What is the "Plastic Card"?
A plastic card is a small, rectangular or circular shaped card made of plastic that contains information. They are widely used for various purposes such as payment cards, identification cards, loyalty cards, gift cards and many others. Plastic cards come in different types and designs, ranging from standard plain to customized styles with unique features based on their function.
Payment cards, also called credit or debit cards, are the most common type of plastic cards. These cards are issued by financial institutions to enable customers to perform cashless transactions. Payment cards contain a magnetic stripe or a chip embedded in it, which stores the customer's account information, and provides businesses or retailers with a means to process a transaction when swiped or inserted into a terminal.
Identification cards are another popular use of plastic cards. They are mostly used by organizations or institutions to identify employees or members, and to control access or entry to certain areas. Identification cards typically include the holder's name, photo, job title, and printed on a plastic card, often with a magnetic stripe or barcode for further access control or authentication.
Loyalty cards aim to reward customers for their continued patronage. Retailers issue these cards to help increase customer retention and boost sales. Loyalty cards typically have a magnetic stripe or barcode on them to keep track of purchases made by the customer. At checkout, the total spent by the customer is added to their loyalty account.
Gift cards are also a popular use of plastic cards. They are often used in place of cash or tangible gifts such as a voucher, offering the recipient the flexibility to purchase whatever they desire within the limit of the gift card amount.
In conclusion, plastic cards are an essential part of daily modern life, providing convenience and security to users. The versatility of plastic cards has enabled them to be utilized in many applications including financial, identification, and promotional programs. With innovative advancements in technology, new design variations and additional features will continue to emerge, making plastic cards an increasingly valuable asset in our lives.