to your door, no matter where you are in the nation.

We have worked with over 100,000 businesses and have shipped more than 50 million cards to date. That track record speaks for itself. Whether you run a small boutique, a large hotel chain, or a members-only fitness club, we have a card solution designed to fit your needs perfectly and keep your customers coming back for more.

Our team is easy to reach for new orders or any questions you might have. Just call us at 800-835-7919 and one of our friendly specialists will walk you through every option available to you. We make the process simple, fast, and even a little fun.

What Makes a Magnetic Stripe Card So Effective?

Magnetic stripe cards have been a trusted technology for decades, and for good reason. The magnetic stripe on the back of the card stores data that can be read quickly by a card swipe reader. This makes them ideal for loyalty programs, access control, membership tracking, and gift card systems that need speed and reliability every single time.

Businesses love magnetic stripe cards because they are incredibly easy to integrate with existing point-of-sale systems. There is no major infrastructure overhaul required. You simply swipe and go. That ease of use translates into smoother customer experiences and less time spent fumbling at the register during busy hours.

We produce magnetic stripe cards in all three industry-standard tracks. Whether your system requires Track 1, Track 2, Track 3, or any combination, we encode your cards precisely to your specifications. Our quality control process ensures every single card meets the highest performance standards before it ever leaves our facility.

Who Uses Magnetic Stripe Cards?

The short answer is: almost everyone. Magnetic stripe cards are used across a wide range of industries, and the versatility of this technology is one of the big reasons we recommend them so often to clients. From retail shops to universities, the applications are nearly endless and continue to grow every year.

Hotels use magnetic stripe cards as room key cards. Retailers program them as gift cards and loyalty rewards cards. Gyms use them for member check-ins. Libraries use them for patron identification and book checkouts. Even parking garages rely on magnetic stripe technology to manage access efficiently and securely throughout the day.

When a business switches from paper-based systems to professionally printed magnetic stripe plastic cards, the results can be dramatic. Retailers have reported sales increases of up to 100% after making the switch to plastic gift cards. That kind of return on a relatively small investment is hard to ignore and even harder to argue with.

The Plastic Card ID Difference: More Than Just a Card Printer

We do not just print cards and ship them out. We act as a strategic partner for your business. Our team takes time to understand what you are trying to accomplish, whether that is boosting customer retention, improving access security, or launching a brand-new loyalty program that gets people excited to spend money with you.

Our approach is built on long-term relationships. We want to be the company you call every time you need cards, supplies, or advice. That is why so many of our clients have been with us for years, and why we have earned a reputation as one of the most reliable card solution providers in the country today.

When you call us at 800-835-7919, you are not talking to an automated system. You are talking to a real person who knows plastic cards inside and out. We pride ourselves on being accessible, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping your business succeed at every level.

Our Full Range of Plastic Cards and Printing Solutions

One of the things that sets us apart from the competition is the sheer variety of products we offer. We are a true one-stop shop for all things plastic card related. From the cards themselves to the printers that produce them to the ribbons and supplies that keep everything running smoothly, we have it all right here for you.

We carry cards for virtually every business application imaginable. Our clients consistently tell us they are amazed by just how many options are available to them. That variety allows us to craft a truly custom solution for each and every business we serve, regardless of industry, size, or budget.

Types of Plastic Cards We Offer

Our card catalog is extensive, and we are always excited to help clients discover options they may not have considered before. Here is a look at some of the most popular card types we produce and ship nationwide on a regular basis for businesses just like yours.

• Magnetic stripe cards (Track 1, 2, and 3 encoding available)
• Gift cards and stored value cards
• Loyalty and rewards cards
• Membership and club cards
• ID badges and employee identification cards
• Hotel key cards
• Casino player cards
• RFID and contactless smart cards
• Clear and frosted transparent cards
• Custom-shaped die-cut cards
• Luxury metal cards in stainless steel or gold finish
• Plastic postcard mailers
• Alumni and association cards
• Union credentials and trade cards

Every card type listed above can be fully customized with your branding, colors, logos, and artwork. We handle everything from design guidance to final production, making sure your finished cards look exactly the way you envisioned them when you first imagined the project.

