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PVC cards and paper cards are two common materials in life. They can be widely used in many fields such as business cards, membership cards, menus, etc. No matter which material, it has its unique advantages and disadvantages. This article will explore the differences between PVC cards and paper cards, including material characteristics, environmental protection, durability, usage scenarios, etc., so as to help readers better choose the material that suits them.
Definition and production process of PVC card and paper card
Pvc card
PVC card is a plastic card made of polyvinyl chloride. It has the characteristics of heat insulation, waterproof and moisture-proof, flame retardant, etc., and is widely used in ID cards, bank cards, access cards, student cards, etc.
The production process of PVC cards includes
magnetic stripe: A transparent plastic material tape that holds data, storing information in a two-dimensional magnetic domain, such as the card circuit of a bank card. Through the driving and driving materials of card readers and POS machines, its data can be converted into electrical signals and sent to the computer to realize information reading.
QR code, barcode, lamination, hot stamping, die cutting, embossing, scratch ,holographic ,punching, uv spot etc.
Paper card
Paper cards are a new type of paper card that is beneficial to the environment. Among them, coated paper is the most frequently used in life. It has the characteristics of low cost, strong confidentiality, environmental protection and energy saving. It is widely used in flyers, thank you cards, greeting cards, tags, etc.
There are many processes for paper cards.uv spot,embossed printing,gravure printing,convex printing,edge color,foil stamping etc.,
PVC cards and paper cards have many of the same processes. Different processes combined with different materials and designs will produce different effects. Whether you choose PVC cards or paper cards, they can satisfy your pursuit of aesthetics.Then consider which material to choose based on durability and cost
Performance comparison between PVC card and paper card
Durability
PVC cards are waterproof and oil-proof, and have great toughness. There was a video showing a customer eating and drinking in a restaurant. When he needed to use a bottle opener to open the bottle cap and called the waiter, the waiter opened the beer bottle cap with a PVC menu. Interested friends can watch the following video
https://www.facebook.com/100050755627449/videos/125885712446616
In addition to its excellent hardness, PVC cards are also very flexible. If you have a discarded PVC
card ,please don’t throw it away.Fold it and you can get a mobile phone holder.
Reusing discarded cards not only makes life more convenient, but also reduces environmental pollution. Let the earth we live in develop sustainably. Or you can also try to collect and sell these discarded PVC cards. Some people recycle these plastic cards for re-production and processing. After processing, they may become products such as power strips. This is also a way to protect the environment.
Paper cards are more easily damaged than PVC cards. In instantaneous or short-term applications, such as coupons, invitations, admission tickets, lottery tickets, etc., which do not need to be preserved for a long time.
As a renewable resource, paper cards can decompose quickly in the natural environment and have little impact on the environment. There is even a seed paper card that can be soaked in water and placed in a flower pot with a thin layer of soil. After a period of maintenance, you can see the plants growing. Isn't it amazing?
Cost
Generally speaking, The production cost of PVC cards is higher than that of paper cards, and this is for ordinary printing costs. If you want the card to look beautiful and elegant, then choosing the craft is an indispensable thing. The increase in craftsmanship and the choice of materials have made the price of paper cards have many possibilities. The price may even exceed that of PVC cards. As mentioned earlier, the craftsmanship of making PVC cards and paper cards is almost the same, but the difference needs to be mentioned in the three-dimensional craftsmanship of paper cards. This is something that PVC cards cannot present.And PVC cards allow for magnetic stripes and even embedded RFID chips, allowing for contactless reading of data. Paper cards may not support RFID or magnetic stripes.
Another point worth noting is that when making PVC cards, you must choose to make the edges with rounded corners. Otherwise, you will be easily cut by the card. When making paper cards, you can choose to make the edges with rounded corners or right angles. If you choose thicker paper material to make cards, rounded corners are a better choice.
Comparison summary between PVC card and paper card
|
Pvc card |
Paper card |
Regular size |
85.5*54 mm |
90*54 mm |
Toughness |
High toughness |
Slight toughness |
Waterproof |
Waterproof |
Slightly waterproof with film |
Cost |
Higher(printing) |
Lower(printing) |
When choosing custom sizes or production processes, it is not clear which one is more expensive. It depends on the actual customization situation. |
||
Environmental friendly |
Non-degradable |
Degradable |
Surface |
Glossy/matte/frosted/transparent |
Glossy/matte(Special papers do not allow for glossy surfaces) |
Unique technology |
Magnetic stripe, RFID |
3D,Plantable |
Duration of use |
Long-term use |
One-time or short-term use |
Common application scenarios |
Badges cards; ID cards; access cards;Warranty card; membership card; library cards; work cards; menu ; bus cards; bank cards; etc. |
Business cards, thank you cards, greeting cards, flyers, menus, brochures, coupons, admission tickets, vouchers, etc. |
Conclusion
PVC cards and paper cards each have their own unique characteristics and are suitable for different scenarios and needs. Choose the card material according to the purpose of the card, and decide the card craftsmanship to be made according to the usage scenario. If you want to present a high-end luxury feeling, PVC cards and paper cards are both good choices. If you consider the collectibility, PVC cards are more ideal. If you want to promote products and distribute them on the street. Or as a tool for an activity, paper cards are a good choice because they are economical. And the production time is also very fast, only about 1-3 days.
In short, whether it is PVC cards or paper cards, appropriate choices can enhance user experience and reasonably realize resource utilization.