You can customize PVC ID cards to match your organization's needs precisely. You can find custom PVC ID cards in various shapes and sizes, including standard horizontal cards or full-color prints filled with security features.


In addition to their design potential, PVC ID cards pair well with many different types of lanyards, allowing your organization to integrate them seamlessly. The benefits are endless, but how can you make your own PVC ID cards to capitalize on their unique capabilities?


As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of personalized lanyards, wristbands, and ID cards, we have learned the ins and outs here at CustomLanyard.net. We compiled this guide on how to make PVC ID cards to help you and your organization find a perfect match.


Be sure to take notes, as we will cover everything you need to know, including how to put an ID card on a lanyard and why using photo ID employee badges is an excellent decision for any organization.

The Role of PVC ID Cards

Thanks to their versatility and customization possibilities, PVC ID cards can play multiple crucial roles in any institution or business. Understanding the myriad opportunities these nifty cards provide is integral to learning how to make PVC ID cards at home or through a professional supplier, so let’s dive right in.

Common Uses: Businesses, Institutions, and Events

PVC ID cards can adapt to your organization's needs at a moment’s notice. Organizations like schools, hospitals, universities, and government buildings can utilize PVC ID cards to instantly identify staff or visitors and control access to secure areas.


For example, a university could create a PVC ID card for students to allow them access to campus resources like dormitories, libraries, or dining areas. At the same time, a hospital could use the same technology for patient areas, laboratories, or data retrieval.


Security and identification play just one part of the equation. PVC ID cards are also an excellent marketing tool, especially when paired with a lanyard. These helpful cards can be used for years at several conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions as an easy way to network or find new leads.

You may have heard of the symbiotic relationship between the two, but what is a lanyard used for when it comes to PVC ID cards?


Like salt and pepper, PVC ID cards pair wonderfully with customized lanyards, providing a hands-free option for employees and vendors. This can be especially crucial when wearers need their ID cards frequently to access secure areas. Lanyards also offer additional branding value for PVC ID cards at conferences and exhibits, allowing them to be easily seen.

Why PVC? Advantages Over Other Materials

PVC, also known by its chemical name Polyvinyl Chloride, is an immensely popular choice for ID cards.


Among the litany of reasons for PVC’s popularity is its renowned durability. PVC is extremely tough and flexible, allowing it to withstand wear and tear for years on end. These qualities make PVC a superior option to flimsy materials like paper. With such a sturdy material, you may think PVC would be paired with a hefty price tag, but that’s far from the case.


Instead, PVC is one of the more cost-effective materials out there. It is simple for manufacturers to produce large quantities of PVC without breaking the bank compared to other options like PET or Polycarbonate.


If you are learning how to make PVC ID cards for security purposes, you will also be pleased to know that PVC can incorporate various security features. These can include magnetic stripes, smart chips, and barcodes to help your organization manage access.


Finally, PVC is environmentally friendly, as it can be recycled, helping reduce your organization’s carbon footprint. With so many benefits to PVC, the only choice you need to make as an institution is whether you should make them on your own or work with a professional. With that, let’s discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Should You Make Your Own PVC ID Cards

PVC ID cards are an extraordinarily versatile investment, but there are a couple of options to choose from before jumping in. Learning how to make PVC ID cards can be a way to save money for your business at first glance, but there are a few things to consider.

Can You Make Your Own PVC ID Cards?

The good news is, yes, you can make your own PVC ID cards. However, the viability of this path will depend on the resources available to you and your organization. You may need to invest in a few tools, like a quality printer and a laminator tool. Additionally, security features like magnetic stripes or barcodes have additional requirements.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of DIY PVC ID Cards

Let’s look at the details of the debate to help you make the right choice for your business.



First, let’s look at the benefits of the DIY route. Making your own PVC ID cards can have lower upfront costs, especially if you have already purchased most of the necessary materials for other needs. Additionally, you can exert total control over the process and may be able to produce a small number of cards with a quick turnaround.


However, the DIY route comes with a few essential drawbacks to note. Without experience and the right equipment, the quality of your DIY cards will pale in comparison to professional options.


Security is also a concern with DIY PVC ID cards. They can lack proper security features compared to professionally made cards, making them susceptible to counterfeiting or fraud. After all, if you can craft them yourself, so can counterfeiters!


Lastly, the DIY route is a time-consuming option, especially for organizations not specializing in manufacturing.

The Benefits of Partnering With a Professional for Custom PVC ID Cards

While learning how to make your own PVC ID cards can be fun, finding a reliable professional who makes custom ID cards is the best way to guarantee a fantastic final result.


Professionals specializing in creating custom PVC ID cards have the expertise and experience to craft high-quality cards that meet your needs. Additionally, professionals have access to state-of-the-art technology, allowing for premium graphics and security features.

Professional manufacturers also can help you save time and energy that would have been spent on creating ID cards yourself. You can also find manufacturers that offer lasting product support for your cards.


With the pros and cons established, let’s discuss how the DIY route works.

