Magnetic Promotional Tool
Magnetic business cards, sometimes referred to as advertising magnets, allow a business to stretch its advertising dollar much further. Magnets, of course, can be displayed on any metal surface instead of being tucked away in a drawer, thereby extending exposure for the business. A magnetic business card is created from the same graphic files a paper business card would be made from. The contents of the file are printed directly on to the magnetic sheet. Business cards printed on paper and then adhered to adhesive magnetic material are not the same thing as a magnetic business card. These are called an adhesive business card magnet.
Materials Used for Magnetic Cards
Besides the printing presses used to print magnetic cards, the most important materials used are the magnetic sheet material and the printing ink. The magnetic material is bound on one side with vinyl and comes in large sheets. The vinyl side of the sheet is printed on, and then the sheet is cut into business card size. The combination of vinyl and magnet comes in thicknesses of 12 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm. Rolls of the sheet material come in standard lengths of 25 ft., 50 ft. and 100 ft., and widths are generally around 24 inches. The magnet sheet is made in finishes designed to work with different printing processes---screen printing, solvent ink jet printing or uncoated sheets. Solvent inks tend toward more durability and fade resistance when printed on vinyl.
Printing Process Used
Printing presses used to print business card magnets must be able to handle the thickness of the material easily. Offset printing presses offer the most options for handling magnetic sheets. The process begins with graphics computer files. The artwork in the files is used to make plates from which to print. The plates are first made damp with water and then have the ink rolled over them. This gives a crisp delineation between what is image and what is not. Next the image gets transferred on to a rubber blanket. From there the magnetic sheet is aligned in the printer with the vinyl side turned toward the image. The magnetic business cards are printed, allowed to dry and then cut from the sheeting material. A UV laminated coating can be added for fade protection against handling and cleaning products.
More About Magnetic Printing
Sheet vinyl is adhered to the magnetic sheet and purchased as one product. Sheet vinyl magnetics come in white gloss or matte finishes, but uncoated vinyl in colors is also made. Laser printers shouldn't be used for printing magnetic material because the magnet affects the parts inside the printer. In addition, the heat generated by a laser printer can melt the vinyl magnetic product. If the need for environmentally friendly products is a high priority, there are ecologically friendly solvent inks in the marketplace that can replace traditional solvent (chemical) inks.
