Printing & Logistics: an end-to-end solution from card design to shipping

Just as the SaaS model transformed how companies access software, avoiding self-developments and reducing operational costs, it is now also possible to apply this same logic to the physical processes behind a card: design, embossing, and logistics.

Instead of internally managing all the infrastructure needed to produce and send cards, more and more companies choose to delegate this process to specialized providers that offer the process as a service: simple, scalable, and ready to integrate.

When these steps are integrated into a single flow rather than distributed among multiple providers, you gain speed, operational simplicity, and a better user experience. This is a great option for fintechs, banks, and companies looking to centralize the entire process from card issuance to delivery to their users' hands.

Next, we will explain each of the stages and how we manage them at Pomelo in our end-to-end Printing & Logistics solution.

1. Card design process

Designing a payment card is much more than choosing colors and adding a logo. It is a strategic process that must balance brand identity, technical functionality, and regulatory compliance.

At this stage is where the company must choose whether its cards will be named or unnamed, because:

• Named cards have the cardholder's name printed and feature traceability from the very first moment associated with that person.
• Unnamed cards are not issued in a person's name, are produced in batches, and are ideal for mass strategies. They have a lower cost and are personalized at the moment of activation.

The design of each card must be approved by networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), which adds a key technical and regulatory component to the process. At this point, multiple variables are involved:

• Material and format of the plastic: PVC, biodegradable, transparent, etc.
• Aesthetics: colors, finishes (matte, shiny, neon), fonts, custom edges.
• Ergonomics and usability: visibility of numbers, NFC compatibility, legible back.
• Regulation: data location, mandatory logos, required color contrasts.

A design that does not consider these factors may be rejected by the brands or create friction in the end-user experience. This is where the advice of a partner is key to avoiding setbacks or rejections that could delay the market launch of the card.

2. Embossing: manufacturing and customization

When the design is approved by the network, the embossing process begins. But it is not a mere printing. Embossing is a highly regulated technical process, with homologation tests and strict security and quality standards, which consists of the following phases:

1. Plastic manufacturing: the approved design is printed.
2. Customization:
3. If it is personalized, the user's name is printed.
4. If it is non-personalized, the 16 digits of the card and the security code are printed. The user will be responsible for activating it upon receipt.

At Pomelo, we work with certified providers, specifically selected according to the requirements of each design. We ensure that each card meets the standards demanded by the networks and the industry.

3. Logistics: from provider to end user

Finally, the most tangible part for your users arrives: receiving their card.

At Pomelo, we offer comprehensive logistics suitable for each type of strategy:

• 1:1 shipping to the user's address, ideal for personalized cards or on-demand activations.
• Batch shipments to the courier's warehouse or the client's office, designed for non-personalized cards or mass distribution.

Both options with end-to-end tracking until delivery confirmation, and everything can be monitored in detail from our Dashboard. This way, we ensure that the physical experience of receiving a card matches the digital product experience: fluid, traceable, and seamless for our clients' businesses.

This is building better cards

Behind a great card, there's much more than plastic: there's design, technology, regulatory compliance, efficient logistics, and a comprehensive vision.

Our end-to-end Printing & Logistics service combines all of this, making it accessible to any company wanting to offer a first-class experience to its users:

• Design support: We assist you in visual and technical definition, collaborating to ensure your design works in all formats (physical and virtual).
• Validation with network: We handle validation internally with the networks, ensuring regulatory and technical compliance.
• Approvals and proof assembly: We generate and send the fraud reports required by the networks, complying with their standards and formats.

From concept to final design, we support the entire design process of your cards. Learn more.