Bank card, almost everyone can not do without. By 2023, more than 23 billion debit and credit cards had been issued worldwide.
A bank card production involves a variety of technologies, including but not limited to the following:
Business card printing technology: Bank cards are usually made of plastic (such as PVC) , card Information (such as card number, name, etc.) needs to be printed to the card through a process called thermal transfer.
Magnetic stripe technology: many bank cards have a black magnetic stripe on the back, which is a magnetic material that stores information about the card. When the card is swiped through a card reader at a POS machine or ATM machine, the machine can read the information on the magnetic strip.
Chip technology: many modern bank cards are equipped with devices called EMV chips, which are a more secure way to store and process information. The EMV chip can prevent the card information from being copied or tampered with, thus improving the security of the card.
Encryption: to Keep Card Information Secure, bank cards typically use a type of encryption called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to ensure that information is not stolen or tampered with during transmission.
RFID technology: Some custom Bank card is also equipped with RFID chips that allow the card to make contactless payments, known as "Swipe card payments.".
Embossing: also known as embossing or embossing, this is a method of embossing the card holder's name, card number, and other information onto the card in raised form.
Security features: to prevent counterfeiting and tampering, bank cards often include security features such as holographic tags, microtext, UV printing, etc. .
With the development of the times and the progress of science and technology, some technologies on the bank card are about to disappear. For example:
Embossing：The technology was originally designed to replicate card information through a manual card reader without electronic devices. In the business card printing process, the use of a special Thermoplastic to heat the card to a certain temperature, and then through the pressure of letters and numbers into the shape of the card, forming a raised font. However, with the popularity of electronic payments and online transactions, this technology has become much less practical. Nowadays, many newly issued bank cards, especially those with EMV chips, no longer use tactile typography. However, some people still like this traditional design because it adds a unique touch and visual effect to the card. But it is only a matter of time before it disappears.
For example: magnetic stripe technology, magnetic stripe technology has been used in bank cards for decades, but because of its low security, easy to be copied and tampered with, so in many countries and regions, magnetic stripe cards are gradually being replaced by more secure EMV chip cards. The EMV chip card generates a unique transaction code for each transaction. This code can only be used for that transaction. Even if the transaction data is stolen, it can not be used for new transactions, therefore, the EMV chip card can effectively prevent the card from being copied or tampered with. However, magnetic stripe cards are still in use in some developing countries and regions because of their low cost of equipment and ease of use. In addition, some bank cards have both magnetic stripes and EMV chips to ensure they can be used in different devices and regions. But overall, it is only a matter of time before magnetic stripe technology is phased out as new technologies such as EMV chips and mobile payments become more common.
At the same time, some new technology may appear in the future bank card making machine. For example:
Biometrics: some banks have begun embedding fingerprint readers in their bank cards to provide greater security. In the future, we may see more biometrics, such as facial recognition and iris recognition.
Internet-connected bank card: internet-connected bank card can connect to the Internet via wireless network, real-time update account information, and even show balance and recent transaction records.
Multi-function Bank Card: The Future Bank card may integrate more functions, such as bus card, Access Card, and so on, making it a multi-function payment tool. Virtual Bank card: with the development of mobile payment and digital currency, physical bank card may be gradually replaced by virtual bank card. Virtual Bank cards can be stored in mobile phones or other electronic devices and used to make payments via NFC or other wireless technologies.
Eco-friendly materials: as environmental awareness increases, future bank cards may use more eco-friendly materials such as Biodegradable plastic or recycled plastics.
The bank card equipment R& D manufacturers are also ready for this change. Piotec will develop the bank card personalized device named FPL series, meaning: Flxeible Perso line. The device is Modular design, and customers can choose to configure magnetic writing, contact IC writing, non-contact IC writing, lithography, letterpress, hot stamping, visual verification & Amp Contact IC Check & non-contact IC check and visual inspection function units, and the number of each unit configuration. In this way, any old technology can be replaced at any time, any new technology can also be used“For me”.
