Skaarten

Skaarten is a Dutch term referring to flat, rectangular pieces used for information, games, identification, or transactions. In standard Dutch, the common plural is kaarten; skaarten is less common and may appear as a brand name, a regional variation, or a misspelling. The general concept applies across many languages to objects known simply as cards.

Skaarten encompass a range of types and uses. Playing cards are used for games and gambling and typically come in a standard deck with suits and ranks. Educational or flashcards support study and training. Identification and access cards include identity cards, employee badges, student cards, and transit passes. Payment and access cards cover debit/credit cards and smart cards that carry data securely. There are also greeting, invitation, and business cards, which convey messages or contact information.

Physical characteristics vary widely. Materials include paperboard and various plastics (such as PVC) with coatings or lamination for durability. Modern cards often feature magnetic stripes, barcodes, RFID or NFC chips, or EMV chips for data storage and secure transactions. Standard sizes differ by type: playing cards are commonly about 63.5 x 88.9 mm, while identification and payment cards usually conform to ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 dimensions of 85.60 x 53.98 mm.

Manufacture and design involve printing processes (offset or digital), color management, finishing, and, for personalized cards, data encoding. Skaarten play a central role in entertainment, education, security, and commerce, increasingly supported by digital wallets and card-based systems in contemporary society.