Access Control

Access Control Cards for UK Organisations

Access control cards are used across many sectors to manage entry into buildings, rooms, secure areas and staff-only environments. Whether you need cards for employees, students, contractors, visitors, residents or members, choosing the right card type is important for compatibility, day-to-day use and professional presentation.

At ACB, we supply access control cards for a wide range of requirements, including organisations that need blank replacement cards and those looking for printed access cards with branding, names, numbering or other visual identification features.

Printed, Blank and Encoded Access Cards

Different customers need different levels of supply, so this category covers several access card options.

Printed Access Control Cards

Printed access control cards are ideal for organisations that want cards to do more than just open doors. Printed cards can also support identification, branding and day-to-day security by combining access technology with visible cardholder information, company branding, numbering or other design elements.

This is an important option for customers who may previously have bought blank access cards without realising that we can also help with professionally printed access control cards.

Blank Access Cards

Blank access control cards are a practical choice for customers who need unprinted cards for in-house issue, replacement stock or system-specific use. They remain a popular option where visual print is not required at the point of purchase.

Encoded Access Cards

Where required, we also supply encoded access card options. If you already know the specification or card type you need, choosing the correct option for your system is important before ordering.

Types of Access Control Cards

Access control cards are available in several formats depending on the system, technology and application.

RFID Access Cards

RFID access cards are widely used across modern access control systems. They are commonly used for staff access, secure building entry and membership-based environments where contactless card presentation is required.

Proximity Cards

Proximity cards are often used for straightforward access control applications where users present the card to a compatible reader for entry. These remain popular across offices, schools, residential buildings and similar sites.

Smart Cards

Smart access cards are used where more advanced card technology is needed, depending on the system and the way credentials are managed. These may be suitable for organisations that require specific chip-based or contactless card formats.

Access Control Cards by Brand and Technology

Many buyers search by brand, chip type or system compatibility rather than by the general term access control cards. For that reason, we also provide access card options linked to specific technologies and product families.

• MIFARE cards
• Paxton cards
• Fudan cards
• Salto cards
• HID cards

If you already know the card family or system type you need, browsing the relevant section above can help you get to the right products more quickly.

Related Access Products

As well as cards, some access control setups also use related products such as fobs, tags and stickers. These can be useful where the system or user preference calls for an alternative credential format.

On the main access control page, the primary focus remains on access control cards, but related credential types may also be relevant depending on your system and application.

How to Choose the Right Access Control Card

Not all access cards are interchangeable, so it is important to choose the correct card type for your system and intended use.

Before ordering, consider:

• The access control system or card family in use
• Whether you need blank, printed or encoded cards
• Whether the cards are for staff, students, visitors, residents or members
• Whether visual print such as logos, names or numbering is required
• Whether an alternative format such as a fob, tag or sticker is more suitable

If you are replacing existing cards, matching the new supply to your current card type or system reference is usually the safest approach.

Access Control Cards for Different Applications

Employee and Staff Access Cards

Use access control cards for employee identification and secure workplace entry, helping combine access functionality with visible staff credentials where needed.

Education Access Cards

Suitable for schools, colleges and universities that need cards for staff, students, visitors, library access or secure building entry.

Residential and Building Access Cards

Access cards can also be used in housing, apartment and managed building environments where controlled entry is required for residents, staff or approved visitors.

Membership and Leisure Cards

Some organisations use access control cards as part of a wider membership, leisure or club environment where controlled entry and visible identification work together.

Visitor and Contractor Cards

Access cards can support temporary access and site control for visitors, contractors and other short-term users where managed entry is important.

What You Get When You Buy from ACB

Access Card Supply for Different Requirements

We supply printed, blank and encoded access control card options to suit a range of system and site requirements.

Printed Card Support

Many buyers initially look for blank access cards, but we can also help with professionally printed access control cards where visual identity and presentation matter.

Wide Product Coverage

This category is designed to support broad access card searches while also guiding buyers towards more specific brand and technology pages where appropriate.

Experienced Plastic Card Supplier

ACB has extensive experience supplying plastic cards and related products for a wide range of organisations and applications.

Related Card Products and Accessories

Depending on your setup, you may also need related card products and accessories to support everyday use and issue.

• Plastic cards
• Lanyards
• Card holders

Order Access Control Cards Online from ACB

Browse our range of access control cards and find the right option for your system and application. Whether you need blank cards, printed access control cards or encoded options, ACB can help you source suitable products for day-to-day use.

If you are looking for a specific card family or technology, you can also browse our dedicated pages for MIFARE cards, Paxton cards, Fudan cards, Salto cards and HID cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are access control cards used for?

Access control cards are used to manage entry into buildings, rooms and secure areas using a compatible access control system.

Do you supply printed access control cards?

Yes, we supply printed access control cards as well as blank and encoded options.

Can I buy blank access cards from ACB?

Yes, blank access control cards are available for customers who need unprinted cards for their own issue or replacement stock.

Do you supply encoded access cards?

Yes, encoded access card options are also available.

Do you supply cards for different systems and technologies?

Yes, we supply access control cards across a range of technologies and product families, including options linked to MIFARE, Paxton, Fudan, Salto and HID.

Do you only supply cards?

No, related credential formats such as fobs, tags and stickers may also be available where required, although this main page is focused primarily on access control cards.

How do I choose the right access control card?

The safest approach is to match the new cards to your existing system, card family or product type, and then decide whether you need blank, printed or encoded supply.