About Custom Printed RFID Cards
A printed RFID card is a laminated sandwich: printed front and back sheets, a core that carries the chip and its etched antenna, and clear overlays that protect the print. Because the inlay sits inside the core, your artwork can run full-bleed on both sides — the chip is invisible unless you want it marked. Printing, lamination, punching and encoding happen on the same line, so the card that matches your proof is also the card that reads on your system.
Price and lead time follow a few choices: the chip (LF, HF/NFC or UHF, and which family), whether both sides print in full colour or one side is single-colour, finishes such as foil or embossing, and per-card personalisation like numbering, barcodes or matched encoding. Send your artwork and quantity and we quote the exact build within 24 hours, then confirm colour and chip on a free pre-production sample.
How the printing works in detail: RFID card printing guide · Card materials compared: PVC, PET, eco, wood and metal
Printing options for custom RFID cards
Most orders combine offset CMYK with one or two finishes. Every option is shown on the proof before production.
| Method or finish | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offset CMYK | Photos, gradients and full-bleed designs | Standard for most orders, one or both sides |
| Pantone spot colours | Exact brand colours | Matched to the Pantone reference on the proof |
| Silkscreen | Solid white, metallic or fluorescent areas | Often combined with offset CMYK |
| Foil stamping | Premium logos and VIP tiers | Gold, silver and other foils |
| Embossing | Raised card numbers or names | Kept clear of the chip and antenna area |
| Signature panel, magstripe | Membership, gift and hotel key cards | Magstripe in HiCo or LoCo — see magnetic stripe cards |
| Laser engraving, UV print | Wooden and metal card bodies | Engraving is permanent; UV adds colour |
Artwork specifications for printed RFID cards
Send files in this format and the proof comes back faster, with fewer rounds.
| Trim size | 85.5 × 54 mm (CR80) |
|---|---|
| Bleed | 3 mm on every side — design at 91.5 × 60 mm |
| Safe zone | Keep text and logos 3 mm inside the trim |
| Colour | CMYK; give Pantone codes for spot colours |
| Resolution | 300 dpi at final size for photos |
| Files | AI, PDF or EPS with fonts outlined |
Chip area. The chip and antenna sit inside the card, so print covers them freely. Embossing, punched holes and slots must stay clear of them — we mark the safe area on your proof for the chip you choose.
Variable data. Provide a few example rows with separate columns for the printed number, barcode/QR value and intended chip record. Describe any UID mapping your system needs, and flag leading zeros or required record order. Live cardholder data and encoding keys are not needed for the first quote.
Example printed-to-encoded mapping
Illustrative data for NFC URL cards only. These are fictional records, not customer data or a production file. Other chip types and issuing systems require their own agreed record format.
| Printed ID | QR content | NFC record (NDEF URI) |
|---|---|---|
| 000101 | https://example.test/c/000101 | https://example.test/c/000101 |
| 000102 | https://example.test/c/000102 | https://example.test/c/000102 |
| 000103 | https://example.test/c/000103 | https://example.test/c/000103 |
Keep leading zeros as text. If your system also needs the chip UID, describe how it should be linked to the printed ID; the values above are not chip UIDs.
Download the printed-card planning kit
Prepare your quantities, artwork, reader requirements and sample checks in the Excel workbook, with a separate sheet for example NFC URL mappings. Use the text checklist for a short inquiry.
Use fictional data for the first discussion and leave unknown details blank. Copy your key requirements into the inquiry form; agree how to share files when the team replies. Final specifications and sample arrangements need confirmation before production.
Approve print and data together
A visual proof and a working card answer different questions. Keep both as references for the order.
| Check | What to approve |
|---|---|
| Reader compatibility | Test the proposed chip and encoded record on your reader or app. Name the existing system in the brief rather than choosing a chip by print style. |
| Print and finish | Check each design version, colour reference, finish and placement of variable fields. Use the physical sample to assess colour and feel. |
| Printed-to-encoded match | Compare sample card numbers and barcode/QR values with the corresponding chip records and any agreed UID mapping. |
| Incoming stock | Check quantities by design and the agreed packing order. Compare received cards with the approved sample and repeat the agreed print/data checks. |
For a useful quote: include the reader/app, quantities by design, card body, print sides and finishes, artwork status, variable-data format, delivery country and required arrival date.
Buy Custom Printed RFID Cards wholesale — straight from the card line
Plan your printed RFID cards order around the card body, chip, print, encoding and quantity you need. Share your requirements and delivery country so the quote can cover the complete specification. Confirm the minimum order, sample arrangements and production schedule before approving production.
- Custom printing
- Chip & encoding options
- Sample planning
- OEM / ODM
Plan your order Quote by specification
Choose an estimated quantity. These are planning options; the minimum order is confirmed for your card specification.
Your inquiry will include the product and selected quantity. You can change the quantity or add a delivery date before sending. Price, sample costs, shipping and production schedule are confirmed in your written quote.
