Magnetic Stripe Cards: Reliable Custom Printed Cards for Businesses

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

Every great business relationship starts with a first impression, and nothing makes that impression quite like a professionally crafted plastic card. At Plastic Card ID, we have spent over 25 years helping businesses across the country put their best face forward with high-quality custom plastic cards, including some of the most reliable magnetic stripe cards available anywhere in the nation.

We ship our cards, card printers, and supplies to businesses of every size, in every industry, from coast to coast. Whether you are just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing card program, our team is ready to help. Reach us anytime at 800.835.7919 and let us show you what a difference the right card can make for your brand.

Our story is not just about printing cards. It is about building real, lasting connections between businesses and the people they serve. We have empowered over 100,000 businesses and delivered more than 50 million cards, and we are just getting started. The physical card remains one of the most powerful tools in any marketing or operations toolkit, and we are here to prove it.

What Makes Magnetic Stripe Cards So Powerful?

Magnetic stripe cards carry encoded data on a thin band of magnetic material on the back of the card. This technology allows businesses to store and retrieve customer information quickly and securely, making transactions smooth and professional every single time a card is swiped.

From loyalty programs to access control systems, magnetic stripe cards serve a huge range of business purposes. They are durable, cost-effective, and universally compatible with most card readers already in use today, making them one of the smartest investments a business can make in its customer experience infrastructure.

Who Uses Magnetic Stripe Cards?

The short answer is: almost everyone. Retailers use them for gift and loyalty programs. Hotels use them for room access. Gyms use them for member check-ins. Casinos use them for player tracking. The versatility of the magnetic stripe card is truly remarkable, and we supply them to all of these industries and more.

We work with small businesses running their very first loyalty program, as well as large organizations managing thousands of cardholders. No matter the scale of your operation, we have a magnetic stripe card solution that fits your needs and your budget perfectly.

A Legacy Built on Quality and Trust

When you partner with us, you are not just placing an order. You are tapping into over two decades of expertise, innovation, and genuine care for our clients' success. We understand that every card we produce carries your brand's name, and we take that responsibility seriously every single day.

Our commitment to quality means we use only the finest materials and the most accurate printing processes available. The result is a card that looks sharp, functions flawlessly, and represents your business with the kind of polish that keeps customers coming back again and again.

Understanding Magnetic Stripe Technology

If you have ever swiped a card at a store or used a hotel key, you have interacted with magnetic stripe technology. It works by encoding data onto a stripe made of tiny magnetic particles. When swiped through a reader, that data is read instantly, triggering whatever action the system is programmed to perform, whether that is logging a loyalty point, unlocking a door, or processing a transaction.

There are different tracks on a magnetic stripe, each holding different types of data. Most cards use either one or two tracks, depending on the application. We can encode your cards to your exact specifications, ensuring full compatibility with your existing systems and software.

High Coercivity vs. Low Coercivity Stripes

One important detail that many businesses overlook is the difference between high coercivity (HiCo) and low coercivity (LoCo) magnetic stripes. HiCo stripes are harder to accidentally erase and are best for cards that get used frequently, like loyalty or membership cards. LoCo stripes are easier to encode and work well for short-term applications like hotel keys or event passes.

We offer both options and can help you choose the right type for your specific use case. Getting this detail right from the start saves time, money, and frustration down the road, and our team has the expertise to guide you through the decision with confidence.

Track Encoding Options We Offer

Our encoding services cover all standard magnetic stripe tracks. Track 1 typically holds alphanumeric data like names and account numbers. Track 2 is the most commonly used track for financial and loyalty applications, holding numeric data. Track 3 is used in specialized applications requiring additional data storage.

We can encode one, two, or all three tracks based on what your system requires. This flexibility is one of the reasons so many businesses trust us as their go-to card provider. We handle the technical details so you can focus on running your business.

Compatibility With Card Readers and Software

One of the most common concerns businesses have when ordering magnetic stripe cards is whether the cards will work with their existing card reader hardware and software systems. The good news is that our cards are manufactured to ISO standards, which means they are broadly compatible with virtually all standard card readers on the market today.

