Frequently Asked Questions

General questions about Gift Cards

The most important reason to start a gift card program is to increase sales. It’s that simple. While gift cards are certainly convenient for customers, effective in reducing gift certificate fraud and look professional sitting on the counter, the primary benefit of investing in a gift card program is to implement another way to make a sale. Another big benefit is that during the time between when a gift card is purchased and when it is used, which can be weeks or months, the gift card seller has the money in the bank to use in any way they please. It is like a free loan.

In the US, under federal law, a gift card cannot expire until at least five years from the date it was activated. However, issuers can still charge an “inactivity fee” if the card has not been used within twelve months. 

In Canada, with limited exceptions, gift cards cannot have an expiration date, and consumers cannot be charged usage, dormancy or other fees.

Even more than our large selection of card formats, thicknesses and substrates, Pentagon is small enough to be nimble and customer focused. We care profoundly about having you as a repeat customer and we do everything to make sure that your experience is not only pleasant and on point but also so engaging that you want to recommend us to others.

Questions about Loyalty Cards

Loyalty cards offer a win-win solution for businesses and their customers, providing a powerful tool to boost customer retention and sales. These small, plastic cards not only incentivize repeat purchases but also act as a constant reminder of your brand, increasing brand loyalty and customer engagement. Find out more in this article, where we will explore the benefits of loyalty card printing and why it is a smart investment for small businesses looking to grow their customer base and increase sales. https://pentagon.ca/loyalty-card-printing/

Even more than our large selection of card formats, thicknesses and substrates, Pentagon is small enough to be nimble and customer focused. We care profoundly about having you as a repeat customer and we do everything to make sure that your experience is not only pleasant and on point but also so engaging that you want to recommend us to others. Additionally we specialize in services that many printers don’t even offer. For example, Variable Data Printing, barcodes, and Magnetic Striping.

Substrates and sizes

Pentagon prints on every substrate available. Paperboard; 50% recycled PVC; PET; Teslin. We print on all thicknesses from 8mil to 40mil and we can even print on white or clear plastic.
Board or PaperBoard or CardBoard are all names for thick paper. Board has recently become increasingly popular as a card substrate. Here’s why.
  1. It is more sustainable and environmentally friendlier than plastic
  2. It is equally as functional as plastic
  3. It is virtually as durable as plastic
  4. It is cheaper than plastic

Teslin is a waterproof synthetic paper that we use for small runs of cards. It is digitally printable and when laminated on both sides it becomes an extremely durable and rigid 30 mil card.

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) plastic has been the plastic substrate of choice for decades. Although it is an excellent card substrate, it is made from petrochemicals, is difficult to recycle, and highly damaging to the environment.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic is completely recyclable, and is the most recycled plastic in the U.S and worldwide.
In short, yes they are. That is why Pentagon is promoting the use of paperboard for all Gift, Loyalty, or Membership cards

A card is eco-friendly if it’s base material, manufacturing and usage is sustainable and doesn’t contribute to damaging our ecosystem. Pentagon is committed to manufacturing durable paperboard cards while minimizing our environmental footprint.

Our cards are custom made and therefore can be any size. Having said that, there are a few standard sizes.

  • Single CR80 card – 2.125” x 3.375”
  • Hanging card – 3.375” x 4.25” or 4.875” or 5” or 5.25” or 6.25” or 6.875”


Please have a look at our templates

Our cards can be any thickness from 8mil (.008”) to 40mil (.040”)
Custom shapes or sizes are not a problem. Using special steel rule dies we can create virtually any shape that can be designed.

Card Design, Proofing and Production

Yes. You can send it to us as a Hi Res PDF or Illustrator file. You can also use one of our templates.

Yes. We can have a beautiful design created which can include your image(s) and/or logo(s)

Yes. Production will not begin until you have approved both an artwork proof and a variable data proof.

In the unlikely circumstance you are unhappy with our work, we will continue working until you are completely satisfied.

Lamination is a plastic coating that renders whatever it is applied to non-recyclable. We can suggest much better ways to add gloss or to increase card durability that are more environmentally friendly. As an example, UV coating is almost always a better alternative.

Variable data and fulfillment

Yes. We can personalize any card with variable barcodes, QR codes, PINs, sequential numbers, names, and even photos. We can also apply and encode magnetic stripes as per your specifications.

Pentagon will supply test cards prior to production for you to test with your POS terminal to ensure compatibility.

Pentagon is certified by all consolidators and platform providers. For over 20 years we have produced millions of cards for these companies.
Yes. We can do everything from special packaging to the drop shipping of small batches to multiple locations.

Shipping, delivery and courier services

Every quotation we give includes the expected time required for production. We don’t include transit times because this can range depending on your location and how quickly you need it. If required, however, we can give you a price including delivery cost and the expected arrival date at your location.

Yes. If an order is urgent, we will ensure the order arrives on or before the date required.

Yes. Every order is shipped with a packing slip which shows shipping carrier and tracking #. This packing slip is emailed to you immediately after the order ships.

We use them all. We can ship by air; by ground; and by sea.

Certainly. When the shipment is ready for pickup, we will give you all the dimensions and weights that your provider will require.

Yes. We can ship anywhere in the world that our product is required.

Yes, Pentagon is CTPAT certified.
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. The agreement works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including:

  • Front of the line inspections

  • Shorter wait times at the border

  • Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders

Samples and Orders

Certainly! Samples can be requested by emailing Melissa Halpert at melissah@pentagon.ca. Let Melissa know what you are interested in seeing and she will send you a sample kit.

We would love to speak with you! Call Melissa Halpert tollfree at 1-877-339-5995 x133 or schedule a meeting here

First we give you a detailed quotation so that you know the exact cost of your project. The quotation will include our terms which range from payment with order to net 30 days. An order will be put into process when we receive the P.O.; artwork; data file; and payment (if required in advance).
Depending on the quantity and complexity of the order, production can take anywhere from 5 working days to 4 weeks.