Access Control Cards: Secure Entry Solutions for Your Facility

Welcome to Plastic Card ID: Your Trusted Source for Access Control Cards

Every door, every gate, every secure zone in your building tells a story about how much you value safety and order. Access control cards are the silent guardians of that story, granting the right people entry while keeping unauthorized individuals out. We have spent over 25 years helping businesses across the country get that balance exactly right.

At Plastic Card ID, we don't just print cards. We craft tools that protect your people, your assets, and your reputation. From small offices to large campuses, we've equipped more than 100,000 businesses with cards that work as hard as the teams carrying them. Our national shipping means no matter where you are, we bring our expertise right to your door.

Whether you need a handful of cards for a new office or thousands for a sprawling facility, we make the process simple, fast, and reliable. Our team is ready to help you choose the right card technology, the right printer, and the right supplies to keep your access control system running smoothly every single day.

What Makes Access Control Cards So Important?

Access control cards are not just plastic rectangles with a logo on them. They are sophisticated security tools that carry encoded data, restrict movement, and track who goes where and when. In today's world, relying on metal keys or paper sign-in sheets simply isn't enough to protect what matters most to your organization.

When an employee loses a metal key, you may need to rekey entire locks at significant cost. But when an access card is lost or stolen, a quick update to your system makes that card useless in seconds. That kind of instant revocation power is a major reason businesses of every size are switching to card-based access control systems right now.

We've seen firsthand how the right access control card program transforms a business's sense of security and professionalism. Staff move confidently through their workday, visitors feel they're in a well-managed environment, and management sleeps better knowing every entry point is under careful watch.

The Technology Behind Our Access Control Cards

Not all access control cards are created equal. We offer a wide range of card technologies designed to match different security levels and budget requirements. Understanding the differences helps you make the smartest choice for your facility's needs and long-term goals.

Our lineup includes proximity cards, smart cards, RFID cards, and MIFARE DESFire contactless cards. Each type communicates with card readers in different ways, and some carry far more encrypted data than others. We help you match the right technology to your readers so your investment performs exactly as expected from day one.

From basic proximity cards for low-security doors to advanced multi-layered RFID smart cards for high-security zones, we have the expertise and inventory to supply whatever your system calls for. Our cards are compatible with the most widely used access control platforms on the market, giving you flexibility and confidence.

Serving Businesses Nationwide with Fast, Reliable Shipping

One of the biggest advantages of working with us is our national reach. We ship access control cards, card printers, and all related supplies to businesses from coast to coast. Whether you're in a major metro area or a small town, we get your order to you quickly so your security operations never miss a beat.

We understand that downtime in an access control system is not just inconvenient - it can be a genuine safety risk. That's why we prioritize fast fulfillment and work hard to ensure your cards and supplies arrive on time, every time. Our streamlined ordering process means fewer headaches and more confidence for you and your team.

Have questions about your order or need help fast? Just call us at 800.835.7919. Our knowledgeable team is standing by to assist with new orders, technical questions, and anything else you need to keep your access control program running at full strength.

Types of Access Control Cards We Offer

Our catalog covers every major type of access control card on the market today. We have carefully built our product line to reflect real-world security needs, sourcing cards that meet high standards for durability, data capacity, and read reliability. Whatever your current system uses, chances are we have the card that fits it perfectly.

Choosing the right card type is a decision that affects your day-to-day operations, your long-term security posture, and your technology investment. We make that decision easier by walking you through your options with clear, straightforward guidance that cuts through the technical jargon and gets you to the right answer faster.

Access Control Card Types at a Glance

Card Type	Technology	Best For
Proximity Cards	125kHz RFID	General office access
Smart Cards	13.56MHz RFID	Multi-application use
MIFARE DESFire	Encrypted RFID	High-security facilities
Magnetic Stripe	Magnetic encoding	Hotels, parking, time-clock
Combo Cards	RFID Mag Stripe	Versatile multi-system use

Proximity Cards for Everyday Access

Proximity cards operate at 125kHz and are among the most widely used access control cards in the world today. They work by simply being held near a card reader, triggering an almost instant response that unlocks doors or gates. Their reliability and ease of use make them a go-to choice for offices, warehouses, and facilities of all kinds.

