How to Choose Blank ID Cards: FOTODEK vs HID vs MIFARE vs Paxton

“Which blank cards should I buy?” is one of the questions we're asked most often, and the wrong answer can cost real money. A pack of plain white cards that don't suit your printer is an inconvenience. A pack of 100 programmed access cards that won't read on your doors is a much bigger problem, especially as programmed-to-order cards generally can't be returned unless they're faulty.

We've been printing ID cards since 1987, and in that time, we've learned that FOTODEK, HID, MIFARE, and Paxton aren't really four competing versions of the same product. They answer different questions. This guide explains what each one is, when to choose it, and the checks worth making before you place an order.

The short answer

If you only need a quick steer, start here:

•           You just need printed photo ID, and nothing opens a door: choose FOTODEK cards.

•           Your doors already use HID readers: choose HID cards that match your existing format and facility code.

•           Your system runs on MIFARE, or you need one card for several services: choose MIFARE or, for higher security, MIFARE DESFire.

•           You have a Paxton Net2 access control system: choose the Paxton card that matches your readers.

In other words, if the card has to open a door, the reader decides. If it doesn't, the printer and the finish you want decide.

Choosing your ID cards

Print-only cards vs access control cards

FOTODEK is a premium brand of blank printable cards. A standard FOTODEK card has no chip inside; its job is to take a sharp, professional print of a photo, name, logo or barcode. HID, MIFARE and Paxton cards, on the other hand, all contain a chip and antenna so they can talk to a card reader. You can still print photo ID on most of them, but what you're really buying is compatibility with an access control system.

Frequency: 125kHz vs 13.56MHz

Access cards broadly fall into two frequency families. Older proximity (prox) systems run at 125kHz, which includes HID Prox and standard Paxton Net2 proximity. Smart card systems run at 13.56MHz, which includes MIFARE, MIFARE DESFire and HID iCLASS and Seos. A card built for one frequency won't read on a reader built for the other, so this is the first thing to confirm before ordering.

FOTODEK cards: for photo ID without access control

What makes FOTODEK different

FOTODEK is widely regarded as the market-leading premium blank card. Its ultra-smooth surface gives sharper text, cleaner barcodes and more vibrant colour, and it puts less wear on your printhead than budget alternatives. That last point matters more than most people expect: printheads are one of the most expensive parts of an ID card printer to replace, and cheap cards with surface dust or imperfections shorten their life. We're one of the UK's largest FOTODEK stockists.

Which FOTODEK card to choose

•           Standard staff and student ID: FOTODEK ICE White 760 micron cards (£12.00 per 100) are the same thickness as a bank card and the default choice for most organisations.

•           Lighter-weight or short-term cards: FOTODEK 480 micron cards (£10.00 per 100) suit event passes and temporary cards.

•           Adding photo ID to an access card you can't print on: FOTODEK self-adhesive cards in 320 or 480 micron peel and stick onto clamshell or unprintable proximity cards.

•           Wearing on a lanyard or reel: pre-punched slot and hole options save you punching cards yourself and come in portrait and landscape.

•           Anti-counterfeiting: FOTODEK cards with Security HoloImage add a holographic feature that is very difficult to replicate.

•           Sustainability: FOTODEK biodegradable cards perform like standard cards but are designed to break down over around three years.

When FOTODEK isn't the right choice

If your card needs to open doors, log in to computers, or pay in a canteen, a standard FOTODEK card can't do that on its own. You'll need a chip card from one of the ranges below, or a self-adhesive FOTODEK card stuck onto your existing access card.

HID cards: for sites that already use HID readers

Prox, iCLASS and Seos

HID is one of the biggest names in access control, and its cards come in several technologies:

•           HID Prox (125kHz): the long-standing proximity range, including the printable ISOProx II and the thicker ProxCard II clamshell. Clamshell cards are durable but aren't suitable for direct printing.

•           HID iCLASS (13.56MHz): smart cards such as the iCLASS 2K/2 offer more security and memory than prox.

•           HID Seos (13.56MHz): the most advanced option in our range. The Seos 8K card is designed for environments that need strong data protection.

HID iCLASS and Seos cards can combine door access, network login, and photo ID in one credential, and they're built to work alongside older HID systems, which makes phased upgrades easier.

Why HID cards are programmed to order

HID cards aren't truly “blank” like a FOTODEK card. Each pack is programmed with your card format, facility code, and number range so it works with your existing system. That's why typical lead times run from three to ten working days, and why custom HID orders can't be returned unless faulty.

