Maya Ellison
There are many types of plastic ID cards, and choosing the right one depends on the specific needs of an organization. The most common type of plastic ID card is made of 100% Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which is durable, flexible, and cost-effective. PVC cards come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and colours, and can be customised with security features such as magnetic stripes, barcodes, holograms, and fingerprint verification. Composite cards, made of a combination of PVC and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), are more durable, heat-resistant, and tamper-proof. They are ideal for high-usage applications such as time and attendance tracking, access control, and multi-application university ID cards. Plastic ID cards offer a professional look and can be used for employee IDs, membership IDs, loyalty cards, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyethylene chloride (PVC), Composite PVC/PET, ABS |
| Durability | High (PVC), Higher (Composite PVC/PET) |
| Flexibility | Medium (PVC), High (Composite PVC/PET) |
| Temperature Durability | Medium (PVC), High (Composite PVC/PET) |
| Heat Resistance | Yes (Composite PVC/PET) |
| Typical Uses | Employee ID, Membership ID, VIP cards, Loyalty cards, Access control, Photo ID, Payroll |
| Size | CR80 (3.375" x 2.125"), CR79 (3.303" x 2.051") |
| Thickness | 10 mil (0.25 mm), 30 mil (0.76 mm) |
| Security Features | Magnetic stripe, Barcode, Hologram, Fingerprint verification, UV printing, Luster ribbon, RFID proximity communication, Holographic laminate |
| Printing | Custom, Pre-printed |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
PVC plastic ID cards
Polyethylene chloride (PVC) is the most common material used for ID cards. PVC ID cards are durable, flexible, and cost-effective. They are also customisable, with various colours, sizes, and thicknesses available.
PVC ID cards can be used for multiple purposes, such as access control, attendance tracking, and payroll functions. They are commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, universities, government agencies, and corporate offices.
PVC ID cards can be easily printed with pictures, text, logos, and other designs. They can also be customised with security features such as magnetic stripes, smart card capabilities, RFID proximity communication, holograms, barcode masks, and biometric data. These security features not only deter counterfeiting but also increase the level of security within an organisation.
Lamination is often recommended for PVC ID cards to extend their life and further prevent tampering. While PVC ID cards are durable, lamination provides an extra layer of protection from wear and tear.
Renewing Plastic Surfaces: Easy DIY Tricks for a Fresh Look
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Proximity cards
The card and reader unit communicate through 125 kHz radio frequency fields (13.56 MHz for contactless smartcard cards) by a process called resonant energy transfer. Passive cards have three components sealed inside the plastic: an antenna consisting of a coil of wire, a capacitor, and an integrated circuit (IC) containing the user's ID number and no other data. The card readers communicate in various protocols, for example, the Wiegand protocol, which consists of a data 0 and a data 1 circuit.
HID Indala proximity cards use composite materials that are highly heat resistant, making them ideal for high wear-and-tear environments such as university or factory settings.
Understanding Plastics: What Does PBA Stand For?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-printed cards
Pre-printed plastic ID cards are a convenient and cost-effective solution for businesses that don't want the hassle and cost of printing their own ID cards and badges. They are ideal for small businesses that don't require their own ID card printing system, as well as large businesses that need help printing large quantities at once. Outsourcing ID card printing eliminates the cost of overhead, ink, toner, and ribbons.
PVC cards can be easily printed with pictures, text, logos, and other custom designs. They can also be customised with security features such as UV printing, luster ribbon, holographic laminate, tactile impressions, barcodes, magnetic stripes, smart card capabilities, RFID proximity communication capabilities, and biometric data. These features not only enhance security but also ensure that the PVC ID card is authentic and aligns with your organisation's brand standards.
The CR80 size, which is 3.375" by 2.125", is the most common size for pre-printed plastic ID cards, as it is the same size as a standard credit card. Cards with this size and the standard thickness of a credit card are available from various providers, including ID Wholesaler and 24HourWristbands.com.
Plastic's Social Impact: A World Transformed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Magnetic stripe cards
The two types of magnetic stripe cards are high coercivity magstripe ID cards (HiCo) and low coercivity magstripe ID cards (LoCo). Usually, low coercivity stripes are brown, while high coercivity stripes are almost black. HiCo cards are more reliable than LoCo cards as their magnetic layer is denser and less susceptible to damage from magnets. LoCo stripes, on the other hand, are easily damaged by even brief contact with magnets and are used for low-value or low-usage applications.
Despite the move towards microchip technology, magnetic stripe cards are still used in combination with electronic locks to provide physical access control. This approach offers superior accountability when compared with mechanical locks. For example, audit data can be collected electronically, showing a tally of all personnel as they enter and leave a building. This data can also be used for safety purposes, providing an accurate census of personnel during an evacuation.
Smooth Shower Curtains: Remove Wrinkles, Keep Them Pristine
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Photo ID cards
When creating photo ID cards, it is essential to consider the specific needs of your organisation. Different departments may have different expectations, so determining all possible uses for the ID card within your organisation is crucial. For example, will the card serve a single function or multiple functions, such as time and attendance tracking, access control, or photo identification?
The most prevalent material used for photo ID cards is Polyethylene Chloride (PVC) due to its durability, flexibility, and low cost. PVC cards come in various sizes, colours, and thicknesses, with the most common size being CR80 (3.375" x 2.2125"), which is the same size as a credit card. Composite PVC cards, which combine PVC with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), offer even greater durability and are ideal for use with commercial lamination modules.
To enhance security, photo ID cards can be customised with various features, including magnetic stripes, barcodes, holograms, fingerprint verification, and smart card capabilities. Visual security elements such as UV printing, luster ribbons, and holographic laminates can also be added to deter counterfeiting.
When designing photo ID cards, you can choose from single or double-sided cards in horizontal or vertical formats. You can also select from various fasteners, such as lanyards or badge clips, to ensure the cards can be easily worn and displayed.
Fusing Plastic Pool Filter Tanks: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The most common type of plastic ID card is made from 100% Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
PVC is durable, flexible, and low cost. It can be used with colour and monochrome printers and is ideal for printing pictures, text, and logos.
There are standard PVC cards, and composite PVC cards which are a combination of PVC and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Composite cards are more durable, heat resistant, and stronger than standard PVC cards.
Plastic ID cards can be customised with features such as magnetic stripes, barcodes, holograms, fingerprint verification, and custom printing.
Plastic ID cards are used for employee IDs, membership IDs, loyalty cards, visitor badges, access control, and more.