We stock proximity cards from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry, ensuring compatibility with HID, Allegion, and other leading access control platforms. Our cards come pre-encoded or blank, depending on your system's requirements, giving you maximum flexibility right out of the box without any guesswork on your part.

Smart Cards and RFID Technology

Smart cards and 13.56MHz RFID cards represent the next level of access control technology. These cards can store significantly more data than basic proximity cards, allowing a single card to serve multiple purposes at once - think building access, computer login, cafeteria payments, and visitor management all on one card.

We offer MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, and other smart card formats compatible with the broadest range of modern access control systems. The added encryption capabilities of these cards make them an excellent choice for organizations that handle sensitive data or operate in regulated industries where security compliance is non-negotiable.

Magnetic Stripe Cards for Versatile Applications

Magnetic stripe cards remain a popular and cost-effective option for many access control applications, including hotel key cards, parking access, employee time-clock systems, and more. We carry high-coercivity and low-coercivity magnetic stripe cards to match the specific encoding requirements of your system's hardware.

Our magnetic stripe access cards are built for repeated daily use, with durable PVC construction that resists cracking, peeling, and demagnetization under normal operating conditions. When your team badges in and out dozens of times a day, you need cards tough enough to keep up, and that's exactly what we provide.

Card Printers and Supplies for Your Access Control Program

A great access control card program doesn't stop at the cards themselves. You also need reliable card printers and a steady supply of ribbons, overlaminates, and cleaning kits to keep everything running smoothly. We stock everything required to print professional, durable access control cards right in your own facility.

Having an in-house card printer gives you the power to issue new cards on demand, update cardholder information quickly, and respond to lost or stolen card situations without waiting for an outside vendor. We supply printers from leading brands and back them up with full lines of compatible ribbons and supplies for long-term performance.

Top Card Printer Options We Carry

We offer single-sided and dual-sided card printers to suit a wide range of production volumes and budgets. Entry-level models are ideal for organizations that print cards occasionally, while high-volume models support large facilities that need to issue hundreds or thousands of cards regularly throughout the year.

Our printers support full-color printing, monochrome printing, magnetic stripe encoding, smart card encoding, and more. Many models also support holographic overlaminate printing, which adds a visible security layer to your access cards that's extremely difficult to replicate or tamper with in the field.

• Single-sided desktop card printers for small offices
• Dual-sided printers for cards with information on both faces
• High-volume printers for large facilities and frequent issuance
• Retransfer printers for edge-to-edge, photo-quality printing
• Printers with built-in RFID and smart card encoding modules

Ribbons and Consumables That Keep You Running

Even the best card printer is only as good as the supplies feeding it. We carry a comprehensive selection of printer ribbons, including YMCKO full-color ribbons, monochrome black ribbons, and specialty ribbons with UV fluorescent panels for added card security. Finding the right ribbon for your printer model has never been easier.

We also stock cleaning kits, cleaning rollers, and cleaning cards specifically designed to maintain your printer's performance and extend its operational lifespan. Regular cleaning prevents streaking, smearing, and mechanical jams that can slow down your card issuance process and lead to costly printer repairs down the road.

Ordering Supplies Has Never Been Simpler

We make reordering your printer supplies as painless as possible. Simply call us at 800.835.7919 and tell us your printer model and what you need - we'll handle the rest. Our team knows the supply catalogs inside and out, so we can confirm compatibility quickly and get your order shipped without delay.

Running low on supplies at an inconvenient time can disrupt your entire card issuance workflow. That's why we recommend setting up a regular reorder schedule with our team so you're never caught empty-handed. We're here to help you plan ahead and stay stocked so your access control program never skips a beat.

