Custom Plastic Cards: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering

Custom Plastic Cards: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering

Jul 30, 2025, by Lesar UK

At Lesar UK, we specialise in helping businesses of all sizes create custom plastic cards that serve a wide range of purposes, from staff ID cards and visitor passes to membership and loyalty cards. Whether you’re looking for printed plastic cards with high-quality finishes or simply need a few custom PVC cards to trial a new design, we’re here to guide you through every step.

In this detailed guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about plastic card printing, including types of cards, design tips, printing options, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re looking to make your own ID card, learn more about plastic card printing, or order high-quality custom plastic cards, this guide has everything you need to get started.

What Are Custom Plastic Cards?

Custom plastic cards are durable, credit card-sized PVC cards that can be personalised with your company branding, employee details, or access control features. These cards are perfect for everyday use and can be fully customised with photos, names, barcodes, magnetic stripes, and more.

At Lesar UK, we use high-quality PVC card printing technology to ensure your printed plastic cards are vibrant, professional, and long-lasting. Whether you need custom PVC cards for identification or promotional purposes, we make the process simple, efficient, and affordable.

Types of Plastic Cards: PVC, Badge, Work ID, Visitor ID

We offer a wide range of plastic cards tailored to meet specific business needs:

PVC Cards

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) cards are the standard choice for most custom plastic cards. They’re typically the same size and thickness as a credit card, making them easy to carry and incredibly durable. Our PVC card printing process ensures crisp, full-colour designs that don’t fade or wear out.

ID Badges

Custom ID badges can include staff names, photos, roles, and barcodes or QR codes. We can print each personalised ID badge to your exact specifi­cations, whether it’s for employees, contractors, or temporary staff. If you're looking for a custom ID badge with no minimum order, we’ve got you covered.

Work ID Cards

Work ID cards are essential for employee identification and building security. We offer secure plastic card printing options that include access control features like RFID or magnetic strips, and each card can be personalised for each employee.

Visitor ID Cards

Visitor ID cards are perfect for managing guests in your workplace. We provide plastic ID badges online that are clearly marked for visitor use, ensuring your workplace remains secure while welcoming guests.

How to Design Your Own ID Card

If you want to make your own ID card, we provide tools and templates to make the process easy. You don’t need to be a designer to create a great-looking card. Here are a few key tips:

  • Keep it simple: Focus on essential information like name, photo, role, and department.
  • Use your branding: Incorporate your logo, colours, and fonts for a cohesive look.
  • Leave space for features: If you plan to include barcodes, QR codes, or security chips, design around these elements.

We can help you design your printed plastic cards from scratch or work with your existing artwork. Our design team ensures your custom PVC cards meet all technical specs and visual standards.

Print Options: Online, No Minimum, Personalised

We understand that businesses have different needs. That’s why we offer flexible plastic card printing options:

  • Plastic ID Badges Online: Order directly from our website with an easy-to-use portal.
  • Custom ID Badge No Minimum: Need just one card? No problem. We offer full customisation with no minimum order requirement.
  • Personalised ID Badge Printing: Provide us with your list of names, roles, and photos—we’ll handle the rest.

Whether you need 1 card or 1,000, you’ll get the same attention to detail and high-quality service. Our custom plastic cards are printed in-house and dispatched quickly, ensuring you get exactly what you need when you need it.

Why Choose Custom Over Generic?

Choosing custom plastic cards instead of generic ones has many benefits:

  • Branding: Reinforce your brand identity with logos, colours, and consistent design.
  • Security: Add photo IDs, barcodes, or RFID chips for secure access control.
  • Profes­si­onalism: Personalised ID badges create a polished, trustworthy impression.
  • Durability: Our PVC card printing ensures your cards withstand daily wear and tear.

Generic badges may be cheaper upfront, but they lack the features and profes­si­onalism that custom PVC cards provide.

The Process: From Design to Doorstep

Here’s how we make plastic card printing easy at Lesar UK:

  1. Submit your design or use our tools to make your own ID card.
  2. Choose your card type: work ID, visitor badge, or personalised ID badge.
  3. Decide on features: RFID, barcode, magnetic strip, etc.
  4. Place your order online, even for a single custom ID badge with no minimum.
  5. We print and ship your custom plastic cards directly to your door.

Our turnaround is fast, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way. Whether you’re ordering printed plastic cards for the first time or reordering for a growing team, we make the process smooth and stress-free.

FAQs and Common Mistakes

Q: Can I really order just one card?
Yes! We offer custom ID badge no minimum orders. Whether it’s a sample or a one-off, we’ll print exactly what you need.

Q: How long does it take to receive my cards?
Most orders are dispatched within a few working days. Larger or more complex orders may take slightly longer.

Q: What if I don’t have a design?
No worries! We can help you make your own ID card using our templates or design services.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Overloading your card design with too much text.
  • Using low-resolution images.
  • Forgetting to include security features, if applicable.
  • Not proofreading before approving the design.

At Lesar UK, we offer reliable, high-quality plastic card printing for businesses that need durable, professional custom plastic cards. Whether you're ordering plastic ID badges online, personalised ID badges, or need to make your own ID card, we're here to help.

Our service includes custom PVC cards with no minimum order, fast turnaround, and support throughout the entire process. Get in touch with us today to start your order, and see why so many businesses trust Lesar UK for their printed plastic cards.

For advice or to enquire, call us on 0333 7000 123, or contact our friendly team of experts here!

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