- UK & Europe's #1 Choice for Custom Metal and Metal Bank Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom Metal Bank Cards
Ordering is simple. You can design your card online using our editor or choose from our templates, then place your order. We offer two methods for production:
- Home Production Kit: We send you a kit and a blank metal card, and you keep your bank card with you. The kit includes tools and instructions to transfer your existing card’s EMV chip into the new metal card yourself. This method maximizes privacy (your card never leaves your possession) but note that contactless functionality isn’t supported with the home kit.
Full Service (Done For You): You mail us your current debit/credit card (we recommend freezing it first for security). Our technicians then professionally transplant the chip and magnetic strip data into a new metal card using specialized equipment. We handle everything at our secure facility and ship back your finished metal card along with your original card. Contactless support is enabled whenever the chip allows, since we have the machinery to integrate the antenna. (Shipping your card to us is not included in base price, but we provide free tracked return shipping.)
Your metal card will typically be ready within one week. Production time is usually about 3–5 business days for standard designs, and up to 7 working days for complex custom orders or special metal finishes. If you are sending in your card for us to convert, the 7-day count starts from when we receive your plastic card. Once your new metal card is crafted and passes quality checks, we ship it out right away.
We use fast, tracked shipping: in the UK, next-day delivery is standard, while international orders to our supported regions arrive in about 2–5 business days. You’ll be able to track your package’s progress from our workshop to your doorstep. Overall, from the time you place an order to the time you have the card in hand, most customers are enjoying their new metal cards within 1 to 2 weeks.
Yes, safety is our top priority. SwipeMetal follows strict security protocols to protect your data. We are fully PCI compliant, meaning we adhere to the same security standards as banks for handling card information. We never store your card details digitally; any card data read by our machines is immediately transferred onto your new card and not saved anywhere.
For mail-in orders, we advise customers to freeze or temporarily lock their card via their banking app before shipping it to us. This ensures the card cannot be misused during transit or handling. Once we receive it, our technicians work under secure, monitored conditions (we even use a private PO box and unmarked packages for discretion during shipping). Your original card is returned to you alongside the new metal card once the chip transplant is done.
If you choose the Home Kit, you keep the card the entire time, so that offers peace of mind as well. In all cases, your PIN and account credentials remain the same and known only to you – we never need your PIN or online banking login at any stage.
Yes. A properly converted metal card from SwipeMetal functions exactly like your original card for chip-and-PIN transactions, swiping, and ATM use. The metal cards are manufactured to standard credit card size (85.6 x 53.98 mm) and thickness (0.8mm - 1.4 mm), so they fit into payment terminals and ATMs just as a plastic card would. The EMV chip we transfer is the same one that was in your plastic card, so it carries all your account data; your PIN code and everything linked to the chip remains unchanged. You can dip or insert the metal card into chip readers and use ATMs without issue. The magnetic stripe on the back of your metal card is encoded with the same data as the original, so swipe transactions will also work normally.
It can, but it depends on the card’s technology. Metal interferes with radio frequency signals, so contactless functionality on a metal card is a technical challenge. However, many modern bank cards have their NFC antenna integrated in a way that we can salvage or replicate. If your original card’s chip and antenna design support transplanting, we will enable contactless on your metal card. In practice, we carefully remove the EMV chip and, when possible, also transfer the thin contactless antenna or add a compatible booster so that the finished metal card can perform tap-to-pay just like the original.
That said, not every card will retain NFC. We can often only confirm compatibility once we’ve begun the physical conversion and inspected the internals of your bank card. If it turns out the chip or antenna cannot be made contactless in the metal card, don’t worry – the card will still work via chip and swipe. We’ll inform you and offer options: for example, you could send an alternate card to try, or we’ll refund any paid fee for the contactless upgrade if it was added. Keep in mind, even if contactless is not possible, you can always add your card to a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) for tap payments via your phone as a workaround. In summary, we do everything possible to preserve NFC capabilities, and many SwipeMetal cards in the wild are successfully being used for tap payments – but there is a small chance your specific card may end up swipe-and-chip only.
Because your SwipeMetal card is tied to your bank account’s card data, it has the same expiration date as your original plastic card. When your bank-issued card eventually expires and the bank sends you a new replacement card, you have a couple of easy options to keep enjoying your metal card:
- SwipeInsure Coverage: When ordering your metal card, you can add SwipeInsure™ (our card protection plan). If your card expires or the bank issues a new number within the covered period, we will swap the chip into a new metal card at minimal cost. In fact, with SwipeInsure, if your bank issues a new card within the first 4 years after purchase, we exchange the chip in your existing metal card for free. The same applies if your card was replaced due to fraud or if you simply want to upgrade designs – you’re covered for one replacement card.
