By RFID MFG Editorial Team · Updated June 15, 2026 · 2 min read
What is an RFID card?
An RFID card carries a microchip and a thin antenna laminated inside the card. When it enters a reader’s field, the reader powers the chip and exchanges data — no battery, no contact. The same principle drives access badges, transit cards, hotel keys, membership and payment cards.
Frequencies: LF, HF/NFC and UHF
Cards come in LF (125 kHz) for simple access, HF/NFC (13.56 MHz) for tap cards, transit and phone interaction, and UHF (860–960 MHz) for longer-range reads. HF/NFC is by far the most common card frequency. See our frequency guide for a full comparison.
Chips: matching security to use
The chip sets memory and security. NTAG suits NFC marketing; MIFARE Classic suits access and closed-loop loyalty; MIFARE DESFire (AES) suits payment, transit and secure ID. Choosing the right chip up front avoids costly re-issues.
Materials and finishes
PVC is the economical standard; PET/PETG and PC add durability and security; eco/BIO and wood reduce plastic; metal signals premium. Finishes include matte/gloss, frosted, transparent, signature panels, magnetic stripes, embossing and foil.
Printing and personalization
Cards can be offset or silkscreen printed in full colour, then personalized with sequential numbers, barcodes/QR, photos, and chip encoding. RFID MFG prints and encodes in-house so cards arrive ready to issue.
Common applications
Access control, public transit, hotel keycards, membership and loyalty, payment, campus and event credentials, and NFC marketing. The card body and print stay flexible while the chip and frequency are matched to the system.
How an RFID card is made
A finished card is a sandwich. An inlay layer (the antenna and chip) sits between printed core sheets, with clear overlays on top and bottom. The stack is laminated under heat and pressure into a rigid sheet, then die-punched into individual CR80 cards. Personalisation — numbering, magstripe, signature panel, hot-stamped foil, embossing and chip encoding — is added before final QC. Because the print and body are independent of the chip, you can change artwork without changing the electronics.
Cost, MOQ and lead time
Card pricing depends on chip, material, printing and quantity — a plain PVC proximity card is inexpensive at volume, while DESFire, metal or heavily finished cards cost more. MOQs are flexible (often from a few hundred pieces), free samples are available to verify print and chip, and typical production runs 7–15 days after artwork and encoding are approved. Share your spec and quantity for an exact wholesale quote within 24 hours.
Quick card selector
| Need | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Phone tap / marketing | HF/NFC card with NTAG |
| Access control | HF card with MIFARE / DESFire |
| Payment / transit / secure ID | DESFire (AES) |
| Premium / VIP | Metal or wood card |
| Green branding | Eco / BIO or FSC wood card |
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How do I specify an RFID card?
Define four things: frequency (LF/HF/UHF), chip (e.g. NTAG, MIFARE, DESFire), material (PVC, PET, PC, eco, metal) and personalization (print, numbering, encoding). Share these and we will confirm the build.
Can one card hold multiple applications?
Yes. Chips like MIFARE DESFire support multiple applications (e.g. access plus cashless) on one card with separate, secured files.
What is the minimum order for custom cards?
MOQ is flexible and depends on configuration — share your target quantity and we will advise.
How long does RFID card production take?
After artwork and encoding are approved, a typical custom run ships in about 7–15 days; free pre-production samples are available first so you can verify print, material and chip.