Metal cards: elevating the payment experience

Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary

Enterprise
Financial services
Payment cards

Metal cards have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among banks, fintechs and their customers. They are often heavier and more substantial than plastic cards, and may have a unique design or finish, that sets them apart from other cards. Payments become tactile experiences, enhancing consumer engagement.

Metal cards value proposition

Why metal cards are revolutionising the payment market

From transaction to experience

More than a means of payment, metal cards create an emotional link between users and their financial institution. With every tap, you feel the difference. Add lifestyle benefits and your card becomes top of the wallet.
Design that defines your brand

With bold designs and cutting-edge innovations, these cards help you stand out in a crowded market. Drive brand image, deepen customer relations and offer a premium experience that reflects the values of your brand.
Segment smarter. Grow stronger

A powerful tool to support precise segmentation strategies from ultra-high-net-worth to mass affluent customers. Metal cards open up new revenue streams by driving acquisition and fostering long-term loyalty.

Thales Metal Cards | A premium design journey

Metal cards drive acquisition, spending and retention*

90%

prefer metal cards over plastic at equal benefits

70%

would use their metal card more than any card in their wallet

69%

would stay with their bank if it offers a metal card

_{*Capuchin Market Research November 2024. Size of panel population: 21,250 adults in 17 countries worldwide. 1250 customers/country. Nationally representative: age (18+), gender, income.}

Thales metal cards portfolio

Explore our wide portfolio of metal cards. We offer more than 15 metal products revealing varying amounts of metal, featuring different weights, sounds and surface finishes. With exclusive features such as special varnishes, gold plating, engraving and embedded crystals or diamonds, giving each piece a touch of timeless elegance. Whatever your dream metal card is: you name it, we make it.

Thales metal card portfolio
- 9.9 MB
- 22 July 2025
- PDF

From entry-level to high-end products

Easy Metal

Edge Metal

Compact Metal

Veneer Metal

Full Metal DI

Innovation unleashed with striking card effects

Knock out to foil

Achieve striking metallic colour backgrounds logos, and patterns. The knockout-to-foil technique transforms logos and patterns into stunning metallic and vibrant finishes. A special metallic layer with reflective particles enhances light reflection for a high-impact premium look.

Tactile touch for your card

Add texture with a tactile touch using raised or recessed effects on the card's surface. Tactile varnish in matt or gloss finishes creates striking, raised effects that enhance design appeal. This is all achieved through special printing methods combined with gloss or matt varnish for a premium tactile experience.

Premium printing

This advanced printing technique adds depth with striking tactile effects such as raised and debossed features, intricate patterns and textures, tactile varnish for added thickness and shine. It offers a wide range of vibrant, vivid colours and achieves denser, richer colours compared with conventional printing methods, creating a truly premium finish.

Engraving for a striking 3D effect

Engraving is an advanced technique that drills into the metal layer to expose the underlying surface. This process adds depth by revealing the flat, shiny metal, creating a striking 3D effect in the engraved element, enhancing the card's premium appeal and texture.

What three factors are critical to launching a successful metal card programme?

Design it for the right audience

Select the right metal card and provide associated benefits that align with the lifestyle and expectations of your target customers.
Create an impactful metal card visual

Craft a bold, personalised design or introduce a groundbreaking innovation to tap into the fear of missing out.
Invest in experience and communication

Launch a viral social media campaign with waitlists and limited editions, and design a seamless user experience for ordering the card.

People will seldom admit they took a card out just because of what it feels like in their hand, but there’s no doubt subconsciously it makes a big difference.

Gerard du Toit - Head of Banking & Payment sector and Partner at Bain & Company