Request a quote for 500 pcs →Why this product
- Custom chip, size, artwork and finish
- Full-color offset / silkscreen printing
- Encoding, numbering and personalization
- Durable construction with long service life
- Low MOQ with fast, reliable lead times
Built to your spec
- Chip & antenna — LF, HF/NFC, UHF, dual-interface or contact IC modules
- Card body — PVC, PET, recycled or bio materials, metal and wood hybrids
- Print & finish — offset CMYK, Pantone, silkscreen, foil, embossing, frosted or matte lamination
- Data services — encoding with diversified keys, numbering, QR / barcode, magstripe, signature panel
- Carrier packaging — welcome sleeves, key-card wallets and retail blister packs
Technical details
| Card size | CR80, 85.5 × 54 mm (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1); custom sizes and shapes on request |
|---|---|
| Printing | Offset CMYK, Pantone spot colours, silkscreen; UV print and laser engraving on wood and metal bodies |
| Finishes | Gloss, matte or frosted lamination; foil stamping, embossing, signature panel, magstripe |
| Personalisation | Sequential numbering, barcode and QR, variable data; chip encoding under NDA |
| LF chips (125 kHz) | EM4200; T5577 (programmable, EM/HID-compatible formats) |
| HF / NFC chips (13.56 MHz) | MIFARE Classic® EV1, MIFARE DESFire® EV2/EV3, NTAG213/215/216, ICODE® SLIX |
| UHF chips (860–960 MHz) | NXP UCODE®, Impinj Monza series |
| Card body | PVC; PET, recycled PVC, wood or metal hybrids on request |
All specifications are customizable — tell us your requirements. Full datasheet: HTML · PDF.
Third-party product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners, shown for compatibility identification only; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Where it's used
- Access & ID badges
- Membership & loyalty
- Hotel keycards
- Events & ticketing
- NFC marketing
How buyers use Custom Printed RFID Cards
Composite scenarios drawn from typical order patterns — client names withheld.
Access badges for a multi-site company
Staff cards print photo-ready areas, a logo in Pantone and sequential numbers, with MIFARE DESFire chips encoded to the access system and a number-to-UID list supplied for enrolment.
Gym and club membership
Full-colour cards with a frosted finish and NTAG chips carry an NFC link to the member app, so a tap opens the booking page while the printed barcode still works at older front desks.
Event credentials
Tiered passes use different colour designs per zone, printed numbering and UHF or HF chips matched to gate readers, produced in one run ahead of the event date.
Our factory, in numbers
| Production | Card lamination, inlay bonding, die-cutting and personalisation in house |
|---|---|
| Chip sourcing | Direct from NXP, Impinj and EM Microelectronic product lines |
| Engineering | In-house R&D, tooling and QC lab |
| Frequencies | LF 125 kHz · HF 13.56 MHz · UHF 860–960 MHz |
| Shipping | Worldwide express, with full export documentation |
| Quality system | ISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 — certificate number, issuing body and certified scope on request |
| Product compliance | CE / FCC declarations issued per product model and target market |
| Material compliance | RoHS / REACH statements issued per material and batch |
| Warranty | 2 years, with free pre-production samples |
Card orders run on our own lamination, punching, offset-print and encoding lines in Shenzhen, so chip sourcing, body construction, personalization and QC stay under one roof — with pre-production samples before every run and a 2-year warranty after it.
From inquiry to delivery
Chip, size, artwork, quantity — or just the goal. We reply with an exact quote within 24 hours.
Free pre-production samples in 3–5 days plus an artwork proof, so you verify material, print and chip.
Bulk production starts only after you approve the sample and proof — 7–15 days in house.
Express door-to-door shipping worldwide, with a 2-year warranty and ongoing support.
Frequently asked questions
What artwork files do you need for printed RFID cards?
Vector AI, PDF or EPS with fonts outlined, CMYK colour (Pantone codes for spot colours), images at 300 dpi and 3 mm bleed on every side. Keep text and logos at least 3 mm inside the card edge. We check every file and send a digital proof before printing.
Can each card be printed and encoded differently?
Yes — numbers, barcodes, QR codes and names can vary card by card, and the chip can be encoded to match, for example an NFC URL tied to the printed number. On request you receive a data file listing each card number with its chip UID.
Can you match our brand colours exactly?
Yes — give us Pantone references and we print them as spot colours, then confirm on the pre-production sample. CMYK-only artwork is matched as closely as the process allows; the proof shows any colour that needs a spot ink.
Will printing or finishes affect how the chip reads?
Print and lamination do not affect reading. Metallic foils over large areas and metal card bodies can shorten read range, so we check the build on the sample with your reader before bulk production.
Can I order a printed sample before the full run?
Yes — a free pre-production sample with your artwork and chip, plus a digital proof. Bulk production starts only after you approve both.
What decides the price of printed RFID cards?
Chip type, card body, print sides and colours, finishes, per-card personalisation and quantity. Share those requirements and the delivery country for a written quote covering the proposed specification and included services.
How do you handle our encoding data and keys?
Under NDA. Keys, card numbers and encoding files are used only to produce your order, stored no longer than production requires, and deleted on request after delivery.
What is the minimum order for Custom Printed RFID Cards?
Share your target quantity by design and card specification, including any trial batch. The applicable minimum order will be confirmed in the written quote; the quantity buttons on this page are planning options.
How do I get a bulk price for Custom Printed RFID Cards?
Send your quantity, card body, chip or reader requirements, artwork and encoding needs, plus the delivery country. The written quote confirms the proposed specification, unit price, sample costs, shipping and production schedule. If you are unsure about the chip, describe how the card will be used.
Related products
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- ISO 45001
- CE
- FCC
- FSC
- RoHS
- REACH
Get a wholesale quote for Custom Printed RFID Cards
Tell us your chip, size, artwork and quantity — we reply within 24 hours.
