Customized plastic snap off cards

Three 3 key chain tags in one card is simply a plastic card divided into three equal parts by two cuts, creating a set of smaller cards that can be broken off.

Plastic snap off cards – production options

Format All three key cards have the same format, i.e., approx. 28.5×54 mm. Each key card can have a 4 mm hole in the center or in the corner.

Personalization
Barcodes can be printed on small cards (with the same value or a variable value on each element). By printing a barcode (or QR code), each card can be linked to a loyalty program and thus become a small loyalty card.


Laminate
Plastic key tags can havw glossy or matte laminate. The glossy laminate makes the print more attractive and enlivens the colors, while the matte laminate will add a serious and luxurious look to the key tag.

Accessories
Key cards can be made more attractive in many additional ways, e.g. by adding hologram which will also protect the key cards against counterfeiting. Or selective varnish thanks to which the key cards will have convex prints.

Limitations
Due to the shape of the card and the cuts separating the three key cards, some traditional elements found on plastic cards cannot be used on them, e.g.:

• RFID proximity modules,
• hot-stamping (hot coating of the card with mirror foil),
• embossed prints,
• magnetic strip (the magnetic key fob will not work if it is broken off).

Key tags – technical aspects

• The key card design should be prepared in PDF format in CMYK colors with graphics in the 89×57 mm format (rectangle).
• It is not recommended to separate key cards with vertical lines, as shifts of up to 1.5 mm are allowed in production. This means that the printed vertical line separating one key card from another will definitely not coincide with the line of the biga, which will not look aesthetically pleasing.
• An appropriate minimum distance must also be maintained between texts or logos and the hole and cutting lines.
• All additional options, such as a barcode, selective varnish, metallic prints, should be included in separate files (or on separate pages of the same PDF file).

The attached illustration shows the production stages of the key cards, in which the design is divided into three separate layers:

• layer: offset printing (CMYK)
• layer: applying a barcode or other personalization (before lamination)
• layer: lamination and die-cutting

To make it easier to prepare a design for plastic key cards, use a template that indicates the minimum sizes, printing and cutting areas:

Template for 3x key cards (pdf)