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Bio-degradable cards 
Every card imaginable! ID Card Features: A Printing and Ordering Guide By The Card Project UK
Everything You Need to Know About The Card Project UK ID CardsWe get a lot of questions about our cards, so we’ve put together this detailed guide to help you understand what we offer, how our cards work, and what you can expect when ordering from us. Whether you're ordering a medical ID, a drone pilot card, an assistance dog card, or anything else from our range, this page should give you all the answers you need. Our cards are designed to be easy to use and quick to order. We’ve covered everything from size and materials to how we print your design, what features like barcodes and magnetic strips actually do, and how to make sure your information is correct before placing an order. We’ll also explain what happens if you make a mistake when ordering, how delivery works, and whether you need to provide any kind of proof to get certain types of card. If you're ordering from The Card Project UK for the first time or just want to double-check how something works, you're in the right place. Here’s everything covered in this guide:
What Size Are Our ID Cards?All of our cards are the same size as a standard credit card. This means they measure 86mm wide by 54mm high. That size is also known as CR80, which is used for most bank cards, loyalty cards, staff passes, and travel cards. We use this size across every product we offer. Whether you're ordering one of our medical ID cards, a drone pilot card, or a children's toy ID card, you’ll receive something that fits easily into a wallet, purse, or pocket. This size also works well with our card holders and lanyards, so it’s easy to carry or wear every day. Because we keep our cards to a consistent size, it’s easier for customers to build up a collection of cards over time or reorder one later on without having to worry about size differences. The size also means the cards are strong, compact and practical. There’s enough space for clear, legible information without the card becoming bulky or awkward to carry. It’s also worth pointing out that we stick to one size for all products to keep the ordering process simple and to make sure all of our designs work exactly as intended. If you’re comparing your card size to something else at home, a debit or credit card is the best item to check it against. 
What Are The Card Project UK ID Cards Made From?All of our cards are made from biodegradable plastic. This material looks and feels just like a standard credit card but has the added benefit of breaking down faster than traditional plastic once it’s exposed to the right conditions. It’s a more responsible option that still gives the same high-quality result. We’ve chosen this material because it strikes a balance between durability and environmental awareness. Our cards are built to last, but they won’t sit around in landfill for decades like older plastic alternatives. They’re strong enough to cope with daily use, whether that’s being carried in a wallet, clipped to a lanyard, or handed over to someone in a public place. The surface of our cards is smooth and solid, making them ideal for retransfer printing, which is the process we use to achieve a professional finish. This plastic is also suitable for magnetic strips and barcodes, which means we can offer those features on our cards when needed. You won’t find any flimsy or flexible cards in our range – we don’t use paper or thin laminate, and we never print onto card or other disposable materials. Our biodegradable plastic has been tested across all of our different card types and designs. No matter what product you order, the material remains the same, so you can expect consistency in look, feel and performance. If you’re wondering about recycling, biodegradable plastic is not the same as recyclable plastic. These cards are designed to break down naturally over time rather than be reused in a recycling process. Because of this, they should not be put in household recycling bins. However, their environmental impact is still lower than that of regular PVC plastic. 
What Is a QR Code and How Does It Work?A QR code is a type of barcode made up of black and white squares arranged in a grid. The pattern holds data, and that data is usually a website address. QR stands for "Quick Response" because the code can be scanned and read almost instantly using a phone or tablet camera. When someone opens their phone camera or Barcode App and points it at a QR code, the device recognises the pattern and reads the information inside it. If the code contains a website address, a link will pop up on the screen, and the person can tap it to go straight to that site. This works through built-in scanning software on most modern phones, without needing any extra apps. Every QR code printed on our cards is linked to a website. We show the QR code on the screen while the order is being placed, and customers can scan it before they complete their purchase. This gives them the chance to test the code and check that the link works properly. We don’t collect data from these codes – there’s no tracking or reporting. The QR code is simply a fast and convenient way to direct someone to a website without needing to type anything. 
