You already use PVC cards without necessarily thinking about it. Loyalty cards in cosmetic chains, office access badges, carefully designed gift cards or premium business cards: they are essential in almost every professional sector.

Why? Because a well-designed card is not only used to identify or register a customer. It enhances your brand, instantly conveys the right information and improves the user experience. What impression do you leave if your card bends, fades or lacks style?

This guide shows you in practical terms how to choose personalised plastic cards that match your brand image, your technical requirements and your budget constraints. Do you want to maximise access security? Differentiate your loyalty programme? Offer a gift card with exemplary aesthetics? Follow our recommendations step by step.

What are the different types of PVC cards?

Are you hesitating between several types of personalised plastic cards ? Here is how to tell them apart.

Standard cards: disarmingly effective simplicity

Are you looking for a simple, durable and cost-effective card? Standard PVC cards have a thickness of 760 microns, like traditional bank cards. Their ISO CR80 format (85.6 x 54 mm) makes them compatible with thermal card printers and standard accessories (card sleeves, badge clips). They are perfectly suited to premium business cards, thanks to their smooth surface which delivers a professional finish once printed.

Magnetic stripe cards: think loyalty and access control

Are you planning to implement a loyalty system or control entry to restricted areas? Choose a card fitted with a HiCo or LoCo magnetic stripe. LoCo encoding (Low Coercivity, 300 Oe) is suitable for applications with low magnetic exposure risk, such as loyalty cards. For more demanding uses such as corporate access badges or multi-purpose customer cards, select a HiCo stripe (High Coercivity, 2750 Oe). It is more resistant to accidental data loss.

Smart cards: prioritise memory and security

How will you use your cards? If you need to store data or secure access, smart cards are the obvious choice. You have two main options:

Contact smart cards : they require physical insertion into a terminal. These cards generally integrate 2 to 64 KB of EEPROM memory, accessible via an ISO 7816 interface.
Contactless cards (RFID) : smoother to use, they communicate via radio frequency (13.56 MHz for the most common such as MIFARE Classic or DESFire). The user simply holds the card near a compatible reader to trigger an interaction. Do you use a time attendance system, access control or a transport card? These models will meet those needs flawlessly.

Cards with visual effects: capture attention at a glance

Does your industry require a distinctive design? Explore finishes such as:

Transparent or semi-transparent cards : they evoke modernity and are particularly appealing in the luxury and technology sectors.
Metallic cards : incorporating silver or gold effect pigments, they suggest prestige and refinement. The finish immediately catches the eye on a shelf or in the hand.
Textured cards : with a grained or soft-touch surface, they stimulate touch and enhance the brand’s sensory experience. For a cosmetics campaign or a product launch, this choice will make the difference.

So, which configuration best suits your current uses? What expectations do your customers express when receiving a card? Ask yourself these questions to make a card type choice that is as strategic as it is effective.

Personalised plastic cards: assess their quality without making mistakes

When selecting your future PVC cards, you must take into account the thickness and the format of these cards.

What thickness guarantees a robust and professional card?

Compare your current cards to a bank card. If you feel a difference, you probably need to reconsider their thickness. The professional standard is a thickness of 760 microns, i.e. 0.76 mm. This ISO standard (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1) ensures not only a solid feel but also perfect compatibility with badge readers and personalisation card printers.

Are you considering access badges, loyalty cards or identification card formats? Always stick to the 760 micron standard. Thinner variants, such as 500 or 600 microns, reduce durability and offer less rigidity.

Will your card stand the test of time?

You must expose your custom plastic cards to several stresses: repeated friction, exposure to moisture, temperature variations. A quality card will retain its original shape and markings regardless of the environment in which it is used.

PVC material already offers good resistance, but you maximise durability with a protective laminate or retransfer printing. This technique fully protects the artwork against scratches and fading. Do you handle cards in the field, outdoors or at tills? Then opt for reinforced finishes with UV or scratch-resistant treatment.

Which finish best reflects your brand image?

Your card must reflect exactly what you want to convey. To achieve this, select a finish consistent with your positioning:

Glossy : captures light, attracts the eye, enhances photographic visuals. Ideal for loyalty cards or event materials.
Matt : reduces glare, conveys discreet elegance and sobriety. Favoured in premium or institutional networks.
Satin : a subtle balance between smooth aesthetics and soft texture. Particularly credible for multi-service professional cards.

Touch different finishes and test them with your end users. What does your audience prefer? The brightness of a glossy surface or the texture of a matt finish?

Customise your PVC cards by sector: options that make the difference

Double-sided printing: every centimetre counts

Do you work in events, hospitality or retail? In that case, you need to make use of every available space on your PVC cards. Double-sided printing allows you to add extra data without cluttering the main visual. Display high-visibility elements such as name and logo on the front. Use the back to include a website, promo code, terms of use or an integrated loyalty card. This configuration increases the perceived value of the card and optimises its usefulness.