- Out of Warranty: Even without insurance, you can always order a fresh conversion at a returning-customer discount. Many of our clients come back every few years for a new design. We cannot re-engrave or reprogram an expired metal card with a new date once it’s been made (the engraving is permanent and chips cannot be reissued), but we do offer loyalty discounts for repeat upgrades.
If your card was lost or stolen: first contact your bank to secure your account (this is the same as you would do with any lost card). If you had SwipeInsure and the account number is replaced, we’ll create a new metal card with the new chip as part of the coverage. The main point is that your investment in a metal card is not one-and-done – we have processes to ensure you can continue using a metal card even as banks update your cards. With insurance, it’s seamless to keep the metal card experience going.
Yes! One of the biggest advantages of SwipeMetal’s service is the ability to create a truly unique design. You can upload any photo, logo, or artwork to our design tool, add custom text (e.g. your name or a special message), and choose from a variety of fonts and layouts. Our in-house design team will work with you (if needed) to refine the placement and ensure the graphics look great when engraved. We also offer a range of premium finishes and materials – from matte black stainless steel to plated gold or rose gold, brushed metal textures, and more – so you can select a base style that fits your taste.
All of the card details (number, name, etc.) are laser-engraved or precision-milled into the metal. This means they won’t wear off easily; the engraving is permanent and contrast-filled for readability.
For inspiration, you can browse our pre-made designs or templates in the Custom Card Builder, and then personalize from there. Whether you want sleek text-only minimalist style or a vibrant graphic, we can accommodate it. Our designers ensure the final product meets our quality standards and matches your vision. In short, your metal card will be a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects whatever style or branding you choose.
No changes to your bank are needed, and there are no recurring fees. This is a common question because some luxury cards (like certain elite credit cards) come from banks with high annual fees – but SwipeMetal is different. We are not a bank or card issuer; we’re simply upgrading the physical form of your existing card. Your account stays exactly the same with your bank or credit union. Think of it like getting a custom case for your smartphone – it doesn’t change your phone service, just the exterior. The card number, account, PIN, and banking relationship remain unchanged. You continue to manage your money and pay your bills through your bank as usual.
Regarding fees: SwipeMetal charges a one-time cost for the design and production of your custom metal card. There are no monthly or yearly fees to keep using the card we make. Once it’s yours, it’s yours for the life of the card. (The only additional costs would be if you choose optional services like SwipeInsure protection or if you decide to upgrade to a new design later on.) We pride ourselves on a “no hidden fees” policy – you pay once for a premium product that lasts. And unlike an upscale bank-issued metal credit card, we don’t require any credit checks or income requirements – anyone with a valid card can get a SwipeMetal upgrade. In summary, you keep your same bank and account, and just enjoy using it with a better card. No subscriptions, no new bank accounts, and no surprise charges after purchase.
General and NFC Metal Cards
Absolutely – SwipeMetal isn’t only about bank cards. We produce custom metal membership cards, business cards, VIP event passes, invitation cards, gift cards, and more for a variety of needs. Many businesses and organizations come to us to create metal cards that make a statement for their brand or program. For example, you might be a gym or private club wanting durable, impressive membership cards for your members, or an event planner looking for one-of-a-kind metal invitations or backstage passes. We can handle all of those. In fact, our business services include options like magnetic stripes or QR codes on metal membership cards (for integration with door entry systems or loyalty point systems), NFC chips for contactless scanning, and personalization like unique member names or serial numbers on each card.
There is no minimum order quantity – we can produce a single specialty metal card or thousands of them, although we offer bulk pricing discounts for larger runs. Our team works closely with business clients to nail the design and technical requirements. For instance, if you need 500 metal VIP cards engraved with individual names and member IDs, we can automate that process. If you want a custom shape (say, a metal invitation in a unique silhouette), we can often accommodate it within standard dimensions. The turnaround time for bulk orders is still fast: small corporate orders can be done in days, while larger orders (hundreds or more) may take a couple of weeks.
Businesses choose metal cards because they stand out and convey exclusivity and quality. We’ve supplied metal membership cards to car clubs, luxury resorts, exclusive clientele programs, and even tech conferences. If you need any kind of metal card that isn’t a bank payment card, chances are we can make it. Just reach out for a quote and we’ll guide you through the options.
