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Our How to use QR Codes (and how to get it right!) Series is complete, but that doesn’t mean that the information we have to offer is depleted!
That’s right! In true CardsPlus style, we’ve compiled industry tips and tricks into a single PDF document. It’s easy to read, fast to follow and packed full of tips that you won’t find elsewhere on the internet.
Best of all, it’s still free.
A QR code is a type of Matrix code that stores much more data than a standard UPC or 1D barcode. Using a QR code, we can store URL
links, geo coordinates, and text for data retrieval
QR Codes are also called by various different terminologies including: 2D bar code, QR tag, or quick response code.
The key feature in a QR code is readability. Instead of needing a clunky scanner to decode the QR code, a modern smartphone with internet access and a QR code app can both scan the code, and jump to the web-enabled content. Through a well placed, smartly used QR code, you can pave the way for leads and customers to jump from “real life” marketing to “online” marketing in a snap.
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This post is Part 1 of a 3 Part series on QR codes in marketing. If this post is helpful, please feel free to download our infographic guide to using QR codes {and getting it right}.
Does your printer operation give you hassles now and again? It might be time for a refresher course in training!
Benefits of Proper Training on Direct to Card PrintersTo ensure proper printer maintenance and allow for your company’s maximum up time and optimized print quality, CardsPlus provides expert training where printer operators and resellers can receive the skills they need to effectively handle the equipment, provide basic troubleshooting and operation. Trainees learn correct printer operation through hands-on activities, such as:
CardsPlus offers training for every printer purchased through us- and offer training refresher courses to brush up on your printing skills. Our trained and certified technicians are ready to assist you with your specific requirements.
Book a refresher course by contacting us through our website www.cardsplus.co.za today!
During our last post series we talked about how important taking good ID photos is. When the purpose of an ID card is for accurate identification, there is nothing more important that accurate data and photographs. Many clients manage to capture great photos of their staff, but worry about the best way to crop the image for best print.
GOOD NEWS! Your PC probably has the software to crop the photos perfectly without hassle!
If you have Microsoft Office installed on your PC, you should have a programme called “Microsoft Picture Manager”. Here’s a brief tutorial on how to crop an image using this basic software. In my images I am using Office 2007, and your version may appear a little bit differently. However, the concept will be exactly the same no matter which platform you are operating on. Having trouble following our screenshots? Try Microsoft directly being sure to specify an aspect ratio and orientation.
Step One
Open the image you wish to crop. Here is a sample from our recent CardsPlus ID card photo-shoot of our Technical Manager. You can recall the set up of the shoot by clicking here.
Step Two
Select the Picture menu in the top tool bar and click on Crop.
Step Three
If you have taken all your images in the same consistant way, you can use this procedure with success if one or more images are selected.
In the Aspect Ratio box, select the ratio you want to use, and then select the Landscape or Portrait orientation. In my example we need portrait orientation
The simplest way to select an aspect ratio is trial and error, although most companies prefer the look of 4×6 or 5×7. Here we’ve selected 5×7.
Drag the handles to resize the crop box to head and shoulders. If multiple images are selected, please be aware that miscropping may occur.
Press OK to crop the image.
We recommend “SAVE AS” to save your image to the employee staff number or other manageable name. Remember, when compiling your data for print, the name specified in the database and the name of the photo must match EXACTLY.
If you have further questions about ID cards or how to send your files, please contact us!
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This post is part 4 of a 4 part post about managing your identification photos. Here’s some tips to ensure your ID cards are the most professional ones yet.
Did you find this series helpful? Please let us know!
Having a good ID photo that clearly shows all identifying features of the person is great news for high security ID cards. It is simple to set up a professional ID photo-shoot, and just as quick to snap off some great photos as well.
When you are taking ID photos, here’s a cheat sheet to ensure best photo quality:
Can you see the ears, eyes, top of head and chin? Hats, sunglasses, and face coverings are not ideal- and should be removed for the photograph. Being able to clearly see all distinguishing features on the subject is most important when using the ID card for high security purposes.
Blurry photos are a no-go, as are photos that have harsh shadows across the face. The goal with any ID photo is to capture an accurate image of the person’s physical attributes, and ensuring the photograph is clear will alleviate frustration down the line.
When shooting an ID photo, it is ideal to consistently get the image square on the person’s face. Shooting up the nose, or down the forehead will distort the subject’s features and make it difficult for a positive ID later on.
Nearly every photo you take with your camera will need to be cropped to size after you upload the image to your computer. “Cropping” refers to the removal of the outer parts of an image to improve framing, accentuate subject matter or change aspect ratio. In the next segment we’ll offer some advice to help you crop your photos professionally.
The quality of the ID Photos you take is important. There are many different ways and methods to ensure that your photos allow for clear identification. Even the South African Home Affairs promotes high quality ID photos. Click here to download the PDF.
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This post is part 3 of a 4 part post about managing your identification photos. Here’s some tips to ensure your ID cards are the most professional ones yet.
Did you find this series helpful? Please let us know!
We believe that preparation is key in getting crisp and clear ID photos. Here’s just four aspects for you to consider as you set up your ID photo photo-shoot:
Many companies prefer the non distracting look of a white background. This is done best by hanging ironed cloth like a sheet, or uncreased paper board in a solid strip behind the subject’s head and shoulders. In this example, we used an old pop-up banner advert. It was heavy enough to not crease, and completely white. It’s great to use what you have.
Note about white backgrounds: It is important to not piece together A4 sheets of paper. Remember the creases, tears, tape reflections etc will all be visible and may not result in the desired seamless effect.
If you prefer to not use a solid white background, a neutral coloured wall is also a decent alternative. Keep in mind that any light switches, textures or paint chips may be visible in the printed photo. The paint colour will also become the background of your photo and cannot be changed in the printing process.
