(extrusion of a certain combination of digital and alphabetic characters on their surface) has long ceased to belong to the category of some specialized machines, the use of which is possible and expedient only in the conditions of specialized enterprises. Currently, even small companies successfully practice issuing their own plastic cards for various purposes - to attract and encourage customers, restrict access to the service area, control personnel, and so on.

What is embossing?

This simple technological operation allows you to personalize the card and significantly increase its protection against possible forgery, especially when used in conjunction with other options (barcode, magnetic stripe). This technology also allows further coloring of embossed text in different colors. This operation is performed by spraying paint (typing the card), which gives the product a more attractive look. In addition, the presence of embossed cards makes it possible to organize the accounting of discounts provided by a commercial organization without purchasing expensive equipment.

As a rule, when embossing, standard font sets are used, the size and style of which cannot be changed:

• Standard Gothic - (font size 3 mm, the set includes numbers from 0 to 9 and 26 Latin letters);
• Standard Cyrillic - (font size 3 mm, the set includes 33 Russian letters);
• OCR7B - (font size 4.5 mm, the set includes numbers from 0 to 9).

Types of embossers

Embossers are divided into two types depending on the technology that is used when applying characters: manual and automatic.

Hand embossers are compact, affordable, reliable and easy to use. The principle of their operation in many ways resembles the operation of a mechanical typewriter. The embosser has a rotating drum with symbols used on it. By rotating the drum, the operator selects the desired symbol and presses the drive knob.

As a result, the symbol is mechanically extruded onto the card, followed by the latter moving a little to the right (to the width necessary to apply a new symbol). In this case, the typing of the card is carried out only after applying a digital or letter combination to its surface, that is, it is a separate technological operation. It is clear that the productivity of such equipment will be relatively low, even if the enterprise has highly qualified service personnel. But even taking into account these shortcomings, manual embossers continue to be the most optimal way to personalize plastic cards in the production of small runs.

Automatic embossers- high-tech and rather expensive equipment with a large number of additional functions. In a professional environment, these devices have also received an unofficial definition - personalizers.

As a rule, equipment of this class is controlled using a personal computer, and the entire process of plastic card embossing can be performed automatically.

In addition, the functionality of modern automatic embossers is not limited to extrusion of characters and text. With their help, you can laminate cards, encode a magnetic stripe, enter information on a built-in microcircuit.

High speed of work is another distinguishing feature of this equipment. Of course, this indicator depends on the specific model and the number of additional operations performed, but in general, automatic embossers are indispensable when printing large runs.

Most often when typing text, gold, silver or black colors are used, although other options are allowed, including embossing without further painting. But it should be remembered that over time, any paint is erased, since the convex parts of the card are subjected to the most intense friction and are not protected by anything. In turn, some cards (for example, especially thin ones) cannot be embossed or painted at all.

Most bank customers are not even aware of the existence of the concept of "unembossed or embossed card", and this despite the fact that today almost everyone has at least one card, or even several. Electronic payments and electronic storage of money have become so popular that cards are used to pay in the supermarket and even in some outlets in the market.

At the same time, people live wonderfully, not knowing the special terms that banking employees are well aware of. If for ordinary people a plastic carrier differs only in design, status and terms of use, then for professionals an embossed and non-embossed card determines the payment technology and the reliability of the account holder.

What is the difference between an unembossed card and an embossed one?

In order to understand the important differences between one carrier and another, it is necessary to look into the history of credit cards. Embossing means squeezing out information on the front side of the plastic, which visually looks like a bulge. This type of card designation helps to identify, personalize, link the carrier to a specific individual, and therefore simplify and speed up the payment process during purchases.

If you carefully study the external component of the personal card, you will see that the following information is squeezed out on it:

1. Bank card numbering.
2. Validity period - the expiration date is indicated, so if a bank client needs a card for long-term use, it must first be reissued. The re-registration procedure takes from 2 days to 1 week, depending on the workload of the branch of the financial institution and the policy pursued by the credit institution.
3. Name and surname of the client of the bank for which the account is opened.
4. The name of the organization, if the card is a salary card. It is undesirable to use the latter for other settlements with individuals and legal entities, for these purposes it is better to open a separate bank account.