Card Printers We Stock and Ship

If your organization prefers to print cards in-house, we have the perfect printer solutions for you. We stock a wide selection of professional-grade card printers from the most trusted brands in the industry. These printers range from entry-level desktop models to high-volume production systems built for demanding workloads.

In-house printing gives businesses the flexibility to produce cards on demand. Need to print a new employee ID badge today? No problem. Want to create personalized loyalty cards for a weekend promotion? Easy. Having your own card printer means you are never waiting on outside production timelines when speed matters most to your operation.

Our team can help you select the right printer for your volume and budget. Whether you need a single-sided or dual-sided printer, a monochrome or full-color model, or a unit with built-in lamination, we will match you with the best option available. Give us a call at 800-835-7919 and we will walk through the options with you right now.

Ribbon and Supply Refills Shipped Nationally

A card printer is only as good as the supplies that keep it running. We stock a comprehensive inventory of printer ribbons, cleaning kits, card stock, and other essential accessories for all the major printer brands we carry. When you run low, we make restocking fast, easy, and completely hassle-free for your team.

Our refill supplies are genuine, high-quality products that protect your printer investment and ensure consistent print quality from the very first card to the very last card in every batch. Using substandard ribbons can damage print heads and void warranties, which is why we always recommend sourcing your supplies directly through us.

The Power of Magnetic Stripe Cards for Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are one of the most effective tools a business can use to keep customers coming back. And at the heart of nearly every successful loyalty program is a well-designed, properly encoded plastic card. Magnetic stripe loyalty cards make the customer experience smooth, rewarding, and memorable in ways that digital-only programs simply cannot replicate.

When a customer carries your loyalty card in their wallet, your brand travels with them everywhere they go. That constant physical presence is a form of marketing that never stops working for you. Every glance at that card is a gentle reminder of the value your business provides and the rewards waiting for them on their next visit.

Proven Sales Impact of Loyalty Cards

The data behind loyalty cards is genuinely exciting. Businesses that implement structured loyalty card programs using magnetic stripe plastic cards report measurable increases in repeat customer visits, average transaction sizes, and overall customer lifetime value. These are not small improvements. They are significant, business-changing results that justify the investment many times over.

We have seen clients boost their repeat visit rates by impressive margins after launching a well-structured loyalty card program. When customers feel recognized and rewarded, they return more frequently and spend more generously. A beautifully printed magnetic stripe loyalty card signals to your customers that you take their patronage seriously.

Gift Cards: A Revenue Multiplier

Gift cards are one of the best-performing marketing tools available to retail and service businesses today. Studies consistently show that gift card recipients tend to spend more than the face value of the card, which means every gift card you issue becomes an opportunity to generate additional revenue beyond the original purchase amount for your business.

Retailers who switch from paper gift certificates to professional magnetic stripe plastic gift cards have reported sales increases of up to 100%. That is a staggering difference, and it comes down to the perceived value of the card itself. A plastic card feels like something worth keeping, using, and even sharing with others who might become new customers.

We encode your gift cards with whatever stored value system your business uses. Our technical team ensures compatibility so that every swipe at your register works flawlessly from day one. Getting started is as easy as reaching out to us and describing what you need for your specific business setup.

Plastic Postcard Mailers That Actually Get Read

Here is something many businesses do not realize: plastic postcard mailers achieve double the response rates of traditional paper mail. When a plastic card arrives in someone's mailbox, curiosity takes over. It feels different. It looks different. People pick it up, turn it over, and actually read what it says rather than tossing it in the recycling bin without a second glance.

We produce custom plastic postcard mailers that can be encoded with magnetic stripes, making them usable as introductory gift cards, discount offers, or membership invitations. This combination of direct mail marketing and functional card technology creates a remarkably powerful outreach tool that gets your message into customers' hands and keeps it there for a long time.

Identity, Membership, and Access Control Cards

Beyond marketing, plastic cards serve a critical role in organizational security and identity management. We produce a wide range of ID and access control cards that help businesses, schools, clubs, and institutions manage who goes where and verify who belongs. These solutions are reliable, professional, and easy to implement across your entire organization.

