One of the easiest ways to create problems with a gift card order is to finalize the artwork before confirming how the card will actually be redeemed. Decide the card’s function first, and the rest of the design process becomes much simpler.
The process comes down to eight steps: define the redemption setup, choose the material and size, design the front, design the back, add the required identifiers, add redemption information and terms, prepare the print file, then proof and test the card.
Gift Card Design Process at a Glance
- Define the gift card redemption setup
- Choose the material and card size
- Design the front of the card
- Design the back of the card
- Add card numbers, barcodes, QR codes, or magnetic stripes
- Add redemption instructions and gift card terms
- Prepare print-ready artwork
- Proof and test the card before printing
Step 1: Define the Gift Card Redemption Setup
Before opening a design program, decide how customers will receive and use the value attached to the card.
- Whether the card has a fixed denomination or a value assigned at sale
- How the card will be activated
- Whether redemption happens in-store, online, or both
- Whether the system reads a barcode, QR code, magnetic stripe, or printed number
- Whether partial balances remain available after a purchase
- Whether the card can be reloaded, if supported by the gift card program
- Whether staff need a human-readable number for manual entry
These decisions determine what information has to appear on the physical card.
If the card connects to a POS or gift card platform, ask the provider which identifier format it requires before the artwork is finalized. That may include a specific barcode format, number length, magnetic stripe setting, or matching printed number.
The important rule is simple: define activation and redemption before designing the card around them.
Step 2: Choose the Material and Card Size
The standard physical gift card size is 3.375 x 2.125 inches, commonly called the CR80 format. It is the same general format used for credit cards and fits standard wallets, card holders, and many point-of-sale accessories.
The material affects the feel, finish, durability, and some production options.
Plastic Gift Cards
Custom plastic gift cards are commonly produced on 30 mil PVC and are available with gloss or matte finishes.
Plastic cards can support:
- Barcodes
- QR codes
- Sequential or supplied numbering
- Variable data
- Magnetic stripes
- Other finishing options
They are well suited to programs where cards will be carried, handled, and presented repeatedly.
Paper Gift Cards
Paper gift cards use engineered paper stock designed for card-format applications.
Paper cards can also support:
- Barcodes
- QR codes
- Sequential numbering
- Variable data
- Compatible magnetic stripe options
Whichever material you choose, keep machine-readable codes high contrast and follow the printer’s production requirements.
Once the material and size are confirmed, the same basic design process applies to both.
Step 3: Design the Front of the Gift Card
The front should make the card immediately recognizable as part of your business.
Focus on:
- Business logo
- Brand colors
- A short gift message
- Optional denomination for fixed-value cards
- Simple supporting imagery
The logo and brand identity should carry most of the visual weight. Avoid filling every available area with graphics, text, promotions, or instructions.
A simple test works well: view the card from a short distance. A customer should be able to identify the business and understand that the card is a gift card within a few seconds.
If that is not clear, simplify the layout.
Step 4: Design the Back of the Gift Card
The back handles most of the functional information.
Depending on the gift card program, it may contain:
- Gift card number
- Barcode
- QR code
- Magnetic stripe
- Redemption instructions
- Website or contact information
- Balance information
- Program terms
- Lost or stolen card wording
Space is limited, so prioritize what the customer and cashier actually need.
Gift Card Front vs Back
| Front of Card | Back of Card |
|---|---|
| Business logo | Card number |
| Brand colors | Barcode or QR code |
| Gift message | Magnetic stripe, if used |
| Optional denomination | Redemption instructions |
| Supporting imagery | Website or contact information |
| Minimal promotional text | Terms and program information |
The front sells the brand. The back helps the card function.
Step 5: Add Card Numbers, Barcodes, QR Codes, or Magnetic Stripes
The identifier on the card connects the physical gift card to the business’s redemption system.
Which option you need should already be established in Step 1.
Card Numbers
Gift card numbers may be sequential or supplied from an existing data set.
Sequential numbering follows a defined sequence, such as:
0001001
0001002
0001003
Supplied numbering uses identifiers generated by the business, POS provider, or gift card platform.
A printed number can also provide a manual-entry option when scanning or swiping is unavailable.
Barcodes
Use the barcode format required by the POS or gift card provider.
For reliable scanning:
- Use strong contrast between the code and background
- Leave clear space around the barcode
- Avoid placing graphics behind it
- Keep it away from trim areas
- Add a human-readable number when the system or workflow requires one
Do not select a barcode format simply because it looks suitable. Confirm what the system accepts first.
QR Codes
QR codes should remain:
- Square
- Undistorted
- High contrast
- Surrounded by clear space
- Large enough to scan at the final printed size
Always test the QR code at actual card size. A code that works when enlarged on a monitor may become harder to scan when reduced to its printed dimensions.
Magnetic Stripes
If the program uses a magnetic stripe, confirm the required stripe type and encoding specifications before production.
The business or POS provider may need to supply information such as:
- LoCo or HiCo requirement
- Encoding track
- Number format
- Matching printed identifier
Do not place important text or branding where it may interfere with the stripe area.
Variable Data
Variable data is used when each card needs its own identifier for activation, redemption, or tracking.
Variable fields may include:
- Card number
- Barcode
- QR code
- Name
- Other supplied identifiers
When several fields need to match, make sure the data file and artwork are prepared together before the proof is approved.
