Custom ID Cards From Design Approval to Information Collection

At The Card Project UK, we've been producing high-quality custom ID cards since 2011. Based in the Lake District, we work with organisations of all sizes across the UK – from independent traders and local clubs to schools, care providers, and established companies. Our aim is to make the process straightforward while delivering cards that are professional, durable, and practical for everyday use.

We differ from many fully automated online suppliers by providing genuine personal support from our UK team. This includes help with design (included in the cost of your order), unlimited revisions at no extra cost, no minimum order requirement, and a free service where we can collect photos and details directly from your staff or members if that makes life easier for you. All our cards are printed on genuinely biodegradable plastic that performs just as well as traditional materials – strong, waterproof, and built to last – but with the added benefit of breaking down naturally over time.

The Real Benefits of Custom ID Cards

From experience with many different clients, we know that well-designed ID cards bring clear advantages:

• Improved security: They allow quick identification of authorised people and help control access to restricted areas. Options such as printed barcodes or QR codes for scanning, or signature panels for signatures.

• Stronger professional image: Consistent branding across your team – with your logo visible however the card is worn – creates a polished and cohesive look that inspires confidence in clients and visitors.

• Greater efficiency: Everyday tasks like onboarding new staff, managing visitors, tracking attendance, or verifying membership become quicker and simpler.

• Increased sense of belonging: A personalised card helps staff, students, or members feel valued and part of the organisation.

• Support for compliance: Important details such as roles, qualifications, expiry dates, or emergency contacts can be displayed clearly, which is particularly useful in regulated sectors.

Our biodegradable cards are credit-card sized and designed to withstand regular handling without losing quality, while also meeting growing expectations around environmental responsibility.

How to Choose the Best ID Cards for Your Organisation

Here are some practical points to consider when deciding on the right solution:

• Identify your main priorities – whether that's security features, strong branding, operational ease, or a combination.

• Material selection – biodegradable plastic offers the same durability as standard options but with clear environmental advantages.

• Useful features to include:

  • Full-colour printing on one or both sides

  • Photo for immediate visual identification

  • Barcodes or QR codes for scanning and integration

  • Signature panels for added verification

  • Portrait or landscape orientation

• Flexibility – no minimum orders and straightforward reordering are important if your team size changes regularly.

• Level of support – personal guidance throughout the design and data stages can save considerable time compared with self-service systems.

• Practical accessories – card holders (available in various colours), recycled polyester lanyards, and attachment clips help make the cards easy to wear and use daily.

Typical Businesses We Support

We regularly produce cards for:

• Businesses: staff and contractor badges, visitor passes, care worker identification

• Education: student and staff cards, library or attendance systems

• Clubs and membership groups: personalised membership cards with photos and details

• Training providers: qualification or certification cards

• Events: delegate, volunteer, or access badges

Our Clear and Efficient Process

We’ve designed the steps to be as simple as possible:

• Send us your logo, brand guidelines, and the information you want included on the cards.

• We prepare initial design proofs and make any changes you request – free of charge and as many times as needed.

• Provide the individual details securely: either via spreadsheet, through our online upload area (ideal for future additions), or by giving us staff/member email addresses so we can collect everything directly (including follow-ups).

• You receive previews of each individual card within your account for final approval.

• Once approved, we print and dispatch quickly – aiming to send out within 24 hours Monday to Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Business Custom ID Cards

Here are answers to the questions we get most often from businesses, schools, clubs, and other organisations ordering ID cards with us:

Do you have a minimum order quantity?

No – we have no minimum order. You can order just one card or hundreds; the choice is yours.

How much do the cards cost?

Prices depend on quantity, whether you want single or double-sided printing, and any extras like barcodes or QR codes. We’ll give you a clear quote once we know your requirements – just email us your details for a no-obligation price.

Is design included in the price?

Yes – all design work and unlimited revisions are included in the cost of the cards. There are no separate setup or artwork fees.

How long does the whole process take?

Once you approve the final design and we have all the names/photos/data, we aim to print and dispatch your order within 24 hours Monday to Friday. The design stage usually takes a few days, depending on how quickly we go back and forth on proofs.

How durable are your biodegradable cards?

They are the same thickness and strength as standard plastic cards – fully waterproof, flexible, and suitable for daily use with lanyards or clips. They just have the added benefit of being environmentally responsible.

Can we see a proof of every individual card before printing?

Yes – you’ll get to review and approve a preview of every single card in your account before we go to print. This ensures everything is correct.

What if we need to add or replace cards later?

It’s very straightforward. You can log into your account to upload new details, or simply email us. We keep your approved design on file, so reorders are quick and match exactly.

How do we get photos and details to you?

You can send a spreadsheet, upload everything yourself through your private account area, or – if it helps – give us a list of staff email addresses and we’ll collect the information directly from them for free (we’ll send gentle reminders too).

Are the cards secure enough for our needs?

They provide strong visual identification with photos, names, and roles. We can add printed barcodes, QR codes, or signature panels for extra verification. Our cards are not encoded with chips or magnetic stripes, so they work best alongside your existing systems rather than replacing access control fobs.

Do you offer magnetic stripes, chips, or holograms?

We can print blank magnetic stripes if required, but we don’t encode them. We don’t offer contactless chips or holograms, as our retransfer printing process isn’t compatible with those features.

How is our data kept safe?

We use secure, encrypted uploads and emails for all personal information and photos. We never share data with third parties, and everything is deleted after your order is complete unless you ask us to keep the design for future reorders.

Can we have double-sided printing with the logo showing on both sides?

Yes – double-sided full-colour printing is very popular, especially so the logo is visible however the card is worn.

What sizes and orientations do you offer?

All cards are standard credit-card size (CR80). You can choose portrait or landscape layout.

If your question isn’t answered here, just drop us an email at theteam@thecardproject.co.uk – we’re happy to help and usually reply the same day.

Getting Ready to Order Your Custom ID Cards

To make the process as quick and smooth as possible, it helps if you have a few things prepared when you first get in touch:

• Your high-resolution logo and any other artwork you'd like to use

• Details of your brand colours or style guidelines

• A clear idea of what information needs to go on the cards (for example: names, job titles, photos, unique ID numbers, expiry dates, etc.)

• A list of staff or member email addresses – especially useful if you'd like us to collect photos and details directly from them (it's completely free and saves you time)

Don't worry if you haven't got everything ready yet – just send whatever you have and we'll guide you through the rest.

If you're thinking about ID cards for your team or organisation and would like some no-pressure advice, drop us an email at theteam@thecardproject.co.uk. We usually reply the same day and are always happy to chat through your options. We're here to take care of all the details for you, with genuine personal support from our UK team every step of the way.