Fargo UltraCard III PVC Card

Introducing Fargo UltraCard III PVC Card — a premium, blank PVC card engineered for flawless compatibility with HID Global’s Fargo printing ecosystem, including the FARGO C50 printer/encoder family. These CR80 blank cards are optimized for Direct-to-Card (DTC) printing using both dye-sublimation and resin ribbons, delivering vibrant color, sharp text, and durable badges built to withstand daily handling. Crafted from high-quality PVC, UltraCard III cards feed smoothly through printer hoppers, ensuring consistent print quality across batches. Whether you’re outfitting a small office, a school, or a large enterprise, these blank cards pair seamlessly with HID Genuine HID consumables to maximize print fidelity, durability, and overall performance of your ID program.

• Compatibility and performance — The Fargo UltraCard III PVC Card adheres to the standard CR80 size (3.375" x 2.125" / 85.60 mm x 53.98 mm) and a 30 mil thickness, providing reliable feeding and precise edge-to-edge printing in Fargo printers such as the C50. The smooth, uniform PVC surface minimizes jams and feeding variances, ensuring consistent color results across printers and batches. This makes UltraCard III an excellent choice for employee IDs, visitor passes, or membership cards that require dependable, repeatable results every time.
• Printing quality and color fidelity — Designed for use with HID Global’s dye-sublimation and resin ribbons, these blank PVC cards yield vibrant full-color images, crisp text, and high-contrast logos. The UltraCard III surface accepts detailed graphics and security elements with minimal ghosting, so prints look professional on both small run proofs and large-scale deployments. When paired with the right ribbon and printer profiles, you can achieve consistent color accuracy across batches, enabling your organization to present a polished, on-brand face for every card.
• Durability and professional feel — PVC is recognized for its durability and resistance to everyday wear. UltraCard III cards provide a sturdy, badge-like feel that endures frequent handling, sliding, and occasional bending without compromising print quality. The clean white blank surface provides a reliable base for color layering and text clarity, ensuring legible names, photos, and company branding for the life of the card. This durability is ideal for access control, membership programs, and employee credentials that require long-term readability and appearance.
• Versatility and customization — These blank cards are versatile enough for a wide range of applications, from ID badges and access cards to loyalty programs and event passes. Because they’re blank, you have complete control over layout, typography, and security features in your Fargo workflow. The combination of CR80 sizing, 30 mil thickness, and a smooth PVC surface supports a broad spectrum of design choices, enabling you to incorporate photos, logos, barcodes, or magnetic/encoder elements through compatible Fargo encoders when needed.
• Cost efficiency and supply reliability — Built to integrate seamlessly with HID’s ecosystem, Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards offer a reliable supply that helps reduce reprints and waste. The cards’ consistent dimensions and surface quality contribute to fewer printer adjustments and faster throughput, translating to lower total cost per card over time. For organizations deploying large-scale ID programs, blank PVC cards like UltraCard III provide predictable performance, simple stock management, and dependable compatibility with HID’s certified ribbons and consumables.

Technical Details of Fargo UltraCard III PVC Card

• Card material: PVC
• Card size: CR80 (85.60 mm × 53.98 mm / 3.375" × 2.125")
• Card thickness: 30 mil (0.76 mm)
• Color: White (blank)
• Finish: Smooth surface optimized for high-quality print results
• Printer compatibility: Designed for HID Fargo printers/encoders, including the Fargo C50 family
• Intended use: Blank ID badges, access control cards, membership and loyalty cards

how to install Fargo UltraCard III PVC Card

To begin printing, load the blank Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards into the printer’s input hopper, ensuring the card orientation aligns with your design layout. Set the printer thickness or media type to 30 mil (0.76 mm) to match the card’s actual dimensions and to optimize feed reliability and print quality. Use HID Global Genuine HID consumables, specifically dye-sublimation or resin ribbons, to achieve the best possible color reproduction on the PVC surface. Run a calibration or color profiling routine in your Fargo printer to align color output with your chosen ribbon and card stock. Before committing to a full print run, perform a small test batch to verify alignment, color fidelity, and edge-to-edge coverage.

Handle cards by the edges during loading and post-print handling to avoid contact with the printable surface, which could affect image quality or adhesion of subsequent encoding layers. If your workflow includes encoding (for example, magnetic stripes or smart card data), ensure you have the appropriate encoder installed and configured, and that the encoding steps are planned after a successful dye-sub or resin print. Store printed cards in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve color stability and card integrity over time. Following these best practices will maximize the lifespan of your prints and minimize the need for reprints or adjustments in future runs.

For organizations with high-volume production, consider implementing a batch calibration strategy and standardized color profiles for different card types or departments. Maintaining consistent print settings across runs reduces variability and helps ensure brand consistency across your entire ID program. Remember to refer to your Fargo printer’s manual for precise setup steps, and pair every print with HID-approved ribbons and consumables to guarantee the most reliable results possible.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards compatible with Fargo C50 printers?

A: Yes. Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards are designed for use with HID Fargo printers, including the C50 printer/encoder line. For best results, pair them with HID Genuine HID dye-sublimation or resin ribbons and use printer color profiles designed for CR80 PVC stock.

Q: What size and thickness are Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards?

A: They are CR80 cards (3.375" × 2.125" or 85.60 mm × 53.98 mm) with a standard thickness of 30 mil (0.76 mm). This combination provides a badge-like feel and reliable handling in most direct-to-card printers.

Q: Can I print full-color images on these cards?

A: Absolutely. When used with dye-sublimation or resin ribbons, Fargo UltraCard III PVC Cards deliver bright, full-color images, sharp text, and precise logos, allowing for high-quality, professional-looking ID cards and passes.

Q: Are these cards pre-printed or blank?

A: They are blank PVC cards intended for your own customization. You can design and print your own badges in-house using your Fargo printer and HID consumables.

Q: How should I store or care for the cards?

A: Store blank and printed cards in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Handle cards by the edges to avoid surface contamination, and keep them away from solvents or chemicals that could affect the PVC surface or printed images.