PVC ID cards are typically made to a standard credit card size (CR80), measuring 3.375 x 2.125 inches (85.6 x 54 mm) with a thickness of 30 mil (0.76 mm). They are commonly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, and can be customized with various features like magnetic stripes, barcodes, and security features.
Key Specifications:
Dimensions: 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6 x 54 mm)
Thickness: 30 mil (0.76 mm)
Material: 100% PVC (or composite PVC/PET for some applications)
Common Uses: ID badges, access cards, membership cards, etc.
Printing: Can be printed using various ID card printers and some inkjet printers (depending on the card type and printer model).
Customization: Magnetic stripes, barcodes, encoding, personalization, and other security features can be added.
Additional Details:
CR80 is the standard:
This is the most common size for ID cards, matching the dimensions of a credit card.
Thickness matters:
30 mil is the standard thickness, but other thicknesses are available for different needs.
Composite cards:
For retransfer and laminating printers, composite PVC/PET cards (60% PVC, 40% PET) are recommended for their heat resistance.
Inkjet vs. Thermal:
Inkjet PVC cards are designed for inkjet printers and have a special coating for ink absorption. Thermal printers require different PVC cards designed for heat transfer.
Security Features:
PVC ID cards can incorporate various security features like holographic overlays, UV ink, and microprinting to prevent counterfeiting.