Using the lastest in technology, CardsPlus offers the only approved methods of printing on contact and contactless cards (RFID) smart cards. Retransfer printing offers excellent imaging and optimizes the life of the card. 

Cards Plus also offers the only certified methods of printing onto smart cards (both contact and contactless). Retransfer and offset printing are the only methods of print that will not reduce the lifespan of the card or damage the technology within the card.

Each contactless card has a fine antenna and a small chip sandwiched between the sheets of plastic. When printed on a standard Direct to Card printer, the card is heated once each time a colour is printed on the card- a total of 5 times for the standard full colour card. The rate that the metal antenna cools down is different than the rate that the plastic cools, making the antennae brittle and thus, the life of the card is reduced. Manufacturer recommendation for contactless chip cards is offset printing and retransfer printing.

Contact chip cards contain an external chip imbedded into the face of the plastic card. Inconsistencies in depth of imbedding can cause the chip to be slightly raised above the surface of the card. Direct to Card printing is not recommended for this type of card, as not only will the uneven surface result in an inconsistent print, but the raised metal chip will damage the printer’s printhead. Manufacturer recommendation for this type of card is offset and retransfer printing.

Applications include, but are not limited to:

* Transport ticketing
* Access control
* E-payment
* Road tolling
* Loyalty applications

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