--- title: "Understanding Mastercard and VISA Graphic Design Elements" slug: "understanding-mastercard-and-visa-graphic-design-elements" updated: 2026-07-08T16:12:58Z published: 2026-07-08T16:12:58Z canonical: "www.documentation.paynetics.digital/understanding-mastercard-and-visa-graphic-design-elements" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.documentation.paynetics.digital/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Understanding Mastercard and VISA Graphic Design Elements ## Artwork Specifications for Mastercard and Visa Cards The dimensions of a standard plastic Card are 86mm x 54mm, featuring 3mm radius corners that provide a smooth finish. When supplying artwork for these cards, ensure a 3mm bleed is included, which results in an overall artwork size of 92mm x 60mm. This bleed is essential to prevent any unprinted edges from appearing after the card is cut. Due to manufacturing tolerances, maintain borders no less than 3mm from the edge of the card and ensure that any text or important elements are positioned at least 1.5mm away from the edge of the card to avoid any risk of being trimmed off during production. All fonts and images must be included alongside the artwork when submitting your design files. If you cannot supply the fonts in their original format, you may outline them to ensure they are preserved. However, if fonts are outlined, no alterations to the text can be made after submission. Text that is placed above or below the magnetic stripe should be centered between the stripe and the edge of the card, maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5mm from the trim to ensure visibility and clarity. All black text should be set to overprint to enhance legibility, with a minimum type size of 4 points to ensure that it is readable. ## Supported Software and File Formats The following software is supported for creating card artwork, ensuring compatibility and ease of use: - InDesign (compatible with 2015 Adobe Cloud and later versions) - Adobe Photoshop (compatible with 2015 Adobe Cloud and later versions) - Adobe Illustrator (compatible with 2015 Adobe Cloud and later versions) - Encapsulated PostScript files (.eps) exported from Corel Draw, which are widely accepted for professional printing When it comes to file formats, Photoshop images should be set as CMYK, Greyscale, or Duotone, while avoiding RGB or Indexed Color formats, as these are not suitable for print. The resolution must be at least 300 dpi at actual size or higher to ensure high-quality output. Preferred file formats include editable .psd, .ai, and .tiff files, especially if PC files are provided. avoid submitting JPEG files, as image quality cannot be guaranteed if they are low resolution, which may lead to unsatisfactory results in the final printed product. ## Mastercard and Visa Requirements For Mastercard, the back of the card should include specific text as follows, ensuring compliance with branding guidelines: - Long text: "This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Mastercard International. If found, please return to Paynetics AD, blvd. James Bourchier 76A, Hill Tower, ground fl., Sofia 1407, Bulgaria." - Short text: "This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Mastercard International." For Visa, the requirements are similar and must be adhered to for proper branding: - Long text: "This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Visa. If found, please return to Paynetics AD, blvd. James Bourchier 76A, Hill Tower, ground fl., Sofia 1407, Bulgaria." - Short text: "This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Visa." ## Re-Transfer Printing Overview Re-Transfer Printing is a modern technique that allows for edge-to-edge printing in full color on punched plastic cards, ensuring increased abrasion resistance compared to traditional 'direct to card' technologies such as Thermal or Dye Sublimation. The process first transfers the information to be printed onto a clear ribbon and then re-transfers it from that ribbon onto the card, effectively keeping the design protected from wear and tear. This method achieves full edge-to-edge printing without the print head making direct contact with the card surface, which can lead to damage or imperfections. While Dye Sublimation and Thermal technologies yield high-quality results, they cannot replicate the full edge-to-edge printing capabilities that are possible with Re-Transfer Printing, making this method preferable for many applications. ## Benefits and Limitations of Re-Transfer Printing Re-Transfer Printing is particularly suitable for small runs of cards or situations where multiple designs are required. It is ideal for personalized payment cards that feature Cardholder-selected images, as well as Photo ID cards, which can have photographs printed directly onto them. This printing method promotes durability, as the image becomes trapped between two layers of material, significantly enhancing the card's longevity and resistance to fading. However, certain limitations exist with this printing method. For Instance, it is not possible to replicate spot colors or produce metallic colors, which may be a drawback for some designs. Additionally, pre-printed elements may require a clear zone around the image to accommodate registration tolerances, which can affect the overall design layout. Due to the speed of the process, high-volume orders are less suitable for Re-Transfer Printing, often making traditional printing methods more cost-effective for larger production runs. --- ### FAQs #### What are the dimensions of a standard plastic card? The dimensions of a standard plastic card are 86mm x 54mm with 3mm radius corners. #### What software is supported for creating card artwork? Supported software includes InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Encapsulated PostScript files exported from Corel Draw. #### What are the key features of Re-Transfer Printing? Re-Transfer Printing allows for edge-to-edge printing in full color, increases abrasion resistance, and keeps the design protected by transferring it onto a clear ribbon before applying it to the card. #### What text is required on the back of a Mastercard? The back of a Mastercard must include the long text: 'This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Mastercard International. If found, please return to Paynetics AD, blvd. James Bourchier 76A, Hill Tower, ground fl., Sofia 1407.' and the short text: 'This card is issued by Paynetics AD pursuant to a license by Mastercard International.' #### What is a limitation of Re-Transfer Printing? One limitation of Re-Transfer Printing is that it cannot replicate spot colors or produce metallic colors. A **Card** is a payment instrument linked to an account or a virtual account. Cards can be issued as virtual or physical and can be configured for consumer or business use. Each card is associated with a single account and uses the balance of that account for transactions. Card behaviour, including limits, fees, usage permissions, and wallet enablement, is defined by the program and card-level configuration. The person to whom a Card is issued. The cardholder is responsible for all transactions made with the card in accordance with agreed terms. An **Instance** is a logically separated environment within the Paynetics platform. Each partner operates within a dedicated instance. An instance contains all configuration and data related to that partner, including programs, users, merchants, accounts, cards, and transactions. API credentials issued to a partner are always associated with a specific instance. During **partner onboarding**, Paynetics provisions: - a **Sandbox instance** for implementation and testing - a **Production instance** for live operation once partner onboarding is completed and the solution is validated All objects created within the platform belong to exactly one instance.