When you check into a hotel, you’re given a small but essential item – the key card. At first, it might seem like just a way to unlock your room, but key cards offer much more. They bring convenience and security to your stay while also helping hotels promote their brand. Here’s a closer look at why key cards are so valuable in hotels and beyond.
Key Card Specifications: More Than Just a Piece of Plastic
Hotel key card holders come in various sizes, styles, and materials, but there are some key features that remain important. When thinking about key card holder printing, here are the main things to consider:
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Size: Common sizes for key card holders are 87mm x 60mm and 560mm x 87mm, but custom sizes can be created to suit specific needs.
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Material: Key card holders are made from different materials, such as silk paper, gloss paper, uncoated paper, and eco-friendly options like 100% recycled paper or kraft paper. These materials typically range in thickness from 200-400 gsm, depending on the brand’s choice for durability and environmental impact.
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Lamination: Key card holders can be laminated with finishes such as matt, gloss, silk, or soft touch. These finishes not only make the cards look better but also make them more durable.
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Colour Guide: Printing can be done using full-colour CMYK or Pantone colours, allowing brands to match their exact colour scheme.
Additionally, key cards now often incorporate variable data printing, which allows for each card to be uniquely coded and designed. By using variable data, hotels can offer personalised key cards with guest names, special welcome messages, or even customised promotions. Guests value and remember the additional depth of customisation that this technology offers.
Beyond Hotels: Where Key Cards Find Their Place
While hotel key cards may have originated in the hospitality industry, their applications have expanded into various sectors. Their convenience, ease of use, and customisation potential make them valuable assets across multiple industries.
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Corporate Offices: Many office buildings use key cards to control access, ensuring only authorised personnel can enter specific areas. For events or meetings, custom hotel key card holders can be branded with company logos or event details, providing an added layer of professionalism.
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Gyms and Fitness Centres: Key cards have replaced traditional gym passes, allowing members quick and convenient access to facilities. With personalised options, gyms can make each member feel valued.
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Healthcare Facilities: In hospitals and clinics, key cards limit access to sensitive areas and help manage visitor flow. Given the need for security and patient confidentiality, key cards offer an efficient, scalable solution.
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Educational Institutions: Schools and universities use key cards to grant students and staff access to restricted areas, including dormitories, libraries, and laboratories. Personalised cards, supported by variable data printing, ensure each student has a unique identifier, which boosts both security and campus identity.
These examples illustrate that key cards are far more than just tools in hospitality; they’re valuable security and branding tools across industries, showcasing their versatility and relevance.
Why Hotels Prefer Key Cards: Security, Convenience, and Branding
Hotel key cards are favoured for several reasons, primarily security, convenience, and brand-building potential.
1. Enhanced Security
Hotel key cards improve guest safety. Unlike traditional metal keys, they can be quickly reprogrammed if lost or stolen, reducing security risks. Each card’s unique code ensures only the guest can access their room.
2. Guest Convenience
Key cards offer ease of access, especially for guests carrying luggage or with children. Many hotels integrate key cards with in-room technology, allowing guests to activate lights, air conditioning, and entertainment systems. This not only boosts comfort but also promotes energy efficiency when the room is empty.
3. Branding and Personalisation
Key cards also serve as a branding tool. Hotels can personalise the design or offer themed cards to create a lasting impression. Custom cards with guests’ names or special messages add a personal touch, making them both functional and memorable.
Choosing the Right Template: Design Options for Key Cards
Today’s key card suppliers offer an array of design templates, allowing hotels to choose from a variety of styles, colours, and finishes. Some prefer a sleek and minimalistic look, while others go for vibrant colours and imagery that reflect the hotel’s personality.
Many key card providers also offer the option of custom artwork, making it easy for hotels to develop a key card design that aligns with their brand. For added flexibility, custom templates can be tailored for special occasions or hotel events, such as weddings, conferences, or festive holidays. This option keeps the hotel’s brand fresh and dynamic, constantly adapting to guest preferences and events.
Premium Hotel Key Card Holders
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Quality You Can Trust: Made in Britain Key Cards
When it comes to quality, many hotels are choosing British-made key cards. British manufacturers are known for their attention to detail, eco-friendly practices, and high standards. Locally produced key cards often have a smaller environmental footprint, and they also support local economies.
Opting for British-made products aligns with the growing trend of sustainability in hospitality, which resonates well with eco-conscious travellers. For hotels, this choice not only improves product quality but also strengthens their brand reputation by promoting sustainability.
Professional Artwork and Design Support: Perfecting Your Brand’s Image
Hotels looking to customise their key cards often seek professional design support to ensure that every detail, from colours to fonts, aligns with their brand identity. Professional artwork services help hotels achieve high-quality, visually appealing designs that make a great impression.
Design support ensures that your hotel’s branding is cohesive and visually appealing across all touchpoints. With a professionally designed key card, guests are not only receiving a practical tool but also a well-thought-out piece of your hotel’s brand.
Test the Experience: Requesting a Sample Key Card
For hotels considering switching to custom hotel key card holders, requesting a sample provides a valuable opportunity to assess quality, functionality, and design in person. Many suppliers offer sample cards, which allow hotels to feel the material, inspect the printing quality, and even test out special features such as magnetic stripes or RFID chips. This step helps hotels make confident decisions about their investment in key cards.
Samples are also an excellent way to evaluate suppliers. A sample card allows hotels to test service quality and product satisfaction before making a bulk order, ensuring that they’re partnering with a supplier who can meet their needs.
Conclusion: Why Hotel Key Cards Are Essential to Every Stay
Hotel key cards may seem like small components of a guest’s stay, but they are powerful tools for ensuring comfort, security, and brand consistency. From personalisation through variable data printing to brand-enhancing custom hotel key card holders, they play an integral role in shaping guest experience.
If your hotel is ready to elevate its guest experience with customised key cards, consider reaching out to Printed Key Card Holder. With the right customisation, your key cards can become a meaningful part of every guest’s stay, leaving a lasting impression.