If you have any questions about compatibility, just give us a call at 800.835.7919. Our knowledgeable team will walk you through your options and make sure you receive cards that integrate seamlessly into your current setup without any technical headaches.

Our Complete Range of Plastic Card Products

We are proud to offer one of the most comprehensive selections of custom plastic cards available from any single provider in the country. From basic printed cards to feature-rich smart cards, our catalog covers virtually every business application imaginable. If you need a card, chances are we have it, or we can create it for you.

Our product range reflects our deep understanding of what businesses actually need. We do not just offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we work with you to identify the right card type, features, and specifications that will serve your customers best and deliver real, measurable results for your business.

Popular Card Types We Offer

Our catalog includes a wide variety of card types suited for different industries and purposes. Here is a look at some of the most popular options our customers love:

• Magnetic stripe loyalty cards for retail and hospitality
• Gift cards with custom denominations and branding
• Membership and ID cards for clubs, gyms, and organizations
• Hotel key cards with HiCo or LoCo magnetic stripes
• Access control and security badge cards
• Casino player tracking cards
• RFID and contactless smart cards
• Clear plastic and specialty-shaped cards
• Luxury metal cards in stainless steel or gold finishes
• Custom postcard mailers designed for direct mail campaigns

Gift Cards That Drive Real Revenue

Our gift cards are not just pretty pieces of plastic. They are proven revenue generators. Retailers who switch from paper gift certificates to professional plastic gift cards often see sales increases of up to 100%. That is a remarkable return on a relatively small investment, and it is one of the reasons gift cards remain one of our most popular products.

We design and print your gift cards to look exactly the way you envision them, with vivid colors, crisp logos, and sharp text that makes your brand shine. Add a magnetic stripe for easy loading and redemption, and you have a complete gift card solution that rivals what the biggest retailers in the country are using.

Loyalty Cards That Keep Customers Coming Back

A well-designed loyalty card program can increase customer retention dramatically. Studies consistently show that loyal customers spend more, visit more often, and refer others to businesses they love. Our magnetic stripe loyalty cards make it easy to track visits, points, and rewards with any standard card reader system.

We have helped businesses across retail, food service, beauty, fitness, and more launch loyalty programs that genuinely move the needle. The combination of a professionally printed card and reliable magnetic stripe encoding makes for a customer experience that feels polished, trustworthy, and worth coming back for.

Card Printers and Refill Supplies, Shipped Nationwide

Printing your own cards in-house gives you speed, control, and flexibility that ordering in bulk simply cannot match. We carry a full selection of professional card printers suited for businesses of all sizes, from compact desktop models perfect for a small office to high-volume printers built for enterprise-scale operations.

We also stock all the refill supplies your printer needs to keep running smoothly, including ribbons, cleaning kits, blank card stock, and more. Everything ships nationwide, so no matter where your business is located, we can keep your card printing operation well-supplied and running without interruption.

Card Printers for Every Business Size

Choosing the right card printer depends on how many cards you print, how often, and what features matter most to your operation. We carry printers from the industry's leading manufacturers and can help match you with the right model based on your specific requirements and budget.

Our printer lineup includes single-sided and dual-sided printing models, printers with built-in magnetic stripe encoding, lamination modules for added card durability, and high-resolution options for photo-quality ID badges. Whatever your printing needs, we have a machine that fits the job.

Ribbons, Supplies, and Accessories We Stock

A printer is only as good as the supplies you put into it. We stock a comprehensive range of printer ribbons, including full-color YMCKO ribbons, monochrome ribbons for black-only printing, and specialty ribbons with UV or holographic overlays for added security. We also carry blank PVC card stock in standard CR80 size and other formats.

