Zebra 104523-117 White PVC Card Stock, 15 mil with Writeable Back (500/Box)

Overview

The Zebra 104523-117 is a box of 500 white PVC cards engineered specifically for use with Zebra card printers in credential issuance workflows. At 15 mil thickness, these cards fall into the standard ID card gauge — the same you'll find in most corporate badge, access control, and student ID programs. The writeable back distinguishes this SKU from standard gloss-back cards: it accepts handwriting or pen-based notation directly on the card surface, which matters in programs that require a supervisor signature, secondary ID field, or manual annotation without sending the card back through a printer. The 104523-117 (often searched as 104523 117) ships 500 cards per box, factory-new and manufactured in the United States.

Key Features

• 15 mil PVC thickness: Standard CR80 gauge for compatibility with virtually all Zebra direct-to-card and retransfer card printers. At 15 mil, cards handle rigorous daily use in badge holders and access readers without warping or delaminating under normal conditions.
• Writeable back surface: The matte or texture-treated reverse side accepts permanent marker and ballpoint pen, enabling manual notation, signature capture, or secondary encoding without additional lamination overlays or a second print pass. In visitor management programs where a greeter hand-signs expiration dates or access zones, this eliminates a process step.
• White PVC substrate: A clean white base ensures printed colors and photos render accurately. PVC construction is the standard for full-color dye-sublimation printing — ink or dye bonds cleanly to the card surface without bleeding or color shift across print runs.
• 500 cards per box: A single box of 104523-117 covers a meaningful production run — roughly a mid-size access control enrollment or a semester's worth of student IDs at a smaller institution. Ordering by the box keeps per-card cost predictable and avoids frequent reorders.
• US-made card stock: Country of origin is the United States. For programs operating under procurement policies that favor domestic-origin materials, this is a verifiable specification — not a marketing claim.
• Zebra Cards product family: Part of the Zebra card printer media line, ensuring dimensional tolerances, surface finish, and chemical composition are matched to Zebra's print head and ribbon specifications. Off-brand card stock can introduce print head wear or color registration issues; using matched media is the more reliable path in high-volume programs.

Integration and Compatibility

The 104523-117 is designed for use in Zebra card printing workflows, typically paired with Zebra ZC, ZXP Series, or similar direct-to-card and retransfer printers. The standard CR80 form factor (3.375 in × 2.125 in, 15 mil) means these cards will also load in most third-party card printers that accept standard ISO 7810 ID-1 card stock — though Zebra ribbons and print optimization settings are matched to Zebra card media. If your program uses magnetic stripe encoding, smart card chips, or proximity contactless technology, this SKU does not include those features; select a variant with the embedded technology your readers require. For access control badge programs that use Wiegand or OSDP readers, you would pair this card stock with a separate encoding process or choose a card SKU with embedded credentials.

The writeable back is compatible with standard ballpoint and permanent marker inks. Gel pens and water-based inks may not adhere reliably — test with your specific pen type before committing to a large annotated-card program. Front-side printing uses standard PVC-compatible dye-sublimation ribbons.

For programs procuring card media alongside ID card printer systems or badge management software, this SKU fits cleanly into a Zebra-native media stack. The UNSPSC classification 55121802 (plastic cards) confirms its commodity categorization for procurement systems that require UNSPSC coding.

What's in the Box

• 500x Zebra white PVC cards, 15 mil, with writeable back

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What card printers is the Zebra 104523-117 compatible with?

A: The 104523-117 is part of the Zebra Cards media family and is designed for use with Zebra direct-to-card and retransfer card printers. The standard CR80 / 15 mil dimensions are also compatible with most third-party card printers accepting ISO 7810 ID-1 card stock, though performance is optimized with Zebra printer and ribbon combinations.

Q: What does 'writeable back' mean on the 104523-117?

A: The reverse side of each card has a surface treatment that accepts handwriting from ballpoint pens and permanent markers. This allows manual annotation — such as a signature, date, or access zone — without a second printer pass. Standard glossy PVC backs resist pen ink and are not writeable.

Q: How thick are the 104523-117 cards, and does that matter for my card printer?

A: These cards are 15 mil thick, which is the standard CR80 gauge used in most corporate and institutional ID programs. Check your card printer's media specification — some retransfer printers specify a narrower thickness tolerance. Most Zebra card printers accept 15 mil PVC cards without adjustment.

Q: Do these cards include magnetic stripe, smart chip, or contactless technology?

A: No. The 104523-117 is a plain PVC card with no embedded technology. If your access control or payment program requires magnetic stripe, smart card chip, or proximity/contactless encoding, you will need a different card SKU that includes those features.

Q: Where are the Zebra 104523-117 cards manufactured?

A: Country of origin is the United States, as documented in the product specifications. This is relevant for procurement programs with domestic-origin requirements.

Q: How many cards are in a box of 104523-117?

A: Each box contains 500 white PVC cards with writeable back.

Marty Allison

The spec that actually drives purchasing decisions on the 104523-117 is the writeable back — not the PVC construction or the 15 mil gauge, both of which are essentially table stakes for any standard card program. Where this SKU earns its place is in workflows where someone downstream needs to pen a date, initial, or zone code onto the card after it leaves the printer. I see this most often in visitor management and temporary access programs where a desk attendant countersigns each badge before handing it over.

Technical Highlights:

• 15 mil PVC thickness: Matches the standard CR80 media spec for Zebra card printers — no feeder adjustment required. Cards are rigid enough to survive a standard badge holder clip cycle without cracking at the corners.
• Writeable back surface: Accepts ballpoint and permanent marker ink. This is a physical surface treatment, not a laminate overlay, so it adds no meaningful thickness variance that would cause feed jams in tight-tolerance retransfer units.
• 500-card box, US-made: At 500 cards per box and domestic origin, this SKU fits TAA-conscious procurement without requiring special documentation. The UNSPSC code 55121802 is already populated for eProcurement catalog imports.

Deployment Considerations:

• Gel pens and water-based rollerball inks will not reliably adhere to the writeable back surface — test with your specific pen before training staff. Ballpoint and permanent markers are the safe default.
• This card has no embedded technology whatsoever. If your badge program is migrating from proximity cards to smart chip or if you need magnetic stripe for a parking gate, this SKU is the wrong pick — select a card variant with the encoding layer your readers require before ordering in bulk.

The 104523-117 is the right card for temporary credential programs — visitor badges, contractor day passes, event access — where a printed card plus a hand-signed expiration date is the full workflow. It is not the right card for a permanent employee badge program that relies on contactless chip readers at every door.