Materials · PVC

PVC Hotel Key Cards

The workhorse of the front desk

PVC is a familiar option for printed hotel key cards. Compare finish, thickness and the complete credential specification for your project.

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Indicative price per card

RFID PVC, MIFARE Classic 1K compatible: $0.10 – $0.30 per card
RFID PVC, MIFARE Ultralight C (ULC): $0.16 – $0.30 per card
Magstripe key card (LoCo, PVC): $0.03 – $0.10 per card

Indicative USD ranges per card at 1,000–4,999 pieces per design, four-colour offset printing included, EXW Dongguan. Freight, duties, taxes, special finishes, sleeves and credential preparation are quoted separately; the exact price is set in a dated quote.Full price table and quantity bands

A price range is not a compatibility statement. Confirm the chip with test samples in your own locks before ordering.

Standard PVC hotel key cards with full-color printing

Before you order

PVC sheets can be printed and laminated around an RFID inlay. The surface is easy to wipe, while wear, heat tolerance and print durability depend on the grade, overlay and use conditions. A PVC body does not by itself establish lock compatibility.

Why PVC endures

    
Printing optionsDiscuss offset or digital printing, spot colors and finishes with a physical proof.
    
Laminated constructionConfirm the core, overlay and finished dimensions in the approved specification.
    
Routine reuseEvaluate bending, surface wear and repeated encoding against your operating conditions.

Seven through-pigmented core colours plus white and clear — the colour-through stock behind VIP and colour-edge cards.

Specification checkpoints

Material option: Standard PVC
Illustrative layers: Protective film → Printed layer → RFID inlay → Printed layer → Protective film
Dimensions: Confirm footprint, finished thickness, tolerances and encoder clearance on the approved drawing and sample.
Material documentation: Grade-specific technical data sheet and finished-card dimensions
Performance evidence: Applicable chemical declarations and reports identifying the tested construction

How the layers fit together

This diagram explains a possible construction. Layer order, relative thickness and components are illustrative; the supplier specification and approved sample define the ordered build.

Illustrative stack; confirm actual layers and dimensions for the project.

Protective film Surface finish and wear layer; verify carrier and bonding system.
Printed layer Graphics on the selected substrate; confirm ink and process.
RFID inlay Chip and antenna; test the complete assembly with the access system.
Printed layer Graphics on the selected substrate; confirm ink and process.
Protective film Surface finish and wear layer; verify carrier and bonding system.

Exploded view: the antenna coil and chip bonded between core sheets — the inlay every contactless card is built around.

Before approving production

Record the lock, encoder, software and credential configuration; test the finished sample on the installed system.
Approve artwork, surface finish, dimensions and the intended handling conditions using a representative sample.
Confirm minimum quantity, sample and production charges, shipping terms and lead time in the project quotation.

Compare related options

PETG PETG is a copolyester option for card bodies. Compare its grade-specific print, flex and thermal behavior with the proposed PVC construction. Degradable PVC PVC containing degradation additives needs careful evidence review. The additive name or an ASTM reference alone does not establish landfill biodegradation.

Material questions

What thickness should we specify for a PVC key card?

A 0.76 mm body is a common starting point. Confirm finished thickness, dimensional tolerances and any magnetic stripe with the encoder specification; approve a sample before committing to production.

Can PVC cards be left in a hot car?

Heat and pressure can warp a laminated card. A resin softening value is not a finished-card service limit. Define storage and shipping conditions and test the proposed grade where heat exposure is expected.

Which print finishes are possible on PVC?

Offset and digital printing, spot colors, foil and overlays may be considered. The available combination depends on the stock and process; a physical proof establishes color, adhesion and finish quality.

Can used PVC key cards be recycled?

Check a collector that accepts the complete card, including its chip, antenna and any magnetic stripe. A recyclable base resin does not mean a municipal collection stream accepts the finished credential.

Start your order

Planning your next key card order?

Share your lock and encoder details, quantity per design, artwork and destination. Confirm card options, MOQ, sample costs and delivery in your quote.