The CR80 White PVC Card​ is the standard blank plastic card​ used worldwide for ID badges, membership cards, and access control systems. It serves as the physical substrate (the "body") for the smart chips (like MIFARE or NTAG) you've been asking about.

1. Core Definition

A CR80 White PVC Card​ is a blank, white plastic card​ made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Its name comes from the Card Reference 80​ standard, which defines the common "credit card size" (85.6 × 54 mm). It is the default raw material for producing personalized smart cards, loyalty cards, and employee badges.

2. Key Specifications

3. Manufacturing & Customization

• Printing: Designed for direct-to-card (DTC) dye-sublimation printers​ (e.g., Fargo, Evolis, Zebra). The white surface acts as a canvas for full-color photos, logos, and text.
• Layering: Most cards are made from multiple PVC layers laminated together. This allows for the embedding of inlays​ (for MIFARE, NTAG, or RFID functionality) between the layers.
• Finishing: Can be produced with a glossy or matte finish. The standard is blank, but it can be pre-printed with magnetic stripes, signature panels, or smart card modules.

4. Common Applications

• ID & Access Control: Employee badges, student IDs, and hotel key cards.
• Loyalty & Membership: Retail store cards, library cards, and gym memberships.
• Smart Card Base: The physical carrier for MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, NTAG, and other RFID/NFC chips.
• Prototyping & Testing: Used as a blank stock for testing card printer alignment and print quality.

5. Why "CR80"?

The term "CR80" is often used interchangeably with ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1. It is the standard size for all payment cards (credit/debit) and identification cards. The "80" is a historical reference to the card's format code in the industry.

6. Compatibility Notes

• Printers: Compatible with virtually all standard ID card printers (e.g., Zebra ZXP Series, Fargo HDP Series, Evolis Primacy).
• Encoders: When combined with an RFID inlay, it becomes a White CR80 Smart Card​ (e.g., MIFARE 1K White Card, NTAG213 White Card).

Summary

The CR80 White PVC Card​ is the universal blank card stock​ for the smart card industry. It provides the standard physical form factor (85.6 × 54 × 0.76 mm) upon which all printing, encoding, and smart card functionality is added. If you are making any type of plastic card, you are likely starting with a CR80 White PVC Card.