We put a lot of trust into Secure ID applications like credit cards, driver’s licenses, or essential documents. With an array of different threats towards sensitive data, considerable security measures are constantly being made. Whether it’s a national ID that we hold on our person every day or a more valuable item such as a passport, there’s no question that identity and security cards are becoming a daily resource that people rely on heavily. Because they require a more significant amount of security, these applications rely on the utmost protective materials that can come together to create a long-lasting and durable ID; these protective materials are often plastic films.

When looking at a credit card, one may think it is a single piece of plastic, when in reality, it’s multiple layers of very thin plastic film (typically PET, PVC, or polycarbonate material). With secure documents like passports and certificates, synthetic paper materials are often preferred. Regardless of the specific application, there is no question that plastic film plays a significant role in the Secure ID industry.

For most of us, plastic films make up for some of our most important documentation. Whether it’s a national ID that we hold on our person every day, or a more valuable item such as a passport, there’s no question that identity and security cards are becoming a daily resource people heavily rely on. Because they require a greater amount of security, these applications rely on the utmost protective materials that can come together a create a long-lasting and durable ID.

PolymerFilms offers plastic film materials that bear these vital properties, such as, durability, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance, low shrinkage, and more.

As people who rely on the many different forms of Secure ID, we know the types of stress these cards could potentially face. From physical alterations, mistreatment and misuse, and even weather conditions – card manufacturers must deliver the most secure and durable card prepared to face any condition. That’s why we make it our job to ensure that the substrates we provide can withstand any harsh conditions and more.

We know your identity is the most important thing. That’s why we carry only the best substrates for this industry.

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Proven Card Substrates for Secure ID Cards and Documents

PolymerFilms offers plastic film materials that bear these vital properties, such as durability, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance, low shrinkage, and more.

Polycarbonate Films for Secure ID and Tag Applications

• Polycarbonate LEXAN™ film is used for both core and overlay elements of secure ID cards. The LEXAN™ SD line offers a lasermarkable grade, a bright white (opaque) grade, a clear grade, co-extruded film, and flexible hardcoated film. The properties of these plastic films include tight gauge tolerances, high performance, exceptional durability, and tamper resistance. The LEXAN™ SC line consists of a lasermarkable grade and known to be abrasion-resistant and has improved chemical resistance and optimal lamination properties.
  • CORE
    • LEXAN™ SD8B24(L)
      • White opaque, 2-sided textured, low temp.
    • LEXAN™ SD8B94(L)
      • Clear laser mark, 2-side textured, low temp.
    • LEXAN™ SDCX
      • Clear/White, co-extruded, laser mark
    • OVERLAY
      • LEXAN™ SD8B14
        • Clear, 2-sided textured, low temp.
      • LEXAN™ SC8A12E
        • Clear, 1-side flexible hard coat
      • LEXAN™ SC8A92E
        • Clear, 1-side flexible hard coast, laser mark
      • LEXAN™ SD14UV
        • Clear, UV laser mark

PET Films for ID Card and Secure Documents

• Polyester films are used for Secure ID applications because of their superb handling properties and ability to promote adhesion to most industrial coatings. Specifically, both Melinex® 329 and 339 are the preferred polyester for Secure ID documents; 339 is treated on two sides for solvent-based ink adhesion. Both grades present themselves with a high opacity pearlescent appearance. Polyesters provide similar benefits to both coated and uncoated overlays for these applications as well.
  • CORE
    • Melinex® 339
      • High opacity pearlescent white, treated on 2 sides for solvent-based ink adhesion
    • Melinex® 329
      • High opacity pearlescent appearance
    • OVERLAY
      • A wide variety of clear Polyesters

PVC Films for Identification Cards and Tags

• PVC film is often utilized for bank card applications. Single-layer cards rely on PVC because they offer both high Vicat and low Vicat properties. Additionally, PVC films are able to be printed with infrared ink, making them more secure and harder to duplicate.
  • CORE
    • Solid card (single layer)
      • High Vicat
      • Low Vicat
    • HP Indigo primed stock
  • OVERLAY
    • Uncoated
    • Coated
      • Aqueous
      • Solvent
      • HP Indigo primed

PETG Films Used in the Secure ID Industry

• PETG plastic films offer flat-laying and anti-curl characteristics and are available in both white and clear coloring, making them selected for Secure ID applications.
  • CORE
    • Available in white and clear
  • OVERLAY

PPG TESLIN for Secure Credentials and ID Cards

• Secure ID manufacturers entrust synthetic films like PPG TESLIN® paper substrate due to being easy to authenticate, difficult to replicate, cost-effective to produce and having outlasting durability features. Ideal TESLIN grades include the Security-Grade, SP, TS, Digital, and Blue lines ranging in availability between 6 mil – 14 mil.
  • TESLIN® Security-Grade
  • TESLIN® SP
  • TESLIN® TS
  • TESLIN® Digital
  • TESLIN® Blue

As people who rely on the many different forms of Secure ID, we know the types of stress these documents could potentially face. EID manufacturers must deliver the most secure and durable document prepared to face any condition from physical alterations, mistreatment and misuse, and even weather conditions. That’s why we make it our job to ensure that the substrates we provide can withstand any harsh conditions and more.

