As any seasoned business owner knows, the tiny details often make a massive difference in your bottom line. PVC ID cards are a fantastic way to beef up security and boost your brand’s reputation, and there’s a way to amplify these benefits even further.

Learning how to laminate PVC ID cards is necessary for any serious business. Laminated ID cards look even more professional than standard cards while extending your cards' durability and lifespan.

The good news is that learning how to laminate ID cards is relatively easy. This guide covers the basics and refreshes you on all the fantastic benefits your business will reap once you switch.

If you don’t have time for DIY projects, outsourcing the whole process will save you time and stress! You can find fantastic laminated custom ID cards here at CustomLanyard.net, allowing you to join the ranks of massive brands like Netflix, Microsoft, and Meta that have used our services.

Why Laminate Your PVC ID Cards?

Whether you don’t use ID cards in your operations or give your employees unlaminated ones, we must establish the basics before teaching you how to laminate PVC ID cards.

So, how do ID cards work, and why is laminating them so vital?

The differences between laminated ID cards vs not laminated ones are countless. Laminated cards are incredibly durable, avoiding wear and tear, boosting security, and creating a professional appearance.

Enhancing Durability

If you and your staff use ID cards, you know how often they can get scuffed up. Between scratches from bumping up against clothing or desks to coffee spills, you’re locked in a never-ending battle to keep the cards looking fresh.

When you learn how to laminate ID cards, you’ll add a layer of protection that acts as a barely visible force field. This will shield your cards from that wear and tear, avoiding smudged ink or crumpled-up corners–even after years of use.

Improving Security

Employee ID cards contain highly sensitive and valuable information. They are used to access your facilities and databases, and if they fall into the wrong hands, you are in for a nightmare.

Lamination shines at avoiding loss and theft. When you learn how to laminate PVC ID cards, you will make them tamper-evident, making them impossible to breach or copy without leaving apparent signs.

Most laminate films can be modified with security features like holograms, watermarks, and microscopic printing. These features make them exceptionally difficult to forge or replicate, giving you another protection against fraud or data breaches.

Aesthetic and Professional Appearance

In the business world, first impressions matter more than anything else. Learning how to laminate PVC ID cards lets your business put its best face forward–even outside your commercial properties.

Laminating your ID cards will bolster their appearance, sealing in those vibrant colors and crisp text and ensuring they last for years. No more faded pictures, smudged ink, or cracked corners that scream amateur hour.

Instead, anyone who sees your corporate IDs, from potential customers to vendors to employees, will see your business as organized and committed to excellence in the small details. Even as your employees bring their ID cards on their commute to work attached to a lanyard or inside a badge holder, your brand will catch the eyes of passersby, boosting your company's credibility.

With the benefits established, let’s switch gears and discuss how to laminate ID cards to help you reap these wonderful benefits.

How to Laminate PVC ID Card

Before ordering your ID cards, you’ll want a solid plan for handling lamination.

There are two ways to go about it: The DIY route, which we’ll teach you in this article, or outsourcing lamination to an external company, usually the same one that creates your ID cards in the first place.

For DIY, you will need a handful of materials and equipment and plenty of free time. The total cost of DIY may be higher than outsourcing, so it is vital to do your research.

Outsourcing vs DIY Lamination

Before going through the trouble of learning how to laminate PVC ID cards, consider outsourcing it entirely.

Outsourcing is the “easy mode” for ID card lamination–you either add it when purchasing ID cards or send existing cards to a lamination service. They’ll handle everything else for you, from adding security watermarks to ensuring the lamination is sleek and barely noticeable.

Plus, while it may cost extra, you’ll have the peace of mind that the lamination on those cards is professional-level and precisely what you need to keep employee badges in peak condition for the long run.

DIY lamination lets you take matters into your own hands, provided you have the necessary equipment and know-how. The trade-off is that you have to be willing to put in a bit of elbow grease, including going through the growing pains of learning how the process works.

Materials and Equipment Needed for DIY

If you choose the DIY route, you’ll have plenty of shopping in your future. You’ll need to gather lamination equipment and ID card materials, ensuring they are of sufficient quality to deliver the results you’re aiming for.

You’ll start with a laminator. These machines use heat and pressure to apply your lamination film.

You’ll also need plenty of lamination film, which often comes in pouch form. There are several pouches sized specifically for ID cards, though you can also make your own using film if your ID badges are non-standard in size.

