Adding value with card packaging: Sleeves and envelopes
Do Customers See Your Logo Each Time They Open Their Wallet?
It was estimated that during the 2013 holiday season, nearly
81 percent of shoppers purchased at least one gift card, how they are packaged
can often be an afterthought. One of the most economical packaging options for
gift cards are envelopes and sleeves.
Flat packaging such as envelopes and sleeves are most commonly
manufactured using paper, Tyvek ArmorShield™ (an RFID shielding substrate) and
light weight board. Sleeves in these materials fit nicely into wallets and
purses and are a valuable and inexpensive marketing tool while protecting the
cards. Card sleeves and envelopes are easily custom printed so your message is
right where it needs to be—in your customers’ hands!
So what is the best material for card sleeves? That all depends on the application, for
short term cards that are not subject to constant use, paper is the most
economical material. Lightweight board stock is also a popular and provides a
little more durability over paper. For cards that are used frequently or will
be stored for a longer term, Tyvek® will perform better and is extremely
durable, tear resistant, and is non-abrasive. Armor Shield sleeves are best
used to protect the data on smart or contactless cards,
passports and enhanced drivers’ licenses.
Some of the typical uses for card sleeves and envelopes
include gift and loyalty cards, debit/credit cards for banks and credit unions,
identification/government ID’s and access cards, healthcare-related cards, and
key card sleeves for hotels and the hospitality industry.
Gift card sleeves and envelopes are the perfect companion to
retail gift cards and give customers another avenue to market their business.
We all know the popularity and benefits of gift cards. Gift card envelopes
provide another opportunity to market your brand, highlight other services or
products, list locations, hours and phone numbers, or give another discount all
on a carrier which typically stays with the card until redemption. Gift cards
are most often packaged in paper or a light weight board stock-these are the
most economical options and best for short term use cards and holders.
Protective Tyvek® card sleeves are often used in banking and
financial markets. Tyvek® provides excellent durability and protects magnetic
stripe cards from damage and scratching. About 70 percent of the top 100 U.S.
credit unions provide Tyvek® card sleeves to their members. To protect
contactless bank cards from unauthorized skimming, sleeves should be
manufactured using an RFID blocking material such as ArmorShield™. About 100
million credit cards currently have RFID technology embedded into them.
However, over the next two to three years with the migration of EMV, credit card
issuers plan to replace magnetic stripe credit and debit cards with new
contactless smartcards. ArmorShield™ sleeves provide a barrier to the radio
frequency signals necessary to communicate with contactless cards. Complementing
electronic security measures such as encryption and authentication, the sleeves
provide an additional layer of protection against unauthorized or unknown
access. Custom printing on sleeves can also list additional bank Custom
printing on sleeves can also list additional bank corporate branding.
Another large application for RFID shielding sleeves is in
the area of governmental in the area of governmental identification, enhanced
drivers licenses, and contactless building access cards. Information contained
on the chips embedded in these cards can also be skimmed by hackers and other
identity thieves. RFID blocking materials, such as the alloy in ArmorShield™
are designed to shield ISO 1443 A/B and EPC Gen 1/Gen2 contactless smart cards.
This encompasses any contactless card that operates at 13.56 MHz and above. This
material will not shield the older 125 kHz proximity cards. On cards that include
a secondary 125 kHz antenna added for backward compatibility, only the newer 13.56
MHz interface is shielded. The newer 13.56 MHz interface is generally the only
one with personal data.
Custom printed card sleeves are also used by many companies
in the healthcare industry. Medical groups, doctors' offices and healthcare
insurance companies use the card sleeves to communicate important information
to their patients. These sleeves not only protect medical cards from
scratching, dust and debris, but help to instruct patients on routine care,
urgent care, and life threatening conditions. Phone numbers, hours of service,
address of locations, and websites can be printed on the sleeves to provide
additional information to the end users.
Hotel key card envelopes are used in motels and hotels to
identify the room number and to provide valuable hotel information. Different
sizes are often used to hold one or two cards as well as different styles that
have flaps or enclosures. Most styles have no flaps to make it an easy access
to your hotel key card. Key card envelopes are generally produced from paper,
but Tyvek is occasionally used for high-end resorts or hotels requiring a more
durable card sleeves. Tyvek is a great application for protecting hotel key
cards when used around the pool or ocean.
Many hotels are switching door locks to contactless systems
and use RFID cards or contactless cards to gain entry into guest rooms. These
RFID cads should be protected by using RFID blocking sleeves. These sleeves
prevent skimming or unauthorized copying of the key card, which would allow
thieves the ability to gain access to your room.
Card sleeves and envelopes make great promotional and
give-a-way items. Many companies, sports teams, and charitable corporations
provide sleeves as give-a-ways at events with the intent the sleeve will be
used with the end users current plastic card regardless of the card itself.
Other companies provide the envelopes with the cards to provide the users with
additional information. Want something a little different? How about a small
envelope with a flap, or a window, or use a specialized material or unique
shape? Keep your message in front of your target audience with custom printed
card sleeves and envelopes.
Card
sleeves and envelopes are a valuable and inexpensive marketing tool while
providing protection and security for your cards and a complimentary addition
to the cards themselves.
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