Custom Sublimation Plastic Card Holder For Sublimation Printing

Sublimation plastic card holder are versatile items designed for personal or professional use. They can be customized with vibrant designs, making them ideal for events, promotions, or personal gifts.

Key Features of Sublimation plastic card holder :

• Sublimation-Ready Surface: The plastic card holder with printable aluminum metal insert is specially coated to be receptive to sublimation printing, allowing for high-quality image transfer.

• Customizable Design: It can be fully customized with any image, design, logo, or text using sublimation printing, making each card holder unique.

• Durable Plastic Construction: Made from sturdy, durable plastic that can withstand daily use and handling. Common plastics used include PVC or polyester-based materials optimized for sublimation.

• Lightweight: The plastic construction keeps the overall weight manageable, making it easy to carry in a pocket, purse, or lanyard.

• Smooth Surface: The plastic exterior provides a smooth surface for high-quality sublimation printing.

• Vibrant Print Quality: Sublimation printing ensures vibrant and long-lasting colors that won't fade easily.

• Protective Function: Designed to protect cards (such as ID cards, credit cards, access cards) from scratches, bending, and general wear and tear.

• Standard Card Size Compatibility: Designed to fit standard-sized cards (e.g., credit cards, ID cards) securely.

• Easy to Clean: The plastic material is easy to wipe clean, ensuring hygiene and maintenance.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, allowing users to add personalized decorative elements.

• Optional Features: Some card holders may include additional features such as slots for lanyards, clips, or retractable reels.

• Cost-Effective: Provides an affordable way to personalize and protect cards.

• Heat Resistance: The plastic is designed to withstand the heat during the sublimation process without warping or melting.

• Perfect for Branding: Ideal for businesses, organizations, and events to display logos, branding, or personalized information.

Function of Sublimation plastic card holder 

The primary function of a sublimation plastic card holder is to protect and display cards (such as ID cards, credit cards, access cards, membership cards) while allowing for full customization through sublimation printing. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Card Protection:

   • Physical Protection: To protect cards from physical damage, such as scratches, bending, cracks, and general wear and tear.
   • Shielding: To shield cards from dust, dirt, and moisture, which can degrade the card's surface or magnetic strip.

2. Card Display:

   • Visibility: To display cards clearly, making them easily visible for identification or access purposes.
   • Accessibility: To keep cards readily accessible for quick use, such as swiping for entry or making payments.

3. Customization and Personalization:

   • Sublimation Printing: To allow for full customization through sublimation printing, enabling users to add custom designs, images, logos, or text to the card holder.
   • Personal Expression: To serve as a canvas for personal expression, allowing users to showcase their interests, affiliations, or brand identity.

4. Identification and Security:

   • Visual Identification: To facilitate visual identification, especially in workplaces, schools, or events where ID cards are required.
   • Security Enhancement: To enhance security by making it easy to verify the identity of individuals carrying the cards.

5. Branding and Promotion:

   • Brand Visibility: For businesses and organizations, to serve as a promotional item by printing their logos or brand messages on the card holder.
   • Corporate Identity: To reinforce corporate identity by providing employees with branded card holders.

6. Convenience and Organization:

   • Easy Access: To keep cards within easy reach, improving efficiency and convenience.
   • Organization: To help organize and differentiate between multiple cards, especially when used with lanyards or clips.

7. Aesthetic Enhancement:

   • Decorative Element: To serve as a decorative element, adding a personalized touch to the user's appearance or workspace.
   • Design Integration: To integrate seamlessly with the overall look and feel of a uniform or event theme through custom designs and colors.

8. Promotional Use:

   • Event Merchandise: To be used as merchandise for events, customized with event logos and given to attendees.
   • Membership Benefits: To enhance membership programs by providing members with personalized card holders.

The sublimation plastic card holder combines practical protection and display functionality with the ability to create a unique, personalized, and aesthetically pleasing accessory.

Benefit of Sublimation plastic card holder 

1. Customization:

   • Personalized Design: Offers complete design freedom through sublimation printing, allowing for personalized images, patterns, logos, or text to match individual preferences or branding needs.

2. Card Protection:

   • Physical Protection: Protects cards (ID cards, credit cards, access cards) from scratches, bending, and general wear and tear, extending their lifespan.
   • Shielding: Shields cards from dust, dirt, and moisture, maintaining their integrity.

3. Identification and Security:

   • Easy Identification: Makes it easy to visually identify the cardholder, enhancing security in workplaces, schools, and events.
   • Quick Verification: Allows for quick verification of identity, streamlining access control.

4. Branding and Promotion:

   • Brand Visibility: Increases brand visibility when customized with company logos, slogans, or promotional messages.
   • Corporate Identity: Reinforces corporate identity by providing employees with branded card holders.

5. Convenience and Organization:

   • Easy Access: Keeps cards readily accessible for quick use, such as swiping for entry or making payments.
   • Organization: Helps organize and differentiate between multiple cards, especially when used with lanyards or clips.

6. Aesthetic Appeal:

   • Decorative Element: Serves as a decorative element, adding a personalized touch to the user's appearance or workspace.
   • Professional Look: Enhances the overall look and feel of a uniform or event theme through custom designs and colors.

7. Durability:

   • Long-lasting Use: The durable plastic construction ensures the card holder can withstand daily use and handling.

8. Cost-Effective:

   • Affordable Solution: Provides an affordable way to protect and personalize cards compared to more elaborate options.

