a method and equipment for manufacturing plastic cards , for example , credit cards and the like from a continuous layup including generally two plastic cover leaves and a printed insert . the plastic leaves to be heat sealed are fed through a plurality of press zones in which the lay - up is heated and subsequently cooled . the feed is performed by means of heat conducting , preferably metallic bands one of which carries pegs centrally disposed along its length which interengages with registration holes in the layup and a cooperating band to drive the bands and layup synchronously thorugh the press zones . its use is in the mass production of plastic cards .