Patent ID: 8061619

Claim:
A transaction card comprising: a single layer substrate formed of a transparent polymer resin mixed with a fluorescent dye such that the single layer substrate exhibits an edge-glow characteristic, the single layer substrate being one of transparent and translucent, wherein the single layer substrate defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and outer edges including an outside edge, wherein the edge-glow characteristic is produced by the fluorescent dye absorbing ultraviolet light and emitting the ultraviolet light reflected off internal surfaces of the single layer substrate, in longer wavelengths than when absorbed, through the outer edges of the single layer substrate; first indicia printed to the first surface, wherein: the first indicia are solid, opaque, and printed to the single layer substrate adjacent and directly bordering the outside edge along an entire length of the single layer substrate, the first indicia extend continuously inwardly from the outside edge a distance greater than a thickness of the single layer substrate, and the edge-glow characteristic is enhanced along the outside edge by the first indicia, which blocks emission of the ultraviolet light through surface portions of the single-layer substrate covered by the first indicia increasing an amount of ultraviolet light emitted through the outside edge of the single-layer substrate adjacent the first indicia; a laminate applied to the first surface over the first indicia, wherein: the laminate is substantially transparent and substantially planar and defines an internal surface and a external surface opposite the internal surface, and the internal surface is positioned adjacent the first surface of the single layer substrate; second indicia applied to the external surface of the laminate, wherein: the second indicia are raised indicia providing a tactile effect to the external surface of the laminate, the tactile effect is perceivable a bearer of the transaction card touching the external surface of the laminate, and a second surface of the single layer substrate remains substantially planar as characterized by an absence of any structural altering to the second surface; and an account identifier connected to the single layer substrate, the account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, the account identifier being machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal.