What Thickness Should a Plastic Card Be?
The short answer: 0.76mm (30 mil) is the standard thickness for most plastic cards, and it is the right choice for the vast majority of applications. It is the same spec used for bank cards, ID cards, and credit cards worldwide — so if you are unsure, that is where to start.
But thickness is not always one-size-fits-all. Here is what actually matters.
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The standard: 0.76mm / 30 mil
This is the CR80 ISO standard thickness used across the industry. When someone says "credit card thickness," they mean 0.76mm. It is:
- Compatible with most card wallets and cardholders
- The right weight to feel premium without being overly rigid
- Accepted by virtually all card printers and encoding equipment
- What your customers will be expecting if they are comparing you to a bank card
Unless you have a specific reason to deviate, use this.
When thinner cards make sense
0.50mm (20 mil) — used for cards that need to flex more freely. Common for:
- Mailer cards inserted into folded leaflets or envelopes
- Membership cards where bulk matters (posting out hundreds at a time)
- Event passes that are single-use and cost is a factor
They are noticeably lighter and slightly less premium-feeling. If you are handing them across a reception desk, you will feel the difference.
When thicker cards make sense
1.0mm or above — premium applications where you want genuine physical weight and presence. Examples:
- VIP loyalty cards for high-end salons, spas, or hotels
- Corporate membership cards where the card is part of the brand experience
- Cards with deep embossing or specific finish requirements
Thicker cards command attention. There is a reason a heavy card sitting in someone's wallet feels different from a flimsy one.
What about overlaminates?
Some cards start at a base thickness and then have a protective overlaminate applied. This can add 0.05-0.10mm. If your card has a matte, gloss, or soft-touch finish, that finish is the overlaminate — and it is already factored into the quoted thickness when you order from a reputable UK card printer.
What is standard plastic card thickness in mm?
0.76mm is the ISO/IEC 7810 CR80 standard — the same thickness as a bank card.
What is 30 mil card thickness in mm?
30 mil equals 0.76mm. "Mil" is a unit used mainly in the US (1 mil = 0.001 inch). Most UK printers quote in millimetres.
Are thicker cards more durable?
Not necessarily. Durability is more about the PVC quality and overlaminate than raw thickness. A well-laminated 0.76mm card will outlast a cheap 1.0mm card.
Does card thickness affect printing quality?
No. Print quality is governed by the print process (digital, offset, screen), not thickness. What thickness affects is how the card feels and how it performs in card readers or mailers.
Ready to order?
At CP Cards, we print to the 0.76mm CR80 standard as our default, with options for thinner or thicker stock depending on your requirements. If you are not sure what you need, get in touch and we will tell you straight.
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