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Custom Plastic Gift Card Design: Tips for Print-Ready Artwork

By July 11, 2023October 11th, 2026Gift Cards
Colour swatch fan showing a full range of print colours

A good custom gift card looks like a present and still works at the till. That means a front that sells the gift and a back that holds the practical details. These tips will help you prepare artwork that prints cleanly first time.

Card size

Plastic gift cards are the standard CR80 size: 85.6 × 54 mm, the same as a bank card. Set up your artwork at this size with bleed added on every edge.

Bleed and safe area

  • Extend background colours and images past the trim edge so there is no white line after cutting.
  • Keep text and logos well inside the edge, away from the trim and rounded corners.
  • Leave space for any hole punch or notch.

Colour and images

  • Supply artwork in CMYK. Bright screen colours can look duller in print.
  • Use high-resolution images, ideally 300 dpi at the printed size.
  • Large areas of one dark colour show scratches more on gloss. Matt can help.

Front of the card

Keep it simple: your logo, the words “Gift Card”, and one strong image or colour. A clean front looks better in a gift wallet and on a display stand.

Back of the card

  • Barcode, number or magnetic stripe, placed where your till needs them
  • Signature panel or a space to write the value
  • Short terms: validity, where it can be used, and your website
  • Contact details or a QR code linking to your shop

Text size

Small print on a card is very small. Keep terms short and test-print at actual size to check they are readable.

Finishes

Spot UV highlights a logo; matt feels premium; gloss makes colours pop.

Need help?

Our card design service can prepare your artwork, and every file is checked and proofed before printing. See how gift card printing works.

Prices

Plastic gift cards are sold in packs: 15 for £30, 30 for £45, 60 for £80 and 120 for £160, with 45, 75 and 90 packs in between. Magnetic stripe, NFC contactless and RFID cards cost the same. Prices are for full-colour print from supplied artwork and exclude delivery. We are not VAT registered, so no VAT is added. For larger runs, contact us for a quote.

Order plastic gift cards.

See all gift card options, features and prices on our Gift cards page.