PVC is polyvinyl chloride, and it is the principle material used in the fabrication of almost all plastic ID cards.

Some ID card printers work with PVC plastic cards that have been modified. For example, Persona CardJet printers use specially formulated CardJet cards that ensure the ink they use dries instantly and does not smear.

Photo ID card system makers have acknowledged the ubiquity of PVC ID badges in the design of their ID card printers. Very few ID card machines print onto blank paper ID badges. (The CIM K10, which prints monochrome images, is one of these; Evolis' Tattoo ID card printer is another.)

But for most ID card uses – as security badges, employee ID cards, or company ID cards of some other kind – plastic is the preferred ID card material.

And the durability of plastic ID badges is not the only reason. Plastic is also popular because of what can be put on or inside an ID badge made of PVC.