• YMCKO full-color printer ribbons
• Monochrome black and single-color ribbons
• UV fluorescent security ribbons
• Holographic overlay ribbons
• Blank white PVC card stock
• Printer cleaning kits and rollers
• Card trays and input hoppers
• Lanyards, badge holders, and card sleeves

Fast, Reliable Nationwide Shipping

We know that when you need supplies, you need them quickly. Our nationwide shipping network ensures that your printers and refill supplies arrive on time, every time. We process orders promptly and offer multiple shipping speeds to match your urgency and budget, so you are never left waiting on a critical reorder.

Whether you are setting up a brand-new card printing station or replenishing your existing supply stock, we make the ordering process simple and stress-free. Our team is just a phone call away to help with any questions about products, compatibility, or delivery timelines.

Loyalty Programs, Gift Cards, and the Power of Plastic

There is something undeniably powerful about handing a customer a physical card. It is a tangible reminder of your brand that lives in their wallet, visible every time they reach for their phone or their cash. Unlike a digital notification that disappears in seconds, a well-made plastic card sticks around and keeps your business top of mind for months or even years.

We have seen this dynamic play out thousands of times across countless industries. Businesses that invest in professional plastic card programs consistently report stronger customer engagement, higher average transaction values, and more repeat visits. The data is clear: plastic cards deliver results that digital alternatives simply cannot replicate on their own.

Why Gift Cards Outperform Paper Certificates

Paper gift certificates have their charm, but they come with serious drawbacks. They are easy to damage, easy to counterfeit, and tend to feel less valuable to the recipient. Plastic gift cards, on the other hand, are durable, professional-looking, and carry an implicit sense of worth that paper just cannot convey to the cardholder.

Retailers switching from paper certificates to plastic gift cards often see immediate improvements in redemption rates and average spend per visit. Customers who receive a plastic gift card are also more likely to spend beyond the card's value, making each card issued a net revenue driver for your business. That is a compelling reason to make the switch today.

Building Customer Loyalty With Every Swipe

Loyalty programs powered by magnetic stripe cards are simple to run, easy for customers to understand, and incredibly effective at driving repeat business. When a customer earns a reward they can actually hold in their hand, the psychological connection to your brand deepens in a way that a mobile app loyalty program rarely achieves on its own.

Our magnetic stripe loyalty cards integrate easily with most point-of-sale systems, making it simple for your staff to issue, scan, and track cards without slowing down service. We can help you design a card that reflects your brand perfectly and set you up with encoding that matches your system requirements right out of the box.

Case Study: Retail Loyalty Program Success

One of our retail clients launched a magnetic stripe loyalty card program after years of relying on a paper punch card system. Within the first six months, they reported a 42% increase in repeat customer visits and a 31% rise in average transaction value among cardholders compared to non-cardholders. Those numbers speak for themselves.

The key was having a card that looked great, worked reliably, and was easy to distribute. We handled everything from design to encoding to delivery, and the client was up and running within just a few weeks. This kind of result is exactly why we are so passionate about what we do for businesses every single day.

Security, Access Control, and ID Badge Solutions

Security matters more than ever, and the cards your organization issues are often the first line of defense in controlling who goes where and when. We specialize in producing high-quality security cards, ID badges, and access control solutions that help organizations of all kinds protect their people, property, and data.

Whether you need simple photo ID badges for a small team or sophisticated RFID smart cards for a multi-location facility, we have the products and expertise to deliver solutions that work. Our cards meet industry standards for durability and security, so you can trust that they will perform reliably in real-world conditions day after day.

Photo ID Badges and Employee Credentials

A professional photo ID badge does more than just identify a person. It signals that your organization takes security seriously and creates a culture of accountability and trust. We produce ID badges in a variety of formats, from simple single-sided cards to full-featured badges with magnetic stripes, barcodes, and printed security elements.

Our ID badge cards are printed to precise specifications and can include employee names, photos, job titles, department information, and unique identifiers. We can produce them in bulk for large organizations or in smaller quantities for growing teams, with fast turnaround times to keep your operations moving without delay.