What Is a Magnetic Strip and How Does It Work?A magnetic strip is the black or dark brown stripe you often see on the back of bank cards, travel cards, hotel key cards, and access passes. It contains a line of magnetic material that holds information in a digital format. When the card is swiped through a magnetic reader, the data stored on the strip is picked up and read by the machine. The strip works by using tiny magnetic particles that are set in a specific pattern to represent numbers or codes. These patterns are created and stored using a device called an encoder. Once the strip is encoded, the card can be swiped through a compatible reader to carry out a function – like opening a door, logging in to a system, or checking in somewhere. Our cards do include magnetic strips on certain designs, but we don’t encode them. That means when you receive one of our cards, the magnetic strip is blank. It doesn’t contain any data and it won’t work in a reader until someone adds information using specialist encoding equipment. Most customers don’t need to do this, but if someone does have access to the right tools, the strip on our cards can be encoded and used in the same way as any other standard magnetic stripe card. We include magnetic strips on some of our premium cards because they are a familiar feature that people recognise. They give the card a more official appearance and are often requested for certain designs, even if the strip isn’t being used for practical purposes. When paired with other features like a photo, a signature strip, or a QR code, the magnetic strip can help complete the look of the card, especially for work-related or identification-style designs. It’s important to remember that we don’t encode any part of the card ourselves. We don’t store information, provide access functions, or prepare the card for system use. We simply add the magnetic strip as part of the design, and it is up to the customer whether they leave it blank or make use of it using their own equipment. 
What Is a Barcode and How Is It Used?A barcode is a pattern made up of black lines and white spaces that represents data. Each barcode contains a unique combination of thick and thin lines, along with varying gaps between them. This pattern is read by a barcode scanner, which uses a beam of light to detect the contrast between the lines and the spaces. The scanner then converts that pattern into numbers or letters, which are displayed on a screen or used by a system to carry out a task. Barcodes are used in all sorts of everyday settings. You’ll find them on packaging, tickets, membership cards, ID cards, books, and more. When scanned, a barcode might link to a product listing, bring up someone’s profile on a system, record attendance, or confirm access to an event. The actual function depends on the system the barcode is connected to. On our cards, we do include barcodes on some designs. These barcodes are created in-house. That means they are part of our own design process and internal card system and are not connected to any external systems or databases. We create the barcode image and add it to the card design, but the barcode itself does not carry any live or trackable data. It is a static image that can be scanned in the same way as any other barcode, but it will only work if the person scanning it has already set up a compatible system or knows what the barcode is meant to represent. Our barcodes are not active or coded by us, and they do not contain personal information. They are simply a printed design element that the customer can use if they have a system set up for it. If no system is in place, the barcode will still appear on the card but won’t perform any function when scanned. 
How Are ID Cards at The Card Project UK Printed?All of our cards are printed using retransfer printers. This printing method is known for producing high-quality results, especially when it comes to printing on plastic cards. It’s a professional process that allows for detailed images, smooth colour blending, and full edge-to-edge coverage. Retransfer printing works in two stages. First, the design is printed onto a clear film using a method called dye sublimation. This film holds the full-colour image, including any photos, text, barcodes, logos, or other design elements. Once the image is fully printed onto the film, it is then fused onto the surface of the plastic card using heat and pressure. The film acts as a carrier between the printhead and the card, which allows the design to be applied smoothly without direct contact. One of the main advantages of retransfer printing is the quality of the finish. Because the print is applied through a film, the final result has a clean, sharp appearance with no lines or smudges. It also makes it possible to print right to the very edge of the card, which can’t be done with some other types of printing. This is especially important for ID cards that need a full background or photo area, where white borders would be distracting. Retransfer printing also allows us to work with cards that have different surfaces. Unlike direct-to-card printing, which can struggle with uneven materials, retransfer printing is much more flexible and produces consistent results every time. The final layer of film also adds a bit of protection to the printed surface, which helps prevent scratches and fading during normal use. This method is well suited to the biodegradable plastic we use for all of our cards. The materials work well together, and the retransfer process means your design won’t peel or rub away with regular handling. We’ve chosen retransfer printing because it gives the best balance of quality and reliability. The process is efficient and repeatable, which means we can offer fast turnaround times without compromising on the finish. Every card is produced in-house, using our own printers and equipment, and we inspect all orders before they are dispatched for colour and print quality. 
