Plastic cards have transitioned the way of life. These cards have made life easier because nowadays, one doesn’t have to carry a bunch of keys for each door or even carry a huge lump of money. With a plethora of plastic cards on the market today, it’s important to know the different uses of each card. Also, with the different updates and technologies in the security industry, it can sometimes be hard to stay in the know. So, what are the main types of plastic cards, and what are their uses?
1. RFID cards
These cards work using electromagnetic fields which can identify tags from varying distances depending on the frequency used. They use radio waves to identify objects, vehicles, and people. These cards are used to track and locate assets, access control, anti-counterfeiting, healthcare industry, supply chain, and inventory management. RFID cards are highly secure and they are not susceptible to data wipes which can either be accidentally or maliciously.
2. PVC cards
These cards come in a variety of colors, sizes, and thicknesses. They are commonly referred to as plastic cards. They are used to make ID cards, access cards, business cards, and to track services mostly in the healthcare industry.
3. Proximity cards
These cards identify and read tags without the need to be inserted into a reader. They are convenient and are less likely to be damaged, therefore, they require low maintenance. They are commonly used in access control for ID cards. The main differences between proximity cards and RFID cards include; the read range, operational frequencies, line of sight, read/write capabilities, and information stored.
4. Smart cards
These cards have two different types of interfaces; contactless and contact. Contact smart cards are inserted into a smart card reader making physical contact with the reader while contactless smart cards have an antenna embedded inside the card which enables communication with the reader without physical contact. Smart cards are used to control access as a security token. They enable authentication of users, secure login, storage of credentials, sensitive data encryption, and passwords.
5. Payment cards
These cards are electronically linked to an account or accounts belonging to the cardholder. The most common types of payment cards are prepaid cards, charge cards, credit cards, and debit cards. Financial institutions or banks issue these cards to customers to use as a means of transaction. These cards are used to make payments ensuring that the transactions are smooth and more convenient.
6. Pre-printed cards
These cards are ideal for your custom needs. They are an option ideal for membership cards and loyalty cards. They help keep the costs associated with printing down as they can also streamline your printing process. These cards are a great option for both large and small organizations.
Plastic cards are convenient for use, but they brought serious environmental problems like white pollution. Why don’t try an eco-friendly material to replace these plastic cards?
Nexqo developed an eco-friendly material that can perfectly replace PVC cards. Click here to learn more about this latest eco-friendly material.
You can also click here to learn more about the products that you can use in your project. If you are not sure, welcome to contact our sales experts any time.