5 Printing Methods That Will Make Your Gift Cards Stand Out

4 Aug 2025 • 2 minute read

So, you've placed your gift card in a stand at a supermarket, your store, or on a concession stand. Congratulations! That's an impressive achievement, but now the challenge begins — how to make your gift card stand out amid others vying for your audience's attention. While you and I know that gift cards are more than just a payment method; they are a reflection of your brand’s quality and values. 

For years, plastic gift cards were the industry standard, but as consumer awareness about sustainability grows, so does the demand for better, greener alternatives. The idea of printing on paperboard might bring to mind streaky prints like those from home printers, but we are here to prove otherwise. We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between stunning design and environmental responsibility.

Here are five ‘green’ printing methods that will make your gift cards stand out from the crowd. To learn more about our comprehensive services, please visit our services page.

1. Sustainable Digital Printing

The foundation of a great gift card is the material it's printed on. We have moved away from traditional plastic and embraced rigid, paper-based stock. Our Ricoh Pro C9500 press is a game-changer, allowing us to print on high-caliper media up to 800 microns thick. A capability previously unavailable on many digital presses.

This technology allows us to create durable, premium-feel cards from sustainably sourced paper, which has a significantly lower carbon footprint than its plastic counterparts. The result? A gift card that feels substantial in the hand and sends a powerful message about your brand's commitment to the planet. You can read more about the environmental benefits of digital printing here.

2. Inline Personalisation and Variable Data Printing

The days of being tied to your standard gift card design for all events are over. With digital printing, you no longer have to worry about the high costs and long lead times of traditional printing methods. Digital printing is perfect for short runs, allowing us to produce small batches of cards quickly and affordably.

This means your business can create targeted marketing campaigns for specific, one-off events or local promotions. For example, a clothing brand produced 500 short-run custom gift cards with a unique design specifically for a festival they were attending. By embracing the flexibility of digital printing, you can seize opportunities as they arise, whether it's for a local fair, a seasonal promotion, or a special customer group. This method gives you the power to be agile and responsive, creating a truly unique and timely connection with your customers.

3. Luxurious Digital Foiling

Add a touch of glamour and sophistication with foiling. Colourful, shiny foiling is a brilliant way to make key elements of your design, such as your logo or a special message, literally shine. Unlike traditional foil stamping, our digital foiling process is perfect for short-run, personalised jobs, making it cost-effective and flexible.

We can apply a wide range of eco-friendly metallic foil colours. From classic gold and elegant silver to vibrant copper to catch the light and the eye. This embellishment is guaranteed to give your eco-friendly gift cards a premium feel that recipients will appreciate.

4. Eye-Catching Spot UV and Varnish

A great design isn't just about what you see; it's also about the emotion it provokes. Spot UV and varnish coatings can add a layer of texture and visual intrigue to your gift cards. Spot UV applies a high-gloss, transparent layer to specific areas of your card, creating a striking contrast against a matte background.

Imagine your brand's logo with a glossy finish that catches the light, or a subtle pattern that's only visible at a certain angle. This technique adds a luxurious, tactile dimension that makes the gift card a joy to hold and a testament to your brand’s attention to detail. 

5. Distinctive Embossing and Debossing

For a truly unique and high-end feel, consider embossing or debossing. Embossing creates a raised, three-dimensional effect on your card, while debossing creates a pressed-in, indented one. Both methods are perfect for highlighting a logo, a pattern, or text, giving your gift card a handcrafted and premium quality.

This tactile finish adds depth and sophistication that simply cannot be achieved with flat printing. It’s a method that speaks volumes about your brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship. 

With Green Gift Cards, your brand can make a bold statement with a beautifully designed, high-quality gift card that is also environmentally friendly. We can bring your vision to life in a way that's both sustainable and memorable.

Ready to create a gift card that truly stands out? Contact us to discuss your design.