Custom hotel key cards carry your hotel’s branding on a card that also has to work with your door locks. Getting both right comes down to a few checks before printing. Here is how the process works at Plasticard, from your lock system to delivery.
1. Confirm your lock and card type
Hotel locks read either a magnetic stripe or a contactless chip (RFID or NFC). Your lock supplier or the encoder at reception will tell you which type you need and, for chip cards, the exact chip. Tell us this when you order. Read more in which lock systems our key cards suit.
2. Choose a quantity
Order from 15 to 120 cards online, or ask for a quote for larger runs. Most hotels order enough to cover lost and unreturned cards for a season.
3. Prepare the artwork
- Front: your logo, hotel name and one strong image or colour.
- Back: short guest information, such as Wi-Fi details, reception number or check-out time.
- Leave clear space for the magnetic stripe if your locks use one.
See hotel key card design ideas for layouts that work.
4. Checks and proof
We check every file against our artwork guidelines and send a proof. Check the room-number area, phone numbers and any QR code links before you approve. Nothing is printed until you sign off.
5. Printing and finishing
Cards are printed in full colour with hard-wearing UV-cured inks, so they stand up to daily use. Choose a matt or gloss finish, and add spot UV for a logo highlight.
6. Encoding at your hotel
In most hotels, the front-desk encoder writes the room and stay details to each card at check-in, as it does with your current cards. Tell us if your system needs anything different.
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.
Ready to start? Order hotel key cards.
See all hotel key card options, features and prices on our Hotel key cards page.