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RFID Cards

RFID Clamshell Card

Need a rugged 1.8mm credential for outdoor or construction-site access?

MOQ
500 pcs

Stock SKU. Custom tooling from 2,000 pcs.

Lead time
7–15 days

Standard; rush possible on request.

Free sample
Ships in 1–3 days

Stock samples via DHL / FedEx.

Get Free Sample · 60-second form

Use this clamshell card when daily-carry durability, rain exposure, or keychain abrasion have broken thinner cards in the past. Confirm chip family, riveted chip placement, belt-clip accessory and color-tier visibility before piloting.

What buyers usually confirm first

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System Match

Will it work with the installed reader or lock?

Start from protocol and chip family, then confirm whether you need blank, printed, or pre-encoded supply.

Card Build

PVC, paper, wood, clamshell, or inlay-only?

Choose the card body around durability, branding, and whether you are embedding the inlay into your own format.

Approval Step

Do you need sample matching before a bulk order?

Most buyers validate reader behavior, print finish, and numbering logic before they lock a production run.

Free Sample (60s) Ask about compatibility WhatsApp

Spec Check

What to confirm in the card spec sheet

Protocol, chip family, card body, print finish, and encoding plan usually need to be locked before card samples are approved.

Product Name RFID Clamshell Card (Thick Proximity Card)
Housing Material ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) injection-molded shell
Card Body Color White (standard); custom Pantone for 5,000+ MOQ
Dimensions 85.5 x 54 mm (ISO 7810 CR-80 compatible)
Thickness 1.8 mm
Weight 8 g
Antenna Size 37 x 63 mm large-area
Antenna Construction Ø0.05 mm copper wire wound on internal substrate
Operating Frequency 125KHz (LF, ISO 11784/11785); 13.56MHz (HF, ISO/IEC 14443A) on HF variant
Compliance ISO 11784/11785 (LF), ISO/IEC 14443A (HF variant), CE, FCC, RoHS 3
LF Chip Options TK4100 (read-only 64-bit), EM4200 (R/W 512-bit), EM4305, ATA5577 (multi-protocol Atmel emulator)
HF Chip Options NXP MIFARE Classic EV1 1K (S50)
Memory 40-bit (TK4100 read-only) to 1 KB (MIFARE Classic 1K)
Cryptography Open (EM4100, TK4100), Crypto-1 (MIFARE Classic — legacy)
Read Range 5-120 cm (chip + reader + antenna dependent); 60-120 cm at long-range parking reader; 5-30 cm at proximity wall reader
Read/Write Cycles 100,000 (chip EEPROM)
Data Retention 10-20 years (chip specification)
Slot Punch Position Top-center standard (badge holder / lanyard / reel compatible); custom position on order
Personalization Silkscreen printing (single / multi-color); attachable full-color PVC print layer bonded to ABS; laser engraving (sequential serial / barcode / logo)
Operating Temperature -20 deg C to +60 deg C
Storage Temperature -30 deg C to +70 deg C
Humidity 10-90% RH non-condensing
UV Resistance 5+ years outdoor (windshield-mounted parking permit)
Drop Resistance 1.5 m onto hardwood (10 impacts) without crack
Bend Resistance ISO/IEC 24789-1 (50+ bend cycles without antenna failure)
Lifecycle 5-7 year service life in daily-use building access; 3-5 years windshield-mounted outdoor parking
Packaging 100 pcs / box (individual print + serial); 2,500 pcs / corrugated carton (bulk)
MOQ 500 pieces (stock)
Lead Time 10-15 business days stock; 15-25 days custom print + chip

Shortlist Logic

Why buyers keep this card format on the shortlist

These points usually matter when a project is balancing reader compatibility, print quality, and repeat-order consistency.

5-120 cm read range - large-area 37 x 63 mm copper antenna with 0.05 mm wire delivers 3-10x longer range than standard 0.8 mm PVC cards
durable 1.8 mm ABS construction - withstands daily drops, bending, and outdoor exposure that crack thinner PVC cards within months
Standard slot punch position - compatible with all badge holders, lanyards, and retractable reels for corporate and institutional carry
Dual-frequency: 125KHz (LF) and 13.56MHz (HF) - covers legacy EM-ID proximity systems and modern MIFARE-based access control
Memory options from 40-bit to 128 bytes - TK4100/EM4200 for read-only ID, ATA5577 for multi-protocol emulation, MIFARE for read/write applications
Cost-effective at scale - per-unit cost 40-60% lower than smart cards, suitable for 10,000+ card access control deployments

Use Cases

Where teams usually deploy this card format

These are the workflows where buyers most often compare this card against other credential options before they request samples.

