Hotel key card printing UK
Hotel key card printing that brings your brand to every check-in. Create custom printed RFID or magnetic stripe cards, matched to your hotel’s door-lock system.
From a boutique hotel to a group of properties, ACB helps you plan the card specification, printed design and repeat supply. Complete the welcome with matching key card wallets and clear guest information.
Your hotel brand. The right card technology. A proof before print.
An existing ACB hotel key card design example. Artwork and card technology are agreed for your property.
Designed for your property
A consistent welcome, from card to wallet.
Lock specification first
RFID or magnetic stripe, confirmed for your system.
Ready for repeat supply
Keep your approved design and card reference on record.
A branded welcome your guests carry with them
Make both sides work for your hotel
Give your key cards the same care as your reception, website and room literature. Use your logo, brand colours and photography to create a recognisable design that suits your property.
The reverse can carry useful details such as reception contact information, breakfast times, check-out guidance or a link to your guest directory. Keep the message short and easy to read.
A printed QR code can link to your restaurant menu, spa information or local guide. Check the destination and scan the artwork at the intended size before approval.
Front and reverse design example, including guest instructions and a magnetic stripe.
Start your hotel key card printing with the correct lock specification
The lock brand is a starting point, rather than a complete card specification. Different installations can use different chips, formats or magnetic stripes. Confirm the card against your front-desk encoder and door locks before ordering.
Have these details ready
- Lock-system brand and model, plus the encoder you use
- Current card article number, box reference or previous specification
- Exact RFID chip and generation, or magnetic stripe requirements
- Any preparation, encoding or sample checks your system provider requires
For Vingcard / ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba / Saflok, Onity, SALTO or another system, share the exact details with ACB. We will confirm the available card and printing route for the agreed specification.
Test the card through your hotel’s workflow
If you are changing supplier, material or technology, discuss a suitable sample before the full run. Have your team issue it with the actual front-desk encoder and check it on the doors and readers it needs to operate.
An artwork proof checks the visible design. It does not confirm electronic compatibility. Agree both checks before production, with your lock supplier involved where needed.
Manufacturer references: Vingcard’s card-reference guidance and dormakaba’s hospitality credentials.
RFID and magnetic stripe hotel key card options
Choose the card your existing system requires, then agree the print and finish. If you are replacing your locks, confirm the new credential with the installer before choosing stock.
RFID hotel key cards
Contactless cards contain a chip and antenna. Tell us the exact chip family, generation and memory your system specifies. MIFARE® is a family of technologies, so the name alone does not identify a suitable replacement.
Magnetic stripe hotel key cards
Confirm the stripe position, track and encoding requirements. Your system determines whether HiCo or LoCo stock is needed. Do not choose a stripe by its colour or assume one type will suit every hotel encoder.
Cards with combined features
Some projects require both RFID and a magnetic stripe, or a printed barcode. Include every required feature in the brief. The construction and available production options need to be checked together.
Printing the card and issuing a room key are separate steps
Printed branding
Printing adds your logo, colours and guest information to the card surface. It does not assign a room, stay length or access rights.
Card preparation and encoding
Tell us about any electronic preparation or encoding you need from the supplier. The available service depends on the specified technology and must be agreed in the quotation.
Guest and staff access
Your hotel team uses its normal system to issue guest keys and manage permissions. Tell us if staff cards need a different credential or printed design so these can be specified separately.
Explore materials for your printed hotel key cards
The right material should suit your hotel’s presentation and the required lock technology. Discuss the actual construction, surface finish and handling needs alongside the chip or stripe specification.
PVC key cards
Discuss the stock and thickness for your system, with printed front and reverse designs. Gloss or matt finish options are confirmed for the chosen card and production route.
Recycled PVC options
Ask about recycled PVC for your specified hotel credential. Confirm the recycled content and product information for the stock offered, together with its print and finish options.
Wood and alternative materials
For a different guest-facing finish, ask about wood or alternative card constructions. Availability, thickness and reader performance must be checked for the exact technology your hotel uses.
RFID cards contain electronic components as well as the printed card body. Ask about the specific product and its end-of-life route; material names alone do not establish recyclability or environmental impact.
Complete the check-in with matching key card wallets
One design across the guest welcome
Discuss printed key card wallets or carriers to complement your card design. Coordinate the logo, colours and guest information so the items feel part of the same welcome.
A wallet can provide space for reception to write the room number, alongside Wi-Fi guidance, breakfast details or directions. Agree the format, writing area and the number of cards it should hold.
Plan the practical details
- Card dimensions, thickness and how it fits the wallet
- One or two cards per guest pack
- Printed sides, folds and any write-on area
- Separate property names or language versions
- Supplied loose or packed together, where available
Wallet sizes, materials, quantities and packing are confirmed separately in the quotation.