Finally, several small tools, such as scissors, paper trimmers, hole punches, and holographic materials, will also be necessary to ensure a clean and even finish.

Step-by-Step Lamination Process

Once you’ve finished shopping and gathered your tools and materials, it’s time to start laminating! Let’s explore how the process works.

Preparation of ID Cards

Before you laminate a single card, you must ensure your badges are prepared. Ensure each card is clean, dry, and free of dirt or ink smudges. These blemishes will remain even after lamination, so you may need to replace these badges entirely.

Inspect each badge and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth as needed.

Inserting Cards into Pouches

Now, you’ll fit the cards into the lamination pouches. If you didn’t buy the pouches premade or your ID card size is non-standard, you’ll need to create them yourself.

Carefully slide each badge into the pouch. You should be able to insert it without any wrinkles or air bubbles.

Leave a small gap around the edges of the card for an even seal during lamination.

Adjusting Laminator Settings

With the cards prepared, it’s time to fire up the laminator. Adjust your settings for thickness and speed. You should perform a few test runs before using completed IDs, starting on a lower heat setting and speed while working towards a sweet spot.

Feeding Cards into the Laminator

Insert the pouch and ID carefully, making sure they are appropriately aligned. Most lamination machines will have guides or markings to help you with positioning.

Take it slow and steady, as forcing the pouch through could cause unsightly bubbles or wrinkles.

 

Cooling and Trimming

Once your ID has gone through the machine, allow it to cool completely. This will ensure the lamination adheres correctly without distortions or bubbles. Some laminators come with special cooling trays.

When that’s complete, you can make final adjustments with scissors or trimmers to clean up any excessive film, giving you crisp final results.

Tips on Choosing a Company to Laminate PVC ID Cards For You

We know there’s a lot to the DIY route, and it can all get overwhelming. What if you want to outsource the entire process? Who makes custom ID cards and laminates them at the same time?

There are a few things to watch out for. First, you want to search for a provider that specializes in this process. This ensures that your cards will look crisp and have a high-quality finish.

If you need extra security features, inquire with potential companies to ensure they can handle these requests.

You’ll also want to consider turnaround time, which will help you implement your new IDs quickly.

So, where can you find a company that knocks all of these criteria out of the park?

Your search doesn’t have to go far, as you’re already in the right place!

Save the Time and Stress With Professionally Crafted PVC ID Cards Online!

CustomLanyard.net is the world’s #1 home for custom PVC cards, lamination services, and everything you need to streamline your operations!

Why Customize ID Cards From Us?

When you shop with CustomLanyard.net, you’ll join over a million businesses, charities, and other organizations in crafting iconic customizable products. We’ve worked with massive brands like Yelp, Google, and Microsoft, consistently delivering unforgettable products with expert craftsmanship.

We’ve mastered the art of how to make PVC ID cards over the last decade, ensuring organizations like yours can streamline security and amplify their brand reputation.

When you shop with us, the entire process is convenient. No more fretting about how to put an ID card on a lanyard or what the precise laminator settings are. Our ID cards can be paired with personalized lanyards and several types of badge holders, including custom badge holders, acrylic badge holders, and clear plastic card holders.

How it Works

Shopping with us is far simpler than doing it all yourself. You’ll use our convenient website to customize your order, from the size of your card to intricate details like hole style, thickness, or finish.

If you’re wondering how to print on ID cards, let our team take care of it! You can order specific logos or text to show off your brand seamlessly. You’ll have access to instant price quotes on the order page and won’t pay until you approve our final proof. You can even choose between several shipping options to ensure you minimize downtime.

Final Thoughts on How to Laminate ID Cards

Laminating PVC ID cards is crucial in ensuring they are durable, secure, and professional-looking. While you can tackle the lamination process yourself, you can outsource it to a specialized service provider.

CustomLanyard.net is the best place to find customizable products. Between the best badge holders for your laminated ID cards or custom wristbands for a big event, we have everything you need to stand out among the crowd.

If you enjoyed learning how to laminate PVC ID cards, check out our blog for helpful guides! Some of our recent articles include how to make badge holders, how much do ID cards cost, PET vs PVC ID cards, can you customize ID cards, what is a PVC ID card, and the best PVC ID card printers.

Otherwise, if you’re ready to implement laminated custom ID card lanyards into your business, you’ve come to the right place. Browse our website or talk to our friendly customer support team to learn more about how we can help you with lamination today!