Building access control

office, factory, and residential entry systems with wall-mounted proximity readers at 10-30 cm range

Parking barrier systems

long-range reading at 50-120 cm enables hands-free vehicle gate opening from inside the car

School and campus ID

student and staff badges with dual function as ID display and contactless access credential

Time and attendance

employee clock-in/out at entry readers with instant read for high-traffic shift changes

Visitor management

low-cost temporary badges for guests and contractors, collected and reissued at reception

Government and military facilities

secure area access credentials meeting institutional durability and longevity requirements

Clamshell Card vs Standard PVC — How To Choose

1.8 mm thick clamshell or 0.76 mm standard PVC? Decide in 30 seconds

Both card formats share the same ISO 7810 CR80 outer dimensions (85.6 × 54 mm), same chip options, and same reader compatibility. The single meaningful difference is body thickness and what that thickness protects against. Pick thickness = pick your deployment environment.

RFIDAK 1.8 mm ABS clamshell proximity card with riveted chip and slot punch — designed for outdoor access control, construction sites, and industrial environments where standard 0.76 mm PVC cards crack or delaminate Option A

Clamshell Card (this product, 1.8 mm ABS)

Thick body, large antenna, long read range

Thickness
1.8 mm ABS
Read range
5 – 120 cm
Drop survival
2 m onto concrete
Print surface
Limited (silkscreen or adhesive label)
Typical life
5 – 8 years field use
Unit price (MOQ 5K)
$0.55 – 0.95

Best for

  • Outdoor parking barriers — hands-free read at 60-120 cm from inside the car
  • Construction sites and industrial facilities with heavy wear and weather exposure
  • Security badging in institutions where card replacement creates audit friction
  • Long-range turnstile or gate access where guest walks through without tapping
RFIDAK standard 0.76 mm PVC RFID smart card in ISO 7810 CR80 format — suitable for hotel key cards, office access, transit ticketing, and full-color CMYK photo ID printing Option B

Standard RFID Card (0.76 mm PVC)

Thin body, full-color print, mass-market

Thickness
0.76 mm PVC
Read range
2 – 10 cm
Drop survival
0.5 m (cracks on concrete)
Print surface
Full CMYK offset front + back
Typical life
1 – 3 years daily carry
Unit price (MOQ 5K)
$0.28 – 0.48

Best for

  • Hotel key cards with full-color property branding and amenity info
  • Office access in indoor, climate-controlled environments
  • Transit and event tickets where photo ID printing is required
  • High-volume budget-sensitive programs where each card costs under $0.50

Quick decision tip — If the card will be in an outdoor / rugged environment OR must read from > 30 cm away, clamshell (Option A) is worth the 40-60% unit cost premium — you save 3-5× on replacement over the card's lifetime. If the card lives in a wallet, hotel keycard sleeve, or indoor office badge holder, standard PVC (Option B) is the mainstream default.

RFID Clamshell Card Types

1 Should I choose the clamshell card for my access program?

Yes — if your access control deployment needs 5-120 cm read range (parking barriers, hands-free vehicle gates, walk-up readers), durable ABS construction that survives years of daily badge-clip carry, and per-unit cost 40-60% below smart cards. The The clamshell card uses a 37 x 63 mm large-area copper antenna wound with Ø0.05 mm wire that delivers extended range that thinner 0.76 mm PVC cards cannot achieve.

Pick a different card if you need full-color photo ID printing on the card body (use rfid-cards standard PVC), AES-128 cryptographic security (use DESFire EV3 PVC), wallet-fit thinness (use FR4 keyfob 1.2 mm), or NFC smartphone tap (use NTAG-based card). Pick clamshell when: extended read range matters more than card aesthetics; thick durable body matters more than wallet fit; per-unit cost must stay under $1.50/card; or the deployment is parking + building access + time-attendance at scale.

2 Spec decision matrix — access control card alternatives

Comparison across the 5 access-control credential card classes building security and parking operators typically evaluate. Prices indicative at MOQ 5,000 pieces.

