Customizing PVC Cards: Options for Design and Printing | id | id card

What Are PVC Cards?

The PVC card is simply a durable flexible type of plastic card that is produced based on a standard size (approximately that of a credit card). That dimension makes them portable and adaptable to card readers, printers and wallets everywhere.

They can either be printed one-sided or two, in full colour or plain black and white. They may include additional features such as holograms, UV-printed text or even microtext that you require a magnifying glass to read depending on the need. Others are painted over with other substances such as PET plastic in order to withstand greater heat and intense usage.

It is not only appearance. Information can be stored in PVC cards. A magnetic stripe may be a room number of at a hotel, a chip may carry your bank account information, and the contactless version may enable you to tap into an office building without a swipe. It is this combination of aesthetics and technology that has ensured that PVC cards can be applied in a great number of industries.

The PVC Card Changing Technology

PVC cards have been around for decades, but how we use them has changed significantly. At the beginning of their period, they were principally simple photo IDs with simple printing.

1970s -Magnetic stripes emerged and storage of data and the use of cards to make transactions or open up doors to access became possible.

Late 90s / 00s - Smart cards Smart cards with small embedded microchips enabled safer data storage which meant that they could be used in sectors such as healthcare or as government ID, etc.

Today- RFID and NFC- cards can be used to unlock doors by tapping them, and can be used to pay by tapping them, without swiping. The future is on its way into cards which have mobile application compatability and more enhanced security to the extent of biometric scanning. The combination of the physical ID and the digital ID is likely to be manifested.

Types of PVC Cards

There is no universal PVC card. The kind you take will be determined by the purpose you want to use it.

• Standard PVC Cards- Plain cards that you can print logos, write or print images.
• Magnetic Stripe PVC Cards- The back of it has a stripe that will store data.
• RFID / Contactless PVC Cards -Allow you to do transactions or access locations without touching card reader.
• Smart PVC Cards - have been embedded with chip high-security applications such as banking or government system.

Many companies use more than one type. An example is that they could issue a magnetic stripe-based ID to employees to attend and another contactless card to access secure areas.

Standard PVC Cards

These are the simplest type, nothing more than a blank PVC that is waiting to be printed. You may place a photo, a QR code, a barcode or a brand logo on them. They are ideal when there is need to use visitor badges, membership cards or shop loyalty schemes. They do not contain inert technologies such as chips or stripes but they are wearable and professional looking. They are inexpensive and ready to produce at small firms using a suitable printer. This translates to the fact that you can create and print them yourself rather than waiting on a third party supplier.

PVC Card FAQs

Answers to common questions about PVC cards — how they work, security, policies and more.

1. What is PVC in PVC card?

PVC is an abbreviation of Polyvinyl Chloride which is a hard and flexible type of plastic that is mainly used to make high quality and durable cards.

2. The life of a PVC card?

When well taken care of, PVC card has sufficient life of 3-5 years without wearing out or fading.

3. Are full color PVC card possible?

As a matter of fact, PVC cards enable full-color, high-resolution printing, which includes logos, photographs, and fine details.

4. Are PVC cards waterproof?

PVC cards are indeed water-resistant and can resist being in any daily spills or rain without getting damaged.

5. Can PVC cards provide security features?

Absolutely. They may be in addition to magnetic stripes, barcodes, hologram and RFID chips.