Have you ever held a loyalty card, an access badge or a driving licence in your hands? In almost all cases, you were handling PVC cards. Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, refers to a plastic material that is wear-resistant, durable over time and fully customisable to suit the needs of your business or organisation.

PVC cards often display personal data (surname, first name, ID photo), an expiry date, a barcode, an embedded chip or even a brand’s distinctive visual identity. You can choose a matte, glossy or transparent finish depending on your intended use.

Why has this material become so widely used across so many sectors? It guarantees excellent plastic card printing quality, withstands daily handling and remains cost-effective, even for small production runs.

Are you looking to understand which type of PVC cards to choose ? Let’s explore the different variants available.

Explore all available PVC card variants

Standard PVC cards

These cards correspond to the CR80 format, identical to bank cards. You use them for simple badges, loyalty cards or temporary event passes. Their surface can be printed using inkjet or thermal transfer, depending on the card printers you have or the card printing service you choose.

Magnetic stripe PVC cards

They feature an encodable magnetic stripe on the back. You use them for access control systems, hotels or time and attendance systems. Reading is carried out using a compatible device that reads or rewrites data stored on high or low coercivity tracks.

Contact chip PVC cards

These cards integrate a visible chip on the surface. You use them in environments where data security is critical, such as payment solutions or restricted-access professional badges. They allow encrypted data storage accessible only via suitable readers.

Contactless chip PVC cards (RFID or NFC)

You access the data without inserting the card into a device. NFC or RFID readers retrieve information at short range. You use them in public transport, secure area access and fast time-tracking systems. Suppliers such as HID Global or NXP provide certified components to ensure reliable data exchange.

Rewritable PVC cards

They allow multiple print cycles on the same card. You favour them for visitor badges or temporary passes in public-facing organisations. You save costs in the long term by reusing the same medium for different users.

Transparent PVC cards

You opt for a clean design with a semi-transparent, frosted or fully transparent card. This choice enhances your visual identity and positions your card as a premium accessory. They are often used in high-end communication campaigns or exclusive clubs.

Cards with holographic stripe

You add an extra layer of security while reinforcing a premium positioning. Holography makes the card difficult to counterfeit. You use them in banking environments, large conferences or VIP services. The stripe strengthens both protection and perceived value.

Biodegradable or eco-friendly cards

These cards use materials such as PLA (polylactic acid) or recycled PVC. This approach meets the expectations of brands concerned about their environmental footprint. According to data from the CDP Institute, over 680 French companies are already committed to this type of plastic reduction initiative.

Pre-printed cards

You receive them already printed with a standard or customised visual. You save time when managing large volumes, such as for sports clubs, exhibitions or companies with high staff turnover. You also limit the use of on-site card printers.

Matte or glossy finish cards

The finish determines the first impression you make. A matte surface delivers a subtle, professional look, while a glossy finish enhances colour intensity. This influences both brand perception and the technical printing requirements you must consider.

How to choose the right type of PVC cards for your needs?

Based on the data to be integrated

Do you want to store a unique identifier, a photo, a magnetic stripe or an RFID chip in your PVC cards? Each type of data determines the choice of medium. For example, a magnetic stripe card stores simple information such as an access code or customer number. However, to integrate encrypted or sensitive data, you should opt for chip cards with a microcontroller or secure RFID technology.

Do you need double-sided encoding, a dynamic QR code or a custom hologram? List your technical requirements precisely to avoid overload or incompatibility during production.

According to your industry

Retail: Choose personalised loyalty cards, full-colour printed with magnetic encoding or barcodes. These formats are compatible with standard POS readers and withstand frequent handling.
Events: Use PVC badges with photo, QR code or contactless MIFARE chip. These models allow fast access control and simplify participant identification.
Professional or administrative environment: Select chip or RFID PVC cards to ensure identification, access management and time tracking. Compatibility with existing systems remains a key factor.

Based on the desired security level

Do you want to prevent identity theft, intrusion or fraud? If so, choose a model with secure components: NFC chip, random visual cryptogram, ghost image, hologram or tactile varnish. These elements deter counterfeiting and ensure card validity.

The security level also depends on the card’s lifecycle. The longer the usage period, the more you need to integrate durable and tamper-proof protection technologies.

Based on the image you want to project

Premium: Choose PVC cards with a matte finish, selective varnish, foil stamping or embossed card options. These refined finishes enhance your brand and make a strong impression on your customers.
Eco-friendly: Opt for recycled PVC or chlorine-free PET-G cards. Some plastic card suppliers also offer biodegradable cards made from starch or algae-based materials.
Technological: Favour smart cards with an integrated chip, RFID or dynamic QR code. They demonstrate your investment in modern and scalable solutions.

Price: cost comparison by card type

Below is an estimate of average unit costs per card, excluding personalisation and specific quantities:

Standard non-encoded PVC cards: between €0.08 and €0.15
Magnetic stripe cards: between €0.15 and €0.30
Contact chip cards: between €0.90 and €1.40
Contactless cards with MIFARE Classic RFID chip: between €0.40 and €0.80
High-end cards with special finishes (glossy material, foil stamping, tactile varnish): up to €2.50

What is your production volume? From 500 units upwards, prices drop significantly, especially for custom plastic cards.

Always compare offers that include on-demand printing, encoding, delivery and durability guarantees to determine the true cost per use.

Are you looking for a simple, modern and versatile tool to enhance your business?

PVC cards tick all the boxes. Do you want to build customer loyalty, quickly identify staff, secure access or distribute a subscription? This modular tool meets each of these objectives efficiently.

Why do professionals rely on PVC cards?

Versatility : company badge, loyalty cards, secure access card, promotional medium or gift card – they adapt to all business contexts.
Personalisation : you can integrate a barcode, RFID chip, custom visual, signature or named data. You have full control over the image you convey.
Efficiency : PVC cards resist wear, remain legible over time and work perfectly with compatible readers, even with frequent use.

What message does your card convey to your customers and partners?

A thick, well-designed card with a professional card design and clear functionality reinforces your credibility from the very first interaction. This physical medium reflects a level of quality and professionalism applied across all your services. Conversely, a poorly finished generic card dilutes your brand image.

What return on investment can you expect?

Each personalised PVC card acts as a discreet yet permanent communication tool. It supports customer loyalty, streamlines the customer experience and modernises your processes. You turn a simple medium into a value driver at low unit costs as soon as you move to batch printing.

How much value do you place on your professional image? If you are looking for a medium that matches your standards, PVC cards open up numerous opportunities with precision and reliability.

So, which PVC cards will you choose?

You are now familiar with the possibilities offered by different types of PVC cards: basic models, magnetic, chip-based, direct thermal printable, encodable and many more. Each category meets specific use cases and can transform a simple card into a powerful management or communication tool.

What features are you looking for? Do you want to secure access to your premises, streamline your loyalty programme or offer an elegant gift card? Ask the right questions and align your choices with your business objectives. A well-designed card conveys far more than a message – it reflects your standards and professionalism.

Do you have a PVC card project? Request a personalised quote or explore our full catalogue to find the card that matches your image.

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