Step 6: Add Redemption Instructions and Gift Card Terms
The card should tell the customer how to use it without requiring a separate explanation.
Include only the information the program needs, such as:
- Where the card can be redeemed
- Whether it works in-store, online, or both
- How the card should be presented
- Whether remaining balances can be used later
- Where customers can check a balance
- Lost or stolen card information
- Program restrictions
- Contact information
Keep redemption instructions short and easy to scan.
Terms should also remain readable at the final card size. Packing too much legal or promotional text onto the back can make the important information difficult to use.
Gift card requirements can vary by jurisdiction and program. Verify the rules that apply to your business before finalizing expiration language, fees, cash redemption statements, or other legal terms.
The design goal is readability. The legal wording should come from the appropriate business or legal source.
Step 7: Prepare Print-Ready Artwork
A good screen design can still fail in production if the file itself is not prepared correctly.
Before submitting the artwork, check the following.
Color
Use CMYK for print artwork rather than RGB.
Resolution
Use vector artwork where possible. Raster images and photographs should generally be prepared at 300 dpi at final size.
Logos
Provide vector logos whenever available so edges and small details remain sharp.
Card Dimensions
Build the artwork at the correct finished size: 3.375 x 2.125 inches for standard CR80 cards. Include the required bleed around the artwork.
Bleed
Extend background colors and images beyond the trim edge so small cutting variations do not leave an unwanted white line. Print Robot requires 1/8 inch of bleed on each side for standard file setup.
Safe Area
Keep important text, logos, card numbers, barcodes, and QR codes inside the safe area shown on the applicable Print Robot template. Do not place critical information directly against the trim edge.
Front and Back Files
Prepare both sides clearly so there is no confusion about orientation or placement.
Fonts
Outline fonts or package them according to the printer’s file requirements.
Variable Data
If every card contains different information, prepare the data separately from the base artwork.
A typical variable-data spreadsheet uses:
- One row per card
- One column per variable field
For example:
| Card Number | Barcode Value | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 10001 | 10001 | Customer A |
| 10002 | 10002 | Customer B |
| 10003 | 10003 | Customer C |
Common supplied formats can include XLS, XLSX, CSV, or TXT depending on the project requirements.
File Formats
Print Robot accepts print-ready vector or high-resolution artwork in formats including PDF, TIF, EPS, and AI, with other supported design formats accepted where appropriate. Review the full Print Robot file setup requirements before submitting final artwork.
Step 8: Proof and Test Before Printing
The final step checks both appearance and function.
Check the Design
View the proof at actual size and confirm:
- Logo is sharp
- Brand colors and artwork are correct
- Small text is readable
- Terms are legible
- Card numbers match the supplied data
- Important elements remain inside the safe area
- Front and back orientation is correct
- Barcode and QR code contrast is strong
- No important information sits too close to the trim
Printing or viewing the proof at 100% size helps reveal problems that are easy to miss when the artwork is enlarged on screen.
Check the Function
For cards connected to a POS or redemption system, test the identifier before approving a large production run.
Where applicable:
- Scan the barcode
- Scan the QR code
- Swipe the magnetic stripe
- Enter the card number manually
- Confirm the correct identifier is recognized
- Confirm the activation and redemption workflow works as expected
If the business is using a new barcode setup, magnetic stripe configuration, or POS workflow, requesting a physical test card can help confirm compatibility before the full order is produced.
Catching a problem during testing is much easier than discovering it after hundreds or thousands of cards have been printed.
When these eight steps are complete, the result is more than an attractive design. The business has a gift card that is branded, readable, properly prepared for printing, and designed around the way customers will actually redeem it.
Plastic vs Paper Gift Card Design
Both materials can support professional gift card programs, but some production characteristics differ.
| Design Factor | Plastic | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Standard size | 3.375" x 2.125" | 3.375" x 2.125" |
| Typical material | 30 mil PVC | Engineered paper stock |
| Finish | Gloss or matte | Paper-specific finish |
| Barcode / QR support | Yes | Yes |
| Variable data | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetic stripe | Yes | Available on supported configurations |
| Frequent handling | High durability | Suitable for card-format use |
| Primary design difference | PVC surface and finishing options | Paper material and finish considerations |
The front-and-back design principles remain largely the same. Material-specific production requirements should be confirmed before final artwork approval.
Common Gift Card Design Mistakes
1. Designing Before Confirming Redemption Requirements
A visually finished card may still need major changes if the required barcode, QR code, number, or magnetic stripe was not planned from the start.
2. Overcrowding the Front
Too many graphics, messages, or offers compete with the logo and weaken brand recognition.
3. Using Low-Contrast Barcodes or QR Codes
Machine-readable codes need strong contrast and adequate clear space.
4. Using Low-Resolution Artwork
A logo or image that looks sharp on a monitor can appear soft or pixelated in print.
5. Making Terms Too Small
If customers cannot comfortably read the terms at actual card size, the layout needs to be simplified.
6. Leaving Out Redemption Instructions
Customers and staff should not have to guess where or how the card can be used.
7. Ignoring Bleed and Safe Areas
Important text or codes placed too close to the trim can be affected by normal cutting variation.
8. Skipping Functional Testing
A barcode, QR code, magnetic stripe, or number should be tested before the full production run when the setup is new or uncertain.