Card size specifications: When does card size matter?
When does size matter?
In most instances, a card project will utilize the CR80 standard card. Nearly every common piece of software and hardware will support this format. Many devices will support multiple formats, providing the flexibility to incorporate other card sizes if required. In certain cases, devices can be ordered to support one card type OR another card type. As an example, some stored value card vendors offer magnetic stripe stored value programs in either CR50 or CR80 formats. The devices, such as readers and add-value terminals, ship from the manufacturer with the capability to accept one or the other–but not both–sizes. (The CR50 size is commonly found in door access systems utilized in hotels that opt for this smaller size over the CR80 format).
Conclusions
The most important lesson is to stick with the standards whenever possible. This will make your life easier and keep your future options open. Remember, however, if you think that you will need to produce other card sizes in the future, be sure to invest in components that will support these sizes. For most of us, this will not be an issue … and we need only remember the mantra, “CR80, 30mil; CR80, 30 mil; CR80, 30 mil.”
TABLE ONE. COMMON CARD SIZES
Name........Length (Inches)...........Width (Inches)
CR50……………..3.5……………..1.75
CR60……………..3.25……………..2.312
CR70……………..2.875……………..2.125
CR80……………..3.370……………..2.125
CR90……………..3.63……………..2.37
CR100……………..3.88……………..2.63
ID-1……………..3.370……………..2.125
ID-2 ……………..4.134……………..2.913
ID-3……………..4.921……………..3.465
*CR80 and ID-1 are different names for the same standard size.
Calculating the number of cards remaining in your card office
We know that the standard ID card is 30 mil or 30/1000ths of an inch in thickness. Thus we can easily calculate that about 33 cards packed tightly together will be 1 inch thick (1000 divided by 30 = 33.3).
When you need to estimate the number of cards remaining in a box or in the hopper of a card printer, simply measure or estimate the number of inches and multiply by 33. Typically, the actual number will be slightly less than your estimate because of minute spaces between each card in the stack.