13.56 MHz inlays are high-frequency RFID solutions, offering better data capacity and security features than LF inlays. This makes them the standard for payment and transit systems.
An inlay sheet is a specially prepared intermediate material used in card manufacturing (such as ID cards, smart cards, banking cards, membership cards, or RFID cards). It usually acts as the core structure of the card, placed between overlay films during lamination.
The inlay sheet determines many of the card’s key functions and properties, including durability, flexibility, and in some cases, electronic performance if embedded with RFID components.
Plain PVC Inlay Sheets
Made from standard PVC plastic.
Serve as the card’s structural base without electronic function.
Commonly used in simple printed cards (loyalty cards, student cards, membership cards).
Contain embedded copper antennas and microchips.
Enable contactless technology such as 125KHz, 13.56MHz, or UHF frequencies.
Used in access control cards, transportation cards, payment cards, and NFC-enabled products.
Pre-prepared inlays with antennas and chips already laminated inside PVC or PETG sheets.
Provide higher strength and easier further processing (printing, punching).
Widely used in industrial card manufacturing.
Plain PVC Inlay Sheets are basic core layers used in card manufacturing. They are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material without any electronic components such as chips or antennas. Their primary role is to act as the structural foundation of a card, providing strength, durability, and a smooth surface for further lamination, printing, or personalization.
These sheets are placed between overlay films during the lamination process, where heat and pressure combine the layers into a finished card.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) / Contactless Inlay Sheets are specially designed core sheets that contain embedded electronic components—such as antenna coils and microchips—which allow cards to perform wireless communication.
These inlay sheets are the functional heart of contactless smart cards, enabling them to store and transmit data without physical contact. They are widely used in access control, transportation, banking, and NFC applications.
Range: 2–10 cm (short range).
Data Speed: Slow, limited memory capacity.
Performance: Works well near metal, water, and challenging environments.
Security: Basic, not encrypted; more suitable for simple identification.
Cost: Generally lower compared to HF and UHF.
Range: Up to 10 cm.
Data Speed: Faster than LF, supports more complex data storage.
Performance: Good balance of range, speed, and security.
Security: Supports encryption & authentication (e.g., MIFARE®, DESFire®).
Standards: ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/IEC 15693, NFC.
Range: Up to 10 meters (long range).
Data Speed: Very high; can read hundreds of tags at once.
Performance: Best for bulk reading and tracking, but less stable near liquids/metal.
Security: Moderate; newer protocols improve security but not as strong as HF for financial use.
Standards: ISO/IEC 18000-6C (EPC Gen 2).
Prelaminated Inlay Sheets, also called Prelam Inlays, are pre-prepared card core sheets that already contain embedded antennas and microchips, laminated inside durable materials such as PVC, PET, or PETG.
They serve as the functional base for manufacturing RFID smart cards, making the production process more efficient, stable, and reliable. Instead of assembling chips and antennas separately, card manufacturers can directly use prelam inlays, then print, punch, and finish the cards with overlays.
Integrated Structure – Chip and antenna are pre-laminated inside the sheet.
High Durability – Resistant to heat, pressure, and bending during lamination.
Stable Performance – Ensures proper chip-to-antenna bonding and alignment.
Easy Processing – Simplifies further card production steps like printing, punching, and personalization.
Customizable – Available in different sizes, frequencies (125KHz, 13.56MHz, UHF), and multi-chip designs.
PETG overlay is a transparent plastic film used in card making to enhance durability and aesthetics. It is applied over printed cards to protect them from wear and tear while adding a glossy, professional finish. This overlay is made from PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), a high-quality thermoplastic polymer known for its clarity and strength.
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