Shop & Buy PVC ID Cards

ID cards generally come in three sizes: CR80, CR79, and CR100. The vast majority of card printing applications call for CR80 size cards, and all card printers are capable of printing to this card size unless otherwise specified. Select printers are also capable of printing to CR79 and CR100 size cards, which may be used for more specialized applications. Here is a brief overview of the three most common PVC card sizes:

CR79 (3.303" x 2.051"): Slightly smaller than a standard CR80 size card, CR79 cards typically have an adhesive back and are commonly used for printing, peeling, and adhering to a “clamshell” style proximity card.

CR80 (3.375" x 2.125"): CR80 cards are the standard, most commonly used size cards for ID and other card printing applications and are the same size as a credit card.

CR100 (3.88" x 2.63"): 42% larger than a standard CR80 card, CR100 cards are often called "oversize" or "military-size" cards. CR100 cards are easier to see from a distance and are too big to hide in a wallet. Card printers with CR100 size card printing capability are very limited.

There are also options for varying card thicknesses. Standard cards (including credit cards) are 30 mil thick. PVC cards are also available in 20 mil, 13 mil, 10 mil, and 55 mil thicknesses.

Note: Not all card printers are capable of printing on non-standard card sizes and/or thicknesses. Check the specs of your card printer for the sizes and thicknesses it is capable of printing on, or call an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405 for assistance.

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Back

Plastic cards featuring magnetic stripes can be encoded with data for applications including financial cards, gift cards, access key cards, library cards, loyalty cards, transit cards, and more. When shopping for magstripe PVC cards, you have two options: high coercivity (HiCo) cards and low coercivity (LoCo) cards. HiCo and LoCo cards can be encoded to store same amount of data, but HiCo cards offer superior durability and security. The basic differences between the two types are outlined below.

High coercivity magnetic striped cards are harder to erase, and are therefore appropriate for applications where cards are frequently used or expected to have a long life. HiCo stripes are resistant to damage from most magnets or magnetic fields. Typical HiCo applications include: employee ID cards, access control, time and attendance, bank cards, and membership cards.

Low coercivity magnetic striped cards are easier to erase and can be damaged by brief contact with a magnetic field. Due to their sensitivity, LoCo stripe cards are typically used for short-term applications such as hotel room keys, phone cards, transit passes, and season passes for amusement parks.

At a glance, HiCo cards can generally be identified by a black stripe, while the stripes on LoCo cards are generally brown. The encoding technique is the same for both types of cards, except that encoding HiCo cards requires a stronger electrical current.

If you need assistance choosing the right mag stripe card for you, call an ID Professional at (800) 321-4405.