Posted by Lisa Hochgraf
In past posts, I've been plain about the fact that I see the benefits of pretty debit and credit card stock. In "Confessions of a Credit Card Holder," I talked about one of the reasons I liked my first-ever credit card (and kept it so long) was because of the beautiful photo it bore of my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
But in recent months I've had first-hand experience with another reason that pretty plastic can make a difference. It's, well, differentiation.
Let's put it simply. My new CUES credit card is blue. Plain blue. And my new personal debit card is blue. Plain blue. (This image is not my actual card!)
So far, so good. I haven't accidentally used one in place of the other. But the potential for confusion makes me nervous. Maybe my new personal debit card could feature the Rochester, N.Y., skyline or the George Eastman house. Maybe my new CUES credit card could have a cute kitten on it. I don't really consider myself a fan of design for design's sake, but here's a place where form also really has function.
Still issuing cards with unique looks? Have thoughts about why plain blue cards are the way to go? Either way, I'd like to hear from you.