How to Make PVC ID Cards At Home

Whether crafting your own PVC ID cards or working with a professional, the process begins with establishing your goals and creating a design. Once you have a clear idea of the problems your organization is trying to solve, you’ll need to gather tools and execute these tips to create a long-lasting and useful final product.

What You'll Need to Make Your Own PVC ID Cards

  • Graphic design software and high-quality logos

  • Access to a thermal transfer printer. Alternatively, synthetic printing paper and an Inkjet printer for a lower-quality replacement

  • A Laminator and butterfly pouches to create a seal

  • Security features like magnetic stripes, holographic paper, or RFID chips

  • Hole punch tool

Designing: Making the Most of Your Software

The design of your PVC ID card is a critical part of the process. Be sure to use high-quality images for your logos or photos to ensure a crisp final product. We also recommend readable fonts with a simple design that only includes necessary information like names and titles.

Printing: Getting the Best Quality Print

Thermal transfer printers are the most reliable way to harness the power of PVC regarding ID cards. These printers use heat to create black-and-white or full-color designs. These high-quality printers are also the best way to ensure vital security features are appropriately placed onto your ID cards.

Inkjet printers are a cheaper alternative but can lead to low-quality prints that can be easily counterfeited.

Lamination: Adding That Extra Layer of Protection

PVC is tough on its own, but lamination can be that extra line of defense to allow your ID cards to stand the test of time. Lamination protects against common factors like water, dirt, or dust while providing a professional look and feel.


You’ll need your laminator, butterfly pouches, and printed ID card. Clean the card of debris or dust, then insert them into the pouches. It is critical that you ensure the card is centered and aligned before laminating!


The exact settings of your laminator will vary, but you will feed the butterfly pouch through the device to complete the process.

Overall, the DIY route can be a significant investment of time and resources but offers an alternative option depending on your organization’s needs. However, if you want to bypass the difficulties of the process, the professional route provides the most reliable option.

So, where can you find the best PVC ID card manufacturer?

How to Make PVC ID Cards With CustomLanyard.net

CustomLanyard.net is the industry leader in custom ID cards, offering the best way to skip the challenges of the DIY route. Creating high-quality PVC ID cards or lanyards is simple here at CustomLanyard.net.


As a business owner or organizational leader, you keenly know that every investment isn’t a decision to make lightly. That’s why we strive to offer top-flight solutions and have been trusted by organizations ranging from local nonprofits to massive companies like Netflix and Google.


Our completely customizable and tailored solutions starkly contrast the one-size-fits-all philosophy of many manufacturers you’ll find online, making us the best place to create custom PVC ID cards.

Why CustomLanyard.net?

From industry-standard customer support to competitive pricing, we do everything we can to help your organization thrive. We also offer fast rush delivery or free shipping options, and we will always go the extra mile to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your order.


Our years of experience crafting premium quality products are not only limited to how to make custom lanyards and ID cards. We are also industry leaders in knowing how to make custom wristbands. Our custom silicone bracelets are the perfect way to kick off a new wristband marketing campaign or add a layer of security to your organization.

How it Works

Our products are paired with our suite of innovative online personalization tools, providing thousands of personalization options all wrapped up in a simple interface.


You’ll begin by choosing between horizontal and vertical orientations for your ID card. You can edit the look and feel from there, including finishes like matte, glossy, or metallic. Other options include thickness and hole designs for lanyards.


Once that’s established, you can incorporate your organization’s flair with custom designs, logos, and color schemes. While our custom design tool is comprehensive, you can also contact our dedicated customer support team to connect with a designer for advice or assistance on unique designs.


We also recommend pairing your PVC ID cards with personalized lanyards, which offer a seamless, hands-free way for employees and vendors to make the most of PVC ID cards' versatility. Our inventory of custom badge holders includes both acrylic badge holders and clear plastic card holders that will stand the test of time.


No matter your goals, CustomLanyard.net is the best manufacturer for all your PVC ID card needs.

Final Thoughts on Making PVC ID Cards

PVC ID cards are multifaceted tools that can revolutionize critical processes in your organization. Whether you are learning how to make PVC ID cards at home or opting for the extra creative possibilities and security features provided by professional manufacturers, investing in PVC ID cards is a no-brainer.

Figuring out how to make PVC ID cards is a relatively simple process, and the results speak for themselves. Whether it optimizes institutional security or serves as a networking tool, PVC ID cards are a vital part of any organization’s toolkit.


If you want to skip the hassle of creating your own PVC ID cards, look no further than here at CustomLanyard.net. We have consistently delivered the best custom wristbands, ID cards, and lanyards that stand the test of time with the help of our streamlined design tool. Our track record has helped us become a trusted choice of major global brands like Facebook and Nike.


In addition to high-quality, adaptable PVC ID cards, we offer several different types of wristbands and lanyards to fortify your organization’s branding and security needs. You can even skip the debate between wristbands vs lanyards entirely, instead opting to invest in both to maximize possibilities.

No matter your organization's needs, crafting premium quality products all starts with our innovative customization process right here at CustomLanyard.net, so browse our site to get started on a design today!