Plastic Non-sealed CDC Card Protector

How to make a simple non-sealed plastic protective cover for your CDC Covid-19 Vaccination card. This uses Secure Top Sheet Protectors from Office Depot and some clear packing tape. I had the 5.0 mil thick sheet protectors from another project, but you could use the thinner 3.3 or 2.4 mil thick versions also. They come in 25, 50, 100 and 200 sheet packs.

Each sheet protector can make 6 CDC card protectors.

8.5x11 Clear Sheet Protectors Fold over top

Clear packing tape
Metal straight edge
X-acto knife or a small sharp kitchen knife

Pull out one sheet protector and put it on your cutting board.

Cut the sheet protector in half the long way. The inside distance of the ones I used is 8 11/16" or about 8 5/8". Half of that is 4 5/16" internal. I measured and marked by cutting the edge of the sheet protector. I did that on each of the 2 short sides, measuring from the same side each time. Then using your metal straight edge, line up the marks and hold the straight edge down and make a light cut along the edge. Make several cuts to cut through both layers of the plastic.
NOTE: The plastic sheet protector is slippery, so you'll have to hold the straight edge carefully so it does not slide around.

One end of the half sheet will have the flap already made. So line up your card with the long edge along the flap and cut the plastic ~3 1/16" or 3 1/8" from the flap (measured inside).

You have two edges to tape up. tape each edge by laying the clear packing tape half on/half off and trim to the length of the plastic. Then fold the clear packing tape to the other side and seal that edge. repeat for the 2nd open edge. That's 1 done.

You can line up the cards or use a ruler with the remaining plastic, to make 2 more protectors. But with these you will have to make the flap your self.

Starting at the other sealed end of the remaining plastic, cut a 3 &1/8" wide (internal) piece. So it should be 4 5/16" by about 3 1/4". Now you have to cut away 5/16" of the short end, but ONLY ONE side. So put your straight edge inside and make a cut across the short end to make a 5/16 flap on one side.
Then tape the long open edge, but only tape the length of the card, don't tape the flap. This is easy to do if you flip the flap side down, then start at the edge of the top next to the flap and tape the long open edge. Again, fold the tape over and seal this protector.
Now fold the flap over and rub the fold line with the handle of the knife. I also used a piece of thin cloth and a clothes Iron to heat the plastic a little and get a good fold line. Don't use the iron directly on the plastic, it might melt and ruin your iron.

Now take the remaining center piece of plastic and decide to make another short edge folded version, or you can make a long edge folded version. There is enough material for either. With the original seam at the bottom (close to you), measure either 3 &1/8" wide, and make another short edge folded version as described above. OR Measure 4&1/*" wide and cut that. Then from the built in seam, measure about 3 & 5/8" internal and Cut the long edge. ON the long edge make the flap cut on one side, cutting off about 1/2". Tape the two short sides, not taping the flap part. Then fold the flap and burnish it or heat it to get the fold to stay.

Here is how the tape looks before its folded over to close the seam

Another photo of the tape before its folded over to seal the edge.

This one is finished. Its the the first one you make with the built in folded edge.

This shows the short edge folded edge. the 2nd one described.