By Angela Tweedie, Contributing Editor

Imagine the stresses credit cards, ID cards and debit cards go through on a daily basis. Between constantly being taken in and out of wallets and purses, subjected to heat, and even run through the washer and dryer, the durability of plastic cards are put to the test every day.

But what most people don’t see are the rigorous tests that cards are put through before being placed in a wallet or purse. A battery of tests ensures that the product leaving the card manufacturer facilities is working properly and is in optimal condition.

Many card manufacturers purchase equipment that enables them to conduct the testing in-house, while others choose to go to a third-party testing facility to ensure that the testing is done in an unbiased environment with properly calibrated machines in good working order.