PVC Non-Laminating Dragon Sheet for Plastic Card Making

PVC Non-Laminating Dragon Sheet for Plastic Card Making

Wallis PVC non-laminating dragon sheet is a three-piece card material set for producing double-sided plastic cards with a printer, controlled heat press and card cutter. The standard construction uses two printable PVC surface sheets and one white PVC core to produce a nominal 0.76mm CR80 card body.

The industry term “non-laminating” means that a conventional multi-opening industrial card laminator is not required. The printed layers must still be aligned and bonded under controlled heat and pressure. Printing grade, press temperature, dwell time, cooling method and cutting layout should be approved with the buyer’s actual equipment before bulk production.

This B2B card material is suitable for card factories, printing companies, distributors and OEM suppliers producing ID cards, employee badges, membership cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, game cards, TCG cards and promotional plastic cards.

Request Dragon Sheet Samples & Quote

PVC Dragon Sheet Specifications

The dimensions and processing values above describe the standard configuration shown on this page. The final purchase specification should identify the exact printable coating, thickness tolerance, sheet dimensions, packing quantity and approved production sample.

What Is a PVC Non-Laminating Dragon Sheet?

A PVC dragon sheet set contains two transparent printable sheets, commonly identified as layer A, and one white PVC core, commonly identified as layer B. The artwork is mirror printed on the designated inner surfaces of the two A sheets. The three layers are then assembled in an A-B-A structure so the printed graphics are enclosed within the finished card.

Enclosing the graphics reduces direct abrasion of the printed image during normal handling. However, finished-card durability still depends on coating compatibility, ink or toner adhesion, complete drying, correct pressing, cooling, edge quality and the intended use environment.

What “Non-Laminating” Means in Production

The product can simplify production compared with a conventional industrial card-lamination line, but it is not a peel-and-stick material and it does not bond without heat. A suitable hot press, pouch laminator or other approved pressure-and-heat system is still required.

Standard A-B-A Card Construction

Choose the Correct Printable PVC Grade

“Laser printable,” “inkjet printable” and “digital printable” are not interchangeable descriptions. Each grade uses a surface treatment developed for a particular imaging process. Before ordering, provide the printer manufacturer, model, ink or toner type, maximum feed thickness and required sheet format.

Do not assume that a sheet described as “laser printable” will work on every office laser printer. Heavy-media capability, straight paper path, fuser temperature and sheet size can differ significantly between machines.

How to Make Cards with PVC Dragon Sheet

1. Confirm the material grade: Match the printable coating to the actual printer, ink or toner and sheet-feeding method.

2. Prepare artwork: Set the card size, bleed, cutting marks, front/back registration and mirror-printing direction.

3. Print the two A sheets: Print only on the designated receptive sides and keep the protective surface film in place where required.

4. Stabilize the image: Allow ink to dry fully or toner to cool and stabilize before assembling the layers.

5. Prepare the B core: Remove protective films immediately before assembly and prevent fingerprints, dust and scratches.

6. Assemble A-B-A: Position both printed surfaces toward the white core and verify orientation before pressing.

7. Press and cool: Use the approved temperature, pressure, dwell time, release plates and cooling procedure.

8. Cut and inspect: Punch the cards only after sufficient cooling, then check dimensions, thickness, bonding, surface and registration.

Initial Heat-Press Trial Window

For the standard structure, approximately 130–150°C for 3–5 minutes may be used only as an initial trial reference. Other suppliers publish different windows because machine pressure, heating method, sheet size, coating and release system vary. Establish the final recipe through controlled trials and record the approved settings with the Golden Sample.

Get a Printing & Pressing Sample Set

Common Production Problems and Corrective Checks

B2B Applications

PVC non-laminating dragon sheet is primarily selected for plastic card programs that need flexible artwork changes, manageable production equipment and an enclosed printed image. The buyer should confirm whether the project also requires magnetic stripes, signature panels, barcodes, personalization or electronic components, as these features may require a different card structure.

• ID and employee cards: staff identification, visitor programs and internal credentials.

• Membership and loyalty cards: retail, gym, club, restaurant and service programs.

• Gift and promotional cards: campaign cards, coupons, event credentials and prepaid programs subject to system requirements.

• Game and TCG cards: short-run artwork testing, collectible cards and customized card sets.

• Student and library cards: education, training and institutional identification.

