Identity cards and membership cards are almost mandatory in the modern world and for different purposes. Many of us have driver's licenses; most of us now have gym membership, credit or business cards, etc. Conventionally, they have been created from paper or some form of paperboard. However, recently, plastic PVC (polyvinyl chloride) cards have become more popular than paper cards because of the advantages they have over the paper ones.

Durability 

Durability is one of the largest strengths of PVC cards, with PVC's ability to withstand wear and tear high on the list. It is for this reason that paper cards are also disadvantageous as they are known to bend, tear or develop other signs of wear and tear with ease. It turns out that they may swell or even turn to dust under conditions of high humidity or temperature. While paper or paper laminated cards are easy to produce, fold easily, and are relatively cheap, PVC cards are much more robust and can sustain wear and tear. They are flexible but at the same time rather durable, and even after years of continual usage, they will retain their shape and will not be damaged. 

Despite its name, PVC card is not cut or shaped from a PVC card blank; instead, a rigid PVC plastic sheet. This is much better than a porous paper which gets penetrated easily by dirt, the plastic itself is the barrier. An additional applied coating of polyester film makes the cards so very less susceptible to scratches. PVC cards are not as delicate and can be dropped, sat on or even tossed in a bag or pocket without the risk of tearing or becoming damaged. They cannot easily be torn or creased, meaning once they are made, they remain in that particular form. They are quite durable and this makes them appropriate to be used in the production of those cards that are used frequently and are supposed to last longer.

Longevity

This also directly leads to better longevity since the PVC cards have the durability to last longer than paper. A paper card can easily wear out within a few months, especially if used frequently and in conservative places such as workplaces, schools, and other institutions. However, when it comes to a PVC card, it can definitely last for several years without some signs of wear and tear. Well, the expected life span of PVC card is up to 10 years because it is constructed with an enclosed layer of plastic.

Such a long functional lifespan dictates that less cards will have to be produced and replaced in the long run. For instance, paper cards for driving license may require replacement after every few years and therefore may require a successive manufacturing cost. However, a PVC driver's license can work perfectly well for as long as 10 years without the need for a touch up. Long-term PVC membership and employee identification cards also help eliminate the inconvenience of constant card replacement, of short-term, paper cards.

Customization Options 

PVC cards also provide far more design and customization options versus paper cards:PVC cards also provide far more design and customization options versus paper cards:

  • Advanced printing methods: Other features that are possible with these specialized printers include enabling full color prints for photos, logos, graphics and holos to be printed right to the PVC material making for bright and clear images that can not be scraped or rubbed off like a paper.
  • Security features: Other security features, which are available for PVC cards, are holograms, magnetic stripes, barcodes, microtext, specialty inks, embedded holograms and RFID chip to increase security level when needed.  
  • Customs cuts and sizes - Unlike other card printers that offer cards with standard sizes, PVC card printers can design cards to come in any other sizes and shapes for the best experience. Through the use of designs and contours, the product branding can be easily recognized by consumers.
  • Tailoring – Textured laminates, high-gloss, soft touch treatments and matte coatings provide many design opportunities for the PVC card to go beyond an appearance similar to paper. A digital printing technique is more advanced than traditional printing as it enables high-quality images that are photorealistic and accurate in color.

All in all, PVC cards are superior to the paper-based ones in terms of the fundamental characteristics such as durability, longevity, and personalized design options. Their protective plastic outer coating helps to guard crucial card data and our attractive colouring significantly longer than flimsy paper bases. PVC enables organizations to develop high functioning cards with the necessary security, technology and aesthetic appeal to meet customers' needs for many years at a fraction of the cost of replacement which is often the associated with poorly constructed paper cards. Since the usage of cards in the society increases further in all segments, it is worth replacing the paper with the PVC due to its advantages.