Whether you’re wondering how to make event badges or how to make employee ID badges, you want all the details to be perfect so you can make the most of this investment. 

There are so many different ways you can you can customize ID cards, from the size to the design itself - but, can you sublimate on PVC cards? You’ve come to the right place.

Sublimation of PVC cards is an interesting topic. This process can create some of the most vibrant, durable designs possible. However, it’s typically reserved for polyester or polymer-coated surfaces, which is where the challenge of PVC card sublimation lies.

Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to sublimate on PVC cards below along with more guidance on bringing your unique vision to life. It’s easy when you partner with CustomLanyard.net for your custom PVC cards - get started today!

The Role of PVC Cards Across Use Cases

First things first - what is PVC ID card typically used for, and why do you need one for your business or event? The overarching goal is to create a secure, professional, and customizable solution for identification and access control.

These cards are commonly used as employee ID badges in the corporate world, facilitating security and streamlining access to different areas within a workplace. They can integrated with RFID chips or magnetic stripes to manage entry while tracking who comes and goes.

One of the other most common use cases is for event management. Conferences, trade shows, and large-scale gatherings use these cards to identify attendees, speakers, and VIPs.

But, they’re also used in other settings like for membership programs in gyms, clubs, and more. We even see them used in schools as student and staff IDs, where they can double as library cards, access control keys, and even payment methods for on-campus services.

Of all the different ID cards materials, PVC is preferred for its durability, versatility, and ability to support a wide range of functionalities. Across these diverse use cases, the need for customization is critical, with many interested in the sublimation of PVC cards for lasting results.

But what is sublimation, exactly?

What is Sublimation?

This printing process involves transferring dye onto a surface using heat and pressure. Unlike traditional printing methods, sublimation skips the liquid phase. Instead, the dye transitions directly from a solid to a gas when heated to permeate the surface of the material it’s being applied to. The result is a vibrant, high-resolution image resistant to fading, peeling, or cracking.

This is a popular printing method for polyester fabrics and specially coated surfaces, making it ideal for creating custom apparel, mugs, and various promotional items. There are even custom dye sublimation lanyards!

Because the dye becomes part of the substrate, the resulting image is long-lasting and can withstand frequent handling and exposure to the elements. 

However, when it comes to printing on PVC cards, sublimation presents certain challenges. Standard PVC lacks the necessary polymer coating to bond with sublimation dyes effectively. So, can you sublimate on PVC cards or not?

Can You Sublimate on PVC Cards?

Unfortunately, standard PVC cards are not suitable for direct sublimation. This material lacks the necessary polymer coating that allows the sublimation dye to properly adhere to the surface. 

If you attempt to sublimate directly onto a regular PVC card, the high heat required for sublimation (typically around 400°F or 204°C) can cause the PVC to warp or melt - the card won’t be usable.

That doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to sublimate on PVC cards, though. You’ll just need to choose a specialized sublimation-ready PVC card. These come pre-coated with a special polymer layer that can withstand the heat of the sublimation process and bond with the dye. 

The dye can then permeate the surface of the card, creating a durable and vibrant print that is integrated into the card itself rather than sitting on top of it like in other printing methods.

Or, you could simply take standard PVC cards and apply a sublimation coating to the card before printing. This does create extra hoops to jump through, and typically the result falls short of expectations from both an aesthetic and durability perspective. 

That being said, if you’re passionate about learning how to print on ID cards using this method, we’ve got you covered. Here is how to sublimate on PVC cards.

How to Sublimate on PVC Cards

For the sake of this step-by-step guide, we’re going to assume you’re using sublimation-ready PVC cards, as this will ensure a more efficient, vibrant, long-lasting result. 

Step 1: Prepare Your Design

Start by creating your design using graphic design software. Make sure it’s mirrored (flipped horizontally) if necessary because the image will be transferred onto the card in reverse. Keep in mind the size of the ID card so that all important elements fit within the boundaries.

Step 2: Print on Sublimation Paper

Next, print your design onto sublimation paper using a printer equipped with sublimation ink. You must use high-quality sublimation ink and paper so the colors transfer accurately and vibrantly onto the card. 

