NFC module

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Plastic cards with NFC module

Plastic cards with a built-in NFC module are the best choice if you need your cards to communicate with modern smartphones. Additionally, these cards can be secured with laminate, personalized with a photo, number, or name, and even finished with elegant spot varnish.

NFC technology

Near Field Communication, usually referred to by its abbreviation NFC, is a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology that allows the exchange of information between devices up to a distance of approximately 10 cm. It works on the principle of data sharing, similarly to Bluetooth technology, but its range is much smaller. Initially, NFC was used mainly to facilitate access to files stored in the phone, currently NFC is widely used in industry, commerce, public transport, etc.

Applications of NFC technology

We encounter NFC technology every day, such as when paying in stores with payment cards or directly with our smartphones. It allows us to confirm our identity in government applications by tapping a new type of passport to our smartphone. In trade and logistics, NFC tags are used to identify products. NFC is also key in the so-called Smart Homes, enabling modern homes to be managed with a smartphone.

city NFC plastic card

NFC plastic cards

Equipping plastic cards with an NFC module provides additional functionality that is not available with cards using personalized prints, such as QR codes, or even those equipped with classic RFID modules. Cards with an NFC module can be used for various applications, such as:

  • NFC discount cards – the NFC module improves card handling in the store
  • NFC business cards – NFC module can be encoded with data, which can be read by a phone when the business card is brought close to it.
  • NFC identifiers and ID cards – the NFC module improves the process of identification of the ID card and its owner.


NFC modules - NTAG

NFC modules – NTAG213, NTAG215, …

NFC technology in plastic cards is implemented by equipping the card with an appropriate NFC radio module. The most commonly used NFC modules currently include NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216.

These popular NFC tags find wide applications in access control systems, ticketing, and mobile payments. While these modules mainly differ in memory capacity, their basic parameters remain the same:

  • operating frequency: 13.56 MHz – standard frequency used by NFC technology, defined by the ISO 14443 standard
  • working range: up to 10cm
  • compatibility: these tags are compatible with a wide range of NFC readers and systems based on the ISO 14443 standard
  • communication protocol: a protocol called NXP Tag Access Protocol (TAP) for communication with NFC readers
  • security: NTAG tags have various security features built in to protect against unauthorized access. These functions e.g. encryption or secure key management.

Personalization of NFC cards

NFC modules provide cards with proximity functionality and enable communication with smartphones. These modules are pre-programmed during card production and can contain various types of data or perform specific actions, such as displaying text, directing to a website link, providing address data for the smartphone’s address book, or initiating an application with predefined parameters. Programming can be done for an entire batch, in series, or individually for each card. Alternatively, you can order ‘blank’ NFC cards and program them individually using an NFC programmer.


For cards that can communicate with modern smartphones, those equipped with an NFC module are currently the optimal choice. Please contact us, and we’ll assist you in selecting the appropriate NFC module. Additionally, you can use the quotation form to obtain an estimate of the production costs for NFC cards based on your chosen parameters (quantity, colors, additional printing, and selected NTAG module).