FAQS

Aura Engravings – Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: October 15, 2025

Here are answers to some of the most common questions our customers ask about our process, products, and policies.

1. What are these cards made of?

Our cards are crafted from premium metal materials, available in stainless steel, brass, or aluminum depending on the product type. They feature luxury finishes like black, silver, or gold coatings, giving each card a bold, high-end feel.

2. Can I customize my card?

Absolutely. Every card is custom laser-engraved with precision for a one-of-a-kind result. You can personalize your card with names, logos, phrases, or artwork to make it truly yours.

3. Will my card work with all payment systems?

Yes — our metal cards are compatible with chip and magnetic stripe systems used in most payment terminals. However, some older readers or swipe-only systems may have difficulty reading metal cards due to their thickness or rigidity. For best results, we recommend using chip insert transactions whenever possible.

4. How does the data transfer work?

We use your original card to safely transfer all necessary data — including the chip and magnetic stripe — to your new metal card. The process is performed under recorded, secure, offline conditions for full transparency and chain of custody verification.

A small $0.50 verification authorization is performed after transfer to confirm that your chip communicates correctly with payment systems. If your card is frozen, this charge will fail by design — it’s purely a functional test and not a permanent transaction.

We never store or retain any card data in any system. Once your transfer is complete, all temporary data is permanently deleted.

5. Will my old card still work?

No. Once the chip has been carefully removed and transferred, your original card becomes inactive. It will be returned to you along with your new card for your records.

6. How long does the process take?

The full process usually takes:

  • 1–2 business days for engraving and transfer
  • 4–5 business days for standard tracked shipping (faster options available at checkout)

Your original and new cards will both be returned securely packaged and sealed.

7. Can I provide special instructions?

Yes. During checkout, you can leave custom notes or requests for your engraving or card setup. We always review these notes before production and do our best to accommodate every request.

8. How do I care for my card?

  • Keep your card dry and clean at all times.
  • Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
  • Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth to maintain the surface finish.
  • Avoid forcing your card into tight readers or slots not designed for metal cards.

9. Is it safe to use in older ATMs or machines?

Metal cards are heavier and thicker than plastic ones, which can cause issues in older or high-friction machines. They’re safe to use in most ATMs, but we recommend avoiding drive-thru ATMs that fully pull the card into the machine, as these rollers aren’t designed for metal cards and may cause it to get stuck.

If that happens, simply notify a bank teller to retrieve it. For the best experience, use walk-up ATMs that don’t fully pull your card inside — those allow partial insertion and work perfectly with metal cards.

10. Will the cards support contactless (tap-to-pay)?

Not yet. At this time, tap-to-pay functionality is unavailable. We prioritize security and consistency, and while we’re exploring safe options, most customers prefer using chip insert or mobile wallets for contactless payments.

11. Why might my new card’s magnetic stripe not always read correctly?

Each card uses HICO (high-coercivity) magnetic stock — never LOCO. HICO stripes are stronger, more secure, and more durable than the low-coercivity strips used in many plastic cards.

However, older or worn-out readers may have difficulty reading HICO stripes, especially in gas pumps, grocery terminals, or legacy POS systems. Metal cards are also less flexible, so they don’t bend along the magnetic track as plastic cards do. This can cause occasional misreads if the swipe reader relies on card flex to align the magnetic head.

This issue has no effect on your data integrity — it’s purely a mechanical limitation of certain machines. Modern chip readers and terminals handle HICO cards perfectly.

For best results, use chip insert transactions whenever possible, and keep your digital wallet or original plastic card handy for rare situations.

Still have questions?
Email us anytime at auraengravings@gmail.com — we’re happy to help.