Clamshell vs. Printable CR80 Prox Cards: A Guide for Northern Colorado Businesses

Northern Colorado’s economy runs on a wide mix of workplaces: construction sites, warehouses, agricultural operations, clinics, schools, and offices. Each one puts access cards through very different conditions. To help local employers buy the right credential the first time, AuthorizID, Northern Colorado’s source for access control cards and key fobs, has published a new guide comparing clamshell and printable CR80 proximity cards.

Both card styles use the same 125 kHz chip and antenna. A 26-bit H10301 clamshell and a 26-bit H10301 printable card carry the same data and read the same on a compatible reader. The difference is in how the card is built, how it holds up, and whether you can print a photo ID on it.

Rugged Clamshell Cards for Job Sites, Warehouses and Ag Operations

Clamshell cards are made of two molded plastic halves sealed around the chip. At about 0.070 in. (1.8 mm) thick, more than twice the thickness of a credit card, they are rigid and resist the bending that most often kills a card. They are comparable to the HID ProxCard II (1326) and are a good fit when:

Printable CR80 Cards for Clinics, Schools and Offices

Printable CR80 cards are standard credit-card size and 30 mil (0.76 mm) thick. They have a smooth, glossy surface for direct-to-card printing with a dye-sublimation or retransfer badge printer. They are comparable to the HID ISOProx II (1386) and work best when:

Many Facilities Use Both

Many Northern Colorado organizations mix the two styles: printable photo badges for employees and clamshells for temporary workers, vendors, gate users, or shared fleet keys. The key is to order both styles in the same credential format and facility code so they work on the same system. The same choice applies beyond 26-bit H10301, because AuthorizID also offers both styles in many proprietary formats used by systems from AWID, Keri, Kantech, DoorKing, Farpointe, and others.

“Most of the questions we get from local businesses aren’t really about the chip. They’re about how the card will be used,” said Michael Boehm, President of AuthorizID. “A contractor on a Windsor job site and a front-desk employee at a Loveland clinic need very different cards, but they can still badge in on the same system. We help customers sort that out before they order.”

Custom Printing and Facility Codes

AuthorizID offers custom-printed cards with company logos or artwork, and custom facility-code ordering so new cards match an existing system without duplicate card numbers. Pricing for custom orders is available on request.

Northern Colorado’s Source for Access Cards, Key Fobs, Adhesive Tags & Wristbands

Based in Fort Collins, AuthorizID supplies access cards, key fobs, adhesive tags, and RFID wristbands compatible with dozens of access control formats. The company serves businesses, property managers, integrators, schools, and healthcare facilities in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Windsor, Boulder, Brighton, and surrounding communities, with fast fulfillment and broad format coverage.

Local U.S.-Based Technical Support

Choosing the right card technology can be confusing. AuthorizID offers local, U.S.-based technical support to help customers identify their existing format and facility code, choose compatible credentials, troubleshoot compatibility issues, and make sure new cards and fobs work on day one.

Free Samples Available for Compatibility Testing

About AuthorizID

AuthorizID is a Fort Collins-based supplier of RFID credentials, access control cards, key fobs, wristbands, adhesive tags, badge printer supplies, and related technologies. The company serves Northern Colorado and customers nationwide with fast shipping, responsive service, and expert technical guidance.