Considerations When Selling Gift Cards to Your Customers

The act of selling gift cards has been around for many years. It is a cost-effective approach for businesses of all sizes to keep their brand at the forefront of customers minds and drive further sales. However, one increasingly recurring question business owners are asking is: What medium should I produce my gift cards on?

Here we will explore the three main modes of gift voucher production: digital, paper and plastic.

SELLING GIFT CARDS VIA DIGITAL

It is common knowledge that electronic communication is more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic and paper-based forms. Many organisations are now increasingly going online or making changes if their customers wish to receive paper-based communication. But switching to digital is not always welcome. ‘Two Sides’ – a not-for-profit organization aiming to eliminate common paper myths – understands the convenience of going digital but also highlights the people who are being left behind. These include the most vulnerable members of society such as the elderly, the disabled, rural dwellers and those on low incomes who are at risk of becoming disconnected.  Nonetheless, it is hard to deny the future of digital. With millennials and generation Z almost always choosing digital forms of communication, your business may want to consider this in its gifting approach.

Digital e-vouchers are the perfect medium to introduce customers to flash discounts that can be distributed in an instant via your business email domain. Companies are increasingly using hyper-local targeting through mobile devices, which means digital vouchers and coupons are becoming an essential marketing tool to generate new exposure. Want to know more about how e-vouchers work? Click here

SELLING PAPER VOUCHERS

Paper is a product that seems to be on the rise in the gift voucher market. The key drivers for this are cost, sensitivity to renewable resources, options for recycling and the quality for personalisation.  As a uniquely renewable and sustainable product, the main raw material is wood, and if grown and harvested carefully in a controlled and sustainable way, seems to be a much more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic gift cards. The paper industry has a number of well-known certification schemes such as The Forestry Stewardship Council ensuring paper used in production has come from sustainable sources. In fact, European forests, where most of the raw material originates, have grown by an area the size of Switzerland in just ten years! If your business requires physical, single-use vouchers, then paper vouchers could be the best option for you.

SELLING PLASTIC GIFT CARDS

Undoubtedly, plastic cards are renowned for having the worst environmental impact when compared to digital and paper. Whilst many companies such as Amazon and Apple are making the switch to paper, sometimes it’s not always feasible. Is your business offering a loyalty card scheme, with the purpose of the customer re-using the card numerous times? Then plastic may be the medium for you. Plastic gift cards are made of top quality, durable material that can withstand heavy use without damage. If you’re looking for a tangible, re-loadable gifting option, then the plastic gift card could be suitable to sell to your customers.

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

Picking the medium to produce your gift cards on can be a difficult decision, but by thinking carefully about your business priorities, you will be able to sell gift cards to your customers in the most effective way. Still unsure? Contact one of our team and we will be happy to advise!

THE ORION SOLUTION

Orion is an experienced gift card printing company. When it comes to both gift card and gift voucher solutions, we’ve worked for years with many of the UK’s favourite brands. We support:

• High street gift cards and shopping vouchers
• Reward & recognition providers
• Loyalty programmes
• Leisure products
• Employee & member benefit schemes
• E-gift cards and online gift vouchers
• Fulfilment
• Transactional websites for your gift cards

Whether physical or digital, individual or multiple, to consumer or corporate buyer, our range of gift card printing services is extensive and covers off-the-shelf or bespoke solutions.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your options.