Indirect lighting is ideal for taking clear photos. Indirect lighting (in our example, the light is pouring in from the side) will eliminate harsh shadows and prevent your subject from squinting.
For the best lighting possible, try to capture the ID photos in the morning before the sun casts sharp shadows. If this is not possible, using a semi-shaded location, like here in our example, under an overhang, can prevent shadows across your subject’s face. You can also capture photos inside your office, preferably next to a large window with the shades completely open. Ideally, you want a completely illuminated face, without any dark shadows or bright reflections.
If you choose to use your camera’s flash, take care to ensure that each face is well lit, and does not have any dark shadows or that the flash does not reflect off their forehead or nose.
Make your life easier by eliminating as many variables as possible. By asking everyone to sit, you are able to get a good eye-level picture of the subject’s face, no matter if they are taller or shorter than you are. The chair will also ensure that each subject is perfectly centered in your background. 
We used a simple wooden chair that would be hidden by the subject’s shoulders. If you use a large chair that is not hidden by the subject’s body, you may have bits of the chair peeking through your photo.
The purpose of a tripod is to hold your camera steady and in the same position. This is very helpful for a couple of reasons.
In low light, like in an office, you simply cannot avoid the slight shake of your hands so using a tripod helps reduce the blur from shaky hands. A tripod also ensures the positioning of the camera in relation to the subject. As different subjects come and go, you can leave the camera as is, and just snap off images. This is very helpful when you get to cropping your photos as you will have virtually the same layout for each person.
If you don’t have a tripod, don’t worry! You can either use a piece of tape on the floor to mark where you should stand to take the photo, or even rest the camera on a table, stool, wall or other sturdy place.
With just a few minutes of forethought and pre-planning, you can save yourself tons of effort when you are ready to start snapping your ID photos. Go ahead, and pursue the other parts of this series for more help managing your ID photos.
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This post is part 2 of a 4 part post about managing your identification photos. Here’s some tips to ensure your ID cards are the most professional ones yet.
Did you find this series helpful? Please let us know!
Oh the humble ID card. While entirely practical, current trends are bringing in more professional, higher security and better looking plastic cards.
The professional appearance of your cards can rely on not only the artwork of the card, but also on the quality of the photographs displayed on each card.
We receive weekly queries from clients looking for better ways to capture their companies or client’s ID photos for the best possible print quality. Whether you are printing the cards at your own office using a small desktop printer, or if you are using our cost effective ID card printing service, there are things that you can do to ensure that the end result is as professional as possible.
This four part series will help you with the tips to make sure the photos are as professional as possible.
Continue Reading:
Did you find this series helpful? Please let us know!
Our Earth is important to us and keeping her healthy is something that CardsPlus values strongly. 
Recycling, reducing and reusing are our best means to improve the Earth for future generations.We believe that it is our responsibility to be good stewards with what we have been given and do our utmost to be responsible in our day to day operations.
Our practices:
REDUCE WASTE:
Reducing waste is the biggest method that we help our planet. We do this by:
REDUCING CONSUMPTION
RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE:
You see, we believe in being responsible with our resources, not being gimmicky. We’re not here to “green wash” our clients and bully them into choosing a gimmick that has been labeled as more green. By reducing the consumption of plastic, reusing plastic, and recycling plastic, CardsPlus is offering clients across Africa a proven, stable method of improving our planet for generations to come.
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CardsPlus is committed to providing fully inclusive customised plastic card solutions. We do this with help from our unique combination of speedy service, flexibility, knowledge, commitment to quality and support.
We’re proud to have helped thousands of African companies get the most from their plastic cards. Read more about us on http://www.cardsplus.co.za/
I, initially, began this post as “Warning, not everyone is who they say” as an outcry to a client’s recent experience with a plastic card supplier. Their experience was quite upsetting as they were led to believe that their supplier was a manufacturer but then discovered the company was not being competely honest – just when they needed them the most.
They were misled by phrases like “direct from the manufacturer” meanwhile, the company was a reseller posing as a manufacturer.
This does seem to be a trend in our industry, with small businesses misleading clients to believing that they manufacture onsite, while they actually import their products from an overseas or local manufacturer.
Purchasing directly from a manufacturer has its share of benefits. Resellers often add an extra element of service and value add to the project. There are benefits to both. And while the decision as to which is best for you is a personal choice, you need to feel comfortable that the company you work with is offering you the service you are paying for.
Here are a few tricks to finding the truth behind all the marketing:
1: ASK if your potential supplier is a reseller or manufacturer
The best way to find out if you are working with a reseller or not is to ask them. Most companies are honest enough to say that they are not the producers of the goods in question.
Perhaps you aren’t dealing with a highly scrupulous company, and you catch a hint that perhaps they aren’t being completely honest?
RUN!
If they are fibbing about something clear-cut and straightforward, how do you think they are going to handle the situation if something goes wrong?
2. Pop in for a visit (or say you are going to)
There are only a small handful of local manufacturers, of which CardsPlus is the largest.
We each WANT you to come in so that we can dazzle you with our productivity, interior decorating and staff personalities.
If your supplier does not want you to come in (whether you actually choose to or not) red flags should be popping up in your mind.
Ask yourself what they might be hiding.
3. Look at their website and marketing information
Does the company claim to manufacturer onsite? Are they a large international company (hint: they import!) or do they seem smaller than they say they are? Are they vague about printing terms or do an excessive amount of “checking” whether something might be acceptable for print? These are all tell-tale signs that your supplier might be a reseller.
Through a little investigation, you can start to place where the potential supplier falls and with these hints in mind, you can avoid being misled and disappointed.