Security Features That Set Our Cards Apart

When it comes to access control, security isn't just a feature - it's the entire point. We build our cards with security layers that make them significantly harder to duplicate, tamper with, or misuse. Every card we produce is designed to protect your facility and the people inside it with confidence you can count on.

From visual security elements that deter casual forgery to embedded technologies that stop sophisticated attacks, our cards offer multiple levels of defense. We work with you to determine the right combination of features based on the sensitivity of the areas your cards will protect and the regulatory requirements your organization must meet.

Visual Security Elements That Deter Fraud

Visual security features are your first line of defense against card duplication and fraud. We offer options including holographic overlaminates, UV-reactive inks, microprinting, guilloche background patterns, and custom watermarks. These elements are difficult to reproduce without specialized equipment, making your cards much harder to fake convincingly.

Even something as straightforward as a high-quality full-color employee photo on an access card creates an immediate visual verification layer. When a security guard or access point attendant can visually match a face to a card at a glance, the entire access process becomes dramatically more secure with very little added cost or complexity.

Encoded Security for High-Stakes Environments

For facilities where visual verification isn't enough, encoded security technologies add a powerful second layer of protection. MIFARE DESFire cards, for example, use advanced encryption that prevents unauthorized card cloning - a growing threat in today's security landscape that many organizations underestimate until it's too late.

We also offer cards with writable memory sectors that allow your access control system to store dynamic data, such as entry timestamps and permission levels, directly on the card itself. This creates a self-contained security record that travels with the cardholder and can be read or updated by any authorized reader in your network.

Custom Design as a Security Tool

A card that looks unique is a card that's harder to forge. Our custom design capabilities let you incorporate your organization's specific colors, logos, card layouts, and security patterns in ways that are unique to your program. A card that looks like a generic blank template invites forgery attempts, while a card with distinct, professional design elements does exactly the opposite.

We print on both sides of the card if needed, giving you more space to include employee details, department information, emergency contacts, and security features all in one clean, professional package. The result is a card that does double duty as both a security tool and a polished representation of your organization's brand.

Industries We Proudly Serve with Access Control Solutions

Access control card needs vary widely depending on the industry. A hospital has different requirements than a technology company, and a university campus operates very differently from a manufacturing plant. We've worked across virtually every industry sector, building the kind of broad experience that helps us serve each client's unique situation effectively.

Our team asks the right questions up front - about your facility layout, your existing system infrastructure, your compliance requirements, and your budget - so we can match you with cards and printers that will truly perform in your specific environment rather than just checking a box on a product spec sheet.

Corporate Offices and Business Parks

Corporate environments rely on access control cards to manage employee access across multiple floors, departments, and buildings. We supply proximity and smart cards that integrate seamlessly with the multi-door, multi-zone systems commonly found in modern office complexes. Our cards help HR teams manage onboarding and offboarding with much greater ease and speed.

Beyond simple door access, many of our corporate clients use their access control cards as employee ID badges as well, combining security and identification functions on a single card. We help design these dual-purpose cards to look sharp and professional while performing reliably across all the technical functions your system requires.

Healthcare Facilities and Hospitals

In healthcare settings, access control is a matter of patient safety and regulatory compliance. Restricted medication storage areas, patient records rooms, and surgical suites all require precise, auditable access management. We provide cards and printers that meet the rigorous demands of healthcare environments, including cards rated for frequent handling by gloved staff.

Our smart card options are particularly popular in hospitals and clinics because they can store multiple credentials on a single card, allowing staff to move between different controlled zones with one credential. This reduces the burden on staff without sacrificing the security layers that healthcare regulations demand at every turn.

Education and Campus Security

Universities, colleges, and K-12 schools face the challenge of managing access for thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors across large, complex campuses. We help educational institutions build card programs that balance open accessibility in public areas with strong security in restricted zones like server rooms, labs, and administrative offices.

