PVC ID Cards & Blank Plastic Cards
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most widely used material for professional ID card printing. PVC cards provide a smooth, printable surface for employee IDs, student badges, membership cards, visitor credentials, access cards, loyalty cards and other personalized identification applications.
ID Enhancements offers blank PVC cards in a wide variety of colors, sizes, thicknesses and constructions. Options include standard 30mil white PVC cards, colored cards, varying card thicknesses, poly-composite cards, custom-printed cards, adhesive-backed cards, rewritable cards, protective overlays and FOTODEK PVC cards. Whether you need a plain white card for everyday ID printing or a specialized credential for a unique application, the sections below can help you choose the right product.
Common PVC Card Options
30mil White PVC Cards
Industry-standard blank white cards for everyday photo ID and credential printing.
Colored PVC Cards
Colored card stock for visitor management, membership programs, color coding and branded identification.
Cards of Varying Thicknesses
Choose thinner or thicker PVC cards when your application or printer requires something other than standard 30mil.
Poly-Composite PVC Cards
Stronger PVC/polyester construction for higher-durability and heat-intensive applications.
Specialty PVC Cards
Explore custom-printed, adhesive-backed, rewritable, FOTODEK and other specialized card options.
PVC Card Quick Reference
| Most Common Size | CR80 |
| CR80 Dimensions | 2-1/8" × 3-3/8" |
| Standard Thickness | 30mil |
| Common Material | PVC |
| Typical Surface | Plain White |
| Common Applications | ID & Credential Printing |
Blank ID Cards, Plain White Cards & 30mil PVC Cards
A blank ID card provides the starting point for professional photo identification and credential printing. Standard 30mil white PVC cards are the most common choice, providing a clean plain white card surface for printing photos, logos, text, barcodes and other personalized information.
The standard 30mil white PVC card (commonly called blank ID cards or blank white PVC cards) is the most common choice for professional photo ID printing. These plain white cards, also called blank ID cards or blank white PVC cards, provide a clean surface for printing photos, logos, text, barcodes and other personalized information.
For most everyday ID card programs, the familiar CR80 30mil format provides the same standard size and thickness associated with a credit card. It is widely used for employee IDs, membership cards, student credentials, visitor identification and many other card-printing applications.
Shop 30mil Plain White PVC CardsColored PVC Cards
Colored PVC cards provide a simple way to visually distinguish departments, visitor classifications, membership levels, access groups or branded credential programs. Multiple colors are available for organizations that want an alternative to standard white card stock.
Explore Colored PVC Cards »PVC Cards of Varying Thicknesses
Although 30mil is the industry-standard card thickness, some applications require thinner or thicker media. PVC cards are available in multiple thicknesses for temporary badges, specialty inserts, access credentials and other applications where standard 30mil construction may not be ideal.
Browse PVC Cards by Thickness »Adhesive-Backed PVC Cards
Adhesive-backed PVC cards are printed on the front like a traditional ID card and feature a removable liner over an adhesive backing. After printing, the liner is removed and the card can be applied to another credential or surface (popular with proximity cards).
They are particularly useful for adding professional photo identification to existing proximity credentials. Different card sizes, thicknesses and release-liner materials are available, so always confirm your ID card printer's supported media specifications before ordering.
Shop Adhesive-Backed PVC Cards »Poly-Composite PVC Cards
Poly-composite cards combine PVC with polyester to provide greater strength and heat resistance than standard PVC construction. They are commonly selected for retransfer printing, lamination and applications where additional card durability is desirable.
Shop Poly-Composite PVC Cards »Custom-Printed PVC Cards
Custom-printed PVC cards are an option for organizations that want cards produced with company graphics, branding or other preprinted elements rather than printing every design element in-house.
Explore Custom-Printed PVC Cards »Re-Writable PVC Cards
Re-writable PVC cards feature a specialized thermal surface that allows information to be erased and printed again with compatible equipment, making them useful for visitor credentials, temporary IDs and applications where card information changes frequently.
Explore Re-Writable PVC Cards »Protective Overlays for PVC Cards
Protective card overlays provide an additional layer over a printed credential to help protect the card surface from everyday handling and wear. Review the individual overlay specifications to select the correct option for your card application.
Shop Protective Overlays »FOTODEK PVC Cards
FOTODEK offers a broad selection of PVC card constructions for professional ID badging and credential printing, including standard, premium, colored, eco-friendly and adhesive-backed options.
Explore FOTODEK PVC Cards »ID Card Thicknesses
PVC ID cards are available in several thicknesses depending on the application and printer requirements. Common options range from approximately 10mil to 60mil.
30mil is by far the most widely used thickness and provides the familiar feel of a standard credit card. Always verify the supported card thickness for your printer before ordering.
ID Card Sizes
CR80: 2-1/8" × 3-3/8" — standard credit-card size and the most common ID card format.
CR79: Slightly smaller than CR80 and frequently used for adhesive-backed cards applied to clamshell credentials.
CR90: 3.303" x 2.051" - an oversized card format for largers credentials
CR100: 2-5/8" × 3-7/8" — another oversized card format used when a larger credential is required.
How to Choose the Right PVC ID Card
Start with your printer specifications and the requirements of your credential program. Card thickness, material, size, magnetic stripe requirements, encoding technology, printing process and lamination can all affect which blank card is appropriate.
For standard photo identification, a plain white 30mil CR80 PVC card is the most common starting point. Applications involving lamination, reusable badges, clamshell credentials, visual color coding or specialized printing may require a composite, adhesive-backed, rewritable, colored or other specialty card instead.
Explore Our PVC Card Collection
Browse PVC cards by color, thickness, construction and application to find the right card for your ID printer and credential program.
