Custom 13.56MHz Contactless Smart NFC PVC Card

Custom 13.56MHz Contactless Smart NFC PVC Cards

Wallis manufactures custom 13.56MHz contactless smart NFC PVC cards for access control, membership, hotels, campuses, events, loyalty programs, transportation, identification, NFC marketing and other smart-card projects. Each card combines a selected 13.56MHz chip and tuned antenna with a durable PVC card body.

Buyers can customize the chip, card size, artwork, printing, surface finish, UID or serial-number printing, QR codes, barcodes and optional data encoding. The final card must be matched to the reader protocol, memory requirement, security level, smartphone compatibility and application software.

The term “13.56MHz” identifies the operating frequency but does not define one universal smart-card standard. NTAG, MIFARE, DESFire and ICODE products have different protocols, memory structures, commands and security capabilities and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Request a 13.56MHz NFC Card Quote

Product Specifications and Custom Options

The current product page confirms the WLS-PVC Card model, customized 86 × 54 mm format, Inkjet or Indigo printing, customized colors and water-resistant PVC construction. Exact thickness, chip, protocol, memory, read range, operating temperature and security functions must be confirmed for each project.

What Is a 13.56MHz Contactless Smart Card?

A contactless smart card contains an integrated circuit connected to an antenna inside the PVC card body. The reader supplies energy through the radio-frequency field, allowing the card and reader to exchange commands and data without physical electrical contact.

Passive Operation without an Internal Battery

Most standard contactless PVC cards are passive and receive operating energy from the reader field. The card does not require an internal battery for normal communication.

Short-Range Reader Interaction

Actual reading distance depends on the chip, antenna geometry, card construction, reader power, reader antenna, nearby materials and card orientation. A fixed distance should not be guaranteed without testing the finished card with the intended reader.

Chip and Antenna Work as One RF System

Changing the chip, antenna, card thickness or nearby material can affect resonance and reading performance. The approved chip-and-antenna construction should be tested after printing, lamination and card finishing.

NFC and HF RFID Are Related but Not Identical Terms

NFC operates at 13.56MHz, but not every 13.56MHz HF RFID card offers the same smartphone interaction or NFC Forum behavior. Compatibility depends on the exact chip and protocol.

13.56MHz Chip and Protocol Selection

Frequency Alone Does Not Confirm Compatibility

Two cards can both operate at 13.56MHz while using different standards, commands and application layers. Provide the reader model, current card, protocol or required chip before approving a replacement card.

Select Memory from the Actual Data Requirement

A short URL may fit in a small NFC memory, while a larger digital profile, multiple NDEF records or secure application structure may need more capacity. Encoding content should be finalized before selecting the chip.

Select Security from the Risk Model

Basic password protection, permanent locking, cryptographic mutual authentication and secure multi-application support are different capabilities. The chip, reader, keys, software and backend should be designed together.

Confirm Product Lifecycle and Availability

For recurring programs, buyers should confirm exact manufacturer part numbers, approved alternatives, supply continuity, UID format and change-control requirements before long-term rollout.

Smartphone Compatibility and NFC Data

NFC Forum Tags for Mobile Interaction

NFC Forum-compatible chips such as NTAG21x are commonly selected when users need to tap a card with a phone to open a URL, contact page, digital business card, product record or campaign landing page.

NDEF Data Encoding

Compatible NFC cards can store NDEF records such as URLs, text or contact information. Data size, record type, redirect strategy, password settings and future editing requirements should be confirmed before encoding.

Phone Model and Operating-System Differences

A compatible chip does not guarantee identical behavior on every smartphone. Phone hardware, antenna location, operating system, application permissions and card placement can affect the user experience.

Read-Only Locking and Password Protection

Selected NFC chips support password protection and permanent read-only locking. Permanent locking should be applied only after final data verification because the operation may not be reversible.

Use Secure Redirects for Marketing Programs

For marketing and digital-profile cards, encoding a managed redirect URL can make destination updates easier without rewriting every card. The redirect platform and domain security remain part of the buyer’s digital system.