ClassThicknessRead rangeChip securityBest fitUnit price
The clamshell card (ABS)1.8 mm5-120 cmEM-ID open / MIFARE ClassicParking gates, building access, time-attendance, school$0.55 – 1.45
Standard PVC printed card0.76 mm2-10 cm (HF) / up to 8 m (UHF)All chip tiers, full color photoPhoto ID, payment, transit, all secure access$0.38 – 1.85
Thin PVC card (0.30 mm)0.30 mm1-3 cmHF Classic / NTAGDisposable transit, weekly bus pass$0.24 – 0.55
FR4 fiberglass keyfob1.2 mm5-12 cm (LF) / 3-8 cm (HF)HF / LFWallet-slim slim-profile fob, defense, data center$0.75 – 1.45
ABS keyfob6 mm5-15 cm (LF) / 3-8 cm (HF)HF / LFApartment, fitness, office daily-carry on key chain$0.45 – 0.95

Verdict: clamshell wins on long read range + low-cost durable ABS construction. Standard PVC wins for any photo-printed credential. Thin PVC wins on disposable economics. Keyfob form factors win for daily key-chain carry. Choose clamshell specifically when long-range parking + walk-up reader + extended physical lifecycle matter together.

3 Typical deployment pattern - vehicle permit programs

Parking authorities and gated facilities issue clamshell cards as dashboard or hang-tag permits because the 1.8 mm ABS body survives windshield UV, heat, and cold cycling that cracks thin PVC. LF 125KHz operation also tolerates the heat-reflective windshield coatings that can detune HF credentials.

Color-tier shells double as visual permits for staff doing manual checks, which is why many programs spec multiple shell colors per permit class.

4 Compatibility reference — chips, readers, accessories

Verified compatibility across LF / HF chips, access control reader brands, parking barrier systems, and badge holder accessories.

CategorySupportedNotes
LF chips (125KHz)TK4100 (read-only 64-bit), EM4200 (R/W 512-bit), EM4305, ATA5577 (multi-protocol Atmel)EM4200 is the parking + building access default; ATA5577 for legacy HID Prox / Indala emulation
HF chips (13.56MHz)NXP MIFARE Classic EV1 1K (S50)HF clamshell less common — LF dominates this form factor; if HF needed, consider standard PVC card with DESFire EV3
Access control panelsHID VertX / Mercury Security / Lenel OnGuard / Software House CCure / Genetec Synergis / Gallagher / Brivo / Paxton / HoneywellWiegand 26 / 34 bit reader interface (legacy); OSDP Secure Channel (modern); LF cards work universally
Parking barrier systemsHID EDGE Parking, Nedap AEOS, Designa, Skidata, T2 Systems, Amano McGann, Scheidt & BachmannLong-range LF readers in barrier post; clamshell read at 60-120 cm typical
Time & attendance systemsADP Workforce Now, UKG (Kronos), Paychex Time, Kronos InTouch, Stratustime, RepliconWall-mounted LF / HF reader at clock-in station; sub-second tap typical
Walk-up door readersHID iCLASS proximity (LF mode), Allegion Schlage CO-Series, dormakaba Keyscan, Honeywell Pro-Watch readersRead range 10-30 cm typical at door reader (proximity-class)
Badge holder / lanyard accessoriesStandard slot-punch position (top-center) compatible with all major badge holders, retractable reels, lanyards, badge clipsSlot punch is included free; specify position on order if non-standard
Windshield mountingSuction-cup card holder, double-sided adhesive mount, dashboard clipFor parking applications; not included by default
PersonalizationSilkscreen printing (cost-effective for single-color logo + serial), attachable full-color print layer (PVC sticker bonded to ABS), laser engraving (permanent serial / barcode)Photo ID printing not supported on ABS clamshell — use standard PVC card if photo required

5 Cost at volume — FAQ

How much does the The clamshell card cost at 5K pcs? Stock 1.8 mm ABS + EM4200 LF chip + silkscreen single-color logo + slot punch: $0.78-1.05 per unit at MOQ 5,000. Volume brackets: MOQ 500 (evaluation) = $1.45-2.10; MOQ 5,000 = $0.78-1.05 (base); MOQ 25,000 = $0.55-0.78; MOQ 100,000+ = $0.42-0.62.

Chip upgrade? EM4200 (base): included. TK4100 (read-only legacy): -$0.05-0.10. EM4305 (R/W): +$0.05-0.10. ATA5577 (multi-protocol): +$0.10-0.18. MIFARE Classic 1K (HF): +$0.15-0.28.

Personalization? Single-color silkscreen logo: +$0.04-0.08. Multi-color silkscreen: +$0.08-0.15. Attachable full-color print layer (PVC sticker bonded to ABS): +$0.18-0.32. Laser-engraved sequential serial number: +$0.04-0.08. Custom slot punch position: +$0.02-0.04.