This may require you to adjust the printer settings to achieve the best resolution and color accuracy as well. The work you do here will pay off in the final result.

Step 3: Set Up the Heat Press

Prepare your heat press by setting it to the appropriate temperature and time for sublimating on PVC cards. A temperature of around 385°F to 400°F works best, and the pressing time should be between 60 to 90 seconds. 

Make sure the pressure is medium to high to guarantee a firm transfer of the dye onto the card. Too light and it won’t transfer effectively, too hard and you could smear the design or damage the card.

Step 4: Position the Card and Transfer

Place the printed sublimation paper face-down onto the sublimation-ready PVC card. Align it carefully so the design transfers accurately. Then, place the card and paper in the heat press.

Lower the heat press and apply pressure. The heat and pressure combination causes the sublimation ink to turn into gas, which then permeates the surface of the PVC card, bonding with the polymer coating.

Step 5: Cooling and Finishing

Carefully remove the card from the heat press once you’re finished. It will be hot, so handle it with care. Allow the card to cool completely before touching the printed surface. 

Once cooled, the image will be fully bonded to the card, creating a vibrant, durable finish.

Step 6: Quality Check and Assembly

At this point, it’s just a matter of inspecting the card for any imperfections, such as misalignment or incomplete transfer. 

But if everything looks good, your card is ready to use. If you’re producing badges, you can now assemble them with a custom badge holder, personalized lanyard, or clips as needed. 

 

And there you have it! Now that you know how to sublimate on PVC cards you can source your equipment, come up with a design, and get to work.

But with the #1 selection of custom PVC cards just a few clicks away, why work harder when you could work smarter? Leave the process to a professional with a proven track record, like CustomLanyard.net.

Bring Your Custom PVC Cards to Life in Just a Few Clicks Today!

No matter what you’re looking to create, you don’t have to stress about who makes custom ID cards that can meet your needs. CustomLanyard.net has earned the trust of more than a million customers and counting. 

Here in our catalog, you’ll gain access to the best selection of custom ID cards at an unbeatable price, along with all the different types of badge holders you could need to complete the purchase.

We always employ high-quality printing for professional and secure identification. You’ll also enjoy a hassle-free process with our customizable layouts and templates to streamline the process. Here’s a quick overview of how to make PVC ID cards with us:

  1. Choose your orientation and size: From as small as 2.12” x 3.38” to as large as 6.5” x 4.75”, we have a layout for any use case. You can even choose your PVC ID card thickness!
  2. Pick your card body: We have a variety of styles to choose from, such as regular white or black cards, holographic cards, transparent cards, glossy cards, and more.
  3. Customize your card: You can upload your artwork if you have a professional design file ready to go or use our intuitive form to build your card design step-by-step.

Choose from an array of card hole styles, add any notes you want for us to take into account, and select your quantity and delivery date. You can select a digital proof if you’d like to see the final product before you place your order, too.

We don’t just have the best selection of PVC cards, though. We also have the best badge holder selection, from acrylic badge holder styles to a simple clear plastic card holder. Get everything you need in one easy purchase with our custom ID card lanyard creator.

The possibilities are endless at CustomLanyard.net, so are you ready to get started with sublimation of PVC cards? Take the first step today and see how quick and easy it can be!

Wrapping Up Our Guide to Sublimation of PVC Cards

So, can you sublimate on PVC cards? As you can see, it’s possible - but sublimation of PVC cards requires a bit more work unless you are using sublimation-ready cards. 

Now that you know how to sublimate on PVC cards the only thing left to do is determine if this is really the right approach for your goals. Regardless of the direction you take, you can rest assured we have you covered here at CustomLanyard.net.

We have more resources on how to put an ID card on a lanyard, how do ID cards work, how to make badge holders, PET vs PVC ID card, best PVC ID card printer, laminated ID cards vs not laminated, how to laminate PVC ID card, custom wristbands, and more.

Otherwise, shop with us today to bring your custom PVC cards to life with ease and precision! Find out firsthand what keeps our customers coming back for more.