Now about what an unembossed card looks like. In fact, this is exactly the same plastic, but without bulges. Information is provided similar, but without extrusion.

If we compare media, outside the extrusion method, the card is considered more privileged, it comes in classic, gold and platinum. As a salary device, the method of applying information by squeezing is rarely used, since it is financially unprofitable.

By the way, embossing is used to create various plastic media, not necessarily bank ones.

Advantages and disadvantages of embossing

If embossing is a costly procedure, then why is it used?

1. The operation provides an additional layer of security that is almost impossible to counterfeit. High-class engineers and designers are working on the protective indicators of the cards, constantly improving previous developments.
2. An embossed card testifies to the individuality of the carrier for a particular client.
3. To read information, there is no need to use special-purpose equipment, it is enough to determine the fingerprint using an imprinter.
4. Enhanced stylish look.
5. The special status of the card, prestige.
6. However, there are also disadvantages of embossed media:

• long production time;
• the high cost of the operation;
• it is difficult to put production on stream.

How embossed devices evolved

The primary appearance of the embossed media was marked by paper material. Information processing took place manually, because there were no tools and equipment for automatic manipulations yet.

However, soon there were so many trading operations that slips (sales receipts) did not have time to be filled in manually, employees of financial institutions did not have enough time or energy. In this regard, programmers and great minds of engineering first thought about the possibility of creating devices that can do everything on their own, without the help and accompaniment of a person. Moreover, the blots and corrections that were made in the confusion during the execution of documents are unacceptable.

So in 1928 the world saw metal cards, where the address of the owner of the carrier was located. Only the largest, most reliable and regular customers, who have repeatedly proved their solvency, were able to receive such an honor.

By 1945, the first imprinters appeared, identifying the owner before making a transaction regarding the purchase and sale of goods. Due to the complex use of the metal base, it was soon decided to replace the metal with plastic, the latter favorably with a low specific gravity and high wear resistance.

What does the embossing process look like?

An embossed card goes through many stages, in general, the procedure resembles a set of sequential actions like a printing house:

1. The embosser causes the drum with printed numbers to move, which ensures that the necessary information about the bank's client is squeezed out and printed in a three-dimensional format. The actions of the drum take place through the regulation of the built-in micro-scale computer. The speed and speed of printing sometimes reaches several hundred media in 1 hour.
2. Next comes the typing phase. In this case, you can not do without special staining or processing of the device with foil. Bright and colorful engraving looks rich and intelligent, gives the card a special gloss and luxury.

Traditionally, coloring is presented in gold and silver colors, sometimes you can see white and black shades. Other options are rare for plastic, because such a technological process is even more expensive.

Types of non-embossed media

A non-embossed card of a banking institution is of the following types:

1. Nominal - basic information about the owner is applied to the surface in printed type.
2. Chipped - for a better level of protection, a chip is built in, which confirms the mandatory entry of a code known only to the owner of the plastic with any purchase. Thus, without confirmation of a financial transaction by the owner, it is physically impossible to make a transaction.
3. Instant issuance - an urgent type of media, all information about the client is stored in the bank's register, is issued immediately after official documents are issued. To get a card, it is enough to bring a passport, if it is temporarily absent, you can submit a certificate confirming your identity.

Under the term "embossing"(from the English language “embossing” is translated as “to mint”) they understand the process of mechanical extrusion on a plastic card (its front side) of various necessary information. For bank cards, for example, this is the validity period, card number, customer's first and last name, company name.

Embossing history

Initially, payment cards were made from plain paper. were written to them manually. Over time, the number of transactions that are carried out using cards has increased significantly. Therefore, in order to speed up the process of filling in special sales slips to avoid mistakes, metal plates began to be used. On the latter, data about the client was applied. The Boston-based Farrington Manufacturing Company produced the world's first such records in 1928.

On the above "maps" squeezed out the address of the client. Only a solvent borrower could be provided with such records.

Over time, special imprinters were developed in early 1940. put a metal plate into such a device and the letters stamped on it were imprinted on the sales receipt. An imprint with embossed characters (code number, full name of its owner, expiration date and other data) remained in the cashier. The latter kept track of purchases with plastic cards.