How should I compare against thin PVC for parking? Clamshell costs more per card but is built for a much longer service life on dashboards and keychains, and its stronger read range is what enables hands-free lane entry. Compare effective annualized cost — unit price times your real replacement rate — rather than unit price alone.

Why not just use thicker PVC? Standard PVC at 0.76 mm cracks at the antenna under repeated bending; PVC at 1.5+ mm becomes too thick for badge holders. ABS at 1.8 mm is rigid enough not to bend under stress + thin enough for standard badge holders. Material chemistry is what makes clamshell durable, not just thickness.

Long-range reader requirement? 5-120 cm read range requires a long-range reader. Standard short-range proximity readers will read at 5-15 cm only. For 60-120 cm range (parking gate hands-free), specify HID EDGE Parking, Nedap AEOS, or equivalent long-range UHF-power LF reader.

6 Market context - durable credentials in access control

Access-control buyers are steadily migrating credentials from bare thin PVC toward more durable formats — clamshell cards, fobs, wearables — because replacement labor, not card unit cost, dominates the lifetime cost of a credential program. At the same time, chip specs on new deployments are shifting from MIFARE Classic toward AES-capable families under audit and insurance pressure.

Supplier Fit

Why buyers source RFID Clamshell Card from RFIDAK

Once the format is right, most teams still need confidence in manufacturing control, sample support, and repeat-order reliability.

ISO 9001

Quality-focused manufacturing and sample support for custom RFID projects.

Since 2008

RFID manufacturing experience across cards, tags, labels, wristbands and readers.

Free Samples

Test product compatibility before bulk purchasing and customization decisions.

Learn more about RFID technology | Browse all RFID Cards | Read our RFID blog

Next Reading

What to read before you approve card samples

Use these guides when you still need to confirm chip path, lock or reader match, and sourcing details before the sample batch is locked.

Buyer guide How to order custom RFID cards A sourcing guide covering samples, MOQ, QC and factory communication. Open guide Buyer guide Hotel RFID card guide Useful when the project involves lock compatibility, chip choice and hospitality printing. Open guide Buyer guide Mifare Classic vs DESFire Compare chip security and fit before finalizing a card specification. Open guide

Comparison Pages

Useful if you are still choosing between two directions

These head-to-head pages help buyers compare chip, frequency, material or format decisions before they lock a sample plan for this product.

Credential Format Comparison RFID cards vs keyfobs Buyer-focused comparison page for RFID cards vs keyfobs covering user experience, printing, portability, durability and repeat... Chip Comparison Hub Mifare Classic vs DESFire Buyer-focused comparison page for Mifare Classic vs DESFire covering security, memory, cost, migration paths, sample planning and... Chip Comparison Hub Mifare Plus vs DESFire Buyer-focused comparison page for Mifare Plus vs DESFire covering migration, security direction, infrastructure fit and long-term...

Commercial Fit

How buyers usually move this product from shortlist to sample

Most inquiry-ready visitors want to know whether this product matches their workflow, region and approval stage. These cues help them move faster without leaving the product page.

Access-control integrators

Usually comparing reader compatibility, security level and print consistency for recurring issuance.

Hotel and hospitality suppliers

Often focused on lock-system matching, guest branding and quick repeat orders for card replenishment.

Campus and membership programs

Typically need numbering logic, artwork approval and cards that support more than one workflow.

Quote Checklist

What to send us for a faster recommendation

  • Current reader, lock or software system you need the card to match.
  • Preferred chip family, security level and whether NFC phone interaction matters.
  • Artwork, numbering, magnetic stripe, QR code or encoding requirements.
  • Order quantity, target country and delivery timing for sampling or bulk production.
Send project details WhatsApp this product

Market Notes

Regional conversations often tied to this category

North America

Replacement access cards, office credentials and membership programs often start with a sample-first approval cycle.

Europe

Common requests include hotel key cards, premium finishes, eco-look materials and stronger chip security planning.

Middle East and Africa

Hospitality, residential compounds and visitor programs often prioritize durability, branding speed and dependable repeat supply.

More Ways To Source This

Order this by chip, format or region

These sourcing pages cover the chip-specific and market-specific buying details that often decide the final spec for this product.

Order this by chip & format

Buy by industry & region

Before You Order

Procurement guides every RFID Cards buyer reads first

Five short reads on the procurement-side topics every B2B RFID buyer wants answered before signing a quote — MOQ thresholds, lead time reality, pricing transparency, sample policy, and how to audit a Chinese factory before your first order.