Why Do Printed Colours Sometimes Look Different from What You See on Screen?Very occasionally, a customer will say that their card doesn’t look the same as it did on screen. This is understandable and quite a common situation in the printing world, especially when people are working from digital previews. There are a few reasons why printed colours can appear slightly different from screen colours. The most important factor is the difference between how screens display colour and how printers produce colour. Screens use a method called RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which blends light to create the colours you see. Printers use a different process called CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), which blends ink or dye. These two systems don’t always produce identical results. A colour that looks bright and vibrant on a phone or laptop screen might come out a little more muted in print. Likewise, certain shades – particularly neon tones or very deep blues – can be tricky to match exactly because they display well on a screen but fall outside the standard printing range. Brightness and contrast also play a part. Every device shows colours slightly differently, depending on screen settings. A screen with higher brightness will make colours look lighter or more vivid. Some devices also boost certain colours automatically. Because of this, the same image might look different on two phones, and different again once it’s printed. The material used for printing also affects the final appearance. We print all of our cards onto biodegradable plastic, which has a slight surface texture and natural tone. This can influence how colours appear once printed, especially in areas with pale backgrounds or skin tones in photos. Retransfer printing (which we use for all our cards) produces strong and consistent results, but there will always be a small difference between backlit screen previews and printed plastic. We do everything we can to match colours as closely as possible, but a perfect match cannot always be guaranteed. We recommend that customers view their card preview in a well-lit area and on a screen with standard settings, without night mode or colour filters turned on. This gives the most accurate impression of how the colours are likely to turn out in print. 
Do We Print on Any Other Materials Other than Biodegradable Plastic Like Cardstock?No – we only print our cards on plastic. We don’t use cardstock, paper, laminate, or any other materials. Every card we produce is printed onto biodegradable plastic, which has the same size and thickness as a standard credit card. There are a few reasons we’ve chosen to stick with plastic only. First, it gives a more professional and durable finish. Cardstock can bend, tear, and wear out quickly, especially if it’s being handled regularly or kept in a wallet. Our plastic cards are much stronger and longer lasting. They’re water-resistant, won’t get damaged by everyday use, and are less likely to fade or become unreadable over time. Second, using one consistent material allows us to keep our printing process accurate. We use retransfer printers, which are designed specifically for plastic cards. These printers rely on heat and pressure to fuse the printed image onto the card surface. Cardstock isn’t suitable for this method – it would either burn or produce a low-quality result. Plastic works perfectly with this process and ensures that the print stays clear, smooth, and permanent. The biodegradable plastic we use is a considered choice. It provides the strength of traditional plastic without the same long-term environmental impact. Once it’s exposed to certain conditions, it will start to break down naturally, unlike standard PVC cards that last for decades in landfill. So while we don’t use paper or cardboard, we’ve still taken steps to offer a more responsible option. All of our designs are made to fit this one material. Whether you're ordering a medical ID, a children’s play card, a custom staff pass, or any other product, you’ll receive the same high-quality plastic card. This means we can focus on consistency, avoid confusion during the order process, and make sure every card looks the way it should. 
Do We Manually Add Customer Information to the Cards when We Print?No – we don’t manually type, edit, or adjust any of the information that appears on our cards. Our system prints exactly what the customer enters and uploads during the order process. This includes names, dates, messages, photos, and any other details added through the website. Once the customer starts their order, they’ll see a live preview of the card on screen. As they type in the information or upload a photo, the card preview updates to show exactly how the final card will look. This is the same version that goes through our print process – there’s no extra step where someone at our end checks or corrects anything. If a name is spelled incorrectly, or a photo is blurry, that’s how it will appear on the finished card. We’ve set things up this way to avoid delays, reduce errors, and give customers full control. Because the system is automated, we can produce cards quickly and make sure that each one reflects exactly what the customer requested. To help avoid mistakes, we’ve added a confirmation step at the checkout. Customers are required to tick a box to confirm that all of the details they’ve entered are correct and ready for printing. This step is important. It reminds people to double-check spellings, photo quality, layout, and anything else that might affect the final card. We don’t offer a proofing or approval service. However, if we notice that any required fields haven’t been filled in, we will contact the customer to make sure this is correct before printing. That said, due to the volume of orders we receive, this isn’t always possible. Our quality control process focuses on the printing itself – we make sure the cards are printed clearly, that the colours are accurate, and that everything lines up properly. But the responsibility for the content always rests with the customer. 
