For credit cards or ATM cards to be used by customers, they need to be printed. Cards are printed using the printing method chosen by the bank. You can review the advantages and disadvantages of instant printing and bulk printing, the methods preferred by banks, below:
| Instant Printing | Bulk Printing |
| A card printing device must be purchased. | No card printing device is needed. |
| The initial setup cost is high because of the cost of the card printing device. | There is no initial setup cost. |
| There is a device maintenance cost. | There is no device maintenance cost. |
| Rarely used for card applications made through channels (internet banking, mobile banking, etc.). | Preferred for card applications made through channels (internet banking, mobile banking, etc.). |
| The customer can receive the card without leaving the branch. | The card is delivered to the customer within about 1 week. |
| There is no card distribution cost. | Since the card is delivered by courier, a fee is paid per card. |
| The delivery rate to customers is very high. | The card delivery rate is lower than with in-branch printing. |
| Customer satisfaction is high. | Customer satisfaction is lower than with in-branch printing. |
Which method suits whom?
Instant printing improves the customer experience because it hands over the card immediately without making the customer wait at the branch. However, device costs, maintenance and security requirements are high.
Bulk printing is done at a central production facility and provides economies of scale, but it takes days for the card to reach the customer.
Many banks use both methods together: instant printing in busy branches and bulk printing elsewhere.
