How Does Card Hard Thin Film Compare to Traditional PVC Card Materials?

In various daily use scenarios such as ID cards, membership cards, bank cards, smart cards, etc., the choice of card material directly affects its durability, appearance, environmental protection performance and functionality. Traditionally, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) materials are widely used because of their low cost and convenient processing. However, with the tightening of environmental protection policies and the increasing market demand for high-performance cards, Card Hard Thin Film, as an emerging composite film material, is gradually replacing traditional PVC and becoming an important choice for high-quality card manufacturing.
So, what is the difference between card hard film and PVC card materials? What are their respective advantages and disadvantages? This article will conduct a comparative analysis from multiple angles such as material properties, processing performance, environmental protection, and scope of application.

1. Material composition and basic characteristics
PVC card material
Made by extrusion or calendering of polyvinyl chloride resin, it has a hard but slightly brittle texture, has certain waterproof and moisture-proof properties, and good plasticity. The common thickness is 0.3mm~0.76mm, and multi-layer lamination is used to make cards.
Card Hard Thin Film
Usually made of PET (polyester), PC (polycarbonate) or composite materials, it has the characteristics of high transparency, high strength, wear resistance, weather resistance, etc. Suitable for surface layer, protective film or the entire card body substrate.

2. Environmental protection and recyclability
Environmental issues of PVC cards:
Contains chlorine, releases toxic gases (such as dioxins) when burned;
It is difficult to degrade naturally, which is not conducive to sustainable development;
It is not easy to recycle and is easy to pollute the environment.
Environmental advantages of card hard film:
PET and PC materials are environmentally friendly engineering plastics and can be recycled;
Does not contain chlorine and is non-toxic when burned;
Can be developed into degradable film or recycled material, in line with the trend of green packaging and low carbon.
Conclusion: Under the trend of green environmental protection, card hard film has more development potential and is the preferred environmental material choice of major brands and government agencies.

3. Processing adaptability and production technology
PVC cards are easy to process and are suitable for traditional card-making processes such as thermal lamination, glue bonding, and silk-screen printing;
The hard film of the card needs to be processed with professional equipment and hot melt adhesive or photosensitive adhesive, but the finished product is smoother, has stronger adhesion, and is not easy to warp or delaminate;

The surface of PET film can be customized with coating, which is suitable for various high-end printing methods such as inkjet, thermal sublimation, and laser engraving;

Some high-end films have special processing capabilities such as anti-counterfeiting, laser, matte, antibacterial, and anti-static, providing more possibilities for the manufacture of functional cards.

4. Applicable scenarios and market trends
Application fields Recommended materials
Bank cards, social security cards Hard PET film (wear-resistant, anti-counterfeiting)
ID cards, driver's licenses PC film (high security, anti-counterfeiting)
Membership cards, access cards PVC or PET, choose according to cost and lifespan
Commercial cards, advertising cards Degradable PET (green and environmentally friendly)
In recent years, many developed countries and regions have gradually restricted the use of PVC materials, and China is also promoting the standards of non-toxic, environmentally friendly and functional cards. The market for hard film for cards has grown rapidly and has become an important trend for the industry to replace PVC.

Compared with traditional PVC card materials, hard film for cards has obvious advantages in wear resistance, environmental protection, stability and high-end function expansion. Although its initial production cost is slightly higher, from the long-term perspective of product life, brand image, policy compliance, etc., it is a better choice with sustainable development prospects.
In the future, with the iteration of card making technology and the tightening of environmental protection regulations, hard film for cards will continue to replace PVC in many fields such as finance, government affairs, commerce, and advertising, and become the mainstream of the next generation of card materials.