What are embossers?

The above device is used for embossing identification data on plastic cards. An embosser is a mechanical press that is capable of squeezing out letters (usually Latin letters and numbers) pre-installed on a special drum on a piece of plastic. Such a device is used when it is necessary to apply information to a small circulation of plastic cards.

In other cases, automatic embossers are used. The latter are a rather complex technical complex, which incorporates a micro-computer. The latter controls a special drum that has a set of letters and which squeezes out data on the cards. Several hundred personalizations in about an hour is the performance of the above device.

How is embossing done?

Application of information is carried out only on ready-made (laminated and cut) plastic cards. This process is mandatory regulated by special legislation and has clear requirements.

The procedure for embossing plastic cards may be different. For payment bank cards, for example, it is regulated by the international standard 7811-1 "Embossing and location of embossed marks".

When designing the layout of the above map, it is important to consider the following requirements:

• This method of applying information is carried out in two types of fonts: 3 mm high - small (standard gothic and cyrrilic), 4.5 mm high - large (Farrington OCR). The latter can only contain numbers only. In small font, you can squeeze out letters of the Latin and Russian alphabets, including special characters and numbers.
• Embossing is possible only with a horizontal orientation of a plastic card.
• The maximum number of characters per line when using: 3 mm font - 30 characters (approximately 75 mm), 4.5 mm font - 20 characters (approx. length also 75 mm) including spaces.
• Embossed symbols should not jam important data on the back of a plastic card.
• Embossed images can be placed at least 5 mm from any edge of the card. From the edge of the location of the magnetic strip, as well as the signature panel, an indent of at least 3 mm from the embossing should be made.

In addition, the extruded numbers and letters can be painted in a certain color. This procedure is called "topping". For this, gold or silver foil is most often used. But in some cases, black, white or other shades of foil can also be used.

Embossed card issued to the client only a few days after its issuance.

What is the purpose of plastic card embossing?

Applying identification data to cards using the above method is used in Russia for prestige. It is believed that an embossed plastic card adds solidity. And if it is also covered with gold foil, then it has a much more spectacular and attractive appearance.

In the world, embossing remains as a necessary element for those cases when imprinters and plastic card slips are used.

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Each of us has a plastic card in our wallet, or even more than one: credit cards, accumulative and discount, to receive discounts in stores. Each of them is different from the other. They can be decorated with a variety of emblems, iridescent embossed signs, inscriptions made up of convex shiny symbols.

Such cards look beautiful and solid, and all thanks to the use of the embossing procedure. Those who have not previously heard the meaning of this term will now have the opportunity to learn what embossing is and when it is used.

Embossing is...

In the broad sense of the word, embossing is understood as giving volume to drawings and inscriptions. Such a procedure can be carried out with the help of special devices - embossers, which can have a different structure and principle of operation, depending on the conditions and the object for work.

Where can we see examples and results of such actions? For example, in scrapbooking, embossing is a technique that creates voluminous text on business cards, invitations, and other paper products. In needlework, embossing is most often done by embossing and extrusion.

This technique is present in the design of cars. In 2011, the technology of applying three-dimensional drawings and patterns to the glossy surface of cars began to be used. This type of styling is not yet widespread in the world of cars.

But most often the term "embossing" is understood as the extrusion of volumetric digital or alphabetic inscriptions on the front side of plastic bank cards. You can easily find examples in your wallet, since now almost everyone is exposed to such an effect before falling into the hands of a client.

Embossing of plastic cards

As a banking procedure, embossing is one of the card personalization methods. He appeared in America back in 1920. It is easy to guess that at that time a special machine for embossing had not yet been invented, and the procedure was carried out manually, each number was knocked out separately using a cliché.

Now technical advances have been able to greatly facilitate and speed up the process, but still, when we order a personalized card from a bank, we have to wait one to two weeks for it. This is due to the fact that the acquisition of the necessary equipment is a rather expensive undertaking, and it is easier for a banking organization to order embossing of its cards from specialized organizations. In addition, for each new circulation of plastic, a separate adjustment of electro-mechanical devices for embossing is made.

