PVC Card Security Features

The most common PVC cards are credit card size and 30 mil thick, compatible with standard ID card printers. They’re often used as staff ID cards, access cards, membership cards and loyalty cards.

Composite PVC cards combine a layer of PVC with polyester. They’re typically fair superior to 100% PVC cards in terms of durability.

Image Grade

PVC cards come with a number of embedded security features to prevent counterfeiting and make it more difficult for unwanted access to be granted. This includes the traditional Smart Nylon Bracelet magnetic stripe as well as newer RFID proximity proximity and smart chip technology.

Choosing the right ID card printing solution is essential for your business or organization. The type of card you choose determines whether or not it is compatible with your printer, how durable it will be and what types of functions it can perform.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a strong, durable plastic material used for professional ID card printing. This material provides a smooth surface for vibrant colors and branding details. It is also resistant to fading and wear, so your card will stay looking crisp and clean for a longer period of time than paper ID cards.

Two factors that impact card durability are card thickness and lamination. A thinner card will be less resilient to abrasion, while a thicker card will hold up against bending and twisting better.

This standard CR80-size, 30 mil, image grade PVC card comes blank white and is suitable for all card printers. The card is made of a 60/40 composite of PVC and polyester to provide more flexibility than standard PVC. This card is perfect for those that use a retransfer printer or laminate as it will not warp as easily when subject to the extreme heat of these processes.

Credit Card Size

Unlike paper cards, PVC is made of plastic materials that are harder to break or damage. This makes it ideal for ID card applications where cards need to be able to hold information and images long term.

PVC cards come in a number of sizes, colors, and shapes. These options allow you to create a card that is unique and aligns with your organization’s brand standards. Additionally, these cards are very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Standard PVC cards are known as CR80 and have a 30 mil thickness. They are the standard credit card size and are compatible with most ID card printers. These cards offer ample space for a photo, text and barcode. They can also be printed with security features such as a magnetic stripe and holograms to increase security.

One drawback to standard CR80 cards is that they don’t stand up well to heat. When laminating or printing with a retransfer printer, the cards can be subject to high temperatures that can cause warping of the card. Composite PVC-PET cards are a great solution for these situations because they have a higher percentage of polyester material and can withstand the temperature settings needed for laminating or printing with retransfer printers. This type of card can withstand up to 280oF and prevent the bending or warping that can occur in standard CR80 PVC cards when exposed to hot conditions.

Composite

The blend of PVC and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) that makes up composite cards offers increased durability over standard PVC cards. This is particularly beneficial if you’re printing on your cards using a retransfer PVC Card printer since this card material is better able to hold the heat of the retransfer film without warping or cracking like standard PVC does. In fact, retransfer printers are the preferred way to print ID cards with photo, barcode and security technologies on them like RF-programmable proximity chip technology or holographic imprints.

These cards combine approximately 60% PVC with 40% PET plastic. The polyester portion of the cards adds a level of flex and impact strength that PVC alone cannot offer on its own, and it also allows for a higher degree of flexibility when the card is being used. The PET plastic is also resistant to higher temperatures that can be generated during the retransfer and laminating processes.

Despite the added benefit of the stronger material, composite cards are still very affordable and can be printed with all of the same ID card software you’d use for standard PVC cards. They can be customized with full-color graphics, security and anti-fraud components just as you would on a standard PVC card. They are also compatible with all of the same access control technologies as a standard PVC card including HF, HID and ValuProx.

Magnetic Stripe

PVC cards can have a magnetic stripe, which can be encoded to provide information about the card. This feature allows for a wide range of applications, such as contactless access control and loyalty cards. A magnetic stripe can also be used to store data in the chip, which can increase security and protect against identity theft.

Another benefit of a PVC card is that it’s more durable than paper cards. They won’t bend or break easily, and they can be laminated to prevent fading or cracking over time. They are a great choice for staff ID cards, membership cards and other credentials.

One disadvantage of PVC is that it doesn’t stand up to heat. This is a problem if you need to laminate the cards or use them in retransfer printers, as the high heat settings can cause standard image grade PVC cards to warp or even crack. This is why it’s important to talk to an expert when choosing the right card material for your needs.

You’ll need a special type of printer to print on PVC cards. These are called ID card printers and come in a variety of different types. The most common are thermal ID card printers, which can print any design you’d like on a plastic card. Some card printers can also add security features to the cards, such as a holographic overlay or tactile impression, to make it harder for bad guys to reproduce your cards.