• Distributor and OEM programs: standard packs, private labels and regional card-material supply.

Quality Control and Golden Sample Approval

A nominal 0.76mm structure does not by itself guarantee a stable finished card. A B2B approval plan should evaluate the incoming sheets, printing process, pressed sheet and punched card. The signed Golden Sample should be produced on the same or equivalent equipment intended for commercial production.

Packaging, Storage and Handling

Keep the printable sheets and PVC cores in their original clean packaging until use. Store them flat in a dry indoor area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, dust and chemicals. Allow cold material to reach the production-room temperature before opening sealed packaging to reduce condensation risk.

• Separate printable sheets from rigid cores and identify each printing grade clearly.

• Do not place heavy or uneven loads on packs that could create permanent curl.

• Handle bonding surfaces with clean gloves and remove protective film immediately before use.

• Use protective cartons, moisture barriers and pallets suitable for the shipment route.

• Confirm carton labels, lot traceability, pack quantity and OEM marking before dispatch.

Why Source PVC Dragon Sheet from Wallis?

Wallis supplies PVC core sheets, printable card sheets, overlays and related card-production materials for B2B customers. The sourcing process can include grade selection, representative samples, printing and hot-press trials, OEM dimensions, packing requirements and repeat-order specifications.

• Standard three-layer sets and project-specific sheet formats.

• Separate confirmation of inkjet, laser and production-digital printable grades.

• Samples for printing, pressing, cooling and punching evaluation.

• OEM packing, private labels and export-order coordination.

• Golden Sample and batch specification support for repeat procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PVC non-laminating dragon sheet?

It is a three-piece card material set containing two printable transparent PVC sheets and one white PVC core. The two printed sheets are bonded to the core with heat and pressure, then cut into finished plastic cards.

Does “non-laminating” mean no heat press is required?

No. It means a conventional industrial card-lamination line is not required. The A-B-A stack still needs controlled heat and pressure from suitable equipment to create a stable card body.

What is the standard layer structure?

The standard structure shown on this page is 0.15mm printable PVC + 0.46mm white PVC core + 0.15mm printable PVC, producing a nominal finished thickness of 0.76mm.

Can it produce standard CR80 cards?

Yes. The nominal 0.76mm structure is commonly used for CR80-format cards. The finished card dimensions, thickness tolerance and corner radius should be verified after pressing and cutting.

Is the material inkjet printable or laser printable?

Both product categories exist, but they use different surface coatings. The standard grade must be selected according to the printer model and ink or toner system. One grade should not be assumed to work with every printer.

Why is mirror printing required?

The image is printed on the inner side of each transparent A sheet and viewed through the outer surface after bonding. Mirror printing restores the correct orientation when the printed side faces the white core.

Which side of the A sheet should be printed?

Print only on the designated receptive side identified in the supplier’s instructions or sample marking. Protective-film location and printable-side identification should be confirmed before a production run.

What temperature and time should we use?

Approximately 130–150°C for 3–5 minutes can be used as an initial reference for the standard product, but the final settings depend on equipment, pressure, sheet size, coating and cooling. Approve the final recipe through trials.

Can the printed sheets be pressed immediately?

Ink must dry fully, and toner should cool and stabilize before assembly. Pressing an unstable image can cause transfer, bubbles, color change or weak bonding.

Are the finished cards waterproof and scratch-proof?

The enclosed-image construction can improve resistance to routine moisture and abrasion, but it should not be marketed as absolutely waterproof or scratch-proof without testing the complete card under the intended use conditions.

Can magnetic stripes, chips or RFID inlays be added?

These features may require special layers, recesses, inlays or a different manufacturing process. Provide the complete card structure and functional requirements so the material and process can be evaluated.

Can we order custom sheet sizes or layer structures?

Custom formats, core thicknesses, printable grades and packing can be discussed according to printer size, press working area, cutting layout, target card thickness and order volume.

Should we approve samples before a bulk order?

Yes. Use the actual printer, ink or toner, heat press, release materials, cooling method and card cutter to approve printing, bonding, flatness, thickness and appearance before mass production.

Information Required for a B2B Quotation

Providing these details helps Wallis recommend the correct printable grade and prepare a representative sample instead of supplying a generic sheet that may not match the buyer’s equipment.

Request B2B Samples & Factory Quote