Illustration showing different card printing methods

While it is true that, with the advancement of technology, the trend of using payment transactions without a physical card via mobile phones has increased, there are many reasons why cards are still physically printed and delivered to customers. We can roughly list these reasons as follows:

  • The number of people who still consider it safer to physically tap the card during purchases is still very high
  • The number of POS terminals supporting HCE technology is not at the desired level
  • Awareness and usage of HCE technology are not at the desired level
  • The usage rate of virtual cards in purchases is not very high

So what are the card printing types? How are cards delivered to customers?

Banks use 2 types of card printing methods: Instant Printing and Mass (Batch) Printing.

Mass (Batch) Printing:

  • The printing method of the card is selected at the card application stage. (Instant/Mass)
  • Mass card applications entered by branches during the day and whose processes have been completed are collected in a pool.
  • Every day around 17:00-18:00, card printing files are generated for the card requests entered that day.
  • The generated card printing file is sent through a secure channel (usually FTP is used) to the company that will physically print the card.
  • The physical printing of the card is carried out by the card printing company.
  • It is delivered to the customer by courier.

Instant Printing:

  • The printing method of the card is selected at the card application stage. (Instant/Mass)
  • Instant card applications entered by branches during the day, with all stages completed, are displayed on the branch user's screen on a per-branch basis.
  • The branch user selects the relevant card application and sends the card printing request to the card printing device located at the branch.
  • The relevant card is printed on the card printing device.
  • A delivery form is obtained from the customer and the card is handed over to the customer.

Whether printed Instantly or in a Mass batch, there is no difference in the card visually or in the information written to the chip.