Beyond Blank White Plastic Cards: Colors Galore

Sep 2nd 2025

Whether you're a business owner looking to create custom ID badges, a school administrator planning student cards, or an entrepreneur developing a loyalty program, blank PVC plastic cards offer the perfect foundation for your project. With their durability, professional appearance, and versatility, these cards have become the standard choice for countless applications.

Blank Plastic Card Colors

What Are Blank PVC Plastic Cards?

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) plastic cards are credit card-sized blanks that serve as the base material for various identification and membership cards. These cards typically measure 3.375" x 2.125" (CR80 size) and are 30 mil thick, making them durable enough for daily use while remaining flexible enough for wallet storage.

More Than Just White Plastic Cards

While white plastic cards are by far the most popular color of blank plastic cards sold, there are many color options available. 

Neutral Plastic Cards

Black Plastic Cards Grey Plastic Cards Tan Plastic Cards White Plastic Cards

Black

Grey 

Tan

White

Metallic Plastic Cards

Gold Plastic Cards Silver Plastic Cards Copper Plastic Cards

Gold

Silver

Copper

Blue Plastic Cards

Light Blue Plastic Cards Medium Blue Plastic Cards Dark Blue Plastic Cards Hospital Blue Plastic Cards

Light Blue

Medium Blue

Dark Blue

Hospital Blue

Green Plastic Cards

Medium Green Plastic Cards Dark Green Plastic Cards

Medium Green

Dark Green

Red Plastic Cards

Red Plastic Cards Cranberry Plastic Cards

Red

Cranberry

Additional Plastic Card Colors

Pink Plastic Cards Orange Plastic Cards Yellow Plastic Cards

Pink

Orange

 Yellow

Neon / Fluorescent Plastic Cards

Neon or fluorescent plastic cards are the only blank plastic cards that start as white and get flooded with fluorescent inks on the front and back, giving them a white edge or core.

Fluorescent Blue Plastic Cards Fluorescent Green Plastic Cards Fluorescent Orange Plastic Cards

Fluorescent Blue

Fluorescent Green

Fluorescent Orange

Fluorescent Pink Plastic Cards Fluorescent Red Plastic Cards Fluorescent Yellow Plastic Cards

Fluorescent Pink

Fluorescent Red

Fluorescent Yellow

Factors to Consider When Choosing Card Colors

Blank Plastic Card Costs

White plastic cards are always less expensive than colors. One advantage to selecting a colored plastic card is that you can choose to print on them with a 1-color resin such as black or white which offers a more cost effective solution than CMYK. Depending on your card printer - metallic silver or gold may be an option as well. Be sure to factor your ink/ribbon cost into the total cost of the card.

Functionality and Readability

Consider how text and images will appear on your chosen background color. Dark colors work well with light text, while light colors are ideal for dark text and detailed graphics. 

Imagine running a black sheet of paper through your inkjet printer - very little of what you are printing if anything will actually show up. Keep this in mind if selecting a dark plastic color which will require lighter or metallic colors for better contrast. 

Industry Standards

Some industries have established color conventions. For example, healthcare facilities often use specific colors to denote different access levels or departments.

Psychological Impact

Colors can influence perception and behavior. Blue conveys trust and reliability, red suggests urgency or importance, and green often represents approval or "go" status.

Common Applications by Color

White Cards

  • Employee ID badges
  • Student identification
  • Medical cards
  • Professional certifications

Colored Cards

  • Red: Emergency contact cards, VIP access cards
  • Blue: Security badges, corporate membership
  • Green: Environmental programs, health and safety cards
  • Yellow: Visitor badges, temporary access cards

Printing Compatibility

Plastic cards cannot be printed using a standard inkjet or laser printer. You must use a printer specifically designed to print on plastic cards like a direct-to-card thermal card printer, flatbed printer designed to work with extra thick substrates, or a silkscreen machine. 

Don’t have access to a plastic card printer? Consider ordering printed cards from Print Robot. Print Robot can print on colored plastic cards or flood a white card with virtually any background color you’d like. They even offer complimentary design services so you can see how your cards will look before placing your order.

Paper Cards

The latest trend in plastic cards is made of paper. Blank engineered paper cards offer an eco-friendlier option to plastic with the same robust feel. They are 28pt thick and can be ordered with a functioning magnetic stripe. Blank paper cards cannot be printed using a standard inkjet or laser printer. They also cannot be used with traditional plastic card thermal printers. Paper cards but be printed on using inkjet printers compatible with 28pt paper, silkscreening, or flatbed UV ink printers such as Mimaki or Roland.

Conclusion

Choosing the right blank PVC plastic cards involves balancing color aesthetics, functionality, quality, and cost. With the wide array of colors available, from classic white to vibrant colors, you can find the perfect match for your specific application. Whether you need professional employee badges, colorful student ID cards, or eye-catching membership cards, the right combination of color and quality will help you create cards that serve your needs effectively while representing your brand professionally.