Hotel key card printing artwork and finish
Supply your existing artwork or share the design brief with ACB. Keep the important details clear and agree the print area around any stripe, chip construction or other required feature.
Size and layout
Many hotel cards use a credit-card format of approximately 86 × 54mm. Confirm the exact dimensions and thickness, plus bleed, safe areas and any notch or slot position before artwork is prepared.
Brand and guest information
Provide a clear logo, colours and approved wording. Check telephone numbers, website links and translations. Leave enough space for the guest information that matters at a glance.
Proof and production details
Agree printed sides and finish. Review the front and reverse proof, including QR codes and any variable details. Any special finish or physical sample should be confirmed as part of the project.
Hotel key card printing for repeat stock and multiple properties
Keep reception supplied
Plan your stock around occupancy, key returns and expected losses. Give us your required delivery date and discuss the quantity for the first run and future top-ups.
Keep the approved artwork and full card reference with your purchasing records. When the lock system, encoder or card specification changes, check the next order before repeating the old stock.
Coordinate your hotel group
Use a shared brand style while allowing each property its own name, contact details or guest information. Confirm the quantity for each design and any split delivery requirements.
Seasonal offers, new restaurants or a rebrand can be planned as new artwork versions. Check the card design, wallet and guest links together so each batch is ready for the intended property.
From your hotel brief to approved key cards
01 · Share the specification
Send your current card reference, lock and encoder details, quantity and required date. Include wallets or other print requirements.
02 · Agree the options
Confirm the credential, material, printed sides, finish and artwork. Discuss any supplier encoding and the sample-testing plan.
03 · Test and approve
Check the sample through your hotel’s issue process where agreed. Approve the front and reverse artwork before the full run.
04 · Produce and supply
ACB arranges the agreed production and delivery. Your hotel follows its normal process to issue cards to guests and staff.
Get a hotel key card printing quote
Hotel key card printing prices depend on the card technology, quantity, material, print and any wallets or additional services. Send a clear brief so we can confirm a suitable specification and quotation.
What to include in your enquiry
- Lock-system brand, model and front-desk encoder
- Current card article number or exact technology specification
- Quantity, number of designs and hotel locations
- Printed sides, finish and preferred material
- Wallets, carriers or packing requirements
- Required delivery date and any sample checks
Use the message box or call 01308 426312, Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00.
Start with product and system references. We will agree any further specification details with you after reviewing the brief.
Tell us about your hotel key cards
Start with your quantity, lock system and current card reference.
Hotel key card printing: your questions answered
How much does hotel key card printing cost?
The price depends on the exact credential, quantity, material, print and finish. Matching wallets, supplier encoding or packing can also affect the total. Send your current card reference and requirements for a tailored ACB quotation.
Will the key cards work with our existing hotel locks?
Compatibility must be checked against the actual lock system, front-desk encoder and required card specification. Provide the current article number or box reference. If you are changing supplier or material, discuss a sample and test it before ordering the full run.
Can you supply RFID and magnetic stripe key cards?
Both routes can be discussed with ACB. The exact chip, memory, stripe and encoding requirements are confirmed for your system. If a card needs combined features, include these in the brief so a suitable construction can be checked.
Do hotel key cards arrive programmed for guest rooms?
Printed cards do not automatically have room access assigned. Agree any supplier preparation or encoding separately. Your reception team follows the hotel’s normal issuing process to set the guest stay and permissions through its own system.
Can we print our hotel logo and guest information on both sides?
Yes. Discuss a front and reverse design with your branding, contact details or guest guidance. Confirm the available print area around any magnetic stripe and approve the artwork, wording and any QR code before production.
Are recycled or wooden hotel key cards available?
Ask about options for the exact credential you need. Material availability, card thickness, print method and compatibility must be considered together. ACB will confirm the offered construction and product information for your project.
Can you provide matching hotel key card wallets?
Discuss wallets or carriers alongside the cards. Include the preferred format, quantity, printed details and whether you need a write-on room-number area. Materials, sizing and packing options are confirmed in the quotation.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
The minimum depends on the card technology, material and production route. Include your first-run quantity and expected repeat needs so ACB can confirm suitable options, including any separate minimum for printed wallets.
Can we test a sample before placing a full order?
Discuss sample availability for the specified card and material. Your hotel should check it with its actual encoder and relevant door locks through the normal issuing workflow. This is separate from approving the printed artwork.
How long does hotel key card printing take?
Timing depends on card availability, the chosen material, artwork approval and any encoding, wallets or packing. Tell ACB your required date at the enquiry stage so a schedule can be confirmed for the agreed specification.
Give every guest a welcome that feels like your hotel
Talk to our Crewkerne team about branded key cards, matching wallets and repeat supply. Start with your current card reference and the design you want to create.