So your organization needs membership cards and you’re staring at your screen wondering where to even start. Join the club honestly. Every association, gym, and nonprofit hits this exact same wall eventually. The options seem endless and confusing but making plastic membership cards online is way simpler than most people think.
Here’s something interesting though. Studies show that 83% of members feel more loyal when they receive a physical membership card versus just a digital confirmation email. That tangible card sitting in their wallet reminds them they belong to something real. Pretty powerful psychology for a little piece of plastic right?
Back in the day organizations had to work with local print shops and wait weeks for basic paper cards that fell apart. Now you can design professional grade plastic membership cards online and have them delivered anywhere in the USA within days. The whole process has gotten ridiculously streamlined.
What You Actually Need on a Membership Card
Let’s keep this simple. Every membership card needs some basic stuff. Your organization’s name and logo obviously. The member’s name so it feels personal. A member ID number for tracking purposes. Maybe an expiration date if memberships renew annually.
That’s the bare minimum though. You can level up with extras like barcodes for scanning at events. QR codes that link to member profiles. Magnetic stripes for access control systems. Even RFID or NFC chips if you’re running a high tech operation. The options are kind of endless.
Photos make cards way more official looking. Think about gym memberships or association ID badges. A headshot on the front turns a simple card into legitimate identification. Members actually feel more connected when their face is on their card weirdly enough.
Three Ways to Get Your Cards Made
Okay so you’ve got options here depending on your situation. First option is DIY printing if your organization already owns a thermal card printer. You order blank plastic membership cards and print them yourself. Works great if you have the equipment and need cards fast on demand.
Second option is batch ordering. You send your member list and everything gets personalized at once. Names, ID numbers, photos, whatever you need. All 100 to 5000 cards show up ready to distribute. This works perfect for organizations where everyone joins at the same time like annual renewals.
Third option is the shell program approach. PrintRobot prints your card design without the personal stuff first. Those shells get stored at their facility. Then whenever new members join you just email a spreadsheet and they personalize cards on demand. Super flexible for groups with members trickling in throughout the year.
Why Physical Cards Still Beat Digital
Look digital membership cards have their place. Convenient sure. Eco friendly maybe. But physical plastic membership cards create value that pixels on a screen just cannot match. There’s something psychological about holding an actual card in your hands.
Members keep physical cards in their wallets right next to their credit cards and drivers license. That’s prime real estate for brand visibility. Every time they open their wallet your organization’s logo is staring right at them. Digital cards buried in some app? Not quite the same impact.
PrintRobot produces plastic membership cards from their Florida facility using credit card thickness PVC material. Same quality you’d expect from your bank card. Gloss or matte finish options. Free design services on orders over $250 so you don’t need graphic design skills to end up with something professional looking.
Their fulfillment services take things even further. They’ll personalize cards, attach them to welcome letters, stuff envelopes, and mail directly to your members. You literally just send a spreadsheet and they handle everything. Pretty clutch when you’re already juggling a million other tasks.
Getting Started Without the Headache
The easiest path is reaching out with your logo and a rough idea of what you want. Professional designers can mock up proofs so you see exactly how your cards will look before anything gets printed. No guessing games. No surprises when boxes arrive.
Standard turnaround runs about 10 to 15 business days which works for most situations. Rush services exist if you’re in a pinch. Either way you end up with durable weatherproof cards that last years instead of flimsy paper stuff that falls apart after a few months in someone’s wallet.
FAQs About Making Membership Cards Online
How much do plastic membership cards cost?
Pricing typically starts around $230 for 100 cards depending on personalization options and upgrades. Volume discounts kick in at higher quantities.
Can I personalize each card with different names?
Absolutely. Variable data printing lets you add unique member names, ID numbers, photos, and other details to every single card in your order.
What if new members join throughout the year?
The shell program solves this perfectly. Pre printed card bases get stored and personalized on demand whenever you need new member cards without reordering minimums.
Do I need design skills to create membership cards?
Nope. Most professional printers offer free design services. Just provide your logo and general direction and designers handle the rest.
