How Thick Are Credit Cards? Plastic Card Thickness Guide
What Our Clients Say
Our clients include independent businesses and major brands such as MGM Resorts International, Nike, AAA, Macys, Marriott and more.
Deb
19:36 23 Sep 26
Cindy is so easy to work with. The company is fast, efficient and knows their business. We have been working with them for years and they never disappoint! Love their products! Thank you!
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White Dahlia Massage
15:57 23 Sep 26
Great quality product. Have been using Plastek to produce my spa’s gift cards for twenty years now. Thanks, Cindy and team!
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Michelle Roy Davila
23:49 09 Sep 26
We have been using Plastek Card Solutions for our Membership Cards for over 10 years. Cindy, responds quickly, send quotes and proofs to approve with a short turn around. I am very pleased with our business relationship! No complaints!
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Bobby Allfrey II
22:46 28 Aug 26
If you want classy business cards and a card that won't be thrown away. These guys are the best and the quality is perfect. The plastic card isn't the cheapest, it's the BEST. They deliver great quality and we look forward to needing more. We wouldn't use anyone else. Have a blessed day
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Karen Budusky
21:31 21 Jul 26
I represent a midsize museum, so digital membership cards are not fiscally possible for us. Plastek supplies us with tangible membership cards that our members proudly show as a patron of the arts. We've been working with Plastek for several years with many template changes and each time they have delivered a beautiful and affordable product that our members enjoy. Cindy is very responsive and a pleasure to work with ensuring an easy ordering process. We highly recommend Plastek!
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Elite Travel Group
06:18 10 Jul 23
Cindy was exceptional in answering all of my questions regarding interest in placing the order. The samples that she provided helped us in ordering a great product. Shipping time worked in our favor as well. Definitely will be placing another order soon.
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Ryan Coffman
06:18 10 Jul 23
I have worked with Plastek for years and the quality of the product is perfect. My customers are always happy and the process for me is easy. Employees are knowledgeable and quick to answer questions, get quotes and finish the order.
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Mike Tobey
06:18 10 Jul 23
Excellent in every way. Cindy was professional and very helpful through the entire process of our first order of cards.
The Art Dept. did an outstanding job as well!! Quality was perfect!
Planning for a much larger order shortly. Thank you all!
The Heaven Guy
Mike Tobey
The Art Dept. did an outstanding job as well!! Quality was perfect!
Planning for a much larger order shortly. Thank you all!
The Heaven Guy
Mike Tobey
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Sheri Karnowski
06:18 10 Jul 23
I have been using this company for a few years. They have always replied promptly to my inquiries and offered a fair reasonable price. The products are good quality and they offer options which is really nice. I will continue to use them for my gift card and other printing needs.
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Barry Baloga
06:18 10 Jul 23
I run a company that has used Plastek and their outstanding rep Cindy for my last three projects and will not use another company. Cindy has done such an incredible job with from start to finish. Artwork dept is great, revisions (if requested) are done quickly, prices are extremely fair and received OUTSTANDING customer service when I needed a particular project delivered - they got it to me earlier than projected.
The only company I’ll trust for my clients’ cards.
The only company I’ll trust for my clients’ cards.
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Charlotte Ablott
06:18 10 Jul 23
The gift cards I purchased for my optometry practice turned out EXACTLY how I wanted! The process was simple, efficient and extremely accurate. I would highly recommend this company and look forward to using them again in the future!
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Megan Morris
06:18 10 Jul 23
Fantastic company to work with. Quick response time, and great quality. I searched online, and they had the best prices our of anyone I found - whether you're ordering 250 cards or 5000.
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Allison Owen
06:18 10 Jul 23
We have ordered a number of cards from Plastek Cards and couldn't be happier! The product is high quality, and the design team is helpful and patient!
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Andrew Stein
23:37 05 Aug 15
Adriana, my customer service rep, is extremely efficient and friendly. All of my orders were shipped on time and complete. I've ordered over 10,000 custom key tags with numbered bar codes and they were done perfectly each time.
I highly recommend Plastek Cards for you promotional products needs.
I highly recommend Plastek Cards for you promotional products needs.
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When you order custom plastic cards, thickness plays a major role in how they look, feel, and perform. Whether you need gift cards, membership cards, business cards, or credit card style cards, the right thickness affects durability, function, and compatibility with point of sale (POS) systems.
The standard credit card thickness is 30 mil, which equals 0.76mm or 0.030 inches. This measurement follows the ISO/IEC 7810 standard, which keeps cards compatible with ATMs, card readers, and POS terminals. It is the most common choice for payment cards, hotel key cards, and premium plastic gift cards.