Can The Card Project UK ID Cards Be Customised?Yes – we can customise any of our card designs. If a customer needs something changed, added, or removed, we’re happy to help. However, once a design needs to be altered from the standard version shown on our website, it becomes a custom card. That means it will take more time and will cost more than a regular card order. Custom cards involve extra design work from our team. This might include moving text, adding logos, adjusting colours, changing layouts, or creating something completely different. Because this takes time and is done manually, we treat these orders differently from standard ones. The price reflects the time spent making these changes. Some people request small edits like moving a name or swapping a heading. Others ask for a fully bespoke layout. Either way, we ask that all custom requests go through our dedicated custom card listing. That’s where we collect the information needed and give clear guidance on what’s possible. Customers can then give us specific instructions, and we’ll let them know what can be done before going ahead. Custom cards are ideal for businesses, organisations, schools, or anyone who needs a card that isn’t already available in our existing range. We’ve made cards for staff ID, event passes, group memberships, and much more. The flexibility is there, but the process is slightly different from our normal card ordering system. It’s important to note that custom card requests must be made before placing an order. We can’t convert a standard order into a custom card once the checkout has been completed. If a customer places a regular order and then emails us with changes, we may not be able to make the edits, especially if the card has already been printed. 
What Are The Delivery Options for The Card Project UK Orders?We aim to dispatch all orders within 24 hours. That means most cards are printed, checked, packed, and sent out the next working day after the order is placed. In many cases, we dispatch the same day, especially if the order comes in early. Our printing team works Monday to Friday, so orders placed over the weekend are usually dispatched on the next working day. During very busy periods, dispatch times might occasionally be delayed, but we always do our best to get everything out as quickly as possible. We offer a range of delivery options so that customers can choose what suits them best. These include standard delivery, tracked services, and express options. The available choices will depend on your location and the shipping method selected at checkout. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive an email confirmation. If a tracked or signed-for service has been selected, the tracking number will also be included in that email. Standard deliveries don’t include tracking, but they are still handled as promptly as possible through Royal Mail. We recommend choosing a tracked service if the card is needed urgently or if you want to follow the progress of your delivery. While Royal Mail is usually very reliable, delays can happen – especially during strikes, holidays, or severe weather. Delivery times may vary depending on where you live. UK addresses usually receive their cards within a few days, while international orders will take longer depending on the destination. Full details of expected delivery times for different locations are included on our delivery page. We always work hard to make sure orders go out on time, and our printing system allows us to keep things moving quickly without cutting corners. To find out more about delivery estimates and prices then please take a look at our Delivery Information page. 
Is there an Application Process for Medical, Drone, or Assistance Dog ID Cards from The Card Project UK?No – there is no application process for any of our cards. Customers can order directly from our website without needing to submit proof, fill in forms, or wait for approval. That applies to all cards in our range, including medical cards, drone pilot cards, assistance dog cards, and every other type we offer. We’ve kept things simple on purpose. Our cards are designed to help people explain their situation clearly, whether that’s in a medical setting, a public place, or during travel. We trust our customers to provide accurate information when placing an order, and we don’t ask them to justify why they need a particular card. This approach makes the process much faster and more straightforward. You choose the card you want, enter your details, upload your photo if needed, check the preview, and place your order. There’s no waiting around for documents to be checked or for someone to approve your request. We don’t check diagnoses, training records, or registrations. If someone chooses to order a card for Autism, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Assistance Dogs, or any other condition or support need, we accept that they’ve done so for a reason. The cards are there to support people in real situations – not to create barriers. It’s important to note that our cards are not official documents and are not issued by any government or authority. They don’t replace legal ID, medical paperwork, or formal certification. They are there to provide quick, visible information that can help make daily life easier. We also include clear descriptions on our product pages to explain what each card says and how it looks. That way, customers know exactly what they’re getting before they order, and there’s no confusion about what the card is meant to do. 
