The Premium Card Experience Evolves
As card markets mature and digital payment methods proliferate, one question stands out: How can physical cards remain relevant, desirable and essential? At this year’s CardTREX, hosted at the Otto Künnecke Group’s create:hub in Holzminden, industry leaders explored…
Rethinking Material Impact: Advancing Circularity with PLA and Recycled PLA
As card manufacturers look toward a more sustainable and circular future, the conversation around material innovation is gaining urgency. One polymer attracting growing attention is polylactic acid (PLA)—a…
Safeguarding the Future of Security Printing: The Strategic Advantage of Intergraf Certification
In an era defined by globalized supply chains, digital convergence and ever-evolving security threats, card manufacturers and personalizers play a crucial role in maintaining public trust. Whether producing…
ICMA and TRUSTECH 2025: Strengthening Synergies in Payments and Identification
The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) is proud to strengthen its partnership with TRUSTECH, the world's leading event dedicated to innovative payment and identification solutions. As the card…
Why the World Wants Metal Cards: A Deep Dive into Consumer Personas
Once reserved for the financial elite, metal payment cards are now on the rise across markets worldwide. They’ve evolved into symbols of identity, exclusivity and innovation—bridging physical design…
Cards Hold Their Ground: Study Shows They’re Still How We Pay
It’s in the Cards: Assessing How People Today Prefer to Pay, a new global white paper from International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) member IDEMIA Secure Transactions, reveals that…
Regional Excellence Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Élan Awards
For the first time in Élan Awards history, a new honor was introduced in 2025: Best Overall Card by Region, recognizing standout achievements in card design and manufacturing…
ID Cards: From Utility to Innovation
At their core, ID cards serve a basic yet vital function: verifying a person’s identity. But in 2025, the way that function is achieved has expanded dramatically. Thanks…
Addressing Gift Card Fraud Through Industry Collaboration
Cybercrime and organized retail crime continue to challenge the integrity of global retail and payment ecosystems. At the 2025 International Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO, industry leaders came…
Innovation, Security and Symbolism: Celebrating the People’s Choice Winner and Finalists at the Élan Awards of Excellence
Each year, the International Card Manufacturing Association (ICMA) Élan Awards of Excellence spotlight the most compelling, creative and technologically advanced cards in the world. Among these categories, the…
Reinventing to Stay Relevant: How Bold Change Fuels Business Longevity
Michael Dorner, immediate past president of the ICMA Board of Directors and CEO of VARIUS GROUP, delivered a message at the ICMA EXPO that resonated deeply with an…
Exploring Innovations in Card Authentication and Security Technologies
The card manufacturing industry continues to evolve in response to the increasing demand for secure, multifunctional payment solutions. At the intersection of material science, engineering and cybersecurity, new…