Student ID cards that double as access control credentials are a smart, cost-effective solution we help campuses implement regularly. One card can serve as a library card, meal plan card, event ticket, and building access credential simultaneously - simplifying life for students and administrators alike while strengthening the campus-wide security posture.

Loyalty Cards, Gift Cards, and More - Expanding Beyond Access Control

While access control cards are a cornerstone of our business, we are proud to offer a full spectrum of custom plastic card solutions. Our clients often discover that once they experience the quality of our access cards, they want to bring that same quality to their customer-facing programs as well - and we are more than ready to help with that.

Retailers who switch from paper gift certificates to professional plastic gift cards consistently report sales increases of up to 100%. That's not a small number, and it reflects the very real psychological impact that a tangible, well-designed card has on customer behavior and purchasing decisions. We help you capture that opportunity.

Gift Cards That Drive Real Revenue

Our custom-printed plastic gift cards are proven revenue drivers for retail businesses, restaurants, salons, and service providers. Studies consistently show that gift card recipients spend 20-50% more than the face value of the card, creating a powerful revenue multiplier that paper certificates simply cannot match in real-world retail environments.

We print gift cards with magnetic stripes, barcodes, or QR codes compatible with your existing point-of-sale system. Full-color, double-sided printing lets you showcase your brand at its best on every card you hand to a customer. When that card sits in a wallet for months, it quietly advertises your business every single time it's seen.

• Full-color front and back printing on all gift cards
• Magnetic stripe encoding for POS system compatibility
• Barcode and QR code options for digital redemption
• Custom card carriers, sleeves, and packaging available
• Bulk pricing for high-volume orders with fast turnaround

Loyalty Cards That Keep Customers Coming Back

Customer loyalty programs powered by plastic loyalty cards have been shown to boost sales by 35-50% for participating businesses. A well-designed loyalty card program creates a tangible reason for customers to return again and again, building habits and emotional connections that digital apps alone struggle to replicate in the same personal way.

We help you design loyalty cards that are attractive, functional, and built to last through years of regular wallet use. Whether you use punch-style tracking, barcode scanning, or magnetic stripe swiping for your loyalty system, we have the card format and technology to support your specific program setup from day one.

Membership and ID Cards for Organizations

From professional associations to fitness clubs, organizations of every kind use membership cards to signal belonging and manage member benefits. We produce membership cards with crisp, full-color printing and durable laminate coatings that hold up through years of regular use without fading, cracking, or looking worn down and tired.

Our ID card solutions extend to employee badges, alumni cards, union credentials, and visitor passes - all printed with the quality and precision your organization's image deserves. We also offer card accessories including lanyards, badge holders, clips, and retractable badge reels to complete your card program from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Access Control Cards

We hear a lot of great questions from new and returning clients about access control cards, and we welcome every single one. Getting the right answers up front saves time, money, and frustration down the road. Below are some of the most common questions we receive, along with the straightforward answers our clients appreciate most.

If your question isn't answered here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team directly. We love talking about this stuff, and we will do everything we can to give you the clear, honest guidance you need to make the best decision for your organization's security program.

What Card Format Is Right for My System?

The best card format for your system depends on what type of card readers you currently have installed. If your readers operate at 125kHz, you need proximity cards. If they operate at 13.56MHz, you need smart cards or MIFARE cards. We can help you identify your reader frequency and match it to the right card technology quickly and accurately.

If you are building a new access control system from the ground up, we can advise you on which card technology offers the best balance of security, cost, and long-term compatibility for your facility's size and security requirements. Starting with the right technology saves you from expensive upgrades just a few years down the road.

How Quickly Can We Receive Our Cards?

Turnaround times vary depending on the card type, quantity, and customization level you require. Blank stock cards are often available for same-day or next-day shipping. Custom-printed cards with full-color graphics, encoded data, or specialty security features typically require a few additional business days for production before shipping begins.

