Transaction card with thermochromic feature

A stored-value card comprising:

• a substantially planar member defining a first surface;
• means for transitioning between a first visual impression and a second visual impression when heat is applied thereto, the means for transitioning being applied to the first surface;
• means for providing readily discernable texture to the first surface of the substantially planar member, wherein the means for providing readily discernable texture is provided separately from the means for transitioning;
• and
• means for linking the substantially planar member with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the substantially planar member can be used as payment toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services.

A card comprising:

• a substantially planar member defining a first surface;
• means for transitioning between a first visual impression and a second visual impression when heat is applied thereto, the means for transitioning being applied to the first surface in a manner defining a character, wherein an outer perimeter of the character defines an outer perimeter of the means for transitioning;
• means for providing readily discernable texture to the first surface of the substantially planar member, wherein the means for providing readily discernable texture is provided separately from the means for transitioning;
• and
• means for linking the substantially planar member with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the substantially planar member can be used as payment toward the purchase of one or more of goods and services;
• wherein the first visual impression presents a first color and the second visual impression presents at least one of a second color and a graphic not otherwise visible with the first visual impression.

A method of providing a transaction card, the method comprising:

• printing background indicia to a first surface of a substrate;
• printing heat-sensitive ink over a portion of the background indicia, wherein the heat-sensitive ink is printed with a thickness sufficient to initially hide the portion of the background indicia from view, and the heat-sensitive ink is configured to transition between a first appearance and a second appearance different from the first appearance when the heat-sensitive ink is heated beyond an activation temperature;
• and
• adding an account identifier to a substrate, wherein the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record including a value available toward one of the purchase and use of at least one of goods and services.