Integrated barcodes and QR codes: combine management and interaction

Do you manage a venue with a loyalty programme or controlled access? Adding a barcode or QR code meets these needs. A barcode enables easy scanning in stores equipped with physical points of sale. A QR code instantly redirects to a landing page, mobile app or event website. Integrate these elements without compromising aesthetics by choosing an adaptable size and placing them harmoniously on either side of the card.

Holograms and spot varnish: combine security and visual identity

Do you represent an institution, administration or service company? You will greatly benefit from integrating holograms or spot varnish. These elements increase anti-fraud capabilities while enhancing aesthetics. A hard-to-duplicate hologram protects against counterfeiting. Spot varnish, applied to a logo or signature, creates a tactile and visual effect. Use these techniques to assert your image while securing card usage.

Signature panel: opt for an interactive card

Do you distribute gift cards, access cards or personalised badges? Implement a manual signature panel. It allows the user to add a note, manual authorisation or visual confirmation. This solution is perfectly suited to transaction or control contexts. It also encourages customer engagement by adding a personal dimension to each card.

What sector do you operate in? And which information must appear on your cards? Answer these questions before defining your customisation options.

Strengthen the security of your PVC cards according to their use

Are you hesitating between PVC cards with smart chips, magnetic stripes or RFID ?

Here are the main differences.

Magnetic stripe and smart chip: identify your users without ambiguity

Do you issue access cards or internal identification badges? Enable dual functionality: magnetic stripe and smart chip. The standard ISO 7811 magnetic stripe stores up to 79 alphanumeric characters across three tracks. It is suitable for simple controls such as access to a car park or shared space.

For advanced security, integrate a contact or contactless smart chip. You gain access to technologies such as MIFARE Classic, used in over 60% of RFID systems worldwide. This chip encodes encrypted data across multiple access levels. You control both identity and permissions without physically handling the card.

This choice is particularly suited to public bodies, educational institutions, multi-site companies and security providers.

QR code: activate the digital gateway to your products or services

Do you prefer to direct your customers or users to an online interface? Integrate a personalised QR code. With a static QR, you redirect to a fixed URL such as a brand website or product page. A dynamic QR allows you to update information without reprinting the card, ideal for a connected loyalty card or an evolving marketing campaign.

QR code models also facilitate event tracking. A single scan records attendance, activates a guest badge or distributes content instantly.

You align your physical communication with your digital tools while streamlining interaction tracking.

Invisible markings and anti-counterfeiting features: position yourself as a premium player

If you distribute premium cards or operate in a sector exposed to copying – watchmaking, luxury, administrations, banking institutions – you must eliminate any risk of falsification. UV markings, thermochromic inks, optically variable holograms or hidden microtext provide reliable verification without complex equipment.

Visual or thermal verification allows field inspectors to ensure immediate authentication. You limit fraudulent reuse of a benefit, product or service linked to the physical card.

Ask yourself this question: if your card fell into the wrong hands, what would you risk? Then adjust security measures accordingly.

How to identify a reliable and competent plastic card supplier

Evaluate the technical criteria of the service

Before committing, examine the concrete elements offered by the supplier. What print resolution levels are guaranteed? Require printing of at least 300 dpi to ensure sharp, legible output, especially for variable data such as barcodes or photos. Also check the range of materials used. Serious suppliers use full-format 100% virgin PVC, with a standard thickness of 760 microns (30 mil), without including recycled plastic of uncertain origin.

Do you have specific needs in terms of punching, magnetic stripes or RFID chips? The provider must offer these customisations in-house, without subcontracting. This ensures strict quality control and reduced margins for error.

Inspect the quality of customer service

You need to be able to rely on a responsive and knowledgeable contact. Test communication from the very first interaction. Ask precise questions about accepted data formats, protection of transmitted files, exact production and dispatch times. A reliable supplier will answer clearly and document their responses.

Also ask whether the provider complies with GDPR for the management of personal data when processing named files. A supplier that encrypts transmitted data and applies a strict non-retention policy demonstrates a high level of rigour.

Gather concrete customer feedback

Avoid suppliers that do not readily display verified reviews. Look for comments on platforms such as Trustpilot, Google Business or Avis Vérifiés. Prioritise those that mention situations similar to yours: comparable production volumes, time constraints, technical specifics.

Also request physical samples. Feel the cards, analyse their rigidity and visual rendering, and the contrast of the print. This approach allows you to compare several quotes at equivalent quality. Beyond the unit price, you are truly assessing the cost-performance ratio.

Are you hesitating between several providers?

Create a comparison table, list the criteria mentioned above and rate each supplier. Which one ticks all the boxes? Which one demonstrates responsiveness, provides proof of expertise and respects the confidentiality of your files?

What budget should you plan for your personalised plastic cards?

Which elements influence the final price?

