PLASTIC CARD MATERIALS AND THICKNESS

Choose the right plastic card for the way it will be used.

PlasticCard.nz helps New Zealand businesses and organisations choose the card material and format that suit how the card will be carried, printed, presented, inserted or attached.

Most familiar wallet cards use standard 0.76 mm plastic. Thinner 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm cards, thicker 1.1 mm options and recycled ABS are also available when the card format, equipment or attachment calls for them.

Request card material advice See card options Call free0800 463 683

Trusted by New Zealand businesses for 25 years

Stack of plastic cards in different thicknesses beside digital calipers

Plastic card specialists

Material and production advice for the actual job.

Finishes and data

Standard plastic and recycled ABS options for suitable card formats.

Equipment and attachment fit

Cards selected around printers, readers, holders, slots and holes.

New Zealand support

Experienced advice and delivery New Zealand wide.

START WITH THE WAY THE CARD WILL BE USED

Match the card to the job before choosing the material or thickness.

A wallet card, a key tag and a card for later desktop printing do not have the same requirements. Start with the real use, then narrow down the options.

Everyday wallet cards

Standard 0.76 mm plastic suits many familiar business, loyalty, membership, gift and identification card formats.

Cards for later printing

Choose a card that matches the accepted material and thickness range of the desktop printer that will be used.

Key tags and cards with holes

Allow enough material around the attachment point. A thicker 1.1 mm option may suit key tags or cards with holes where added durability is useful.

Readers, holders and slots

Match the card dimensions and thickness to every reader, holder, gate, dispenser or slot it must pass through.

WHEN CARD THICKNESS MATTERS

Use standard 0.76 mm for familiar wallet cards and specialist thicknesses only where the job requires them.

The card still needs to suit the format, equipment and attachment. More or less thickness is useful only when it solves a practical requirement.

Standard wallet cards

Standard 0.76 mm plastic suits many familiar business, loyalty, membership, gift and identification cards.

Thinner cards

The 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm options suit selected formats or equipment that require a thinner, more flexible card.

Thicker cards and key tags

A 1.1 mm option can provide more material around holes or attachment points on suitable key tags and cards.

Equipment compatibility

Confirm the accepted media thickness for every printer, reader, holder, gate, dispenser or slot the card must use.

RECYCLED ABS PLASTIC CARDS

Choose recycled ABS when you want recycled material in the finished card.

PlasticCard.nz can supply cards made from recycled ABS for suitable card formats and thicknesses. They retain the practical durability of a plastic card while incorporating recycled material.

Show your commitment to the environment with cards made from recycled and recyclable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)—a durable, high-quality material that makes a more responsible choice for your card programme.

Full-colour recycled ABS cards featuring native New Zealand birds and plants beside the 7 ABS recycling symbol

Tell us how the card will be used and what it must fit.

We can compare suitable material and thickness options once we know how the card will be handled, printed, inserted or attached.

Day-to-day use

How the card or tag will be carried, presented, worn, scanned or handled.

Equipment

The make, model and accepted media specification for any printer, reader, encoder, holder or slot.

Holes and attachments

Any hole, slot, key-ring, clip, lanyard or other attachment the card must accommodate.

Current card

A current working card or known thickness that provides a useful reference.

Material preference

Whether standard plastic or recycled ABS is being considered.

Quantity and delivery

The approximate order quantity, delivery destination and required timing.

Request card material advice Call 0800 463 683

HELPFUL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions about plastic card materials and thicknesses?

What is the standard plastic card thickness?

Standard plastic wallet cards are commonly supplied at 0.76 mm, which suits many business, loyalty, membership, gift and identification card formats.

What other card thicknesses are available?

PlasticCard.nz can also supply 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm and 1.1 mm cards for suitable formats and applications. The right option depends on the card use and anything it must fit.

Why would a key tag or card with a hole use 1.1 mm plastic?

The extra thickness can provide more material around the hole or attachment point, which may improve durability on a suitable key-tag or card design.

Can these cards be used in a desktop card printer?

Only when the material and thickness are accepted by that printer. Please provide the printer make, model and media specification before the cards are selected.

Can you supply recycled ABS plastic cards?

Yes. Recycled ABS is available for selected card formats and thicknesses.

Can recycled ABS cards be recycled again?

ABS can be recycled where an appropriate ABS recycling service is available. Acceptance varies, so the intended recycler should be checked rather than assuming kerbside acceptance.

How do we choose the right material and thickness?

Tell us how the card will be used, the equipment it must fit and any hole or attachment requirements. We can then compare the suitable options.

READY TO CHOOSE THE CARD?

Get a plastic card that feels right, fits the equipment and stands up to the job.

Share the card use, equipment, attachment requirements and material preference. We’ll help narrow down the suitable material and thickness and prepare a tailored quote.