You can absolutely order just one card. Unlike some manufacturers that require bulk orders, SwipeMetal is happy to produce single Customised cards – whether it’s one personalized metal business card or one engraved membership card as a sample or gift. We believe everyone should have access to quality metal cards with no minimum order requirements. This is great for individuals or small businesses who might want a few cards at a time.
That said, if you do need multiple cards (for example, a set of employee business cards or a batch of membership cards), we handle that too. We offer tiered bulk pricing, so the cost per card decreases with larger quantities. For instance, an order of 100 cards will be more cost-effective per unit than an order of 5, due to the efficiencies in our production process. We’ll discuss your needs and provide a custom quote for bulk projects.
In summary, there is no strict minimum – you can order 1 or 1000 depending on your needs. We often recommend new business clients start with a small batch or even a single sample card to see the quality and test the design, then come back for a larger order. We’re flexible and ready to accommodate orders of any size.
An NFC metal business card is a modern twist on the traditional business card. NFC stands for Near Field Communication, a technology that allows wireless data transfer over short distances (a tap or a few centimeters). In an NFC business card, a tiny NFC chip is embedded in the card. When you tap this smart card against someone’s smartphone, it will instantly transmit your contact details or any information you’ve programmed into the chip.
SwipeMetal’s NFC business cards combine this tech with the premium look of metal. Essentially, you get a luxury metal card that, when tapped to a phone, might pull up your digital profile, website, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or even load a vCard (virtual contact file) directly into the person’s contacts. It’s like sharing your business card electronically, without paper or typing. The metal cards are designed with a special layout that allows the NFC signal to work (typically a portion of the card is engineered to let the radio signal through, or the antenna is positioned optimally).
The benefit is that you carry one reusable card – you don’t hand it out (so you only need one, not a stack of paper cards). And every new person you meet can simply tap their phone to get all your info instantly, which is great for networking. It’s also eco-friendly since it cuts down on paper waste. Our NFC cards come with a digital platform as well: you can manage what info is shared via an online profile (for example, change your phone number or update your title without needing a new physical card – the next tap will share the updated info). In short, an NFC metal business card is a high-tech, high-class way to make a connection, impress the recipient, and conveniently share your details with a tap.
No app is required for the person receiving your info. The beauty of NFC business cards is that they work natively with most modern smartphones. For the person you’re networking with, it’s usually as simple as enabling their phone’s NFC and tapping the card – the phone will automatically prompt to open the link or contact info encoded on the card. No special app is needed to read the card’s info (on newer iPhones and the majority of Android phones, NFC reading is built-in and on by default). We do ensure to print a QR code on the card as well (or provide one digitally) as a backup, so even if someone’s phone doesn’t support NFC, they can scan the QR and reach the same profile or info. This covers all bases.
For you as the card owner, SwipeMetal provides a feature-rich digital platform (think of it like a customizable mini-website or profile for you/your business). You’ll get access to an online dashboard where you can manage your contact information, links, and any other content you want to share via your card. You can update your details anytime – for example, add a new portfolio link, change your phone number, or switch which social media profiles are shared. Those changes take effect immediately on the next tap, since the NFC chip typically directs people to your online profile. This means your metal business card is updatable and reusable indefinitely; you don’t need a new physical card every time something changes.
As for subscriptions: there is no mandatory subscription fee to use the basic platform features that come with our NFC cards. When you purchase an NFC metal card, the cost includes the setup of your digital profile. Basic functionality (sharing contact info, links, etc.) is included. We do offer premium upgrades for enterprise clients or additional analytics, but that’s optional. By default, you can use your card and update your info without any ongoing cost.
In summary, using the card is straightforward – no app needed, and you have full control to edit what it shares. It’s a one-time purchase that keeps on giving value with every new connection you make.
Yes, we ship worldwide. SwipeMetal serves customers across the globe, and we ensure your custom metal card arrives safely no matter where you are. We primarily ship from the UK using reliable couriers with tracking. For UK orders, we provide free tracked shipping (typically next-business-day delivery once the card is produced). For international orders, we offer fast shipping options usually in the 3-5 business day range for most major countries. Shipping costs for international delivery are calculated at checkout (we often have promotions for free or discounted international shipping above certain order values).
Your metal card is a valuable item, so we take care in packaging. Each card comes in a protective case or sleeve inside a padded package. There’s no obvious branding on the outside that might attract unwanted attention – for security and discretion, our return address won’t suggest there’s a custom metal card inside. The card itself is insured during transit. In the unlikely event a parcel is lost, we would work with the courier to track it down or reproduce your card if necessary (at no extra cost to you).
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