Modern technology does not yet allow "squeezing out" volumetric emblems of organizations and other symbols on bank and other cards. The embossing form contains only letters and numbers of a certain size and standard angular font.

Why is it necessary to emboss cards?

Why do you think it is necessary to subject the map to such changes?

Firstly, after that they look more solid, which plays an important role for some bank customers. Secondly, an embossed card cannot be counterfeited. In any case, even if someone takes up this business, the procedure for creating a fake will be very expensive. The option of fraud in case of loss of plastic with embossing is practically excluded. In addition, enterprises that issue such cards have an additional opportunity to account for them.

Special machine for embossing

Embosser is a modern electronic-mechanical device that makes it possible to apply three-dimensional symbols on a plastic card. A few years ago, such equipment was characterized by extremely low productivity and could process 10-20 plastic cards per hour. A modern embosser is a universal machine that, in addition to 3D printing, can cover symbols embossed on a card with foil, encode a chip and a magnetic strip, and produce monochrome or color thermal printing on plastic.

Now there are both manual and automatic embossers. The former are less expensive, but require manual loading of cards and constant monitoring of the operation of the device. Automatic embossers are much easier to use: all that is required is to enter the necessary data into the computer, and after a certain time the entire circulation of cards will be ready without additional participation.

In addition, the productivity of such machines is up to a thousand pieces per hour.

Embossing in needlework

In needlework, and specifically in scrapbooking, embossing is an interesting technique for creating volumetric inscriptions and patterns on a paper basis. It is even possible to carry out such a procedure on your own, with the help of improvised means. Although it is much more convenient when a special machine for embossing and cutting is used for this. Greeting cards, business cards and notebooks, decorated with three-dimensional letters, look very attractive and original.

Embossing is the process of mechanical extrusion of letters and numbers on plastic. In the manufacture of discount plastic cards, the client's card number is most often squeezed out. For each it is unique and can be applied in order, and according to your database of numbers.

Where can I place embossing on a plastic card?

Embossing must be placed no closer than 5 mm from the edge. And the indentation from the upper part must be at least 10 mm - this is due to the technological features of the equipment.

When developing a layout for embossing plastic cards, it must be taken into account that there are recesses on the reverse side. In this regard, it is necessary to place the text on the reverse side so that embossed characters do not fall on it. If you need to make cards with a magnetic stripe, then embossed characters can be placed no closer than 5 mm to the strip.

What symbols can I emboss on a plastic card?

For numbers, two standard fonts are used, large (OCR height 4.5 mm) and small (Simplex 3 mm). Letters can only be embossed in small print (3 mm). It is allowed to use capital letters of the Russian and English alphabets A-Z, A-Z, numbers 0-9, as well as symbols -/.’,&.

After embossing, the tops of embossed symbols can be typed with gold, silver or black foil. You can leave the tops of the symbols uncolored.

It's hard not to agree that getting a discount card with your name embossed on the front side is still very nice.

What is usually embossed on discount cards?

Most often they squeeze out a number 4-6 characters long. The numbers of plastic cards can go both in order and according to the provided database. The list for embossing must be submitted in XLS format. All cells must be converted to text format. If necessary, for personalization, we can generate a random number. This will protect discount or gift cards from fakes. Below is an example of a large print embossing card, colored with gold foil.

Sometimes there is a need to indicate the date of validity or type in addition to the number. For example, a silver card with a magnetic strip on which the number is embossed in large fonts, and the validity period of the silver card is small. The tops of the symbols are painted in silver. The card number in this case can be written on a magnetic stripe.

Business owners always value regular customers, but many miss the opportunity to issue a limited series of personalized ones along with the main circulation of discount cards. It's hard not to agree that getting a discount card with your name embossed on the front side is still very nice.

The history of embossing

Initially, embossing was used by banks. Most credit cards have raised numbers, that is, they are embossed above the surface. This allowed transactions to be carried out with their help. The buyer could leave an imprint of the card, and the embossed numbers were printed on the form through carbon paper on a special mechanical device - an imprinter. Today, when almost all transactions are carried out electronically, embossing of plastic cards can be called a production habit.