RFID and Contactless Smart Cards

For organizations that need more than a magnetic stripe can offer, our RFID and contactless smart cards provide an advanced level of access control and data management. Using technologies like MIFARE DESFire, these cards allow secure, encrypted communication between the card and a reader without physical contact, making them ideal for high-traffic access points.

RFID cards are widely used in corporate office buildings, hospitals, universities, hotels, and government facilities. They offer faster transaction speeds, greater data capacity, and enhanced security compared to traditional magnetic stripe cards, making them the smart choice for organizations with complex security needs and large cardholder populations.

Casino, Hotel, and Hospitality Applications

The hospitality industry relies heavily on plastic cards for everything from room keys to player tracking systems. Hotel key cards need to be durable, easy to encode, and quick to reprogram for new guests, while casino player cards need to be robust enough to withstand constant handling in a busy, high-volume environment.

We supply both industries with cards that meet their demanding operational requirements. Our hotel key cards and casino player tracking cards are produced to the highest quality standards and can be custom-printed with your property's branding, making every guest interaction a branded experience from the very first moment of check-in or gameplay.

Specialty Cards That Make a Lasting Impression

Sometimes a standard card is not enough. When you want to truly stand out, our specialty card options give your brand an edge that competitors simply cannot ignore. From crystal-clear transparent cards to custom die-cut shapes and stunning luxury metal cards, we offer options that transform a simple business card exchange into an unforgettable moment.

These are the kinds of cards that people actually keep. They do not end up in the trash or forgotten in a desk drawer. They live in wallets and on desks, sparking conversations and keeping your brand front and center in the minds of the people who matter most to your business.

Clear Plastic and Frosted Card Options

A clear or frosted plastic card is an immediate conversation starter. The transparency creates a visual effect that looks sophisticated and modern, making your printed design elements pop in a way that opaque cards simply cannot achieve. These cards work beautifully for high-end retail, boutique fitness studios, premium membership clubs, and professional services firms.

We offer full-color printing on clear and frosted card stock, allowing you to create designs with striking visual contrast that catch the eye instantly. Add a magnetic stripe for full functionality, and you have a specialty card that is as practical as it is beautiful. These cards tend to generate genuine excitement when distributed to customers.

Luxury Metal Cards for Premium Brands

There is nothing quite like the weight and feel of a metal card in your hand. Our luxury metal cards, crafted from materials like stainless steel and gold-finished alloys, communicate prestige, exclusivity, and quality in a way that no other card format can match. They are perfect for VIP programs, executive memberships, and premium brand experiences.

Metal cards are not just a status symbol. They are also exceptionally durable and virtually impossible to damage under normal handling conditions. Customers who receive a metal card tend to keep it for years, giving your brand long-term visibility and ongoing prestige. If your brand is built on quality, your card should reflect that at every level.

Custom Shapes and Die-Cut Cards

Who says a card has to be a rectangle? Our custom die-cut card options allow you to create cards in virtually any shape that fits your brand identity. A coffee shop might choose a card shaped like a coffee cup. A pet store might go with a paw print. A real estate agency might choose a house silhouette. The possibilities are genuinely exciting.

Custom-shaped cards generate buzz, get shared on social media, and make a brand feel creative and distinctive. They are a powerful tool for businesses that want to differentiate themselves in crowded markets and give their customers something truly unique to hold onto, show off, and remember with a smile every time they pull it from their wallet.

Value-Added Services: Carriers, Sleeves, and Mailing Solutions

We believe in being a true one-stop shop for all of your card needs. That means going beyond just printing the card itself and helping you get it into your customers' hands in the most professional and effective way possible. Our value-added services include custom card carriers, protective sleeves, and complete affixing and mailing solutions.

These services save you time, reduce operational complexity, and ensure that your cards arrive looking their absolute best. When a customer receives a card in a beautifully designed carrier, the perceived value of the entire package increases significantly, and that perception translates directly into how they feel about your brand from that very first moment of unboxing.