Our membership and identity cards are used by trade unions, alumni associations, corporate campuses, fitness centers, and many other organizations that need a dependable way to identify members, grant access, and build a genuine sense of belonging among their community. A well-made card communicates professionalism and legitimacy instantly.

Employee ID Badges and Secure Credentials

Employee ID badges are one of the most fundamental security tools any organization can use. They identify staff at a glance, grant access to restricted areas, and project a professional image that instills confidence in customers, visitors, and colleagues alike. We produce durable, full-color ID badges encoded with magnetic stripes for seamless integration with your access systems.

Our ID cards are built to withstand daily use in demanding environments. Whether your employees work in an office, a warehouse, a healthcare facility, or a construction site, our cards hold up to the rigors of real-world conditions without fading, cracking, or becoming unreadable over time. That durability protects your investment and keeps operations running smoothly.

RFID and Smart Card Technology

For organizations that need more advanced access control, we offer RFID and contactless smart card solutions. These cards use radio frequency technology to communicate with card readers without requiring physical contact, which speeds up entry and reduces wear on both the card and the reader hardware over time.

We offer cards compatible with leading RFID standards including MIFARE DESFire and other popular contactless platforms. These cards can store significantly more data than a traditional magnetic stripe, making them ideal for multi-function applications where a single card needs to serve several different purposes within your organization.

Casino and Hotel Key Cards

The hospitality and gaming industries rely heavily on magnetic stripe and RFID card technology for smooth, secure operations. Hotel key cards give guests access to their rooms while allowing management to control access throughout the property from a central system. Casino player cards track gaming activity, reward loyal players, and create personalized experiences that keep guests engaged.

We produce both hotel key cards and casino player cards with the precision and durability these demanding environments require. Our cards are compatible with all major lock systems and casino management platforms, and we can customize them beautifully with your property's branding to reinforce your identity at every guest touchpoint.

Specialty Cards That Make an Unforgettable Impression

Sometimes a standard card just will not do. For brands that want to make a bold, lasting statement, we offer a collection of specialty card options that push the boundaries of what a plastic card can be. These products are designed to stop people in their tracks, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression that a paper business card could never achieve.

Our specialty card offerings attract a wide range of clients, from luxury brands and high-end retailers to creative agencies and exclusive private clubs. When you want your card to say something extraordinary about your brand, these are the options that deliver that level of impact every single time you hand one out.

Clear and Frosted Transparent Cards

Clear plastic cards have a visual appeal that is genuinely hard to beat. They look sleek, modern, and unmistakably premium. When printed with the right design, a clear or frosted card creates a stunning visual effect that makes your brand feel cutting-edge and forward-thinking. Clients who carry them tend to show them off, which means free word-of-mouth marketing for your business.

We produce transparent cards in both fully clear and frosted finishes, and we can combine these with full-color printing, spot UV coatings, and metallic inks to create truly one-of-a-kind results. These cards can also be encoded with a magnetic stripe, keeping all the functional benefits of standard cards while adding that wow-factor visual presentation.

Custom-Shaped Die-Cut Cards

Who says a card has to be a rectangle? Our custom die-cut cards can be produced in virtually any shape you can imagine. A coffee shop might want a card shaped like a coffee cup. A dental office might choose a tooth-shaped card. A real estate agency might go with a house outline. The creative possibilities are genuinely endless and always exciting to explore.

Custom shapes make your card instantly memorable and immediately identifiable with your brand. When someone pulls your card out of their wallet, it stands out from all the other cards in there. That visual differentiation is priceless in a crowded marketplace where every brand is fighting for the same customer attention and wallet space.

Luxury Metal Cards for Premium Brands

For the ultimate in prestige and perceived value, nothing compares to a metal card. Crafted from materials like stainless steel, brushed gold, or black metal, these cards communicate wealth, exclusivity, and attention to detail in a way that plastic simply cannot match. The weight alone makes an impression the moment someone holds one in their hand.

