How to Choose the Right Card Type for Your ID Project
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Choosing the right card type is a critical decision in any ID card or badge project. The card material, thickness, and technology directly impact durability, print quality, encoding compatibility, and long-term reliability.
This guide helps you choose the most suitable card type based on real-world use cases — not theory.
Why Card Type Matters
An ID card is more than just a printed surface. Depending on how it is used, the wrong card choice can lead to:
- Premature wear and fading
- Poor print quality
- Unreadable magnetic stripes or contactless chips
- Higher replacement costs
Selecting the right card from the start avoids these issues.
Card Materials Explained
PVC Cards
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is the most common material for ID cards.
- ✔ Cost-effective
- ✔ Excellent print quality
- ✔ Compatible with all card printers
- ✔ Suitable for magnetic stripe and contactless cards
Best for: employee badges, membership cards, visitor cards, events.
PET & Composite Cards
PET or PVC composite cards combine multiple layers for improved resistance.
- ✔ Higher heat resistance
- ✔ Better durability in harsh environments
- ✔ More stable for retransfer printing
Best for: long-term badges, access control cards, outdoor or industrial use.
Card Thickness: 30 mil vs 40 mil
Card thickness affects both durability and user perception.
30 mil (0.76 mm)
- ✔ Industry standard
- ✔ Compatible with all printers and readers
- ✔ Lower cost
Best for: standard ID cards and badges.
40 mil (1.0 mm)
- ✔ Thicker and more rigid
- ✔ Premium feel
- ✖ Requires compatible printers and readers
Best for: premium or high-durability cards.
Magnetic Stripe vs Contactless Cards
Magnetic Stripe Cards
Magnetic stripe cards store data on a magnetic track.
- ✔ Simple and widely supported
- ✔ Cost-effective
- ✖ Physical wear over time
Typical uses: access control, time attendance, loyalty cards.
Note: Magnetic stripe encoding is supported starting from the Standard edition of eMedia CS2.
Contactless Cards
Contactless cards use RFID/NFC technology and communicate via radio frequency.
- ✔ Fast and contactless reading
- ✔ Longer lifespan
- ✔ Higher security potential
Typical uses: secure access control, corporate and institutional IDs.
Note: Contactless encoding is available with eMedia CS2 Expert and uses PC/SC readers, independent of the printer.
Choosing the Right Combination
| Use Case | Recommended Card Type |
|---|---|
| Employee badges | PVC – 30 mil – QR / Magnetic |
| Visitor cards | PVC – 30 mil – QR Code |
| Access control | Composite – 30 mil – Contactless |
| Industrial environment | PET / Composite – 40 mil |
| Premium identification | Composite – Retransfer printing |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing thick cards without checking printer compatibility
- Using magnetic stripes for high-security environments
- Underestimating card wear in daily use
- Mixing printing and encoding constraints
How eMedia CS2 Fits Into Your Project
- Standard: QR codes, barcodes, magnetic stripe encoding, Excel-based printing
- Professional: SQL databases and advanced automation
- Expert: contactless encoding, network license, mobile printing with Wifimage 2
Choosing the right card type and the right eMedia CS2 edition ensures a reliable and scalable ID solution.
Conclusion
The best ID card is not the most advanced one, but the one that fits your real needs. By selecting the correct material, thickness, and technology, you ensure long-lasting cards and smooth operations.