Custom Card Carriers and Packaging

A card carrier is the first thing a customer sees when they receive your card, which makes it a powerful branding opportunity in its own right. We design and produce custom card carriers that complement your card design and communicate your brand message clearly, beautifully, and memorably from the very first glance.

Whether you need a simple folded carrier for a gift card display, an envelope-style package for a mailed loyalty card, or a premium folded sleeve for a VIP membership card, we have the design and production capabilities to deliver exactly what you envision. Every touchpoint with your customer is a chance to reinforce your brand, and we help you make the most of each one.

Card Affixing and Direct Mail Services

For businesses running large-scale card distribution campaigns, our card affixing and mailing services take the heavy lifting completely off your plate. We can affix your cards to custom mailers, letters, or promotional pieces, then handle the entire mailing process on your behalf, delivering your cards directly to your customers' mailboxes nationwide.

Our postcard mailers with affixed plastic cards achieve response rates that are roughly double those of traditional paper-only mail, making them one of the most cost-effective direct marketing tools available to businesses today. The combination of a striking visual mailer and a tangible plastic card creates a powerful call to action that paper alone simply cannot replicate in terms of engagement or results.

Protective Sleeves and Card Accessories

Protecting your cards from wear and damage extends their useful life and keeps them looking professional throughout the entire customer relationship. We stock a full range of card sleeves, badge holders, lanyards, retractable reels, and other accessories designed to keep your cards secure and presentable in everyday use.

These accessories are also a subtle branding opportunity. A branded lanyard or badge holder adds one more touchpoint where your logo and colors are visible. We carry options suitable for employee ID programs, event badges, member credentials, and more, all available to ship alongside your card orders so everything arrives together and ready to use immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnetic Stripe Cards

We get a lot of great questions from businesses that are new to ordering magnetic stripe cards or looking to upgrade their existing card programs. Here are some of the most common questions we hear, along with straightforward answers to help you move forward with confidence in your purchasing decisions.

If you have a question that is not covered here, do not hesitate to reach out. Our team loves talking cards, and we are always happy to take the time to make sure you fully understand your options before placing any order with us.

How Many Cards Should I Order?

The right quantity depends on the size of your customer base, the purpose of the card, and your budget. For a new loyalty program at a small retail store, starting with 500-1,000 cards is often a practical and cost-effective way to launch. Larger businesses or those running high-volume gift card programs may need 5,000-25,000 cards or more.

Ordering in larger quantities typically reduces the per-card cost significantly, which improves your return on investment over time. We can walk you through pricing tiers and help you find the quantity that makes the most sense for your specific situation, whether you are ordering for the first time or reordering after a successful initial run.

How Long Does It Take to Receive My Cards?

Production and delivery timelines vary depending on the card type, quantity, customization requirements, and encoding needs. Standard orders typically ship within a few business days after artwork approval, while specialty cards like metal cards or custom shapes may require additional production time to ensure perfect results.

We are committed to delivering your order as quickly as possible without ever compromising on quality. Rush production options are available for time-sensitive orders. Just let us know your deadline when you contact us, and we will do everything we can to meet your timeline and get your cards into your hands right when you need them.

Can I Get a Sample Before Placing a Large Order?

Absolutely. We strongly encourage customers to review proof files and, when appropriate, request physical samples before committing to a large print run. Seeing and feeling a card in person is the best way to confirm that the design, material, and encoding all meet your expectations before you invest in a full order quantity.

Our team will guide you through the proofing process step by step, making sure every detail is exactly right before we go to full production. We would rather take the extra time upfront to get things perfect than have you receive a large order that does not fully meet your vision. Your satisfaction is genuinely important to everything we do.

Why Businesses Across America Choose Plastic Card ID

With so many card printing companies out there, why do over 100,000 businesses choose to work with us? The answer comes down to a combination of product quality, genuine expertise, responsive service, and a deep commitment to helping every client succeed. We are not just a vendor. We are a long-term partner invested in your growth and success.

Our track record speaks for itself. More than 50 million cards delivered. Over two and a half decades of continuous innovation and improvement. A catalog that covers virtually every plastic card application a business could ever need. And a team of real people who actually care about the outcome of every order we fulfill for every client we serve.

