Metal vs PVC vs Wood NFC Visiting Cards: What Changes Besides the Look

By NFC Visiting Cards Editorial Team | Published 14 October 2026 | Guides

PVC, metal and wood NFC visiting cards all use the same chip and QR code. What changes is the weight, feel, durability, price and how the card handles the NFC signal.

PVC, metal and wood NFC visiting cards all carry the same kind of chip and a printed QR code, and they open the same profile. What changes is the weight, durability, price and, with metal, where the card reads best. PVC is the lightest and lowest price, metal the heaviest and most premium, and bamboo the natural option.

This guide compares the three materials we offer so you can choose with the details in front of you. For how the chip itself works, start with our pillar guide to NFC visiting cards.

What stays the same across all three

Whichever material you pick, the following does not change:

• The chip and QR code. Every card has an NFC chip and a printed QR code.
• The profile. The card links to an online profile you can edit at any time without reprinting.
• Compatibility. The card opens in the phone's browser, with no app for you or the person you meet. Our guide to which phones can read an NFC visiting card covers iPhone and Android in detail.
• Payment. The card and profile plan are a one-time purchase, with no monthly fee to keep the card working.

So the choice is about the physical card: how it looks, feels, lasts and costs.

PVC NFC visiting cards

PVC is the same family of plastic used for bank and membership cards. We offer it in Black, Green, Brown and Blue.

• Feel. Smooth and light, at standard card thickness. It fits any wallet or card slot.
• Durability. PVC is flexible rather than brittle and is not affected by rain or a spilled drink. Like any printed card, the surface can scuff with heavy use.
• Signal. Plastic does not interfere with radio signals, so a PVC card reads easily from either side.
• Price. PVC is the base price on our product page.
• Best for. Everyday networking, larger team orders and anyone buying their first NFC card.

Metal NFC visiting cards

Our metal cards are black metal with a gold or silver finish: Black & Gold, or Black & Silver.

• Feel. The heaviest option, with a solid, rigid feel. It is the card people tend to comment on when it is handed over.
• Durability. Metal does not bend in a wallet and resists everyday wear. Fine scratches can show on the finish over time, as with any metal object.
• Signal. This is the important difference. Metal reflects and absorbs radio energy, so a chip simply placed against a sheet of metal would struggle to be read. Metal NFC cards are built so the chip and antenna stay readable, but they usually read best from one side or area. Learn which side works on your card, and show people where to tap.
• Price. Metal carries the highest upcharge of the three materials. The exact amount for your region is shown in the materials comparison on the product page.
• Best for. Executives, client-facing roles and situations where the first impression matters most.

You can read the details in the metal NFC visiting card section of the product page.

Wooden NFC visiting cards

Our wooden cards are made from bamboo, in White Bamboo or Original Bamboo.

• Feel. Light and warm to the touch. The grain is visible, and no two cards look exactly alike.
• Durability. Bamboo is hard-wearing for a wood, but it is still a natural material. Keep it out of long soaking and away from prolonged direct heat.
• Signal. Wood, like plastic, does not block NFC, so it reads well from either side.
• Price. Wood adds an upcharge over PVC that is lower than metal. The figure for your region is in the product page comparison.
• Best for. Brands that want a natural, plastic-free look, and creative or nature-inspired businesses.

Side-by-side comparison

How to choose

Ask yourself four questions:

1. Who will you hand it to? For senior clients or a high-value pitch, metal makes a stronger statement. For a trade show where you hand out many cards, PVC is more practical.
2. How many do you need? For a team order, PVC keeps costs down while every card still links to its own profile.
3. What does your brand look like? A natural or eco-focused brand fits bamboo. A dark, premium brand fits black metal.
4. Are you happy to show people where to tap? If you choose metal, a short "tap here" prompt makes the first tap reliable.

If you are still unsure, PVC is a sensible first card. Because the profile is what carries your details, you can move to another material later without changing anything online.

Caring for your card

• Keep the card flat in a wallet or card slot rather than loose in a bag with keys.
• Wipe metal and PVC cards with a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not soak a bamboo card, and let it dry naturally if it gets wet.
• Avoid bending any card sharply, as this can damage the antenna inside.

Frequently asked questions

Does the material change what the card can do?

No. All three use the same chip and QR code and open the same editable profile. The material changes the look, feel, weight, durability and price.

Is a metal NFC card harder to read?

Metal interferes with NFC signals, so metal cards are built to keep the chip readable. They usually read best from one side or area, so learn the right spot and show people where to tap.

Which material is the cheapest?

PVC. Wood and metal each add an upcharge, with metal the highest. The amounts for your region are shown on the product page.

Can I put my logo on any material?

Yes. Adding your logo is a paid option on the product page and works with every material.

Next steps

For a summary of every material in the range, see the NFC Visiting Cards homepage. Compare finishes and current options on the NFC visiting card product page, where each material has its own section. To understand what the chip holds, read are NFC visiting cards secure?.