How Do I Create a Plastic Gift Card for my Business?

Have you been feeling “meh” about gift cards? Or even putting off switching from gift certificates to gift cards? Well, shoppers are giving feedback, and they’re definitely interested. For many recipients, the most appreciated gift isn’t about guessing what they might like – it’s about giving them the power to choose. Gift cards are a perfect, convenient, and (best of all) easy way to give friends and family members what they’ll like most.

Why Your Business Might Use Custom Gift Cards

During these uncertain times, with businesses facing challenges from decreased foot traffic and changing shopping trends, gift cards offer a vital revenue stream. They provide immediate cash flow while introducing new buyers. When you create a custom gift card featuring your logo and contact information, they also serve as powerful marketing tools that continue working long after the initial sale by creating a retaining focus of your brand.

Why we Print Gift Cards for Businesses

According to the National Retail Federation, 62 percent of consumers prefer receiving actual printed plastic gift cards over any other type of gift. This clear consumer preference creates a significant business opportunity, particularly since it’s been proven that most gift card recipients spend beyond the card’s value during redemption. For small business owners, this spending pattern translates directly to increased revenue – a gift card sale often generates more profit and creates the opportunity to win a new shopper.

The Evolution of Business Gift Cards

Get rid of that gift certificate!

Customizing gift cards for your business has never been more accessible or affordable. The barriers that once made gift cards challenging to implement – time, cost, and redemption complexity – have disappeared. Hard-to-manage paper gift certificates have been replaced with plastic gift cards with variable data options that make them effortless to both redeem and track.

Customization Becomes Affordable

Today’s printing solutions and streamlined processes make it possible for any business, regardless of size or industry, to have access to one-of-a-kind custom-prints that stand out. Now with variable data coming in the form of barcodes and magnetic stripes, it makes it easier for the recipient to use and for businesses to track shopping patterns to make adjustments to their custom gift card program.

Getting Your Gift Cards In Order

There are many things to consider when starting a gift card program. Here are a few key topics to go over to help you make the right decision.

Choosing the Right Supplier

Finding an affordable and reliable gift card supplier is crucial for your program’s success. For example, some suppliers may offer custom gift cards starting at just $1.50 per card, with a minimum order of 125 cards. Duracard on the other hand offers three ways to provide design for your cards while still offering some of the most affordable personalized cards available to buy online.

How to order plastic gift cards from Duracard:

• Go to the gift cards page.
• Envision a design that aligns with your brand identity
• Choose your own design adventure:
  • Click “Design Online” to add your background, logo, text, variable data, and more.
    • The possibilities are endless!
    • We’re here to help whenever you need us.
  • Upload a completed art file (for advanced users and graphic designers)
    • Download a PDF, AI, or TIFF template if you need one.
  • Get free professional design from our team!
    • Add your product to the cart.
    • Just check out or tell us your preferences in a short contact form.
    • Either way, we’ll contact you and provide a proof within 24 business hours.
• Add barcodes, magnetic stripes, and/or other features.
• Select the perfect quantity, starting as low as 50 cards.

Making the Best Cards for your Business

Before launching your custom gift card program, consider what you need:

• It’s standard for cards to have smooth, rounded corners.
  • You can stick with this or order custom-shaped cards.
• Magnetic stripe or barcode specifics are set by your POS (point-of-sale) system.
• We make cards for 200+ systems. We’ll get you where you need to be.
• Gloss or matte finish effect texture.
• Denomination for your cards.
• Logos, backgrounds, graphics, disclaimer language, and anything else you want printed on your cards.

Make sure to find out any legal requirements that may apply to your business. Each state has different rules.

Selling your Gift Cards

In-Store Promotion

Successfully selling custom gift cards requires active promotion. Make yours visible and accessible to customers through:

Strategic Placement

• Position gift cards prominently near registers.
• Build eye-catching displays.
• Train staff members to mention gift card options naturally during transactions.

Loyalty Programs

• Offer special discounts on gift cards for regular customers.
• Consider bonus amounts for large gift card purchases.
• Set up tiered rewards for repeat gift card buyers.

Digital Marketing

Promote your custom gift cards program across all digital channels:

Website Integration

• Feature gift cards prominently on your homepage.
• Add dedicated landing pages for gift card purchases.
• Include gift card options in your online checkout process.

Social Media

• Post regularly to highlight gift card availability.
• Announce special promotions.
• Showcase testimonials.

Local Marketing

• Utilize your Nextdoor Business Page effectively.
• Provide compelling Local Deals.
• Offer bonus incentives, for example, a $5 bonus card with a $50 gift card purchase.

Innovative Gift Card Usage Ideas

Consider these creative approaches to maximize your gift card program:

Alternative to Traditional Discounts

• Replace standard gift certificates with plastic gift cards.
• Offer gift cards instead of direct price reductions.
• Create special gift card packages for regular customers.

Purchase Incentives

• Provide gift cards for large purchases.
• Create special gift packages that include gift cards.
• Offer seasonal gift card promotions.

Loyalty Rewards

• Replace traditional punch cards with gift card rewards.
• Start with small denomination cards for continued patronage.
• Scale rewards based on customer spending patterns.

Industry Applications

Many service-based businesses mistakenly believe gift cards won’t work for their model. However, gift cards can benefit virtually any business type:

• Home Care: Gutter cleaning, lawn maintenance, house cleaning
• Personal Care: Dog grooming, nail services, hair styling
• Automotive: Car detailing, maintenance services
• Retail: Boutique shops, specialty stores
• Food and Beverage: Local breweries, restaurants, cafes

Benefits Beyond Sales

Implementing a custom gift card program offers numerous additional features beyond the card itself.

Financial Benefits

• Immediate revenue generation
• Improved cash flow management
• Higher average transaction values
• An easy way to give store credit vs. refunds

Marketing Advantages

• Enhanced brand visibility
• Word-of-mouth promotion
• Increased local awareness
• Repeat customers

Sales Growth

• New patrons
• Increased repeat visits
• Expanded brand visibility
• Competitive differentiation

The Takeaway

Gift cards represent more than just another payment option – they’re a powerful tool for business growth and customer retention. By printing well-planned gift cards, you tap into opportunities for immediate revenue while building a foundation for future sales and customer relationships.

The time to get your plastic cards is now. Remember that success comes from proper implementation, consistent promotion, and buy-in from your team. Whether you start with a small program or launch a comprehensive system, the key is to begin and adjust based on your customers’ responses and needs. With Quality printed custom gift cards from Duracard, you can make your brand really stand out in the crowd.

Ready? Get started with Duracard!

Our team is full of superstars with tons of experience customizing magnetic stripe and barcode gift cards. Our professional graphic designers work with our variable data experts to ensure not only that your barcode works (for example) but that all the graphics and features on your custom gift cards work perfectly together.

Just begin by choosing a product, then give us a few details and decide how you want to supply your artwork. We’ll take it from there.