Card design
Your card design plays a central role in the user experience and is one of the most visible expressions of your brand. It appears in several key places throughout your customers’ journey, both digitally and physically.
Depending on your setup with Mynt, your card design may be featured in the following ways:
- In-app interface
If you are using Mynt’s white label application, your card design will be integrated into the card management section. - Printed on physical cards
The design you submit will be printed on the actual cards sent to your customers. This is often the first physical brand interaction for cardholders, making it a powerful moment to reinforce your visual identity. - Displayed in digital wallets
The card image will also appear in Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
A cohesive, well-crafted design enhances brand perception, communicates trust, and ensures alignment across all cardholder touchpoints. For these reasons, it’s important to approach the card design process with care and attention to detail, while also meeting regulatory and technical standards.
Step 1: Card kickoff meeting
The process begins with a dedicated meeting between Mynt and your team.
Objectives:
- Provide an overview of the full card ordering process.
- Align on responsibilities and expectations.
- Establish a preliminary timeline and communication framework.
This session ensures both teams are aligned before moving into design and production.
Step 2: Card design
Your design team will submit 2–3 card concepts for review. Mynt will provide feedback focused on feasibility, branding consistency, and compliance with payment scheme requirements (Visa and Mastercard).
Considerations include:
- Scheme compliance and design regulations.
- Special effects such as gloss, metallic edges, or glitter.
- Visual balance between branding and required card elements (e.g., chip, scheme logo).
Once a direction is chosen, a final master file must be prepared in either Adobe Illustrator format or as a vector-based PDF.
Step 3: Card ordering
After design finalization, Mynt manages the full ordering and manufacturing process.
Process overview:
- Pre-proof: Manufacturer produces a draft sample (mock-up) of the card for final design review.
- Printing proof: Final version submitted to Visa or Mastercard for approval.
- Production: Begins only after the design is approved.
Important notes:
- Design approval by Visa/Mastercard is required and can take 1–2 weeks.
- Manufacturing lead times vary depending on chosen card effects, order volume, material availability, and manufacturer capacity.
Estimated production time: 8–12 weeks (subject to external factors).
Step 4: Packaging design
You can select from a range of packaging formats depending on your branding and customer experience preferences.
Packaging options:
- Custom box with envelope (e.g., “The Slider”) – high-impact branding opportunity.
- Carrier letter – standard format where the card is affixed to a printed sheet.
Design ownership:
- Typically provided by the partner.
- Mynt’s design team can support layout, print specs, and feasibility checks.
Lead times:
- Custom boxes: up to 6 weeks.
- Carrier letters: approximately 2 weeks.
Step 5: Distribution center setup
Once cards arrive at the distribution center, they undergo setup and quality assurance.
Activities include:
- Cataloging and registration in the distributor's system.
- Quality control and readiness for order fulfillment.
Timeline: 1–4 weeks, depending on distributor workload.
Please note: This step is managed externally and not controlled by Mynt.
Step 6: Testing
Thorough testing ensures readiness across functional, technical, and compliance aspects.
Testing activities:
- Dummy orders to confirm order flow and personalization accuracy.
- Laser engraving validation on the physical card.
- Submission of samples to Visa/Mastercard for final certification.
- BARNES testing: Verifies compliance with payment scheme specifications and Mynt’s internal standards.
Step 7: Pilot phase
The pilot phase simulates a real customer experience before the card product goes live.
Preconditions:
- All packaging must be produced and available at the distribution center.
Pilot activities:
- A full card order is placed and shipped through the standard distribution process.
- The test card is delivered to the partner (or Mynt) and verified for:
- Correct delivery
- Accurate personalization
- Proper packaging
- The card is used in real-world scenarios (chip & PIN and contactless).
- A testing checklist is provided by Mynt.
Step 8: Go live
Once the pilot is approved, the card product is activated and becomes available for live orders.
At this point:
- New cardholder orders will be fulfilled automatically through the established flow.
- Internal pilots and staged rollouts may begin.