MOQ

What's the Minimum Order Quantity for RFID?

Read →

Lead Time

RFID Production Lead Time Realistic Timeline

Read →

Pricing

How Much Does Custom RFID Cost?

Read →

Samples

Are RFID Samples Free? Sample Policy Guide

Read →

Factory Audit

How to Audit a Chinese RFID Factory

Read →

Buyer Questions

Questions buyers usually ask before sample approval

These FAQs cover the points that usually come up between a first shortlist and a real sample or quote request.

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for RFID Clamshell Card? +

For RFID Clamshell Card, the standard MOQ starts at 500 pieces on stock SKUs. Custom die-cut shapes, oversized inlays or specialty substrates (wood, metal) move MOQ to 2,000–5,000 pieces due to tooling. Exact MOQ and unit pricing are quoted per project once chip, customization and packaging are confirmed.

Does RFIDAK provide free samples of RFID Clamshell Card? +

Yes. Stock rfid cards samples of RFID Clamshell Card are typically free; we only ask buyers to cover DHL/FedEx express shipping. Samples ship in 1–3 business days after your order is confirmed and arrive in 2–5 days to most countries. Custom samples (new chip, new size, printed artwork) usually take 3–7 additional days.

What is the production lead time for RFID Clamshell Card? +

Standard RFID Clamshell Card orders ship in 7–15 business days after PO confirmation and artwork approval. Large runs (>100k units) or orders with complex encoding / custom molds may take 15–25 business days. Rush production is available on request for time-sensitive launches; confirm MOQ and artwork early to protect the timeline.

Can RFID Clamshell Card be customized for my brand or project? +

Yes. RFID Clamshell Card supports end-to-end customization: full-color CMYK / silk-screen / UV printing, laser engraving, serial numbering, custom chip encoding (UID write, NDEF, sector locking), custom shape / size (subject to tooling MOQ), and packaging. Share your artwork, chip requirement and quantity and we will return a spec sheet + price within 24 hours.

Is RFID Clamshell Card compatible with my existing reader or system? +

Compatibility depends on the frequency band (LF 125 kHz / HF 13.56 MHz / UHF 860–960 MHz) and chip family used by your reader or installed system. Send a photo of your current card / reader model and we will recommend the matching chip + test a sample before bulk order.

What certifications and quality control does RFIDAK apply to RFID Clamshell Card? +

RFIDAK operates under ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), audited by SGS. RFID Clamshell Card is subject to incoming material inspection, in-process QC at every lamination / bonding / encoding step, and 100% electrical performance testing before shipment. Products meet CE, FCC, RoHS and REACH as applicable by market. Full test reports are available on request for buyer audits.

Can RFID Clamshell Card be pre-encoded or printed with my artwork before shipment? +

Yes. RFID Clamshell Card can ship with UID range assignment, NDEF URL encoding (for NFC), sector-locked user data, serial numbering, and CMYK / silk-screen / UV printing of your artwork. Provide an AI/PDF artwork file at 300 dpi with 3 mm bleed and a chip-encoding spec; we return a digital proof for approval before production.

How does RFIDAK ship RFID Clamshell Card internationally? +

RFIDAK ships RFID Clamshell Card via DHL / FedEx / UPS (door-to-door, 3–5 days to most countries), air cargo (5–7 days for heavier orders), or sea freight (20–35 days for bulk over 500 kg). Standard Incoterms are EXW, FOB Shenzhen and DDP; choose based on customs clearance preferences. Commercial invoice, packing list and CoC / MSDS are included automatically.

How does RFIDAK handle repeat orders of RFID Clamshell Card? +

For repeat buyers, RFIDAK locks tooling, artwork and chip encoding on file so subsequent POs ship faster — typically 5–10 business days for stock chip types at previously-run quantities. Price is adjusted transparently per chip market rate and FX movement; we flag any chip shortage (e.g., DESFire EV3) before quotation so the project plan stays realistic.

What are the technical specifications of RFID Clamshell Card? +

Key RFID Clamshell Card specs: frequency 125 kHz (LF, ISO 11784/11785); 13.56 MHz (HF, ISO/IEC 14443A) on HF variant; dimensions 85.5 x 54 mm (ISO 7810 CR-80 compatible); substrate ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) injection-molded shell. A full technical datasheet including read range, chip memory map, IP / temperature rating and compliance certificates is available on request; attach your reader model and target environment so we can confirm suitability before quoting.

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