A transaction card has a substructure consisting at least in part of a layer of fibrous material, such as carbon fiber strands or filaments, arranged in a pre-selected pattern, such as a weave pattern, that is at least partially enclosed by a transparent plastic film. A sheet is laminated on each of two opposing faces of the substructure to form a transaction card core. One or both of the sheets laminated on the opposing faces of the substructure is also made of a transparent material, and one or both of the two opposing faces of the transaction card core can be printed. An over-laminate film, such as a transparent polyvinyl chloride plastic film, can be laminated on each of two opposing faces of the transaction card core.