RFID Clamshell Cards
Clamshell RFID cards with pre-laminated inlays, widely used in transit, campus and parking identification programs.
Custom RFID Clamshell Cards are heavy‑duty thick ABS proximity cards assembled by two sealed plastic shells, embedding larger copper antenna and passive RFID chips. Standard thickness at 1.8mm, much sturdier than regular 0.76mm PVC cards, with a pre‑punched hanging hole for lanyards and badge reels. We support LF 125KHz, HF 13.56MHz NFC options, full‑colour printing, laser serial numbering, pre‑encoding and custom logo. Shockproof, waterproof and bend‑resistant for heavy‑cycle daily use. Perfect for office access control, factory staff attendance, gated communities, parking, construction sites, schools and facilities that need long‑life reliable RFID credentials.
| Construction | Two‑half sealed ABS clamshell housing, built‑in copper antenna + passive chip, optional top PVC printable overlay |
|---|---|
| Standard Size | ISO CR80 85.5 × 54 mm |
| Standard Thickness | 1.8 mm (custom thickness available) |
| Punch Hole | Standard hanging hole on the top edge for lanyard / badge reel attachment |
| Frequency Options |
|
| Protocol | EM-Marin, ISO 14443A (HF) |
| Read Range | 2–8 cm, varies by reader and chip type |
| Surface Finish | Matte white blank, glossy, custom printed overlay |
| Custom Options | CMYK UV printing, silk screen printing, laser engraved serial numbers, QR/barcode printing, pre‑encoding, UID recording, magnetic stripe |
| Environmental Performance | Splash‑proof, dustproof, anti‑bending, impact resistant; operating temperature -20℃ ~ +60℃ |
| Feature | Larger internal antenna brings stable reading performance; robust structure avoids cracking under frequent bending |
| Colour | Default white shell; custom colour ABS shell available for bulk orders |
RFID Chips
Choose the chip frequency that matches your application
LF — Low Frequency
- TK4100
- EM4200
- EM4305
- T5577
- Hitag 1
- Hitag 2
Read range 1–5 cm. Ideal for access control, hotel door locks and time attendance.
HF — High Frequency
- MIFARE Classic 1K (S50)
- MIFARE Classic 4K (S70)
- Fudan F08 (FM11RF08)M1 compatible, cost-effective
- NXP MIFARE Ultralight
- NXP MIFARE Ultralight EV1
- NXP MIFARE Ultralight C
- NXP NFC NTAG213
- NXP NFC NTAG215
- NXP NFC NTAG216NFC, phone-readable, loyalty marketing
- NXP MIFARE DESFire EV1
- NXP MIFARE DESFire EV2
- NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3high security, encryption, corporate access
- ICODE SLI / ICODE SLI-X / ICODE 2
Read range 2–10 cm. Supports encryption and NFC phone reading — the top choice for hotel room keys and membership IC cards.
UHF — Ultra High Frequency
- Impinj Monza R6
- Impinj Monza R6-P
- Impinj Monza M4QT
- Impinj Monza 4D
- Impinj Monza 4E
- Impinj Monza M730/750/770/775/781
- Alien Higgs-3 (H3)
- Alien Higgs-4 (H4)
- Alien Higgs-9 (H9)
- NXP UCODE 7
- NXP UCODE 8
- NXP UCODE 9
- NXP UCODE G2IL / G2XM / G2XL
- NXP UCODE DNA
- EM4425
Read range 0.5–5 m and reads multiple cards at once — assets, warehousing, parking and large-event check-in. A UHF antenna in a PVC card needs a larger card.
More in This Category
RFID Hotel Key Cards
ISO-compliant RFID hotel key cards compatible with major door lock systems such as Onity, Salto and ASSA ABLOY.
Learn more →RFID Wooden Cards
Eco-friendly RFID cards made from bamboo or real wood, combining sustainable branding with reliable 13.56 MHz performance.
Learn more →RFID PVC Cards
Standard ISO PVC RFID cards with MIFARE, NTAG or UCODE chips for access control, time attendance and payment.
Learn more →Applications
- Office building staff access & time attendance
- Industrial factory, workshop and construction site personnel badges
- Residential gated community access and parking entry
- School campus student & staff ID access cards
- Gym, fitness centre and club membership access
- Warehouse, logistics inventory access and visitor management
- Hospital, lab and cleanroom restricted area credentials
- Event long‑term staff passes and contractor visitor cards
- Car park monthly permit RFID cards
- Co‑working space multi‑zone access control
- Farm, livestock traceability identification tags
- Security system upgrade replacement for legacy prox readers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an RFID Clamshell Card?
RFID Clamshell Card is a thick, rigid proximity card made of two ABS plastic shells heat‑sealed together, enclosing an RFID chip and a larger copper antenna. Unlike thin laminated PVC cards, the clamshell structure delivers outstanding impact resistance and longer read distance, widely known as the classic thick prox card for access control systems.
What is the difference between clamshell card and standard PVC RFID card?
Standard PVC cards are 0.76mm laminated, thin and flexible. Clamshell cards are ~1.8mm thick ABS shell construction, anti‑break, anti‑bending. The bigger antenna inside gives better reading stability, especially for older 125KHz proximity readers. Clamshell cards come with a built‑in lanyard hole directly on the card body.
Can you supply both 125KHz and 13.56MHz NFC clamshell cards?
Yes. LF 125KHz (EM4100 / TK4100 / T5577) is the most popular for traditional proximity access readers. HF 13.56MHz NFC versions are compatible with mobile NFC phones and Mifare access systems. Please confirm your reader frequency and chip model before ordering.
Can we print our logo, serial numbers and QR codes on clamshell cards?
Yes. We can print full‑colour artwork on the top PVC overlay, silk‑screen text, or laser mark unique serial numbers directly onto the ABS shell. Sequential numbering and variable QR codes are supported for access management.
Can you pre‑encode the chips and provide UID list?
Absolutely. We can encode UID, write sector data, clone compatible card data for T5577 rewritable chips, and export an Excel list of all card IDs for your access software registration.
Are clamshell cards waterproof?
They are splash‑proof and dustproof for daily use. The sealed shell prevents moisture from entering the internal chip. But long‑term soaking or continuous submersion is not recommended.
Will clamshell cards work with my existing HID prox readers?
Many HID proximity systems use 125KHz LF credentials. We can match compatible chip formats. We strongly suggest ordering test samples first to verify compatibility with your readers and panel before bulk production, as format and bit setting must match your access controller.
Is the hanging hole strong enough for daily use with lanyards?
Yes. The hole is moulded directly into the solid ABS shell instead of a punched hole on thin PVC, so it resists tearing even with frequent hanging and pulling.
What is the MOQ for custom printed clamshell cards?
Blank white stock clamshell cards support small quantity orders with fast lead time. Custom printed, colour shell or special encoded orders have separate MOQ based on decoration process.
Can I get test samples?
We offer blank and pre‑printed samples for you to test reading performance, compatibility with access readers and printing quality before bulk order confirmation.
Have more questions? Contact our sales team.
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