Does The Card Project UK Offer Digital Downloads?No – we don’t offer digital downloads for any of our cards. All of our products are physical, printed plastic cards that are posted to the customer. We don’t send files by email, and we don’t provide PDF versions or digital copies of any kind. Every order goes through our in-house printing process, using retransfer printers and biodegradable plastic cards. The design is printed directly onto the card and then posted out. That’s the full service – we don’t sell templates, and we don’t supply cards for customers to print at home. We’ve chosen not to offer digital versions because we want to maintain the quality and consistency of our products. Our cards are credit card sized, professionally printed, and built to last. Once you receive the card, you can carry it with you, keep it in a wallet, or attach it to a lanyard. It’s something you can show in person without needing to open an app or scroll through your phone. Some customers ask whether they can receive a file to use while waiting for their card to arrive, but we don’t produce digital previews or email attachments. Everything is done through our secure printing system, and each order is checked before it’s dispatched. If you need a card quickly, we recommend choosing one of our tracked or express delivery options at checkout. We aim to dispatch all orders within 24 hours, and many UK customers receive their cards within just a few days. 
Can Customers Reorder a Card from The Card Project UK?Yes – if a customer has registered an account with us, they can reorder a card directly from their account page. This is the easiest way to place a repeat order, especially if the card details are staying the same. When someone places an order while logged into their account, the system keeps a record of it. This means they can log in later, view their previous orders, and reorder the same card without needing to re-enter all the information. It’s a really simple process and helps save time if a card has been lost, damaged, or simply needs replacing. For customers who checked out as guests and didn’t register for an account, reorder options are more limited. In those cases, we don’t store any card details, so the order would need to be placed again from scratch. This is one of the reasons we recommend setting up an account when ordering, especially if you think you might need a replacement later on. We don’t keep copies of photos or personal information beyond what’s needed for the original order. This means that even if a customer contacts us later asking for a reprint, we may not be able to help unless they ordered through a registered account. 
Can I Order More Than One Card at a Time from The Card Project UK?Yes – you can order as many cards as you like in a single order. Whether you're ordering multiple cards with the same details, or several cards for different people, it’s all done through the same process. Just personalise each card on its own product page, then add it to your basket before moving on to the next one. If you're ordering different cards for different people – for example, medical cards for family members or toy ID cards for children – you can customise each one separately. There’s no limit to how many cards you can order at once, and they’ll all be processed and dispatched together unless stated otherwise. You can also order more than one of the same card with identical details. Some customers like to keep a spare in a second wallet, a bag, or at work. Others order duplicates in case one gets lost or damaged. Just increase the quantity before adding the card to your basket. Our system is set up to handle multiple items in a single order without slowing anything down. As long as each card has been personalised and added to the basket, it will be printed exactly as shown in the preview. You can review everything at checkout before completing your purchase. If you need a larger batch of cards for a group, school, or organisation, we recommend contacting us in advance. While the standard ordering system works well for small to medium quantities, we can offer extra support for bulk or staff-related orders. We can also set you up an account on our business website. We’ll guide you through what’s needed and help you find the best way to supply the information. 
Can I See a Preview of My Card Before Ordering from The Card Project UK?Yes – every personalised card includes a live preview on the product page. As you type in your information or upload a photo, the card preview updates on screen in real time. You can see exactly what your card will look like before you add it to your basket. The preview works line by line. If you type something and then click to the next box, the card updates immediately. The same applies when you upload a photo – it will appear in place straight away, so you can check the position and size before continuing. This makes it easy to spot any spelling mistakes, layout issues, or photo problems before placing your order. What you see on the screen is exactly what we print. We don’t change the wording, edit the layout, crop the photo, or adjust the position. Our printing system uses the same version that you previewed, so it’s important to check everything carefully. We’ve designed this system to give customers full control. It removes the need for approval emails or waiting for proofs, and it means you can place an order at any time of day without delays. Once you're happy with the preview, you simply add the card to your basket and move on to the next one if you're ordering more than one. The confirmation box at checkout is a final step to help avoid mistakes. You’ll be asked to confirm that the information you’ve entered is correct and ready for printing. This gives you one last chance to go back and make changes if needed. If you're ordering on a mobile or small screen, we recommend turning your device to landscape mode to get a better view of the preview. This can help make the text clearer and show the layout more accurately. If you have issues seeing all of the personalisation fields on your device then you can hide the preview of the card by pressing the "hide" button at the top of the screen. That will then hide the card so you can only see the personalisation fields making it much easier to complete your card. 
