Plastic key fobs last for years, which is their main environmental advantage over paper tags that need replacing. The most sustainable fob is the one that gets used for its whole life and never needs reprinting. Here are practical ways to reduce waste.
Order the right quantity
Short-run printing means you can order 15, 30 or 60 fobs instead of thousands. Fewer unused fobs end up in a drawer or a bin.
Design for a long life
- Leave dates and seasonal messages off fobs you want to reuse.
- Use a timeless design that will not date when your branding is refreshed.
- Choose a matt finish to hide scratches over years of use.
Make them reusable
Contactless and barcode fobs can be reassigned to a new member in your system, so returned fobs go back into use rather than being thrown away.
Ask about materials
Alternatives to standard PVC exist in the card industry, such as recycled or non-PVC plastics. Availability and finish vary, so ask us what is possible for your order before you design.
Plan for the end of life
Invite members to return old fobs when they leave, and reuse or dispose of them responsibly.
Is plastic the right choice?
For anything carried daily for years, a durable fob usually beats a paper tag that is replaced many times. For a one-day event, a paper badge may be better.
See plastic key fobs UK for more on uses.
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.
Key fobs and tags 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 key fob and tag options, features and prices on our Key Fobs & Tags page.