12 Mil PVC Card (CR80-Credit Card Size)

12 Mil CR80 Thin PVC ID Cards

HSQY 12 mil PVC cards are thin, lightweight CR80 cards designed for compatible professional card printers and applications where a slimmer card profile is preferred over a standard 30 mil PVC card.

The standard card footprint is approximately 85.5 × 54mm, while the nominal thickness is 12 mil, approximately 0.30mm. The card retains the familiar CR80 footprint while using substantially less thickness than a conventional 30 mil card.

Thin CR80 PVC cards can be used for employee badges, visitor cards, temporary credentials, membership cards, event passes, promotional cards and other professional identification programs where compatible printing equipment is available.

Not every card printer accepts 12 mil media. Buyers should confirm the printer manufacturer's minimum supported card thickness, feeding mechanism and ribbon or printing technology before placing a bulk order.

What Is a 12 Mil CR80 PVC Card?

A 12 mil CR80 PVC card is a thin plastic card with the same general footprint as a standard credit-card-size CR80 credential but with a much thinner body.

A thickness of 12 mil is approximately 0.30mm, compared with approximately 0.76mm for a conventional 30 mil card. This slimmer construction can reduce card weight and bulk for applications where a full 30 mil card is not required.

Because the card is thinner, printer compatibility becomes especially important. The input hopper, transport rollers, sensors and print mechanism must all support thin PVC media.

12 Mil PVC Card Product Images

12 Mil CR80 PVC ID Card

PVC Blank ID Card

White PVC Material for ID Cards

12 Mil CR80 PVC Card Specifications

The following specifications separate the 12 mil finished card from thicker standard cards and larger PVC card-making sheets. Exact tolerances, printer compatibility and customized material options should be confirmed before production.

12 Mil PVC Card vs 30 Mil PVC Card

Why Choose a 12 Mil Thin PVC Card?

Thin and Lightweight

The thin profile reduces card weight and overall stack thickness, which can be useful for visitor badges, temporary credentials, promotional cards and applications where users may carry multiple cards.

Standard CR80 Footprint

Although the card is thinner than a conventional 30 mil card, it retains the familiar CR80 footprint for compatible holders, layouts and card-management systems.

Printable PVC Surface

Suitable card grades provide a smooth white printing surface for photographs, names, logos, text, barcodes and other authorized graphics when used with compatible professional card-printing equipment.

Reduced Material Use

A 12 mil card uses substantially less material thickness than a standard 30 mil card, which can be advantageous for applications that do not require the rigidity of a conventional full-thickness credential.

Printer Compatibility for 12 Mil PVC Cards

Printer compatibility should be verified before ordering thin PVC cards. Some professional printers support media around 10–12 mil, while others are optimized primarily for thicker cards.

Key Features of 12 Mil PVC Cards

• Thin 12 Mil Construction: Approximately 0.30mm for applications requiring a slimmer PVC card.

• CR80 Footprint: Approximately 85.5 × 54mm for familiar card layouts and compatible systems.

• Lightweight: Less bulky than a conventional 30 mil PVC card.

• Smooth White Surface: Suitable for professional card graphics when paired with compatible printing equipment.

• Thickness Control: Consistent thin-card thickness supports reliable printing where the printer is designed for thin media.

• Material Options: New, semi-new or recycled PVC can be discussed according to project requirements.

• Custom Supply: Related PVC card materials, surfaces and larger sheet formats can be discussed separately.

Applications of 12 Mil Thin PVC Cards

Visitor Badges

Thin CR80 cards can be used for visitor-management programs that require a more durable alternative to paper badges without the bulk of a standard 30 mil card.

Temporary Employee Credentials

Suitable for temporary workers, contractors, seasonal staff and other authorized identification programs where a thinner credential is sufficient.

Membership Cards

Clubs, fitness centers, associations and service businesses can use thin PVC cards for selected membership programs where the required printer supports 12 mil media.

Event and Conference Cards

Thin PVC cards can provide a lightweight plastic credential for exhibitions, conferences, training sessions and other event applications.

Promotional and Advertising Cards

The thin PVC format can be used for printed promotional pieces, branded customer cards and other commercial applications where paper-like flexibility with a plastic surface is preferred.

Thin Plastic Business Cards

Thin graphic-quality PVC can also be considered for plastic business-card applications where compatible printing and finishing equipment is available.

When to Choose 12 Mil Instead of 30 Mil

Choose 12 mil cards when reduced thickness, lower bulk and lighter weight are more important than the stiffness of a conventional 30 mil card.

For cards expected to receive heavy daily handling, repeated swiping, prolonged use or substantial mechanical stress, buyers should compare the durability requirements of 12 mil and thicker card options before final selection.

The final decision should also consider printer compatibility because a printer that reliably processes standard 30 mil cards may not necessarily accept 12 mil cards.

Important Quality Checks for Thin PVC Cards

• Thickness: Verify the nominal thin-card gauge against the approved specification.

• Flatness: Excessive curl can affect reliable printer feeding.

• Dimensions: Confirm card length, width and corner consistency.