You must consider several factors to estimate the cost of an order of personalised plastic cards. Each plays a direct role in the final price you will pay.

Quantity : ordering 500 cards will cost less per unit than ordering 50. Suppliers generally apply tiered pricing based on volume.
Type of card : simple white PVC cards cost much less than those fitted with RFID chips, magnetic stripes or rewritable surfaces.
Finishes : a card with rounded corners, matt or gloss lamination, or a custom cut will incur an additional cost compared to a standard model.
Embedded technologies : integrating a MIFARE chip, variable QR code or security hologram can increase the price by up to £3 per card depending on the technology chosen.

How do economies of scale impact your budget?

Once you exceed certain order thresholds (100, 500, 1000 cards), you benefit from significant price reductions. For example:

100 simple PVC cards printed single-sided may cost on average £0.80 per unit
for 1,000 units, the price generally drops to around £0.30 per unit

You can therefore optimise your budget by anticipating your needs over 6 or 12 months instead of placing several small orders at short intervals.

Which additional costs should not be overlooked?

The unit price of the card represents only part of the overall budget. Also allow for the following costs in your estimate:

Graphic design : if you entrust the artwork creation to a designer, plan for a cost of £100 to £400 depending on the level of detail required
Variable printing : adding a specific name, identifier or unique barcode to each card increases the unit price by £0.10 to £0.50
Delivery : shipping costs vary according to volume, total weight and the chosen delivery speed

All these elements can create a significant gap between the advertised base price and the final budget. Have you already estimated the cost of the entire cycle, from creation to distribution?

PVC cards and sustainability: thinking long-term without sacrificing quality

Do you want to combine professional performance and environmental responsibility?

In a context where ecological issues increasingly influence purchasing decisions, integrating sustainable solutions into the selection of your PVC cards will not reduce their effectiveness. On the contrary, it will strengthen the positive perception of your brand while reducing your environmental impact.

Choose recyclable solutions and eco-responsible alternatives

Standard PVC cards have historically used virgin polyvinyl chloride, a non-biodegradable plastic. To give your cards a more environmentally friendly profile, you can opt for several alternatives produced using less impactful processes.

PET-G cards: This modified chlorine-free plastic is more easily recyclable than conventional PVC. It also offers better resistance to scratches and high temperatures.
Recycled PVC cards: These models use up to 85% PVC sourced from industrial or post-consumer waste. This is an immediate way to reduce virgin plastic consumption.
PLA cards: Derived from the fermentation of plant materials (corn starch, beet), polylactide offers a genuinely biodegradable alternative, even if its durability remains lower than classic PVC.

Request the use of solvent-free inks and certified materials

Print quality does not depend solely on the choice of plastic. By directing your supplier towards water-based or solvent-free inks, you limit emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These inks now offer excellent durability and faithful colour reproduction, compatible with all professional finishes.

Also check that the substrates used hold environmental certifications such as ISO 14001 or FSC (if paper-based composites are involved). These standards guarantee a structured framework for impact reduction and improved traceability.

Why should you require a provider committed to an environmental approach?

You directly influence the production chain. A supplier labelled Imprim’Vert or certified ISO 14001 applies strict procedures for waste management, energy consumption adjustment and chemical process optimisation. This requirement enables you to justify your choices to your customers, partners or employees while reinforcing your sustainable positioning.

How does your supplier document the origin of the materials used? Have they implemented a formal waste reduction policy? Ask these questions. Your cards will then reflect not only your visual identity but also your commitments to corporate social responsibility.

Give yourself every chance to enhance your brand image

You have identified the criteria that will make your personalised plastic cards a strategic lever. How will you put this choice into practice? By simultaneously mobilising quality standards, design relevance and budget logic.

Adopt these winning habits

Prioritise material quality : opt for a thickness between 760 and 850 microns to guarantee rigidity and longevity
Maximise customisation : name, photo, RFID chip, spot varnish, each element enriches the user experience
Apply your brand guidelines rigorously : a consistent colour code across all your materials increases brand recognition fourfold, according to MIT Sloan Management Review
Integrate appropriate security features : dynamic QR code, hologram, microtext, depending on the required level of protection
Scale your project with a clear projected budget : the unit cost decreases with volume, but return on investment is also measured in loyalty and brand perception

Measure the impact on your commercial objectives

Do you need a tool to turn first contact into genuine commitment? According to a Bain & Company study, increasing customer retention by 5% generates profit growth of 25% to 95%. In cosmetics, services or retail, offering an elegant, multi-service PVC card triggers an immediate effect of recognition and attachment. Some retailers report up to a 30% increase in repeat purchases among holders of personalised cards.

Act now

What are you waiting for to professionalise your PVC materials? Contact us to receive samples tailored to your needs. You can also request a free online quote by specifying your options. Choosing the personalised plastic card that sets you apart means gaining a head start on your competitors.

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