Breaking it Down

Even though it might look like just a thin piece of plastic, PVC ID cards are made up of at least a few even thinner layers of material. The material type, thickness, number of the various layers, and quality of materials used all have a large effect on the end product.

Knowing how a PVC  ID card is made can make a big difference in knowing how to look for quality. 

For example, standard blank white PVC ID cards would be made of up several layers of white material layered to nearly the full thickness of the card. Two layers of 13 mils, and typically a final layer on the top and bottom. The top and bottom layers are made of a very thin, clear, material that is specifically finished for a variety of looks and printing options.

A card with a smart ship inside of it would use something like a single thick layer in the middle with a cutout for the chip, then a thin layer of white on either side to enclose the chip before the clear layers, making for a total of 5 layers of thin plastic for just one card!

the layers of pvc id cards dictate their quality

 

Quality, Rigidity, and Durability

The number of internal layers on a card is a good indicator of the quality of the cards. The layers act almost like plywood, and a higher number means that the card will stand up to the heat of printing and the rigors of use for longer. The goal is for the card to stay flat and look new for as long as possible.

So, PVC ID cards made with just a single chuck of plastic in the middle won’t fare as well. It might save on production costs using fewer layers, but you give up quality in equal measure.

 

The thin, clear outer coating of the card is the single determiner of its print quality, or if you can print on it at all. Several different materials can be used throughout the card to give it a particular surface quality or to even further increase the rigid nature of the card. Some outer surfaces, though, don’t allow printing to be done on the card. These types of layers are there to give the card a special look or feel while assuming that the lower layers are already printed using a screen printing or some other preprinting process.

Though these methods can be a great choice in some circumstances and for certain customers, those cards won’t work properly when sent through a standard ID badge printer. Make sure you make the right choice when deciding on a seemingly simple part of your printing system; it can make a big difference.

 

With over 20 years of industry experience, ADVANTIDGE has been helping institutions around the world create secure, cost-effective identity management solutions featuring easy-to-use ID card printers. As one of the top distributors for the industry’s most respected ID card product manufacturers, we are committed to ensuring that every client receives the right ID products for their specific needs.

 

Contact today for a consultation or more information about what kind of card is right for your system.