The easiest way to get it right is to look at an existing card or its box. The reference number, usually seven to nine digits printed at the bottom right when the card is held landscape, tells us exactly what you have. If you're not sure, we offer a free card testing service, so send us a sample before committing to a full order.

MIFARE cards: the most widely supported smart card standard

MIFARE Classic 1K and 4K

MIFARE is a contactless technology made by NXP and supported by a huge range of access control, vending, cashless catering and membership systems. The difference between 1K and 4K is memory: 1K is plenty for most access control, while 4K suits systems that store more data or run several applications. Our NXP MIFARE Classic 1K EV1 cards (£69.95 per 100) are a popular starting point, and there's an 85% recycled 1K option and a version with a magnetic stripe for sites running a swipe system alongside contactless.

MIFARE DESFire EV2 and EV3

MIFARE DESFire is the step up when security matters. Its AES encryption offers much stronger protection against cloning and data theft than MIFARE Classic, and one card can safely run several applications, from door access to cashless payment. We stock EV1, EV2 and EV3 versions in 2K, 4K and 8K. For a new installation, EV3 is the current generation. The DESFire EV3 4K (£139.95 per 100) suits most multi-application sites, and the 8K version gives headroom for larger campuses.

“MIFARE” doesn't always mean “will work”

Many access control manufacturers build their systems on MIFARE but configure cards in their own way. That's why we stock system-specific MIFARE cards, such as Salto MIFARE 1K, TDSi MIFARE and the Paxton 692-148, alongside generic NXP cards. A generic MIFARE card and a system-branded one can look identical but behave differently. Always check with your installer or with us which one your readers expect.

Paxton cards: for Paxton Net2 systems

Which Paxton card do you need?

Paxton is one of the most common access control systems in UK offices, schools and small businesses. We stock all six Net2 card types, and the right one depends entirely on your readers:

•           692-500: proximity only, at 125kHz. The standard choice if your doors run on Net2 proximity.

•           692-448: proximity plus a HiCo magnetic stripe, for sites that also use a swipe-based system such as time and attendance or a cashless canteen. There's also a version with a signature panel.

•           695-573: magnetic stripe only, for Net2 Cardlock swipe readers. It has no proximity chip, so it won't work on a proximity reader.

•           692-148: MIFARE at 13.56MHz, for Net2 systems running MIFARE readers.

Paxton cards come pre-programmed with a unique eight-digit number, so there's no separate encoding step. You simply enrol each card in your Net2 software and assign its access permissions.

Genuine or compatible?

If budget is tight, our compatible 692-500 cards (£19.95 per 10, against £26.50 for genuine) do the same job in a Net2 proximity reader and are available in an 85% recycled material. They aren't made by Paxton, so it's worth confirming compatibility with your system before ordering in volume.

Can I print on HID, MIFARE and Paxton cards with my ID card printer?

Yes, the ISO-thickness printable versions in our range can be personalised with photos, names and logos using a compatible ID card printer. Retransfer printers usually give the best results on chip cards. Clamshell cards aren't printable.

Can I use any MIFARE card with a Paxton system?

Not necessarily. Paxton Net2 MIFARE readers are designed to work with the Paxton 692-148 card. If you want to use other MIFARE cards, confirm compatibility with your installer before ordering.

FOTODEK vs HID vs MIFARE vs Paxton at a glance

Common mistakes we see

•           Ordering by brand name alone. “HID cards” or “MIFARE cards” covers several incompatible technologies. The format, frequency, and facility code matter more than the logo.

•           Buying cheap blank cards to save money. Low-grade PVC can leave dust and debris in the printer, causing print defects and early printhead wear. Over a printer's life, premium cards usually cost less.

•           Trying to print on clamshell cards. Thick clamshell cards aren't designed to go through a printer. Use a self-adhesive FOTODEK card on top instead.

•           Assuming DESFire is always needed. DESFire is excellent for high-security or multi-application sites, but if your readers only support MIFARE Classic or 125kHz proximity, a DESFire card won't help.

Getting the right card first time

The simplest rule is to work back from what the card has to do. If it only needs to identify someone, FOTODEK gives the best print quality. If it needs to open doors, match your reader first and choose the finish second. If you're weighing up a new system, DESFire and HID Seos offer the strongest security for the years ahead.

If you'd rather not print the cards yourself, our online card builder lets you design and order finished access ID cards with no minimum order. And if you're unsure which card matches your system, get in touch with our UK-based team or send us a sample for our free card testing service. We'll confirm the right card before you commit.