How to Print on Plastic

Every day we receive a lot of promotional materials printed on paper such as business cards, flyers, booklets, and others. Most of them are lost among other similar ones or even completely thrown away. Therefore, every marketer dreams of a perfect way to stand out. So, how about trying to print on plastic? It is unusual and stylish.

What is a plastic print?

Many people are interested in what is a and are looking for a finite plastic print definition. First of all, it is a versatile material that allows customers to create branded materials. Plastic is an excellent option for printed products, thanks to some superpowers:

It is water-resistant. Therefore, you can swim with printed materials, such as branded bracelets;

It is resistant to mechanical damage. It is not easy to break or tear plastic products;

It always looks great, pleasant to the touch, and does not stain. What is more, plastic will always stand out in a stack of similar paper products. At the same time, a wide variety of types of plastic (transparent, opaque, smooth, corrugated) gives unlimited space for design.

Various types of plastics in combination with unique post-printing processing allow you to create a truly unique product. 

There are a few obvious benefits of using printing on plastic. First of all, the image on the plastic will not fade in the sun, so it looks great for a long period. One more advantage is that many types of plastics are very environmentally friendly. So, if your promotional products are printed on this material, your company will be associated with innovation, which will create a positive image in the eyes of potential customers.

Where can I print plastic cards?

The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning plastic print and plastic as a material for printing products is plastic cards. The good old discount cards, with irresistible force, entice a client to your institution, as well as cards for a participant in a certain event or a visitor to the institution. For example, if your business is related to medicine, then the client will be pleased to present such a card to the administrator, without saying aloud his name and the subject of the appeal.

Modern printing technologies make it possible not only to apply beautiful images but also to personalize each specific card. For this, you may use barcodes and variable data. Besides, there are many ways to protect cards from counterfeiting.

Plastic cards with some kind of discount or bonus are a good option for direct mail. Firstly, it is always pleasant to receive a small gift, and secondly, it is convenient to put a card in your wallet and use it if necessary. In combination with a beautiful design, such a card will remain with the user, and advertising will work.

Business cards made of plastic also look quite stylish. They will undoubtedly set your company apart from others and evoke associations with an expensive brand.

When making a plastic business card, you can go beyond the traditional rectangular shape. Custom die-cutting adds style.

Shop owners should also pay attention to this material. It can perfect choice to make stylish price tags or pointers. On the other hand, it is a well-known fact that the store's image is emphasized by original plastic bags or packaging for goods.

Another, less common, use of plastic is the menu for cafés and restaurants. The material, as already mentioned, is water and stains resistant. Therefore, it will always look presentable. And keep in mind, the menu won’t be spoiled by repeated use.

The same properties - durability and water resistance will come in handy when printing various maps and guidebooks. 

Separately, it is worth noting the various advertising materials used outdoors. We can talk about hangers, flyers or brochures that are displayed on cars and buses. If you use paper and cardboard, then you risk damaging your products in unfavorable nature conditions.

No less important fact when thinking about how to print onto plastic is the lightweight of the material. What is more, it makes plastic an ideal choice for production for exhibition stands, portable structures, signage, and posters. Plastic structures are mobile. You can easily fold and store them. What is more, you can even reuse them if needed.

The transparent plastic allows light to pass through, making it ideal for indoor-outdoor signage.

How to print on plastic?

Of course, even the best material has its drawbacks. When deciding on printing on plastic, it is worth considering that it is an expensive material. Also, there are some difficulties in printing, since the plastic does not absorb ink and paint. To prevent this from happening, you should trust a reliable printing service with experience and the appropriate equipment.

It is important to understand that printing on plastic can be carried out in several ways - digital, offset, silk-screen. Each of these methods will have their own merits and demerits.

The ideal choice would be the offset method, which will allow you to get high-quality products in a relatively short time and for a reasonable price. 

Besides, there are limitations associated with finishing. They say that too thick plastic is difficult to fold. 

At the same time, it is easy to die-cut and varnish plastic. Therefore, it allows you to make a truly unique product that a potential client wants to get.

How much does it cost to print on plastic?

The cost per square meter of printing on plastic is calculated depending on:

• paint consumption;

• batch size and production time;

• product sizes;

• the need for additional decorative processing.

A surcharge is possible for optional services - measurements, paints, design, layout, and the finite installation of products. So, do not hesitate for too long and create a unique and fascinating ad that would grip the customer’s attention and increase the visibility and popularity of your brand.