Custom Hotel Key Cards, Printed to Your Brand
Turn a plain plastic room key into a branded first impression. We print your logo, colors and artwork onto durable hotel key cards — RFID proximity, magnetic stripe or print-only — in the standard CR80 size your locks already accept.
Your brand, every check-in
Everything you need to know about custom hotel key cards
Custom hotel key cards are standard plastic room keys printed with your property’s logo, brand colors and artwork. They do the same job as a blank white card — opening guest room doors through your electronic lock system — but they turn a functional plastic rectangle into a branded touchpoint that every guest holds, pockets and looks at throughout their stay. For hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and hospitality groups, that means a more polished check-in, a consistent brand experience, and a low-cost surface for messaging, upsells and QR codes.
Because they are made to order, the right card depends on the electronic lock system you run and how you want the card to look and feel. This guide walks through the card technologies (RFID proximity, magnetic stripe and print-only), the standard sizes and materials, the finishes and customization options available, how the ordering process works from artwork to delivery, and how bulk pricing scales with quantity. If you already know what you need, you can request a custom quote at any point.
A branded key card works twice — room access and brand experience
A blank white key card is a missed opportunity. A custom hotel key card printed with your logo does exactly the same job at the door while reinforcing your brand every time a guest reaches for it. Whether you run a single boutique property or a portfolio of hotels, custom cards make check-in feel considered and unmistakably yours — and give you a prime surface for a website, promotion or QR code.
Brand in every hand
Every guest carries your card for their whole stay. Print your logo, colors and artwork in full color so your brand travels from the front desk to the room and beyond.
Lock-system ready
Made in the standard CR80 format your electronic locks expect, with the RFID chip or magnetic stripe encoding your system uses — so cards work out of the box.
Made to spec
Pick the technology, material, finish and print — we match your brand colors and handle bulk runs from a few hundred cards to tens of thousands.
From your logo to your front desk in four steps
Send your artwork & system
Share your logo (vector preferred), brand colors, quantity, and your lock system or card type so we match the right encoding.
We design & proof
We lay out both sides of the card, match your brand colors, and send a digital proof for review.
You approve
Confirm the proof, card type and quantity. Nothing goes to production until you sign off.
We print & ship
Your cards are printed, encoded if required, quality-checked, and shipped to your property.
Hotel key card types: which one fits your locks?
The right card depends on the electronic lock system you already run. Contactless RFID cards are tapped or held near the reader; magnetic stripe cards are swiped; print-only cards carry no encoding and are used where no door access is needed. Here’s how the common options compare.
| Card technology | How it’s used | Common standard | Best for | Re-encodable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFID Proximity (13.56 MHz) Popular | Tap / hold near reader | Contactless (e.g. MIFARE) | Modern contactless door locks | Yes |
| RFID Proximity (125 kHz) | Hold near reader | Low-frequency prox | Legacy proximity lock systems | Yes |
| Magnetic Stripe | Swipe through reader | ISO 7811 (HiCo / LoCo) | Widely compatible swipe locks | Yes |
| Print-Only (no chip) | Handout / display | None | Loyalty, gift, room-drop & welcome cards | N/A |
Standard card specifications
| Spec | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Format / size | CR80 — 3.375" × 2.125" (85.6 × 54 mm) | ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1, the standard credit-card and hotel-key footprint |
| Thickness | 30 mil (0.76 mm) | Standard rigid card thickness; thinner options available for some uses |
| Corners | Rounded | Standard radius so cards feed smoothly through readers |
| Printing | Full-color, both sides | Logo, artwork, text, QR codes and sequential numbering |
Not sure which technology your locks use? Tell us your lock brand or send a sample card and we’ll match the right encoding.
Built to survive pockets, wallets and thousands of taps
Standard hotel key cards are made from durable PVC in the rigid 30 mil CR80 format, so they hold up to being carried, dropped, swiped and tapped through a full guest stay and then reissued to the next guest. The printed graphics are sealed under a protective laminate or overcoat that resists scuffing and fading, keeping your logo crisp through repeated handling.
Beyond standard plastic, premium and sustainable materials are available when you want the card itself to make an impression — wood-composite cards for an eco-forward feel, brushed metal-accent finishes for a luxury look, and recycled or biodegradable card stock for properties with sustainability goals. You choose the material and finish that matches your brand and your guests’ expectations.
- Durable PVC body — rigid 30 mil CR80, reusable across guests
- Protected print — laminate or overcoat resists scuffing and fading
- RFID or magstripe encoding — matched to your lock system
- Premium materials — wood-composite and metal-accent options
- Sustainable stock — recycled and biodegradable card options
- Lock-ready format — standard size and rounded corners for smooth reads
Make the card unmistakably yours
Full-color logo printing
Print your logo, artwork and text in your exact brand colors on the front, back, or both sides of the card.
Card technology
Choose RFID proximity, magnetic stripe, or print-only to match the door locks and workflow you already run.
Finishes
Add matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, metallic foil stamping, or embossing for a premium, tactile feel.
Materials
Standard PVC, eco wood-composite, brushed metal-accent, or recycled and biodegradable stock.
QR codes & numbering
Add QR codes for Wi-Fi, offers or check-in, plus sequential numbering or barcodes for tracking.
Bulk quantities
Order a few hundred to tens of thousands, with per-card pricing that improves as your volume grows.
Finishes and looks for your key cards
The card surface sets the tone the moment a guest is handed their key. From clean and modern to overtly luxurious, here are the common finish directions to consider:
Want an exact match? We print to your brand’s Pantone colors and can proof premium finishes before a full run.
How to choose the right custom hotel key card
The best card comes down to your lock system and the impression you want to make. Use this quick guide to match your setup to the right technology, material and finish.
| Your situation | Recommended technology | Material | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern contactless locks | RFID proximity (13.56 MHz) | PVC | Matte or gloss |
| Legacy proximity locks | RFID proximity (125 kHz) | PVC | Matte or gloss |
| Swipe / magstripe locks | Magnetic stripe (HiCo) | PVC | Gloss |
| Luxury / boutique branding | RFID proximity | Metal-accent or wood | Foil + spot UV |
| Loyalty, gift or welcome cards | Print-only (no chip) | PVC or recycled | Any |
Not sure which fits your property? Tell us your lock brand and brand goals and we’ll recommend a spec with your quote.
Choose the card that fits your property
How custom key card pricing works
Custom hotel key cards are priced per card, and the per-card price drops as your quantity climbs. Your final quote depends on four things: card technology (RFID, magstripe or print-only), material and finish, printing and encoding, and total quantity. Larger runs and standard PVC bring the unit cost down the most.
Custom hotel key card questions, answered
What is the standard size of a hotel key card?
Will custom cards work with my existing door locks?
What’s the difference between RFID and magstripe key cards?
What is the minimum order for custom key cards?
Can I print on both sides of the card?
Can you match my exact brand colors?
Do you offer eco-friendly or sustainable cards?
Can I add a QR code to the card?
What premium finishes are available?
Do the cards come pre-encoded or blank?
What artwork format do you need?
How do I get a quote?
Ready to put your brand in every guest’s hand?
Tell us your card type, quantity, material and finishes — we’ll send back exact pricing, a proof, and a production timeline. Bulk and group orders welcome.
Win Free Stuff
Enter below for a chance to win plus receive 10% off your first order.
🎉 You are in!
We will text you your 10% off code. Good luck!