Metal cards are ideal for VIP membership programs, exclusive loyalty tiers, premium gift card offerings, and high-end corporate gifting situations. They signal to recipients that they are part of something special. We produce metal cards with custom engraving, printed elements, and even magnetic stripe encoding so they remain fully functional along with being absolutely stunning.

Card Accessories and Value-Added Services

A great card deserves a great presentation. That is why we offer a full range of accessories and value-added services designed to make your card program as polished and professional as possible from start to finish. From custom carriers to full-service mailing, we handle the details so you do not have to worry about them at all.

These additional services transform us from a simple card printer into a true end-to-end solution provider. We have built our service model around making things easier for our clients, which is why so many businesses trust us to handle not just the cards themselves but everything that goes along with delivering them effectively.

Custom Card Carriers and Sleeves

The way a card is presented matters enormously. A beautiful card tucked inside a custom-branded carrier or protective sleeve looks far more professional than one handed over bare and unprotected. We produce custom carriers and sleeves that match your branding, include personalized messaging, and create an unboxing experience your recipients will remember and appreciate.

Card carriers are particularly popular for gift card programs, where the presentation is part of the gift-giving experience itself. A nicely designed carrier with your logo, a warm message, and a striking visual design makes your gift card feel like a premium product rather than just a transaction. That perception directly influences how your customers think and feel about your brand.

Card Affixing and Mailing Services

We do not just produce cards. We can also affix them to mailers, carriers, or marketing pieces and send them directly to your customer list on your behalf. This full-service option saves you significant time and labor costs while ensuring your cards reach recipients in perfect condition every single time, with no additional handling required on your end.

Our mailing service is ideal for businesses launching new loyalty programs, sending promotional offers to existing customers, or welcoming new members with a card and welcome kit. We handle the entire production-to-delivery pipeline, allowing you to focus your energy on running your business while we take care of all the logistical details involved in the process.

Card Printers: Bringing Production In-House

Printer Type	Best For	Print Volume	Color Options
Desktop Single-Sided	Small offices, low volume	Up to 500 cards/day	Full color or mono
Desktop Dual-Sided	ID programs, membership cards	Up to 1,000 cards/day	Full color
Mid-Volume Production	Retail, hospitality, healthcare	Up to 5,000 cards/day	Full color with lamination
High-Volume Industrial	Large enterprises, card bureaus	10,000 cards/day	Full color, lamination, encoding

Bringing card printing in-house gives your organization a level of control and flexibility that outsourcing cannot match. When you own your card printer, you can respond to needs as they arise, print on demand, and make updates to card designs without waiting on outside production schedules or paying rush fees for urgent orders.

We help businesses of all sizes find the right in-house printing setup. Our experts assess your volume, your card types, your encoding needs, and your budget before recommending a specific printer model. We want to make sure you are investing in equipment that truly serves your operation rather than something over-specified or under-powered for what you actually need.

Choosing the Right Printer for Your Volume

Not every business needs a high-volume industrial printer. A small office that prints 20 ID badges a month needs a completely different solution than a hotel chain printing 500 key cards daily. We help you honestly assess your volume so you invest in the right machine without overspending on capacity you will never actually use in your day-to-day operation.

Entry-level desktop printers are perfect for small to mid-size organizations just getting started with in-house card printing. These machines are affordable, easy to use, and capable of producing beautiful full-color cards with magnetic stripe encoding. They are a fantastic way to get started without a large upfront capital investment holding your program back.

Printer Features Worth Understanding

Modern card printers offer a range of features beyond basic printing. Some models include built-in lamination modules that add a protective overlay to each card, significantly extending card life and enhancing print quality. Others include integrated encoding modules for magnetic stripe, smart chip, or RFID technology built directly into the printer hardware itself.

Dual-sided printing is another feature worth considering if your cards need information, branding, or barcodes on both sides. Many ID badge programs and loyalty card programs benefit from dual-sided printing because it maximizes the use of available card real estate and gives you more room for important information without crowding the design on either side of the card.