We ship nationally, so delivery times depend on your location and the shipping method you choose at checkout. Expedited shipping is available for urgent orders, and we will always communicate clearly about expected delivery windows so you can plan your card issuance schedule with confidence rather than guessing about arrival dates.

Can We Print Cards In-House with Our Own Printer?

Absolutely - and many of our clients prefer exactly that approach. In-house printing gives you the ability to issue cards on demand, update cardholder photos and information instantly, and respond to lost card situations the same day. We supply printers in a wide range of price points to fit budgets from small nonprofits to large enterprises.

When you purchase a printer from us, we also set you up with the compatible ribbons, cleaning kits, and blank card stock you'll need to keep printing without interruption. We are your one-stop shop for everything from the printer hardware to the last ribbon in your supply closet, making reordering simple and consistent over the long term.

Case Study: How a Mid-Size Healthcare Facility Transformed Their Security

Real results speak louder than any product description, and we're proud to share how organizations we've worked with have seen meaningful improvements after implementing our access control card solutions. The following scenario reflects the kind of transformation we help clients achieve on a regular basis across many different industries.

A regional healthcare network with five facilities and over 1,200 employees had been struggling with a mix of outdated key fobs and paper visitor logs. Access incidents were going unreported, unauthorized entries were difficult to prove, and HR was spending significant time managing lost credentials. They came to us looking for a better way, and we delivered one.

The Challenge They Faced

The facility's biggest challenge was consolidating access control across five separate buildings that each had different legacy systems installed over the years. Some doors used proximity readers, others used outdated swipe systems, and a handful of high-security areas had no electronic access control at all - just traditional locks and metal keys.

This fragmented setup created security blind spots, made auditing nearly impossible, and frustrated staff who had to carry multiple credentials just to do their jobs each day. The facility's compliance team was also concerned about meeting HIPAA-related access control documentation requirements that were growing harder to satisfy with the existing patchwork system.

The Solution We Provided

We worked with their IT and security teams to select MIFARE DESFire smart cards compatible with a unified access control platform that could manage all five buildings from a single administrative dashboard. Every employee received a new dual-purpose smart card serving as both their photo ID badge and their electronic access credential across all locations.

We also supplied two in-house card printers with RFID encoding modules, along with enough ribbon and card stock inventory to handle onboarding, lost card replacement, and visitor badge printing for an entire year. Training was minimal because our printers are designed with ease of use as a core feature, not an afterthought added at the last minute.

The Results They Achieved

Within 60 days of deployment, the healthcare network reported a measurable reduction in unauthorized access incidents across all five facilities. Their compliance team was able to generate complete access audit reports for the first time ever, satisfying their regulatory obligations with documentation that was thorough, accurate, and easy to produce on demand.

Staff satisfaction also improved significantly. Employees appreciated having a single, professional card that worked everywhere on campus. The HR team reduced lost credential processing time by over 70% because replacing a lost smart card and revoking the old one took minutes rather than the multi-day process their old key fob system had required for years.

Why Businesses Choose Plastic Card ID Again and Again

We've earned the trust of over 100,000 businesses not because we had the flashiest marketing, but because we deliver on our promises every single time. Our clients come back to us order after order because they know what to expect - great products, fast shipping, knowledgeable support, and a team that genuinely cares about their success.

With more than 50 million cards sold over our history, we have encountered virtually every card challenge imaginable. That experience makes us exceptionally good at anticipating potential issues before they become problems and guiding clients toward solutions that will serve them well not just today, but for years into the future.

A Track Record That Speaks for Itself

Numbers tell an important story. Over 100,000 businesses served. More than 50 million cards produced and shipped. A quarter century of continuous operation in an industry that rewards consistency, quality, and reliability above all else. These aren't just statistics - they're evidence of a company that has earned its reputation one client at a time.

Our growth has also been fueled by word-of-mouth from satisfied clients who refer colleagues, vendors, and partners to us when they need plastic card solutions. There is no better endorsement than a client who trusts us enough to put their own professional reputation on the line by recommending us to someone they care about.

