A thermal transfer printing process for making identification cards is
provided. The process involves printing indicia onto a dye-receptive
surface of a card substrate. A metallic dye is applied in precise
registration with selected print indicia to form a metallic border along
the edges of the indicia. The invention also includes identification cards
produced by this process. The process can be used to produce cards such as
licenses, employee badges, student cards, bank cards, and the like having
unique security features.