What Is a PVC Card? What is PVC Card Made of?

Date :2024-09-20 Author :CBT Views :

What Is a PVC Card?

PVC card is a card made of PVC material, PVC is the abbreviation of Poly Vinyl Chloride, which is made of polyvinyl chloride resin as the main raw material. It is characterized by light weight, heat insulation, heat preservation, moisture-proof, flame retardant, and easy construction.


PVC is a widely used plastic material. It is a polymer made of vinyl chloride monomer polymerized by a free radical polymerization reaction mechanism under the action of peroxide, azo compounds, and other initiators or the action of light and heat.


PVC card is the main raw material of polyvinyl chloride resin, adding the appropriate amount of anti-aging agents, modifiers, etc., through the mixing, calendering, vacuum molding process, and other materials. The production of intelligent visual cards is the choice of PVC material to realize the role of environmental protection, as well as VIP cards, and some of the daily life of the use of convenience cards, etc., are made of the same material.


What Are the Applications of PVC Card?

PVC cards have the advantages of low production cost, durability, and beautiful appearance. Because of their durability, waterproof and tear-proof characteristics, and a variety of printing processes, PVC cards are widely used for a variety of identification and information display occasions.

1. Identity Cards

Identity cards: PVC materials are used in many countries to produce identity cards, residence permits, and other documents for long-term use.


Driver's license: PVC cards are commonly used to make driver's licenses due to its durability and anti-wear characteristics.


2. Membership Card and VIP Card

Various shopping malls, supermarkets, gyms, beauty salons and other organizations often use PVC cards as membership cards or VIP cards to record customers' membership information, points, and so on.


3. Bank Card and cCredit Card

PVC cards are often used to make financial cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, etc. They have the characteristics of anti-wear and waterproof and can be embedded with chips to improve security.


4. Access Card

Used for access control in companies, schools, communities, etc. PVC cards can be embedded with RFID chips or magnetic stripes to realize access control.


5. Public Transportation Card and Subway Card

Many public transportation systems use PVC cards as rechargeable cards or transportation cards, which store the balance or ride information to facilitate daily travel.


6. Student and Employee Cards

Schools and companies usually issue PVC student or employee cards with photos and personal information for identification, attendance, and access control.


7. Hotel Room Cards

Hotel room access cards are usually made of PVC material, which can be programmed as a key to a specific room, easy to use, and can be recycled many times.


8. Social Security Card

Some countries use PVC cards to make social security cards, which store medical and social security information, making it easy for users to register and inquire about various government services.


9. Gift and Stored Value Cards

Stores and restaurants often use PVC cards as gift cards or stored value cards, which can be reloaded and used to pay for purchases with the card balance.


10. Student and Library Cards

Many schools use PVC cards as student ID cards or library cards to help students with activities such as identification and borrowing books.


11. Tickets and Event Vouchers

Some large-scale events, concerts, exhibitions, and other occasions use PVC cards as tickets, which increase security and anti-counterfeiting ability.


12. Custom PVC Cards

PVC cards can also be used to make customized cards, such as gift cards, coupon cards, promotional cards, lottery tickets, etc., which can be printed with personalized patterns and messages.


Features of PVC Card.

1. Lightweight:

PVC material is relatively lightweight, making it easy to carry and use.


2. Durable:

PVC cards have high durability and can resist daily wear and tear.


3. Moisture-proof and flame-retardant:

PVC material has moisture-proof and flame retardant properties, which can protect the content of the card from damage to a certain extent.


4. Easy Construction:

PVC cards are relatively easy to make and process, making them suitable for mass production.


5. Variety of Colors:

PVC cards can be printed to achieve rich color effects to meet the visual presentation of different occasions and needs.


6. Bright Patterns:

PVC cards printed by a printing machine are characterized by bright patterns and clear details, which enhances the visual appeal of the cards.


7. Strong Decorative:

PVC cards are available in a wide range of specifications, colors and patterns, which are extremely decorative and suitable for a variety of decorative and display needs.


8. Environmentally Friendly Materials:

PVC cards such as smart visual cards choose to use PVC materials to achieve an environmentally friendly effect and can be recycled.


9. Compatible with RFID Technology:

PVC cards can also be embedded with microprocessor chips and antennas, such as RFID technology, NFC technology and magnetic stripe technology, enabling them to securely store and process data for access control and payment.


