You manage access for your employees, run a loyalty programme or administer memberships for an association? The PVC card is probably already at the heart of your organisation, or it should be. Durable, customisable and compatible with current technologies (RFID, QR code, magnetic stripe), it supports a wide range of uses while conveying a professional image. But to get the most out of it, you still need to choose the right plastic card supplier and understand the options available to you. This guide walks you through each step: identification, access control, customer loyalty, membership card... You will find the essential information to place your order with confidence and equip your organisation with cards that meet your standards.

What if your identification card could do much more than just identify you?

Practical uses in everyday identification

You come across PVC cards every day without even thinking about it. They allow you to enter buildings, access services or validate your presence in an establishment. You may use them as:

ID card : government offices, universities and public organisations use them to accurately authenticate individuals within internal systems.
Employee badge : companies use them to quickly identify staff while controlling access to secure premises.
Student card : schools and universities integrate them to manage attendance, access to libraries or university restaurants.

How to ensure data confidentiality and readability

You have probably already seen a card that is unreadable or partially erased. To avoid this, two parameters directly affect identification quality:

Visual readability : by choosing high-resolution double-sided plastic card printing with UV inks (minimum 600 dpi), you enhance the clarity of text and photographs and extend the lifespan of printed information.
Personal data protection : you encode sensitive information in a chip or magnetic stripe rather than displaying it openly. This reduces the risk of accidental exposure or fraud.

Connecting to your organisation’s internal systems

A PVC identification card does not exist in isolation. You connect it to your internal database to automate controls and synchronise information in real time. What do you need for this?

Identity management software : compatible with your HR system, it links each card to a complete personal record.
A dedicated card reader : it gives you access to stored information without having to manually consult a remote database. You can trigger a door opening or validate a request instantly.
A synchronisation protocol : such as LDAP or SQL, it ensures that card data reflects recent administrative changes (new role, updated student status, temporary access revoked, etc).

In your organisation, do you already use PVC cards interfaced with your systems? Have you noticed improved efficiency in identity management?

Optimise your company’s security with PVC cards for access control

Connect users at every entry point

Do you want to restrict access to certain areas of your company? An access control system based on PVC cards allows you to filter authorised individuals while simplifying the user experience. The setup relies on a combination of personalised plastic cards and readers installed at strategic access points.

Choose readers that match the technology embedded in your cards: high-frequency (HF) RFID, magnetic stripe or contact chip. Thanks to this compatibility, each card interacts only with its designated readers. You create a segmented and controlled structure.

Assign access rights in a centralised way

Do you manage a site with several restricted areas? Use software compatible with your PVC cards to assign specific rights to each employee. For example, you can allow certain badges to access the laboratory but not the archives.

The centralised system gives you a real-time overview. You can modify a badge’s permissions in just a few clicks without reprinting it. You can also remotely deactivate a lost or stolen card to prevent fraudulent use.

Record every entry accurately

Do you need to know who entered a specific area and at what time? PVC card readers transmit all interactions to your control software. You then have access to a detailed event log including timestamps, identifiers and locations.

This monitoring helps you detect abnormal behaviour, carry out security audits or analyse internal flows. Some companies combine this data with schedules to automate attendance tracking or forgotten badge alerts. Consider how you want to use this in your own organisation.

Which area do you want to secure first?

Start by mapping your premises. Identify sensitive areas requiring enhanced control. Do you plan to use contactless technology such as RFID? Do your current badges allow remote software updates? Explore these questions before deploying your PVC card system.

Boost your customer relationships with PVC cards as loyalty cards or gift cards

What tangible benefits for your business?

PVC cards help enhance your brand while creating a lasting connection with your customers. You present a professional visual thanks to a durable and customisable medium. You turn every transaction into an opportunity to strengthen customer engagement with your offer. Do you already use a loyalty programme or paper gift cards? You will immediately gain visual impact and longevity with PVC gift cards.

Improved brand image: You enhance presentation with a premium-look card design comparable to a bank card.
Targeted rewards: When customers store their points on a physical card, they are more likely to return to your shop.
Sense of belonging: You create a more engaging customer experience with a personalised card.

Connect the card to your till system

You can integrate the PVC card into your point-of-sale solution to automate purchase records and point accumulation. Do you already use POS software such as Square, Lightspeed or Shopify POS? These systems allow the unique number printed on each card to be recorded for precise tracking of purchase history.

Instant validation: You scan or insert the card and the balance updates automatically.
Full traceability: You view purchases, point exchanges and gift credit top-ups by customer number.
Simplified communication: You identify each user at checkout to offer targeted promotions.

Create a highly impactful personalised experience

Why settle for a generic medium when the card allows on-demand personalisation? You can include the holder’s name, a birthday, a VIP mention or a dedicated set of privileges. This flexibility increases activation and usage rates for cards in circulation.

Visible customer details: You print the first name, a customer code or even an ID photo.
Specific offers: You link the card to personalised promotions based on purchasing behaviour.
Design inspired by your brand: You apply your colour palette, logo and brand message.

Does your current card encourage customers to return or talk about it to others? If the answer is uncertain, you can immediately integrate an elegant, personalised and functional PVC card into your loyalty cards or gift programmes.

PVC membership card: for associations and clubs

The PVC membership card, is an excellent choice if you are looking for something durable and professional for your association or club. It easily lasts 3 to 5 years, has the size of a bank card so your members will always carry it, and you can personalise it as you wish: logo, photo, QR code, RFID chip to manage access... What is also interesting is that it creates a real sense of belonging among your members, and you can even add partner offers on the back to provide added value. And if environmental considerations matter to you, be aware that recycled PVC or PLA versions are available and work very well while remaining consistent with your values.

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