9. Promotional Opportunities:

   • Event Merchandise: Suitable as merchandise for events, customized with event logos and given to attendees.
   • Membership Benefits: Enhances membership programs by providing members with personalized card holders.

10. Lightweight and Portable:

    • Easy to Carry: Easy to carry in a pocket, purse, or lanyard due to its lightweight plastic construction.

11. Easy Maintenance:

    • Easy to Clean: The plastic material is easy to wipe clean, ensuring hygiene and maintenance.

12. Versatility:

    • Multi-Purpose Use: Suitable for holding a variety of cards, including ID cards, credit cards, access cards, and membership cards.

The sublimation plastic card holder offers a blend of personalization, protection, branding, and convenience, making it a valuable accessory for various settings and purposes.

Application of Sublimation plastic card holder 

1. Corporate Use:

   • Employee ID Cards: Used to hold employee identification cards, customized with company logos and employee information, enhancing security and brand identity.
   • Access Control: To display access cards for secure entry into buildings or restricted areas.
   • Corporate Events: As promotional items or gifts at corporate events, customized with event themes and company branding.

2. Educational Institutions:

   • Student ID Cards: To hold student identification cards, customized with school logos and student details, ensuring easy identification and security.
   • Faculty and Staff ID: For faculty and staff identification, customized with school branding.
   • School Events: As promotional items or souvenirs at school events, customized with event themes and school logos.

3. Healthcare Facilities:

   • Staff ID Cards: To hold staff identification cards, customized with hospital logos and employee information, ensuring patient safety and security.
   • Visitor Passes: For visitor passes, customized with hospital branding and visitor information.

4. Retail and Hospitality:

   • Employee Badges: To hold employee name badges in retail stores and hospitality establishments, customized with company branding.
   • Loyalty Cards: For loyalty program cards, customized with store logos and promotional designs.

5. Events and Conferences:

   • Attendee Badges: To hold attendee badges at conferences, trade shows, and events, customized with event logos and attendee information.
   • Exhibitor Passes: For exhibitor passes, customized with exhibitor details and event branding.

6. Membership Organizations:

   • Membership Cards: To hold membership cards for clubs, associations, and organizations, customized with organization logos and member details.

7. Government and Public Sector:

   • Government Employee ID: To hold government employee identification cards, customized with agency logos and employee information.
   • Public Service Events: As promotional items at public service events, customized with event themes and government branding.

8. Security and Law Enforcement:

   • Law Enforcement ID: To hold law enforcement identification cards, customized with department logos and officer information.
   • Security Personnel ID: For security personnel identification, customized with company logos and employee details.

9. Personal Use:

   • Personalized Cards: To hold and display personalized cards, such as credit cards, gift cards, or membership cards, customized with personal designs or photos.
   • Gifts and Souvenirs: As personalized gifts or souvenirs, customized with photos, quotes, or special designs.

10. Recreational Facilities:

    • Gym Memberships: For gym membership cards, customized with gym logos and member details.
    • Park Passes: To hold park passes, customized with park logos and visitor information.

The sublimation plastic card holder is versatile and applicable in numerous settings where identification, security, branding, and personalization are important.

Printing process of Sublimation plastic card holder 

• Design Preparation:

  • Create or Select Design: Use graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator) to create or select the desired design, logo, or image.
  • Mirror Image: Mirror or flip the design horizontally, as it will be reversed during the sublimation process.
  • Resolution: Ensure the design is high-resolution (300 DPI or higher) for a clear and vibrant print.
  • File Format: Save the design in a compatible format, such as JPEG, PNG, or PDF.

• Printing the Design:

  • Sublimation Ink: Load a compatible inkjet printer with sublimation ink. This specialized ink turns into a gas when heated, allowing it to bond with the polymer coating on the plastic.
  • Sublimation Paper: Print the mirrored design onto sublimation paper. This paper is designed to release the ink when heat is applied.
  • Print Settings: Adjust the printer settings for the best quality print, typically involving selecting a high-quality print mode and the correct paper type.

• Preparation of the Card Holder:

  • Clean Surface: Ensure the plastic surface of the card holder is clean and free of any dust, dirt, or debris. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe it down.
  • Positioning: Carefully position the printed sublimation paper onto the area of the card holder where you want the design to be transferred.
  • Secure Paper: Use heat-resistant tape to secure the sublimation paper to the plastic surface. This prevents the paper from shifting during the heat press process, which could result in a blurred image.

• Heat Pressing:

  • Heat Press Settings: Place the card holder with the sublimation paper on a heat press machine. Set the temperature, pressure, and time according to the manufacturer's recommendations for the sublimation ink, paper, and plastic material. Typical settings might be around 350-400°F (175-205°C) for 45-75 seconds.
  • Heat Application: Apply heat and pressure. The heat causes the sublimation ink to turn into a gas, which then penetrates the polymer coating on the plastic surface, creating a permanent bond.

• Cooling and Finishing:

  • Remove from Press: Carefully remove the card holder from the heat press and allow it to cool completely.
  • Peel Paper: Once cooled, peel off the sublimation paper to reveal the transferred design on the plastic surface.
  • Inspection: Inspect the print for any imperfections, ensuring the design has transferred correctly and is vibrant and clear.

• Protective Coating (Optional):

  • Apply Coating: Depending on the type of plastic and the desired level of durability, a clear protective coating or sealant may be applied to the printed surface to protect the design from scratches, fading, and wear.