• Single-sided printing for basic designs and simple ID cards
• Dual-sided printing for maximum information and branding space
• Built-in lamination for extended card durability and protection
• Magnetic stripe encoding module for loyalty and gift cards
• Smart chip encoding for advanced data storage applications
• RFID encoding for contactless access control systems
• Retransfer printing for edge-to-edge, over-the-chip printing quality

Keeping Your Printer Running with the Right Supplies

Once you have the right printer in place, keeping it stocked with quality supplies is essential to maintaining peak performance. We carry the full range of ribbons, cleaning kits, card stock, and other consumables for all the major printer brands we sell. Ordering is easy, shipping is fast, and our prices are highly competitive for everything we stock.

Printer ribbons come in several varieties depending on what you need. Full-color YMCKO ribbons produce vivid, photo-quality card prints. Monochrome ribbons in black, white, gold, or silver are perfect for single-color printing on pre-printed card stock. We also carry specialty ribbons for security printing, including those that produce holograms or UV-visible features that protect against counterfeiting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnetic Stripe Cards

We talk to businesses every day who have questions about magnetic stripe cards, how they work, what they can do, and how to get started. We love these conversations because they give us a chance to share our expertise and help businesses make smart, informed decisions. Here are some of the questions we hear most often from new clients reaching out to our team.

Understanding the technology behind magnetic stripe cards does not have to be complicated. We break everything down into plain language so you can make confident decisions about your card program without needing a technical background or an engineering degree to follow along. Knowledge is power, and we want you to feel empowered every step of the way.

What Are the Three Tracks on a Magnetic Stripe?

A standard magnetic stripe card has three tracks of data storage running along the stripe on the back of the card. Each track can hold different types and amounts of data. Track 1 holds alphanumeric data including cardholder name and account information. Track 2 holds numeric data and is the track most commonly used by loyalty and gift card systems at retail.

Track 3 is less commonly used in standard commercial applications but is available for specialized systems that need additional data storage on the card. When you order magnetic stripe cards from us, we work with you to determine exactly which tracks need to be encoded and what data format your card reading system requires for seamless compatibility right out of the box.

How Long Do Magnetic Stripe Cards Last?

A well-made magnetic stripe card can last for several years under normal use conditions. The stripe itself is designed to withstand thousands of swipes before showing any degradation in read quality. However, storing cards near strong magnets, exposing them to extreme heat, or scratching the stripe surface can shorten the functional life of the card significantly over time.

We produce our magnetic stripe cards using high-coercivity (HiCo) stripe technology as standard, which offers significantly better durability and resistance to accidental demagnetization compared to low-coercivity (LoCo) options. HiCo stripes are the right choice for any card that will be used frequently and carried in a wallet alongside other cards and everyday items.

Can I Reorder Cards Easily When I Run Out?

Absolutely, and we make reordering as simple as possible. We maintain your card specifications on file so that reorders match your original cards exactly in terms of design, encoding, and materials. Many of our clients place regular reorders on a scheduled basis to keep their card inventory consistently stocked and ready for distribution to new customers or members.

Just give us a call at 800-835-7919 and we can pull up your account, confirm your specifications, and get a new production run underway quickly. We also ship nationwide, so no matter where your business is located, we can get your cards to you in a timely manner without any geographic limitations holding up your program.

Case Study: How Magnetic Stripe Gift Cards Transformed a Retail Store

Real-world results are the most convincing proof of any product's value. We have seen firsthand how making the switch to professional magnetic stripe plastic cards can completely transform a business's revenue and customer engagement. The following case study represents the kind of outcome we are proud to help our clients achieve regularly through our products and services.

A mid-sized retail gift shop came to us after years of using handwritten paper gift certificates. Their redemption rates were low, their customers frequently lost the certificates, and the overall experience felt dated and unprofessional. They wanted something better, and we were ready to deliver exactly that for their particular situation.

The Problem They Were Trying to Solve

The retailer was losing potential gift sales because customers did not trust paper certificates. Many were thrown away, lost in drawers, or simply forgotten about entirely. The store was also dealing with occasional fraud from handwritten certificates that were difficult to verify. Their gift program was costing them more in lost opportunity than it was generating in actual sales revenue for the business.

