Plastic Cards Key Terms

Find out more about plastic cards and the words used to describe them

By M. Worcester

Plastic cards that look like credit cards are inexpensive, yet they look attractive and can be valuable to consumers. There are many uses for such cards, and it's important to know the names for the various types.

A plastic card may have a barcode or be a smart card. Both of types of cards can carry information that a computer can read. There are many ways a business can use plastic cards to increase their business, including using them as a key card, a loyalty card, a gift card or a phone card.

Barcode

A barcode is a series of black lines, or bars, that represent a series of numbers. A computer with the correct software and a barcode scanner can read these barcodes, which can represent account numbers or product code numbers.
Try: At Plastic Cards, you can read all about barcodes, their purpose and the different types.

Smart card

Smart cards are cards that can interact with a card swiping computer terminal to relay data. These types of cards have a magnetic stripe or other device that holds information.
Try: Find out more about smart cards and how they work by visiting Tele-Pak Card Printing.

Key card

A key card, also called an access card, works like a key to open a door with a special lock that reads this type of card. The advantage of using cards instead of keys is that you can de-activate a particular card without affecting the other cards. You can also set it so a particular card can open several doors, while others may open only one door.
Try: Get information about key cards and what options they come with when you visit Duracard.

Loyalty card

A loyalty card identifies a customer. When the customer makes a purchase, you can either give that customer points which they can redeem at a future date, or give them special sale prices not available to those who don't have such a card.
Try: At e-plasticcard.com, you can read all about loyalty cards and their various features.

Gift cards or prepaid cards

Gift cards are the same as gift certificates, except they often have a magnetic stripe that holds information such as the balance and maybe an expiration date. You can print this type of card with all sorts of logos and other pictures, and you can use them as gifts or promotions to bring business to those who sell them.
Try: To find out more about gift cards and how they work, visit Plastek Cards.

Phone card

People buy phone cards to use for themselves or to give as gifts, and they keep these cards and refer to them when they use them to make a call. Businesses can get these types of cards imprinted with their company name and information, so they work like a mini-ad or billboard, reminding the user about your business every time they look at it.
Try: To read about phone cards and how businesses can use them to increase brand awareness, go to USA Plastic Cards.