You need three thousand cards. Or thirty thousand. Every single one has to carry its own code, its own number, its own piece of information that nobody else's card has. Get it wrong and duplicate codes start floating about, customers claim the same discount twice, or a batch doesn't match the file your finance team is expecting. It's the kind of job that makes most printers quietly change the subject.
We do variable data printing all day. It's one of our specialisms, and it has been for years.
What variable data printing actually solves
Say you're running a promotion with 20,000 unique discount codes, issuing membership cards that each need their own number, or sending out top-up cards for a subscription service. The design is the easy bit. The hard bit is making sure code number 14,392 only ever exists once, that the file matches what your systems expect, and that the cards arrive in the right order, in the right packs, ready to hand out.
That's the part we handle end to end.
How we do it
You send us your data, usually a straightforward spreadsheet. We take it from there, converting it into print ready artwork, applying unique codes, numbers, barcodes or QR codes to every card, and managing production from a handful of cards to well over a million. Because we handle the data manipulation in-house rather than sending it out, we can manage far more complex jobs (specific mixing, batch packing, sequential numbering) than a printer who's only set up to print what they're handed.
Explore by format
Unique Code & PIN Cards
Every card gets its own number, code or PIN, checked so nothing duplicates and matched against a file you can rely on.
Used for competitions, promotions and anywhere a card needs to be one of a kind.
MORE…
QR Code Cards
A QR code on every card that sends people straight to a landing page, form or tracker, so you can see exactly what has been scanned and when.
Good for campaigns you want to measure, not just print.
Barcode Cards
Barcodes printed and checked on every card for fast, accurate scanning at tills, gates or check-in desks.
Built for the high-volume jobs that need to move quickly.
Explore by use
Voucher & Gift Card Printing
Vouchers and gift cards with a unique code or barcode on every one, so each can only be redeemed once.
Works for a single promotion or a nationwide rollout.
MORE…
Top-Up & Access Cards
Top-up and access cards carrying a unique PIN or code, ready to load onto your system the moment they arrive.
We handle the data end to end, from your spreadsheet to the finished card.
Membership & Loyalty Cards
Membership and loyalty cards with a unique number, barcode or QR code for every member, ready to scan from day one.
Suits clubs, gyms and reward schemes of any size.
Ticket & Admission Cards
Tickets and passes with a unique barcode or QR code, checked once at the door and never again.
Suits single events or a full season of fixtures.
Permit & Validation Cards
Parking permits and validation cards with a unique number or code, so each one checks out against your records.
Built for sites and schemes that need to control who's allowed in.
Marketing & Data Capture Campaigns
Trackable cards with a unique code or QR code, built to capture data at every response.
See exactly who redeemed, when, and where, not just how many you printed.
Not sure which format suits your project? Get in touch, tell us what you’re trying to do, and we’ll tell you the simplest way to do it.
Variable Data Card Printing Examples
Rochdale Hornets – fundraising scratch card
People ask "How to Make Scratch cards work for fundraising for a Club, Charity or Organisation?" Contact Northstar where we can show you the right strategies & products to help you use them successfully.Continue reading→
Uniqlo – Retail promotion & marketing campaign
Custom Scratch Cards UK manufacturer 'Northstar' has the experience to devise, manage and deliver complex scratch card games to very exacting standards.Continue reading→
Hasbro – Scratchcard for a promo event
Create Branded Scratch Cards to give to customers at your next Promotion or Marketing event. Like these that we printed for toy manufacturer Hasbro, they're a great way to generate excitement & drama around your company brand.Continue reading→
Bargain Booze – UK Store Promotion
Continental Wines for Bargain Booze Requirements: Scratch cards with variable data for a UK wide in-store promotion. Solution: A bespoke scratch card from a specialist scratch card printer. Continental Wine & Food are a UK drinks distributor and required the support...Continue reading→
Hiscox – Staff incentive scheme Scratch Card
How do you reward & motivate staff? - Print scratch cards as a fun and engaging alternative! Client: Hiscox Insurance Solution: 5 Way Hot card game. Every year we create scratch cards for lots of businesses looking to reward staff for...Continue reading→