A hotel key card is the one piece of your brand every guest carries for their whole stay. A good design makes it easy to use and useful to keep in a pocket. These ideas work for boutique hotels, B&Bs, serviced apartments and larger properties.
Put useful information on the back
- Wi-Fi network and password
- Reception phone number or extension
- Breakfast times and check-out time
- The hotel address, for guests getting a taxi back
Do not print the room number on the card. If the card is lost, it should not lead anyone to the room.
Keep the front simple
Your logo and one image or colour are enough. Guests should recognise the card as yours at a glance in a wallet full of cards.
Add a QR code
A QR code on the back can open your room-service menu, local guide or booking page for a return stay. Use a short link and test it before printing.
Design for the lock
If your locks use a magnetic stripe, keep artwork and text clear of the stripe area. If they use RFID or NFC, the chip sits inside the card and does not affect the design. See how custom hotel key cards are printed.
Choose a finish that lasts
Matt finishes hide scratches and feel premium. Gloss makes colours bright. Spot UV can pick out a logo. Our key cards are printed with hard-wearing UV-cured inks for daily use.
Use seasonal or event designs
Short-run printing makes it practical to print a small batch for a wedding, conference or festive season, then go back to your standard card.
Think about advertising space
Some hotels use the back to promote the spa, restaurant or bar. See hotel key card advertising.
Options and prices
Options include QR codes, barcodes, numbering, magnetic stripe, signature panel, contactless chips, hole punch, spot UV, and a matt or gloss finish. Every file is checked and proofed, and nothing is printed until you approve the proof.
Hotel key cards are sold in packs: 15 for £30, 30 for £45, 60 for £80 and 120 for £160, with 45, 75 and 90 packs in between. Magnetic stripe, NFC contactless and RFID versions cost the same. Prices are for full-colour print from supplied artwork and exclude delivery. We are not VAT registered, so no VAT is added. For larger runs, contact us for a quote.
See all hotel key card options, features and prices on our Hotel key cards page.