Blank Plastic Card Evolis C5201

The Evolis C5201 blank plastic card is a rewritable PVC card designed for repeated personalization without using a ribbon. The card integrates a thermosensitive coating that becomes visible when heated to approximately 356° F (180° C) and can be erased by applying lower temperatures. It is compatible with Evolis printers and suitable for producing ID cards, membership cards and other personalized plastic cards while enabling data on magnetic stripes or contactless chips to be updated separately.

Advantages

Rewritable cards offer flexibility because they can be reissued and repurposed whenever needed; the thermosensitive surface allows on-card visual changes while encoded data on magnetic stripes or contactless chips can be modified independently. The technology eliminates the need for printer ribbons, reducing operating costs and consumable waste. By allowing multiple reuses of the same card—up to around 500 cycles under recommended conditions—this solution also reduces material consumption and environmental footprint.

Suitable for

• Temporary ID and access cards
• Event badges and visitor passes
• Membership or loyalty cards with changing information
• Environments where frequent reissuance is required

Key specifications

• Material: PVC blank card (thermosensitive coating)
• Manufacturer: Evolis, MPN C5201
• Rewritable cycles: up to 500 uses (typical, under recommended conditions)
• Personalization method: thermal rewritable printing (no ribbon required)
• Activation temperature for printing: ~356° F (180° C)
• Erasing temperature range: approximately 230–320° F (110–160° C)

How to use

Print or reprint the card using a compatible Evolis thermal rewritable printer following the printer manufacturer’s instructions. Heating the thermosensitive surface to about 356° F (180° C) produces visible text and images; to erase and reuse the card, apply a lower temperature in the 230–320° F (110–160° C) range as specified by the printer. Magnetic stripe or contactless chip data should be encoded or updated with the appropriate encoder modules or writer tools, independent of the visual personalization process.

Usage recommendations

Store cards in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources. Follow Evolis printer guidelines for temperature settings and handling to reach the typical reuse cycle life; avoid abrasive cleaning and use only compatible encoding equipment for magnetic or contactless features.