NFC Metal vs PVC vs Wooden Business Cards: Which Should You Buy?

NFC metal digital business card

All three of our NFC business cards do the same thing: tap the card on a phone and your digital profile opens. What differs is the material, how the card feels, how it is printed and what it says about you. This guide compares the three so you can choose the right one before you order.

How an NFC business card works, in one paragraph

Each card contains an NFC chip linked to your digital profile. When someone taps their phone against the card, the profile opens with your contact details, WhatsApp, social links and website. The profile can be edited without reprinting the card. For the full explanation, see how an NFC business card works.

The three cards compared

PVC plastic Metal Wooden
Build Plastic card One side metal, one side PVC plastic Wood card
Colours Printed in your design Golden, Silver or Black Confirm the wood colour with us before ordering
Printing Full design Metal side: single colour (white or brown). PVC side: multi-colour Both sides printed in a single colour
Which side taps? The card Only the PVC side The card
Feel Familiar and light Premium feel Natural and distinctive

Check the current price on each product page, as prices change. For a price discussion, see our NFC metal card price guide.

PVC plastic: the practical choice

A PVC card is the standard for NFC cards. It is a durable, reusable plastic card that carries a full-colour design, so it suits logos, photographs and detailed layouts. It is also the easiest to replace for a whole team, which makes it a sensible choice for sales staff, new hires and anyone who hands out many cards.

Choose PVC if you want a full-colour design, you are ordering for a team, or you want the most economical option.

Metal: the premium choice

The metal card is made to impress. One side is metal, in Golden, Silver or Black, and the other side is PVC plastic. There is a practical reason for the plastic: radio signals cannot pass through a metal surface, so only the PVC side can be read by a phone. That means you tap the plastic side, and the metal side is the one people see and hold.

Printing is different on each side. The metal side takes a single-colour print, white or brown. The PVC side can be printed in several colours. So a metal card suits a clean, simple front, such as your name and logo in one colour, with the details on the plastic side.

Choose metal if first impressions matter, for example executives, consultants, real estate agents, lawyers or founders who meet clients. Our guide what are metal business cards goes deeper.

Wooden: the distinctive choice

A wooden card stands out because it looks and feels natural. Both sides are printed in a single colour, so designs are simple: a logo, a name and a short line work best. If you are unsure which wood colour suits your brand, finalise it with our team on WhatsApp before you order.

Choose wood if your brand is craft, eco-minded, hospitality, design or anything where a natural look suits you.

Which suits your profession?

  • Sales teams and large groups: PVC.
  • Founders, executives, lawyers and consultants: metal.
  • Architects, designers, cafés and craft brands: wood.
  • Freelancers on a budget: PVC, with a clear design.
  • Real estate agents: metal for yourself, PVC for assistants. See NFC cards for real estate agents, freelancers and sales teams.

Things to check before you order

  1. Your design. We create a free mockup for your approval before production.
  2. Your profile details. Have your phone number, email, links and logo ready.
  3. Which side to tap. On a metal card, only the PVC side works.
  4. The term. The card and its digital profile are valid for 2 years from activation, and profile edits are free in that time.
  5. Delivery. See shipping and delivery.

How NFC cards compare with paper cards and QR codes

If you are still deciding whether to switch at all, see NFC vs paper business cards and NFC vs QR codes.

For the bigger picture on why professionals are switching, see NFC business cards in Pakistan.

Frequently asked questions

Does the metal card work on both sides?

No. Only the PVC side is readable, because metal blocks the signal.

Can I print in full colour on a metal card?

The metal side takes a single-colour print, white or brown. The PVC side can be multi-colour.

Can I change my details after I order?

Yes. Edit your digital profile at any time during the 2-year term without reprinting.

Which is the most durable?

We do not publish durability tests for these cards, so we cannot rank them. Treat any card with normal care.

How do I order?

Choose a card on our shop page. Questions? Message WhatsApp +92 335 6656657.