Types of PVC Cards.

1. Standard PVC Cards

Basic plastic cards made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are typically used for ID cards, membership cards and gift cards, and are widely used in areas such as membership cards, student ID cards, gift cards and promotional cards. The main features of these cards are their simplicity, affordability, and the fact that logos, text, and images are usually printed on the surface, making them suitable for a variety of everyday uses.


2. RFID PVC Cards

RFID cards contain a small chip and antenna for contactless communication via radio frequency and are commonly used in contactless entry systems, access cards, public transportation passes and event tickets. Its main feature is that it can realize short-range non-contact data reading and writing, which is convenient and fast.


3. Magnetic Stripe PVC Card

Magnetic stripe cards have a magnetic stripe on the back, which can store data that can be read by swiping the card through a card reader, and are commonly used in credit cards, debit cards, hotel key cards and transportation cards. Its main feature is the ability to encode and decode data through the magnetic stripe, which is widely used in transaction processing and access control.


4. NFC Cards

NFC (Near Field Communication) cards are RFID cards that support two-way communication, allowing devices (such as smartphones) to read and write information, and are commonly used in applications such as contactless payments (e.g., mobile wallets), smart business cards, and ticketing. Its main feature is its ability to enable communication and interaction in close proximity, and it is widely used in the field of mobile technology.


What Is the Reading Distance of RFID PVC Card?

The read/write distance of RFID PVC cards depends on a number of factors, including the chip type of the RFID card, the operating frequency, the antenna design, the power of the read/write device and the environmental conditions. The following are common RFID card types and their typical read/write distances:

1. LF RFID PVC Card

Frequency: 125 KHz or 134.2 KHz

Reading distance: usually within 10 cm, the reading distance is proportional to the size of the tag, in most cases it is about a few centimeters.


2. HF RFID PVC Card

Frequency: 13.56 MHz

Reading distance: usually between 10 cm and 1 meter, the specific distance depends on the power of the device and antenna design. The reading distance of common MIFARE cards (such as bus cards and access cards) is usually around 10 centimeters.


3. UHF RFID PVC Card

Frequency:860-960 MHz

Read distance:Usually from 1 meter to 10 meters, even more than 10 meters can be reached under ideal conditions.


Manufacturing Process for RFID PVC Cards

1. Offset printing: Also called offset printing, color requirements for CMYK and other color, gradient layout.


2. Hot stamping: surface treatment of hot gold, silver, and laser effect on the printed semi-finished card.


3. Magnetic stripe card: Magnetic stripe attached to the printed material before lamination, after high temperature so that the magnetic stripe is permanently attached to the card surface.


4. Screen printing: Monochrome printing, mainly gold, silver background color, printing color than offset printing single, but the color is thick.


5. Barcode: Print the barcode on the semi-finished card, which can be a running number or a specific number.


6. UV: UV treatment on the surface of the printed semi-finished products, glossy surface, feel.


7. Embossed characters: embossed numbers on the semi-finished card, can be embossed in the process of stamping gold and silver color. Such as all kinds of codes on


How to Make PVC Card?

1. Selection of RFID Chip and Antenna

RFID chip: Select the appropriate RFID chip type (LF, HF, or UHF) according to the application requirements (e.g. storage capacity, data transmission speed, security, etc.).


Antenna: Select or design the appropriate RFID antenna according to the chip type and card design. The design of the antenna will affect the read/write distance and performance of the RFID card.


2. Design the Card

Graphic design: Use design software (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) to design the appearance of the PVC card, including color, pattern, text, and barcode.


RFID Chip Layout: Ensure that the design layout of the RFID chip and antenna meets the production requirements. It is usually necessary to mark the location of the chip and antenna in the design drawing.


3. Production of PVC Card

Printing: Print the designed pattern onto the surface of the PVC card. High-quality printing techniques can be used, such as thermal transfer or digital printing.


Encapsulation of RFID chip: Embedding the RFID chip and antenna inside the PVC card. This is usually done during the production process using RF encapsulation technology.


Card pressing: The printed PVC card is laminated with the RFID chip and antenna to form the final card.


4. Encoding and Testing

Encoding: Data is written into the RFID chip using an RFID programmer. The data can be a unique identifier, user information, or other information that needs to be stored.


