Gift card printing is usually done in small and large runs on custom plastic laminated cards. There are most often done in full-color with graphics. The size of the card is the same as a regular credit card with a magnetic stripe encoding, high-resolution bar coding, sequential or serial numbering and personalization.

Companies interested in ordering gift cards should always ask for samples and a proof of what you are looking for to judge quality and to guarantee that all wording is correct. Many gift card-printing companies do the work in-house and are able to offer quick turn-around time. They will offer you several options to choose from after receiving your specifications. Often times you can request to create your own design or give details and have the company design it for you. Your logo always goes on the front of the card to ensure recognition that later turns into increased sales.

Make sure that the gift card printing company you select has full manufacturing capacity so that the job can be completed under one roof. This would include a sales team, graphic designer, proofing capabilities, data management, production department, sourcing department and customer service. If all of these factors are in place, that means that you will be paying a wholesale amount, rather than a one-piece-at-a-time amount, for the gift cards. The gift card printing companies also usually are able to print other types of products, so if you need other printing done, see if you can work that into the deal at a discount.