We Are a True One-Stop Shop

One of the things our clients value most is the fact that they don't have to piece together a card program from multiple vendors. We supply the cards, the printers, the ribbons, the cleaning kits, the blank card stock, the badge accessories, and even custom card carriers and sleeves for client-facing programs. Everything you need lives under one roof with us.

This integrated approach saves you time, reduces the risk of compatibility problems, and simplifies your procurement process dramatically. Instead of managing relationships with three or four separate vendors and hoping all the pieces fit together, you work with one trusted partner who handles everything and stands behind all of it with confidence.

Reach Us Anytime for Expert Guidance

Our team is easy to reach and genuinely helpful when you call. Whether you're trying to identify the right card for a specific reader, troubleshoot a printer issue, or plan out a brand-new card program from scratch, we are here to walk you through every step with patience and expertise that makes the process feel easy rather than overwhelming.

Call us today at 800.835.7919 to speak with a card specialist who will listen carefully, ask smart questions, and help you find exactly the right solution for your specific needs. We ship nationwide, so no matter where your business is located, outstanding service and top-quality products are just one phone call away.

Access Control Card Accessories and Add-Ons We Carry

A complete access control card program is about more than just the cards and printers. The accessories and add-ons you choose can meaningfully improve daily usability, extend card life, and enhance the overall professional appearance of your program. We carry a full range of accessories to complete your setup from top to bottom.

From badge holders that protect cards from daily wear to custom lanyards that turn every employee into a walking brand ambassador, the right accessories add both function and polish to your program. We'll help you identify the accessories that make the most sense for your specific workplace environment and cardholder population.

Badge Holders, Lanyards, and Clips

We offer rigid badge holders, flexible vinyl holders, horizontal and vertical orientations, and holders with clear windows on both sides for double-sided ID cards. Pair them with lanyards in custom colors or retractable badge reels that keep cards accessible without dangling loose and getting in the way during active work tasks.

For environments where lanyards are a safety concern - such as manufacturing floors or kitchens - we recommend breakaway lanyards or magnetic badge clips that detach under tension before causing injury. Safety and professionalism are not mutually exclusive, and we stock solutions that deliver both at the same time without compromise.

• Vertical and horizontal rigid badge holders
• Flexible vinyl badge holders in multiple sizes
• Retractable badge reels with belt clips
• Standard and breakaway lanyards in various colors
• Magnetic badge clips and alligator-style badge clips
• Card sleeves and protective overlays for extra durability

Custom Card Carriers and Packaging

For businesses that hand out access cards as part of an onboarding kit or client welcome package, custom card carriers and sleeves add a polished, branded touch that makes a strong first impression. We design and print custom carriers with your logo, colors, and messaging so every new card recipient feels welcomed and valued from the moment they receive theirs.

Card mailers are another powerful option for businesses that send access credentials or membership cards through the mail. Our custom-printed mailers protect cards during shipping while also delivering a branded marketing message that sets the right tone for a new business relationship. First impressions matter, and great packaging helps you nail them consistently.

Ready to Strengthen Your Security? Contact Plastic Card ID Today

There has never been a better time to upgrade, streamline, or expand your access control card program. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing system, we have the products, the expertise, and the national shipping capability to help you get exactly where you need to be. Your security is our priority, and your satisfaction is our standard.

We've helped businesses just like yours - from single-office operations to sprawling multi-site enterprises - build access control programs that protect their people, simplify their operations, and project professionalism at every touchpoint. The experience we've gathered over 25 years is yours to draw on, completely free of charge, every time you call.

Don't wait until a security incident forces a change. Take control of your access management today with the partner that 100,000 businesses have already trusted to get it right. Call Plastic Card ID now at 800.835.7919 to speak with a specialist and get your order started. We ship nationwide, we respond fast, and we deliver quality that stands up to real-world demands every single day. Let us show you what a dedicated, experienced card solutions partner can do for your organization - starting with your very first call to PCID.