Custom Printing and Card Personalization

Full-Color Front and Back Printing

Cards can display logos, corporate colors, photos, instructions, contact information and branded graphics. Editable AI, EPS or PDF artwork is recommended for sharp logo reproduction.

Fixed and Variable Data

Fixed artwork appears on every card, while variable fields may include names, employee IDs, member numbers, photos, expiry dates, QR codes, barcodes or chip UIDs.

UID and Printed Number Matching

When the printed number must match the electronic UID or encoded record, define the hexadecimal or decimal format, byte order, leading zeros, separators and card sequence before production.

Optional Card Finishes

Depending on the card construction, options can include glossy or matte surfaces, magnetic stripes, signature panels, holes, hot stamping, UV printing, holographic elements and other security or branding features.

Artwork and Data File Requirements

Supply front-and-back artwork with bleed and safe areas. Variable information should be supplied in an agreed spreadsheet with one row per card and clearly labeled columns.

Applications of 13.56MHz NFC PVC Cards

Access Control and Employee Identification

Contactless PVC cards can identify employees, contractors and visitors when the selected chip and encoded credential are compatible with the installed access system.

Hotel Key Cards

Hotel cards must match the lock-system brand, encoder, chip and property-management workflow. A physical sample should be tested on the actual locks before mass production.

Membership and Loyalty Programs

Retailers, clubs, gyms and service providers can use customized cards for member identification, check-in, rewards or links to digital profiles.

Campus, Library and Education Systems

Schools and universities can integrate identification, library, attendance and facility functions when the selected smart-card platform supports their readers and software.

Events and Transportation

Ticketing and transport systems may use 13.56MHz technology, but they often require specific chips, transaction speed, security, certification and personalization processes.

NFC Business Cards and Marketing

NFC-enabled cards can connect users to contact details, social profiles, product pages, menus, promotions or other controlled digital content using compatible smartphones.

Healthcare Identification

Smart cards can support patient or staff identification workflows, but sensitive medical data should be protected through suitable access control, encryption, privacy policies and backend architecture rather than stored openly.

Payment and Closed-Loop Programs

A generic 13.56MHz PVC card is not automatically a bank payment card. Payment, transit fare and stored-value programs require an approved secure chip, certified terminals, key management, software integration and system authorization.

Data Encoding and Security Planning

Blank or Pre-Encoded Cards

Cards can be discussed as blank contactless cards for customer-side encoding or as pre-encoded cards using an approved data file. The chip, memory map, keys, passwords, lock status and verification method should be specified.

Secure Key Management

Secure smart-card applications require controlled key creation, transfer, diversification, storage and rotation. Supplying a secure chip without a key-management process does not create a secure credential.

Originality and Authentication Features

Some chip families provide originality signatures or cryptographic authentication. These functions should be validated using the manufacturer’s documented process and integrated into the backend verification workflow.

Data Minimization and Privacy

Store only data required by the application. Sensitive personal information should be protected by access rules and backend systems rather than written as unprotected card content.

Read-Back Verification

Encoded cards should be read back and compared with the approved database. For personalized orders, printed numbers, QR codes and electronic data should remain correctly matched.

Information Required for an Accurate Quotation

• Application and required card function

• Exact chip model or required protocol

• Reader, encoder, smartphone or hotel-lock model

• Memory, read/write, security and key-management requirements

• Card size, thickness, surface and quantity

• Front and back artwork with bleed

• Fixed and variable printed fields

• Encoding data, NDEF records, passwords, keys and lock status

• Magnetic stripe, signature panel, hole or security-finishing requirements

• Sample quantity, packaging, delivery destination and schedule

Send Your Chip and Reader Requirements

Sample Approval and Quality Control

1. Technical Compatibility Review

Wallis reviews the chip, protocol, antenna, reader, software, card size, printing, encoding and finishing requirements before confirming the quotation and sample specification.

2. Artwork and Data Proof

The proof should confirm front-and-back artwork, dimensions, bleed, variable-data areas, chip-related printed information and special finishing positions.