They also had no way to track which certificates had been redeemed and which had not, making inventory management and financial reconciliation a constant headache for their accounting team. They needed a system that was trackable, secure, reliable, and professional enough to encourage customers to actually purchase and use gift cards with confidence in the product.

Our Solution and the Results

We set them up with a custom-designed magnetic stripe gift card program. The cards featured their branding, were encoded on Track 2 for compatibility with their existing point-of-sale system, and were packaged in custom-printed card carriers that matched their store's visual identity perfectly. The entire transition from paper to plastic took just a few weeks from first conversation to live launch.

Within the first six months, their gift card sales had nearly doubled compared to the same period in the previous year with paper certificates. Customer complaints about lost certificates dropped to virtually zero. The store owner called us to say it was one of the best decisions they had made for the business in years, and they have been a loyal reorder client ever since. That is the kind of result we live for.

Why Businesses Across the Country Choose Plastic Card ID

With so many card providers out there, it is fair to ask what makes us the right choice for your business. The answer comes down to a combination of experience, quality, variety, and genuine customer care that is difficult to find all in one place. We have been doing this for over 25 years, and every year we get better at serving our clients across every industry and every state in the nation.

Our clients range from solo entrepreneurs printing their first batch of loyalty cards to large corporations managing multi-location card programs with tens of thousands of cards in circulation. We treat every single client with the same level of attention and dedication, because we believe every business deserves access to professional card solutions that help them grow and thrive in competitive markets.

Our Nationwide Shipping Commitment

No matter where in the country your business is located, we ship directly to your door. From coast to coast, north to south, we have clients in all 50 states relying on us for their card printing and supplies. Our shipping processes are reliable, trackable, and designed to get your orders to you as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of how your order is packaged and protected.

We understand that running low on cards or supplies can bring parts of your operation to a standstill. That is why we work hard to process and ship orders quickly, and why we encourage clients to plan ahead and reorder before they run completely out. Our team is always available to help you figure out the right reorder timing and quantities for your specific usage patterns and needs.

A Partner You Can Count On for the Long Haul

We are not interested in one-time transactions. We want to be your card partner for the long term, growing alongside your business and adapting our solutions as your needs change and evolve over the years. That long-term mindset shapes everything we do, from how we design our products to how we structure our customer service experience and support options.

Our repeat client rate is something we are genuinely proud of. When businesses start working with us, they tend to stick around. That loyalty is the best endorsement we could ever ask for, and it motivates us to keep improving, keep innovating, and keep delivering the kind of quality and service that makes businesses happy to call us their card partner year after year.

Call Us and Experience the Difference Yourself

The best way to understand what we can do for your business is to simply pick up the phone and talk to us. Our team is knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about helping businesses succeed with great card programs. We will listen to what you need, answer every question you have, and put together a recommendation that makes real sense for your goals and your budget.

There is no pressure and no obligation when you call. Just a real conversation with a real expert who wants to help you make the best possible decision for your business. We make it easy, and we make it worth your while every step of the process, from your very first inquiry all the way through to delivery and beyond.

Ready to Get Started? Contact Plastic Card ID Today

Whether you are ready to place an order right now or just starting to explore your options, we are here and ready to help you every step of the way. Our team at Plastic Card ID has the expertise, the products, and the genuine desire to help your business make the most powerful impression possible through professionally produced plastic cards and card printing solutions.

From magnetic stripe cards and gift cards to ID badges and luxury metal cards, we have everything your business needs to look professional, build loyalty, manage access, and connect with your customers in a meaningful, tangible way that digital tools simply cannot replicate. We ship everything you need, right to your door, anywhere in the country, on a schedule that works for you.

We have helped over 100,000 businesses and shipped over 50 million cards, and we are ready to bring that same level of experience and dedication to your card program starting today. Do not wait until you run out of cards or miss an opportunity to impress a customer. Call us now, and let us show you just how easy and rewarding a great card program can be.

Call PCID today at 800-835-7919 to speak with one of our specialists and get your order started. Our team is standing by, ready to help you build a card program that makes your brand unforgettable, drives customer loyalty, and delivers real results for your business every single day of the year.