What Is the Standard Credit Card Thickness?
A standard credit card is 30 mil thick, equal to 0.76mm. The same specification applies to debit cards, bank cards, and ATM cards, so any card meant to run through a reader or POS terminal is typically produced at 30 mil.
| Card Type | Thickness (mil) | Thickness (mm) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit and Debit Cards | 30 mil | 0.76mm | Payment, ATM, POS |
| Business Cards | 12 mil – 20 mil | 0.30mm – 0.50mm | Networking, premium branding |
| Gift Cards | 20 mil – 30 mil | 0.50mm – 0.76mm | Retail, promotions |
| Loyalty and membership cards | 20 mil – 30 mil | 0.25mm – 0.76mm | Access, rewards, identification |
| Event passes and bandges | 10 mil - 20 mil | Varies | Temporary, short term use |
How Thick Are Credit Cards in Inches and Millimeters?
A standard credit card measures 30 mil, which is 0.030 inches or 0.76mm. "Mil" refers to one thousandth of an inch, not a millimeter, which is a common point of confusion. Plastek offers several thicknesses to match different budgets and use cases.
10 Mil Thickness (0.25mm)
- Use Case: Temporary cards, mailers, promotional inserts, and lightweight passes.
- Pros: Lowest cost, flexible, easy to mail.
- Cons: Least durable, not suited to heavy or repeated use.
12 Mil Thickness (0.30mm)
- Use Case: Short run business cards and light duty membership cards.
- Pros: affordable, slightly sturdier than 10 mil.
- Cons: Still relatively thin for high touch applications.
20 Mil Thickness (0.50mm)
- Use Case: Gift cards, loyalty cards, and mid tier membership cards.
- Pros: Solid balance of durability and cost.
- Cons: Thinner than a standard payment card
30 Mil Thickness (0.76mm)
- Use Case: Credit card style cards, hotel key cards, and premium gift or ID cards.
- Pros: Most durable, matches the ISO credit card standard, best POS and encoding compatibility.
- Cons: Highest cost compared to the standard options.
Understanding Card Thickness in Different Units
Card thickness is listed in mil, but it helps to see the equivalent in millimeters and inches.
| Thickness (mil) | Thickness (mm) | Thickness (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mil | 0.25mm | 0.010 inches |
| 12 mil | 0.30mm | 0.012 inches |
| 20 mil | 0.50mm | 0.020 inches |
| 30 mil | 0.76mm | 0.030 inches |
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Are Thicker Cards More Durable?
Yes. A thicker card is generally more resistant to bending, cracking, and everyday wear. For high touch retail or POS cards, 30 mil consistently offers the best long term durability. Thinner options like 10 mil and 12 mil trade some of that durability for lower cost and flexibility, which makes them a good fit for promotions and short term use.
Print and Material Compatibility
Card thickness affects which print options and materials you can use. The following options work across multiple thicknesses:
- Full color printing
- Custom shapes
- Gloss or matte finishes
- Embossing (typically 30 mil)
- Magnetic stripe (most reliable at 30 mil)
- Barcode printing
- Foil stamping
- Variable data printing
POS System Compatibility
Most POS systems are built for 30 mil PVC cards. If you plan to print barcodes or encode magnetic stripes, 30 mil is the industry standard for reliable performance. Plastek cards are compatible with most major POS systems. Just provide your POS card data specifications when you place your order.
How to Select the Right Plastic Card Thickness for Your Business
The best thickness depends on how the card will be used and how long it needs to last.
- Gift cards: 30 mil for a premium feel and dependable POS performance.
- Business cards: 12 to 20 mil for a substantial card that still mails easily.
- Loyalty and membership cards: 20 to 30 mil for repeated, long term use.
- Hotel key cards: 30 mil for durability and reliable encoding.
- Event passes and temporary badges: 10 to 20 mil for short term, cost sensitive runs.
Ready to Make Your Loyalty Program Stand Out?
Whether you need a new loyalty program launched or want to refresh your existing cards, our team can help from concept to completion.
Contact us today to start your custom loyalty card project or call 1-888-762-2737 to speak directly with our Sales Team.
Why Choose Plastek Cards for Custom Plastic Cards?
Plastek Cards manufactures custom plastic cards in a range of thicknesses, including 10 mil, 12 mil, 20 mil, and 30 mil. Every card is produced to order with full color printing and a wide set of finishing options, backed by responsive service and fast turnaround. Whether you need durable 30 mil payment style cards or economical thin cards for a promotion, we help you match the right thickness to your goals.