3. Physical Sample Testing

Buyers should test printing, dimensions, surface quality, reader compatibility, smartphone interaction, read range, encoding and lock status using the intended devices and software.

4. Production Inspection

Inspection can include appearance, dimensions, flatness, chip readability, UID, encoded data, print alignment and matching between printed and electronic records.

5. Packing and Traceability

Sequential cards can be packed by controlled data range. Box labels, card quantity, order sequence and inspection records should follow the approved project requirements.

Workshop and Smart Card Production

Custom Smart Card Manufacturing

Wallis supports sample development and OEM production for distributors, system integrators, security companies, hotels, membership programs and project procurement teams.

Controlled Chip Embedding and Lamination

The chip, antenna and PVC layers should be processed according to the approved card construction to maintain flatness, surface quality and contactless performance.

Functional and Appearance Testing

Finished cards can be evaluated for visual quality, dimensions and contactless reading according to the confirmed inspection specification.

Original Source-Page Reference Image

The following external image is retained from the original page as requested. It is preserved for page migration but is not used as evidence of the 13.56MHz NFC card specifications described above.

Export Packaging

Contactless cards should be packed to reduce scratches, bending, moisture exposure and uncontrolled movement during transport. Personalized or sequential orders can be labeled by card range, box number and packing quantity.

Why Choose Wallis for 13.56MHz NFC PVC Cards?

Application-Based Chip Selection

Wallis can review the reader, protocol, memory, security and smartphone requirements before confirming a suitable card configuration.

Printing and Personalization Support

Buyers can combine custom artwork, variable data, UID printing, QR codes, barcodes and optional chip encoding in one project workflow.

Sample Testing before Bulk Production

A physical sample helps confirm card appearance, reader compatibility, smartphone performance and encoded data before the bulk order is released.

B2B and OEM Project Service

Wallis supports card distributors, access-control integrators, hotels, schools, retailers, event operators and other organizations requiring customized contactless smart cards.

Start Your Custom NFC Card Project

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 13.56MHz mean on an NFC card?

It is the radio operating frequency. It does not identify the exact protocol, memory or security level, so the chip and reader specification must also be confirmed.

Are all 13.56MHz cards compatible with each other?

No. ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, Type B, ISO/IEC 15693 and NFC Forum chip families can all use 13.56MHz but are not automatically interchangeable.

Which chip should I choose for an NFC business card?

NTAG213, NTAG215 or NTAG216 are common options. Select the model according to the NDEF data size, password requirement, phone compatibility and future editing plan.

Which chip is suitable for secure access control?

A secure platform such as a compatible DESFire product may be appropriate, but the reader, keys, application files, software and backend must be designed for that chip.

Can the card work with a smartphone?

It can when the selected chip and data format are supported by the phone. Test the card with representative phone models and operating systems before mass production.

Can Wallis encode a website URL?

Compatible NFC cards can be encoded with an NDEF URL. Provide the final URL, redirect requirements, password or lock settings and verification method.

Can the cards be permanently locked?

Selected chips support permanent read-only locking. Apply permanent locks only after final verification because the operation may not be reversible.

Are NFC cards secure for payment?

A generic NFC PVC card is not automatically payment-certified. Secure payment requires an approved chip, certified terminals, controlled keys, software integration and authorization from the payment or closed-loop system.

Can every card contain different printed and encoded data?

Yes. Names, numbers, QR codes, barcodes and compatible electronic records can be produced from an approved database with one row per card.

What is the expected reading distance?

Reading distance depends on the chip, antenna, reader, card construction, environment and orientation. Test the finished card with the intended reader rather than relying on a universal distance.

Are the cards waterproof?

The current product page describes the PVC cards as waterproof. Actual resistance depends on card construction, lamination, edge quality and exposure conditions, so special environmental requirements should be confirmed.

Is a sample required?

A sample is strongly recommended for confirming artwork, dimensions, reader compatibility, smartphone interaction, read range, encoding and security settings.

What information is needed for a quotation?

Send the application, chip or protocol, reader model, quantity, card size, artwork, variable data, encoding requirements, security settings, finishing, packaging and delivery destination.