Our Commitment to Quality at Every Step

Quality is not a marketing slogan for us. It is the standard we hold ourselves to on every single order, whether it is 100 cards or 100,000. We use premium materials, precise printing processes, and rigorous quality checks to ensure that every card leaving our facility looks sharp, encodes correctly, and performs reliably from the very first swipe through the last.

We know that your card is a direct reflection of your brand. When a customer holds your loyalty card, your gift card, or your membership card, they are forming an impression of your business in that very moment. We make sure that impression is always a positive and professional one that reinforces trust and confidence in everything your brand represents.

Competitive Pricing Without Compromising Quality

Great cards should not break the bank, and with us, they do not have to. We offer competitive pricing across our entire product line, with volume discounts that make large orders even more affordable. Our transparent pricing means no hidden fees or unexpected charges when your invoice arrives at the end of the process.

We work with businesses of all sizes and all budgets, from solo entrepreneurs ordering their first 250 loyalty cards to large enterprises placing orders for tens of thousands of branded cards at a time. Whatever your budget looks like, we will help you maximize its impact and get the very best possible product for your investment.

Reach Us Anytime for Fast, Friendly Help

We pride ourselves on being genuinely easy to work with. Our team is knowledgeable, patient, and always ready to help you navigate the many options available to find exactly the right solution for your needs. Whether you have a quick question or a complex project, we treat every inquiry with the same level of care and attention.

Call us today at 800.835.7919 and experience the difference that working with a true card industry expert makes. We are here to answer your questions, discuss your options, and make the entire ordering process as smooth and enjoyable as possible from your very first conversation with us all the way through to delivery.

Ready to Get Started? Contact Plastic Card ID Today

Your next great business card program is just one phone call away. Whether you are ready to place an order right now or just want to explore your options, our team at Plastic Card ID is standing by to help. We make the process easy, fast, and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.

We ship everything you need, including magnetic stripe cards, card printers, ribbons, and all related supplies, to businesses nationwide. There are no geographic limitations, no minimum order headaches, and no confusing processes to navigate alone. We are with you every step of the way, from your first question to your final delivery and beyond into future reorders.

Call PCID right now at 800.835.7919 and let us help you build the card program your business deserves. Your customers are waiting. Let us help you give them something worth holding onto.

What Happens When You Call Us?

When you call us, you will be connected with a real, knowledgeable team member who listens carefully to what you need before offering any recommendations. We ask the right questions to understand your business, your goals, and your budget so we can point you toward the exact products that will serve you best without overselling or overcomplicating anything.

From that first call, we move quickly. We can typically provide pricing, design guidance, and a timeline within the same conversation, so you leave with a clear picture of exactly what to expect and when. We respect your time, and we do everything we can to make every interaction with us feel effortless, helpful, and genuinely worthwhile.

Our Promise to Every Customer

We promise to deliver cards that look exactly as you envisioned, arrive on time, and perform flawlessly in your systems. We promise to be honest about timelines, transparent about pricing, and responsive when you have questions or need support at any point in the process. That is the standard we hold ourselves to without exception for every single client.

This promise is backed by over 25 years of experience, more than 100,000 satisfied business clients, and a genuine passion for what we do. When you work with us, you are not just buying cards. You are gaining a partner who wants to see your business thrive and is proud to play a role in making that happen with every order we fulfill together.

Start Your Order With Plastic Card ID Now

Do not wait to give your business the professional card program it deserves. Call Plastic Card ID at 800.835.7919 today. Our team is ready, our products are in stock, and we are excited to help you create something truly outstanding for your brand, your customers, and your bottom line starting right now.

From magnetic stripe cards and gift cards to luxury metal cards and everything in between, we have the products, the expertise, and the dedication to make your card program a powerful success. We ship nationwide, we answer our phones, and we genuinely love helping businesses like yours grow. Give us a call, and let us get started together today.