What Happens If I Make a Mistake on My ID Card Order?If you realise you’ve made a mistake after placing your order, the first thing to do is contact us as soon as possible. If the card hasn’t been printed yet, we’ll manually update the details for you. This might be a spelling error, a wrong date, or a photo that needs replacing. As long as we haven’t started production, we can make changes for you. If the card has already been printed and dispatched, things are a bit different. In that case, we ask customers to get in touch so we can look at the situation and decide how best to help. Every case is handled individually. There isn’t a fixed rule because each order is different, but we’ll always try to be fair. We understand that mistakes happen. Sometimes a name gets typed in wrong, a photo is uploaded in a rush, or something important is missed during checkout. That’s why we recommend checking the live preview carefully and confirming the details at checkout before finalising your order. Once the order is placed, our system moves quickly. We aim to dispatch all cards within 24 hours, so there’s often a very short window for changes. If we’ve already printed the card by the time we hear from you, we won’t be able to make any updates to that particular order. However, we can often offer a solution – and in some cases, we may be able to offer a discounted reprint if the mistake is clear and the original card can’t be used. The most important thing is to get in touch as soon as possible if you spot an error. The quicker we hear from you, the more likely it is that we can help. We’ll always do what we can to sort things out in a way that’s fair and reasonable. 
Do The Card Project UK ID Cards Meet Any Legal or Official Standards?No – our cards are not official or government-issued. We don’t produce legal identification, licences, permits, or certificates. All of our cards are designed for personal use, practical support, or role-based purposes, but they are not recognised as legal documents. That means our cards can’t be used to prove identity in formal situations, and they are not accepted as valid proof by government agencies, banks, or public authorities. Even though many of our designs look professional and include features like photos, barcodes, or magnetic strips, this is purely for appearance and ease of use – not legal status. That said, many of our customers find that our cards are accepted without any issue in a wide range of everyday situations. Medical cards are often shown in shops, restaurants, travel settings and healthcare environments to explain a condition or request support. Assistance dog cards are widely used when out and about to help explain a situation quickly and clearly. Drone cards are sometimes carried with gear to provide basic details in public areas. While they are not official, they can still be incredibly useful and often help avoid confusion or difficult conversations. We make this clear on all of our product pages to avoid any misunderstanding. Our cards are there to support people with communication, visibility, and day-to-day life – not to replace formal documents. We don’t require proof or verification for any of our cards because they are made for personal or informal use. This also means that customers are responsible for using the cards appropriately and making sure they understand the limits of what each card is for. If you’re ever unsure about whether one of our cards will be accepted in a specific setting, it’s best to check with the organisation in advance. We can’t guarantee how a card will be received by others, but we can say clearly and honestly that they are used successfully by many customers without problems. 
That's All There is - Now You’re Ready to Order Your ID Card from The Card Project UKWe hope this guide has answered your questions about how our cards work, what they’re made from, how we print them, and what to expect when placing an order. Whether you’re buying one card for yourself or ordering several for others, everything is designed to be straightforward, clear, and easy to use. Our cards are physical products made from biodegradable plastic. They are printed in-house using high-quality retransfer printers and dispatched quickly – usually within 24 hours. Every personalised detail you add is printed exactly as shown on the screen, and we rely on customers to check everything carefully before confirming the order. We don’t offer official or legal documents, and we don’t supply digital downloads. But our cards are widely used and often accepted in day-to-day situations without any issues. From medical needs to support cards, they’re here to help explain things clearly and make life a bit easier for you. The Card Project UK makes ordering ID cards simple, reliable, and fast. You can count on us for professional printing, clear information, and support whenever you need it. We're proud of the cards we make, and we're always here if you need help – before, during, or after you order.
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