Custom Hotel Key Cards for Hotels, Resorts and B&Bs

Custom hotel key cards are more than a room access tool — they are a daily touchpoint for your brand. Whether you operate a 200-room chain property, a boutique B&B, or a serviced apartment building, the card your guests carry should reflect your property’s identity and work flawlessly with your door lock system. We manufacture custom hotel room cards, custom RFID cards, and custom hotel door cards in one integrated production facility, covering IC cards, ID cards, M1 card, CPU cards, power-saver cards, and hotel key card stickers.

The key difference for procurement buyers: we combine Heidelberg-grade offset printing with full chip encoding capability. That means you do not need to source printing from one vendor and chip programming from another. And unlike most card suppliers, we accept a MOQ of just 1 for custom key cards — order as few as one piece to test a design or verify artwork before committing to a larger run. For IC/ID cards with chip encoding, the MOQ for custom printed cards is 50 pcs.

Detailed Description

Card Types and Chip Technology

We produce five primary card types, each designed for different hotel access control systems.

IC cards operate at 13.56MHz with 8Kbit storage across 16 sectors, each sector supporting two passwords. The chip provides read/write capability at a distance of 2.5–10cm with a read time of 1–2ms. IC cards support more than 100,000 erase/write cycles and retain data for over 10 years. The encrypted chip means IC cards are suitable for hotels requiring higher security. These cards must be encoded to match your specific door lock system.

ID cards run at 125KHz using the TK4100 chip. They are 64-bit read-only cards with a read distance of 3–10cm and more than 100,000 read cycles. ID cards are typically the lower-cost option for properties using simpler proximity readers. They do not require the same level of system integration as IC cards.

M1 card are Mifare-compatible and work with common POS and access systems, including SAMSUNG Meitu and 2D Fire platforms. CPU cards provide the highest level of encrypted processing, making them appropriate for properties with elevated security requirements.

All cards use new PVC material with embedded chips. Standard dimensions are 85.5mm × 54mm × 0.9mm — the ISO standard, identical to a credit card. The card body is flexible and durable, with chip sensing life rated up to 10+ years.

Power-Saver Cards and Key Card Stickers

Power-saver cards (also called energy-saver or electricity cards) are inserted into the room’s power switch to activate lighting and climate control. Our power-saver cards use an IC+ID dual-chip composite construction. They are compatible with approximately 95% of hotel power switches, including high-frequency, low-frequency, and mechanical types. They are not compatible with IC contact-type or encrypted power switches, and they cannot be used as door keys. These are separate products with separate functions — we clarify this upfront to prevent ordering mistakes.

Hotel key card stickers are waterproof, durable PVC stickers measuring 85.5×54mm with double-sided design and a matte texture. They feature strong adhesion and resist edge lifting, making them suitable for applying to existing cards, access fobs, or other flat surfaces.

Printing and Card Finish Quality

We print using Heidelberg 4-color offset presses with imported inks. The result is vibrant, consistent color that does not peel, fade, or delaminate under normal long-term use. Card finishes include glossy (new material), matte (new material), matte textured, glitter powder, and silver card. Each finish changes the tactile feel and visual impact of the card, allowing you to match the card to your brand presentation.

Customization Options

Your hotel key card is fully customizable. Provide your design content — hotel name, logo, phone number, address, property photos, mission statement, check-in instructions — and our design team will create the layout. We offer 60+ templates to start from, and our 1-on-1 design service is free.

Printed content options:

• Hotel name and logo
• Phone number and website
• Property address
• Hotel photos or exterior shots
• Check-in instructions or guest information
• Mission statement or brand tagline
• Simple maps or directional information

Card finish options:

• Glossy — vibrant, reflective surface; strong color reproduction
• Matte — smooth, non-reflective; reduces fingerprint visibility
• Matte textured — tactile surface with added grip
• Glitter powder — decorative sparkle effect for premium positioning
• Silver card — metallic base for high-end or executive properties

Additional processes for IC cards: Spray code, embossed code, laser code, signature strip, magnetic stripe, dot matrix barcode, UV barcode, UV process, brushed silver, and hot foil stamping.

Procurement Information

Card Types and Chip Specifications

Standard Size

85.5mm × 54mm × 0.9mm — ISO standard, same dimensions as a credit card. Custom sizes are available for select card types.

Buying Information

• MOQ for custom design: 1 pc. No minimum — perfect for boutique hotels testing a new design or verifying a sample before bulk ordering.
• MOQ for encoded IC/ID cards: 50 pcs (custom printed cards with chip encoding).
• Samples: Get a sample in 1-3 days before committing to bulk.
• Production time: Production in just 2-10 days, depending on quantity and finishing complexity.
• Design process: Provide design content → choose template → designer creates layout → confirm proof → production.
• Packaging: Standard hotel card packaging.
• Quantity tolerance: ±5% is standard for card production.
• Color difference: Up to 15% is considered normal in offset printing.

Card Type Selection Guide for Buyers

Choosing the right card depends entirely on your door lock system. This is a technical procurement decision, not just a printing decision.

If your property uses a modern encrypted lock system (common in mid-range to upscale hotels), IC cards are the appropriate choice. The 13.56MHz read/write chip, 16-sector architecture, and dual-password security per sector provide the encryption and data management that these systems require.

If your property uses a simpler proximity system (common in budget hotels, hostels, and some apartment buildings), ID cards may be sufficient. They are read-only, lower cost, and simpler to integrate. The TK4100 chip is widely compatible with basic RFID readers.

If your property needs electricity control only, order power-saver cards. These activate room power switches and are not door keys. Confirm your power switch type before ordering — our cards work with approximately 95% of switches, but not IC contact-type or encrypted switches.

Encoder/Reader Photo Requirement

This is the critical step that ensures your cards actually work.

Every hotel door lock system uses a specific encoder and reader. Before we encode your cards, we need a photo of your encoder/reader device. This allows us to confirm the model and match the chip encoding to your specific lock system. Without this photo, we cannot guarantee compatibility. If you do not have a photo readily available, take a clear picture of the device label or model number and send it with your inquiry.

Hotel Brand Compatibility

Our cards have been supplied for properties using lock systems from these hotel brands and many others:

• 7 Days Inn
• Home Inn
• Supor 8
• Vienna
• Jinjiang Inn
• Holiday Inn
• GreenTree Inn
• Hanting
• Thank Inn

If your property uses a different system, contact us with your encoder/reader photo. Most hotel door lock systems are supported.

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