• Surface Cleanliness: Dust and contamination can affect card-printing quality.

• Printer Feeding: Test thin-card separation and roller transport before bulk approval.

• Print Quality: Evaluate photographs, text, barcodes and solid-color areas using the intended printer and ribbon.

• Flexibility: Confirm that the thinner construction is suitable for the intended handling conditions.

12 Mil PVC Cards and Functional Card Features

The standard 12 mil card should be treated as a thin blank PVC substrate. Functional features such as magnetic stripes, chips, RFID, NFC or signature panels should be specified separately and may require a different card construction.

Thin blank PVC cards should not automatically be treated as payment or banking cards. Financial card applications require specialized security, functional components, encoding and applicable system approvals beyond the properties of the base PVC substrate.

Related A4, A5 and Custom PVC Card Materials

A4, A5 and customized PVC formats can be supplied for card-manufacturing projects, but these are parent sheets rather than finished CR80 12 mil cards.

Related PVC card-making materials from approximately 0.3mm to 2mm can be discussed according to printing method, card construction, lamination process and target finished thickness.

Information Needed for a Quotation

Packing and Shipping

Customized Packaging: Customized labels, boxes and buyer branding can be discussed for suitable commercial orders.

Export Packaging: Thin cards are packed to help reduce surface contamination, edge damage and deformation during international transportation.

Samples and Small Orders: Express shipment can be arranged through TNT, FedEx, UPS, DHL or another suitable courier.

Bulk Orders: Larger commercial orders can be shipped by air or sea according to quantity, destination and agreed commercial terms.

PVC ID Card Packaging

PVC ID Card Shipping

Quality and Certification Documentation

Available material, quality and compliance documentation should be matched to the exact PVC formulation, card thickness and supplied specification. Buyers should request current applicable documents before final product approval.

HSQY Plastic Group Global Exhibitions

HSQY Plastic Group participates in international plastics, packaging and manufacturing exhibitions to meet card manufacturers, printers, distributors and professional buyers and discuss PVC card specifications, samples, customized requirements and bulk supply.

2017 Shanghai Exhibition

2018 Shanghai Exhibition

2023 Saudi Exhibition

2023 American Exhibition

2024 Australian Exhibition

2024 American Exhibition

2024 Mexico Exhibition

2024 Paris Exhibition

Frequently Asked Questions About 12 Mil PVC Cards

What is a 12 mil PVC card?

A 12 mil PVC card is a thin plastic credential approximately 0.30mm thick. It can retain the standard CR80 footprint while being considerably thinner than a conventional 30 mil card.

Is 12 mil the same as 0.76mm?

No. Twelve mil is approximately 0.30mm. A thickness around 0.76mm corresponds to approximately 30 mil and represents a substantially thicker standard card.

What is the CR80 card size?

The HSQY CR80 card footprint is approximately 85.5 × 54mm.

Is a 12 mil card thinner than a standard ID card?

Yes. A 12 mil card is 18 mil thinner than a 30 mil card and has a noticeably more flexible profile.

Can every ID card printer print 12 mil cards?

No. Some printers support thin cards while others have higher minimum media thickness requirements. Always check the exact printer model before ordering.

Why would I choose a 12 mil card?

A 12 mil card is useful when a lighter, thinner and more flexible credential is preferred, such as visitor badges, temporary IDs, event cards or promotional applications.

Can 12 mil cards be printed on both sides?

Double-sided printing can be evaluated when both the supplied card surface and the printer support duplex printing of thin media.

Are 12 mil cards as rigid as 30 mil cards?

No. A 12 mil PVC card is more flexible because it uses substantially less material thickness than a standard 30 mil card.

Are A4 and A5 materials also 12 mil CR80 cards?

No. CR80 describes an individual card format. A4 and A5 are larger card-making sheet formats and should be specified separately.

What does the 0.3–2mm range refer to?

The wider thickness range applies to related PVC card-making materials and customized constructions. The specific product described on this page is the 12 mil thin-card format.

Can a 12 mil card include a magnetic stripe or chip?

Functional card features require a specifically engineered structure and should be discussed separately. Not every feature is suitable for every thin-card construction.

Can 12 mil blank cards be used directly as payment cards?

No assumption should be made that a blank thin PVC card is a complete payment card. Financial applications require additional security, components, encoding and applicable approvals.

Can I get samples for printer testing?

Stock samples can be discussed so buyers can test card feeding, printing and handling with their actual printer before approving a bulk order. Courier freight can be arranged separately.

What information is needed for a quotation?

Please provide the required thickness, card dimensions, printer brand and model, printing method, application, quantity, packaging requirement and delivery destination.

About HSQY Plastic Group

Changzhou Huisu Qinye Plastic Group supplies thin PVC cards, standard blank PVC cards, printable PVC card materials and related plastic products to printing companies, card manufacturers, distributors and international professional buyers.

HSQY supports different PVC card thicknesses, material options, samples, customized packaging and related A4, A5 and custom card-making materials.

For a 12 mil CR80 project, provide the printer model, required quantity, card application and destination so thin-card compatibility and commercial requirements can be evaluated.