Testing: The card is tested using an RFID reader to ensure that the chip and antenna are working properly.


5. Post-processing

Cutting and Punching: Cut the size of the card according to the need and punch the holes for the lanyard or other accessories.


Packing: Pack the finished RFID PVC cards and prepare them for delivery to customers or for distribution.


6. Quality Control

Due to mass production, there will inevitably be quality defects, so we need to carry out quality inspections to ensure product quality. Only then can we box and label for shipment.


What Is the Standard Size of PVC Card?

The common standard size for RFID PVC cards is 85.60 mm x 53.98 mm (3.37 x 2.12 inches), and the thickness is usually 0.76 mm (0.03 inches), which is the credit card size according to ISO 7816. This size is also known as the “CR80” size.


There are other common sizes, but they are not as common as the CR80 standard:


CR79: 89 mm x 54 mm (3.5 x 2.125 inches), which is slightly smaller than the standard credit card size and is usually used for embedded cards.


CR100: 100 mm x 60 mm (3.94 x 2.36 inches), which is similar to the size of a business card and is used for applications that require a larger print area.


How to Take Care of PVC Card?

1. Avoid bending and folding: PVC cards that are bent or folded may result in broken cards or damaged internal chips.


2. Avoid scratching: Avoid scratching the surface of the card with hard objects to prevent damage to the printed pattern and barcode.


3. Regular Cleaning: Use a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth (with a little mild detergent) to wipe the surface of the RFID card. Avoid using strong chemical cleaners or abrasive cloths to avoid damaging the card.


4. Dustproof: Avoid exposing the card to dust and dirt, you can use a card protector to minimize exposure to dust.


5. Avoid high temperatures: Avoid exposing the card to high temperatures, such as in direct sunlight or near a heat source.


6. Avoid low temperatures: Cold temperatures can cause PVC cards to become brittle, increasing the risk of breakage.


7. Avoid moisture: Prevent RFID PVC cards from coming into contact with water or high humidity. Excessive moisture may affect the function and appearance of the cards.


8. Use protective sleeves: Use plastic protective sleeves or card holders to store and carry PVC cards to prevent scratches and abrasion.


9. Avoid stacking: If storing multiple cards together, avoid excessive stacking to prevent friction and damage between cards.


10. Check for damage: Regularly check your cards for cracks, scratches, or other damage. If problems are found, promptly dispose of or replace the card.


11. Check for functionality: Use the RFID reader to check if the card can still read and write data normally.


12. Prevent contact with chemicals: Avoid exposing the card to chemicals such as detergents, solvents, etc., which may damage the surface of the card.


What Is the Difference Between PVC and Plastic Cards?

PVC Card:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is also a kind of plastic, specifically refers to the card made of PVC material, commonly used in the need for high-quality printing and RFID function, widely used in credit cards, access cards, etc..


Plastic Card:

Plastic cards refer to a wide range of plastic materials, such as PVC, PET, ABS and other materials, PVC is just one of them, of which PET card is more environmentally friendly and ABS card is more durable.


What Is the Benefit of PVC Card?

1. Low Cost:

PVC cards are relatively inexpensive to make, which allows them to be mass-produced at relatively low prices for users of all budgets.


2. Durability:

PVC cards are made of a very durable material that can withstand prolonged use and wear and tear, maintaining their appearance and functionality.


3. Printing and Coating Finishes:

The surface of PVC cards can be subjected to various printing and coating treatments, such as beautiful patterns and text designs, and even special processes such as lamination and UV can be added to increase the aesthetics and durability and provide better appearance and waterproof performance.


4. Wide range of Applications:

PVC cards have a wide range of applications and can be used to make all kinds of cards, such as student ID cards, work ID cards, membership cards and so on. In addition, they can also be used to make commercial cards, such as credit cards, gift cards, coupons and so on.


Conclusion.

Where to buy PVC cards? How to order pvc card? CBT is a professional PVC card manufacturer, has 28 years of customized production experience, the main products are RFID smart card, RFID core material, PVC material, NFC tags, clothing tags, industrial tags, animal ear tags, keyfobs, card reader. We have an area of 20000 square meters, 300 staff, industry and trade integration, stable quality system, complete one-stop procurement process. Welcome to contact us at info@chipbond.com


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