ID Card Size: Understand the Standard Sizes Before Buying

ID cards can be used for identification systems and security most of the time. Expect to come across them in many places in your daily life activities. It could be while visiting your office, school, or even at home. Some companies offer ID cards as loyalty cards to their customers. So, using ID cards is endless, with many chances of improving their functionalities to suit your needs.

Choosing the right ID card size is mostly influenced by compatibility, practicality, and effectiveness of how you would use the ID card. Of course, the ID card’s dimensions can determine its ease of use, versatility, and capacity to handle various functions.

We take the time to help understand the various ID card sizes, and how to choose the best one, among other things.

 

The Standard ID Card Sizes

When you are in the market for ID cards, you might come across cards with numbers such as CR80, CR79, and CR100. At first, they might be confusing, but they are simply the card sizes you should know about.

These sizes align with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Such standardization is important so that different cards can fit in card readers, badge holders, and cardholder wallets. As you can see, you get the best convenience and interchangeability when working with various systems and settings.

1. CR80: The Most Common ID Card Size

 

This is what you would mostly get commonly being used in many applications. Its number means it measures  2.125″x3.375″. This is according to the ISO/IEC 7810 standard.

This card size is considered the gold standard for several identification purposes thanks to its compatibility and versatility. The best part is that it should fit into standard wallets easily. This makes using it more often quite easy without worrying how you would carry it.

Several accessories can work well with these cards. As such, you should end up with easy access and efficient identification.

As for applications, the cards work best for employee identification, student ID cards, event passes, access control, and membership cards. This shows just how effective the card size is for many uses.

2. CR79: Specialized ID Card Sizes

 

Beyond the CR80, we have the CR79. This is more of a specialized ID card size. The card measures  2.051″x3.303″. Compared to the CR80, you can see that it is smaller in dimensions. Being smaller makes it a good pick for those who might be seeking a compact ID card size.

Besides the size, you can also consider its portability, aesthetics, and branding considerations. Since the cards are smaller, they are more portable and practical for daily use. Of course, those with minimalist wallets will enjoy such smaller cards.

We see such cards mostly being used in exclusive membership clubs, where people want to keep the cards discreet. Also some businesses may also consider using them for employee badges ensuring they fit comfortably in purses and wallets.

3. Oversized ID Cards: CR100 and More

 

The CR100 is bigger than the other two options mentioned above. Measuring  2.63″x3.88″, it is big enough to set it apart.

Such cards are best for making a visual impact. Expect them to capture the attention of most people. That is why brands might include logos and images to leave a lasting impression on potential clients.

You may also find that industries favor these cards mostly for making a statement and enhancing branding. They also work quite well for conferences and conventions. At such events, we expect that having such a huge card leaves you with more visually striking credentials to make it easier for identification.

Being oversized can also help you get options such as customization. Some of the common customization options include having holographic foils, unique shapes, and embossing. This is all vital to give you the best experience using the cards.

4. Mini ID Cards

 

You may also come across the mini ID cards. They might not have the same standardization as the usual ID cards mentioned above. Nevertheless, they can be good for you. They are mostly used for serving specific purposes in a company.

Being small has other perks, such as attaching them to the key holders and carrying them around as key tags. They also offer the best portability and ease of use because of such a feature.

These mini ID cards can work for various industries and settings. A good example is a brand using them for loyalty programs or membership cards. They are still effective for access control and attendance tracking.

 

Tips for Choosing the Right ID Card Size

After you have gone through the various ID card sizes above, you might be intrigued to get some for your organization. However, how do you choose? Below are ideas on choosing the right ID card size.

1. Assess your specific needs. It is vital that you assess your needs to know which cards work best for you. A good example is understanding the purpose of the cards, the information to display on the cards and the environment.

 

1. Standard cards vs. specialized sizes:we have already mentioned the standard sizes of cards above. However, you can still get specialized sizes. CR80 is best for those who want standard ID card sizes. CR79 and CR100 are for those who want non-standard choices.

 

1. Cardholder preferences: If you have employees, understand their preferences. Ask them about what they like, and you might be surprised things differ from what you expected. Most want cards that fit in their wallets, so the smaller, the better.

 

1. Branding and design:You have to think about the branding and design elements of the cards. A larger card, such as the CR100, is more suitable for those who need to incorporate more designs and branding elements.

 

1. Technology and compatibility:If you want to incorporate the ID card with other technologies, such as access control, ensure the ID card sizes will work well with your card readers. There is no need to change the whole RFID system because of incompatibility.

Custom ID Card Sizes

 

It is not uncommon for people to consider custom ID card sizes. Other than the standard options discussed above, you can also get others customized to your needs.

Before you can order the custom ID card sizes, first understand the purpose. Make sure that the ordered size can fit the unique needs, or else simply get the standard options in the market.

Manufacturers mostly want you to be detailed in your purchase. You have to choose the right size that will work great for you. So, seek a reputable provider to deliver custom ID cards for your needs.

Many people would consider custom ID card sizes because of branding and unique needs. Customizing means the cards align perfectly with the branding and visual identity. Also, branding makes it easier to create cards that resonate with the brand by using company logos, design elements, and colors.

ID Card Size Trends

 

ID cards remain important in many fields, including access control and security systems. This means they will likely improve over time to keep up with the demands of the users in that field. That is why we have to look at the ID card size trends happening right now.

More technology advancements

 

Technology advancements will likely affect the design, production, and functionality of these ID cards. A good example is having enhanced security features such as UV inks, microprinting, holographic overlays, and more. These are features that make it hard to duplicate the cards.

You can also find some brands integrating biometrics into these cards’ functionality. The aim is to improve card security, especially in government-issued IDs or access control systems.

Contactless cards and smart cards

 

You can get ID cards with the smart card or contactless card features. This is to revolutionize access control and identification of the various people using them. Like for contactless access, the cards can now have embedded RFID or NFC chips. Such functionality is commonly used in public transport systems, universities, and corporate offices.

The ID cards can also be used for making cashless payments for smart card integration. The cards are still good as EMV credit cards, employee access cards, and electronic passports.

Sustainable card options

 

Sustainability continues to be a big deal in various countries. The ID card industry can also be adapted to this kind of manufacturing to ensure they play their part also. One of the ways to do so is to use eco-friendly materials. This includes the use of biodegradable plastics and recycled PVC to reduce the impact on the environment while manufacturing ID cards.

Conclusion

 

The ID card sizes are vital for determining where best to use the cards. We have seen how there are several options you could try. There are those standard sizes best for access control and other uses. You can still get the non-standard sizes that can be bigger for brand promotion. It comes down to what you need at the moment. Consider the compatibility of using the ID card sizes with existing infrastructure.