Playing Cards

Casinos all over the world don't gamble when it comes down to Quality and Security

  • Quality control is the essential ingredient in the production of casino playing cards. Our rigorous quality control starts with preproduction checks on all incoming materials.
    • During the printing process, we are using several control systems:
  • Also during the cutting and packaging procedures, extra steps are taken to reassure your quality.
  • Security is as important as Quality to Cardimo. We have implemented security procedures and installed state-of-the-art access-control and surveillance equipment to ensure the integrity of your order.
  • Our security:
    • Only inhouse production
    • Inhouse destruction of printing plates and waste materials
    • Production checks on completeness of decks
    • Secure tuckbox packaging with safety seal and special outer packaging with safety strips
    • Secure transport
    • Secure warehouses
  • Our standard packaging is as follows:
    • 54 pieces cellowrap
    • color tuckbox
    • 10 decks shrinkpack
    • 100 decks/ctn

Playing cards are flat, rectangular pieces of layered pasteboard typically used for playing a variety of games of skill or chance. They are thought to have developed during the twelfth century from divination implements or as a derivative of chess. Cards are produced by the modern printing processes of lithography, photolithography, or gravure. In the future, more computerized methods will likely be adopted promising to generate a substantial increase in the playing card manufacturing industry.

An exclusive selection of the best raw materials and a manufacturing process equipped with strict quality controls that result in a unique product with the following characteristics:Plastic Playing Cards

Technical Specifications:
  • 100% New Plastic
  • Jumbo Index
  • Card Size: 63 x 88 mm - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
  • Number of cards: 54 (52 + 2 joker cards)
  • Back design: optional back design in different color options with or without logo
  • Cardboard quality: high grade laminated cardboard
  • Surface finish: Linen or Smooth finish
  • Packaging: 3D Holographic sealed cello wrap
  • Available TechArt optical scanner layouts
  • Compatible with all available shufflers
  • Various types of packaging available
  • Personalisation of front faces and tuckboxes available as well

 

Printing the pasteboards

  • Creating the printing plates is the first step in the production of playing cards. This process begins with camera ready artwork, or electronically created images, which contain pictures of each card that will be included in the deck. A plate is also created for the backs of the cards. Using a photographic process a negative of the image is exposed to a flat plate and coated with a light sensitive material. The plate is developed, and the image area is coated with an oily material that will attract ink but repel water. The non-image area is coated with a mixture, which will attract water and repel ink. One plate must be created for each of the different colors that will be printed on the card.
  • To begin printing, the plates are mounted on rotating cylinders in the printing press. When the press is started, the plate is passed under a roller, which coats it with water. The image area on the plate, previously treated with the oily material, repels the water and remains uncoated. An ink roller is next passed over the plate. Since an oil-based ink is used, it adheres to the plate only on the water-resistant sections.
  • A rubber roller is then passed over the printing plate and the ink from the plate is transferred to it. The card paper is passed under the rubber roller and the ink is transferred to it. The paper is then passed to the next roller assembly where another color may be added. The ink is specially formulated so it dries before it enters the next roller assembly. This process of wetting, inking, and printing is continuous through-out the card manufacturing run.
  • When one sheet of paper exits the printing press, it contains an image on both sides. One side has the image of each card in the deck while the other has the card back image. At this point, the sheet may be coated with a special clear polymer mixture that gives it a slick, glossy look and feel. This coating also helps to protect the cards making them longer lasting.

Cutting and stacking

  • After both sides of the pasteboards are printed, they are transported to a card cutting station. Here precision-cutting machines cut the cards out from the printed sheets. The cards are cut such that each card is of identical size. They are then assembled into their respective sets and organized into stacks. At this point, the stack contains all of the cards that will end up in the final packaging.

Further cutting and packaging

  • The stack of cards is next transported via conveyor belt to a corner punching station. When it reaches the platform of this station, the stack is pushed up into the punching device, which rounds off the corners on one side of each card in the stack. During this phase of production, the stack of cards are held tightly in the punching blades so each card is cut identically. The stack is then removed and transported to another punching station. Here the corners of the other side of the stack of cards are rounded off. After the cards are removed from this station, all four corners are rounded and the decks are ready for final packaging.
  • The stack of cards is returned to the main conveyor and transferred to the packaging station. Here a machine feeds formed boxes onto the assembly line. The cards are then inserted into the box. The boxes are closed and sealed with a sticker at the top. The box is then transported to a shrinkwrap machine where it is wrapped in a clear plastic such as cellophane. The finished deck of cards is then placed in a case with other decks, stacked on pallets and shipped on trucks to distributors.

Quality Control

  • Quality control begins with the incoming inks and other raw materials used to create the deck of cards. If the manufacturer produces their own stock paper, it is checked to ensure that it measures up to specifications related to physical appearance, dimensions, consistency, and other characteristics. The inks are minimally tested for color, viscosity, and solubility. For materials that are supplied by outside vendors the card manufacturer often relies on the supplier''s quality control inspections. Prior to a first printing, the plates are tested to verify they will produce a quality print. During production, the sheets are randomly checked for a variety of printing errors or ink smears. Defective sheets are removed prior to cutting. Line inspectors are also stationed at various points on the production line to make sure that each pack is produced in a flawless manner.

The Future

  • Future developments in playing card manufacture will focus on new card designs and methods of printing. Since the market for playing cards remains relatively mature, card producers will attempt to increase sales by introducing novel card designs. This might involve using new base materials for the cards, producing three-dimensional designs, or creating novel shapes. With the vast improvements in computer technologies, a variety of new printing methods will be employed. These methods will be used to increase the speed at which cards will be produced. They will also eliminate the need for creating plates as printing can be done directly from computer images. This will make it easier to produce personalized decks quickly and economically.
  1. Creating the printing plates is the first step in the production of playing cards. This process begins with camera ready artwork, or electronically created images, which contain pictures of each card that will be included in the deck. A plate is also created for the backs of the cards. Using a photographic process a negative of the image is exposed to a flat plate and coated with a light sensitive material. The plate is developed, and the image area is coated with an oily material that will attract ink but repel water. The non-image area is coated with a mixture, which will attract water and repel ink. One plate must be created for each of the different colors that will be printed on the card.
  2. To begin printing, the plates are mounted on rotating cylinders in the printing press. When the press is started, the plate is passed under a roller, which coats it with water. The image area on the plate, previously treated with the oily material, repels the water and remains uncoated. An ink roller is next passed over the plate. Since an oil-based ink is used, it adheres to the plate only on the water-resistant sections.
  3. A rubber roller is then passed over the printing plate and the ink from the plate is transferred to it. The card paper is passed under the rubber roller and the ink is transferred to it. The paper is then passed to the next roller assembly where another color may be added. The ink is specially formulated so it dries before it enters the next roller assembly. This process of wetting, inking, and printing is continuous through-out the card manufacturing run.
  4. When one sheet of paper exits the printing press, it contains an image on both sides. One side has the image of each card in the deck while the other has the card back image. At this point, the sheet may be coated with a special clear polymer mixture that gives it a slick, glossy look and feel. This coating also helps to protect the cards making them longer lasting.

 

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