Not only do we know how important your identity is – we value it. That’s why we make sure to carry only the best and most secure substrates that you can ultimately rely on and trust.

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Secure ID Applications: Core & Overlay

For years, governments, security agencies, and other card issuers have had to rely on secure plastic films for different Secure ID applications like bank cards, access cards, and national IDs. An array of plastic films like polycarbonate, PET, PVC, PETG, and Synthetics are all trusted to enhance the security and integrity of billions of credentials. When considering the creation of these applications, these substrates provide a more cost-efficient security solution associated with less complex production requirements and extended life.

Durable and Long-lasting Core Stock for Secure ID…

Plastic films used for the core area of Secure ID materials must provide durable, long-lasting, and tamper-resistant characteristics while remaining thin and lightweight. That is why LEXAN™ polycarbonate, Mexlinex® polyesters, PVCs, PETGs, and Synthetic substrates are preferred materials the core of Secure ID applications.  With LEXAN, you’ll get tight gauge tolerances that simplify card manufacturing, high performance, exceptional durability, and tamper resistance when it comes to the lamination of different film layers (without the use of adhesives). Additionally, LEXAN films remain durable for up to 10 years, offer high optical quality, high-temperature resistance, and have excellent laser markability features. Melinex® polyester films provide core stock with superb handling properties and the ability to promote adhesion to most industrial coatings. With PVC films, secure ID credentials, like bank cards, can be produced off a single layer because PVC films have both high and low Vicat values.

Additionally, they can be printed with infrared inks and primers such as HP Indigo stock. With flat-laying and anti-curl capabilities, PETG material is also a preferred choice for core stock. Like PPG TESLIN® paper substrate, Synthetics are chosen due to performance benefits: easy to authenticate, difficult to counterfeit, long-lasting durability, and cost-effectiveness.

• LEXAN™ SD8B24(L)
  • White opaque, 2-sided textured, low temp.
• LEXAN™ SD8B94(L)
  • Clear laser mark, 2-side textured, low temp.
• LEXAN™ SDCX
  • Clear/White, co-extruded, laser mark
• Melinex® 339
  • High opacity pearlescent white, treated on 2 sides for solvent-based ink adhesion
• Melinex® 329
  • High opacity pearlescent appearance
• Solid card (single layer) PVC
  • High Vicat
  • Low Vicat
• HP Indigo primed stock
• PETG available in white and clear
• TESLIN® Security-Grade
• TESLIN® SP
• TESLIN® TS
• TESLIN® Digital
• TESLIN® Blue

Protective and Secure Overlay for Secure ID…

When utilizing plastic film overlays, it is typically for mounting, laminating, and encapsulating. With Secure ID applications, overlays are clear and applied to the top or front side of the product to protect against any possible abrasion, moisture, and any other potentially harmful effects in indoor and outdoor environments. For secure ID products, like banks cards and national IDs, where the plastic film is on both sides, overlays can be laminated by encapsulating the product. LEXAN™ Polycarbonate SD and SC are in textured and flexible varieties, hard-coated, and can be laser marked. A wide variety of polyester and PETG substrates are available for overlays as well. Uncoated PVC offers the same benefits as Coated PVC; however, Coated PVC can also provide aqueous, solvent, and HP Indigo properties that uncoated PVC does not bear.

• LEXAN™ SD8B14
  • Clear, 2-sided textured, low temp.
• LEXAN™ SC8A12E
  • Clear, 1-side flexible hard coat
• LEXAN™ SC8A92E
  • Clear, 1-side flexible hard coast, laser mark
• LEXAN™ SD14UV
  • Clear, UV laser mark
• A wide variety of clear Polyesters
• PVC Uncoated
• PVC Coated
  • Aqueous
  • Solvent
  • HP Indigo primed
• TESLIN® Security-Grade
• TESLIN® SP
• TESLIN® TS
• TESLIN® Digital
• TESLIN® Blue

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Plastic Film Benefits

• Reduced weight
• Durable & abrasion resistant
• Outstanding aesthetics
• High-temperature resistance
• Low shrinkage
• Optimized textures for printing, hologram hot-stamping, and lamination
• Tight gauge tolerance for controlled card thickness
• Excellent laser mark

Material Solutions

• Teslin™ and Tyvek™
• LEXAN™
• PETG
• PVC
• Polyester

Common Applications

• ID cards
• Passport data page
• Smart card inlays
• Drivers license
• Residency permits
• Green cards
• Tachograph cards
• Health cards
• Vehicle registration cards
• Key tags and cards
• Certificates and diplomas

Products for the Secure ID/Card industry:

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