How Many Loyalty Cards Should I Order for My Business?
Order too few and you run out. Order too many and they sit in a box. Plastic cards are printed in batches — unit cost drops significantly as quantity increases, but you are also committing to a fixed number. Getting this decision right saves money and hassle.
Here is how to think about it.
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Start with your customer numbers
How many active customers do you have, or realistically expect to sign up to your loyalty scheme in the next 12 months?
If you already run a scheme: look at your current cardholder count and your monthly new sign-up rate. Multiply by 12-18 months to get a target quantity.
If you are launching new: be honest about your footfall. A single-site hair salon with 300 active clients does not need 2,000 cards. A multi-site gym with 4,000 members does not want to be reordering every month.
Account for these factors
Lost and replaced cards — budget for 10-20% attrition per year for cards that get lost, damaged, or left at home by customers who want a replacement.
New customer growth — if you are growing, do not order to your current number. Add expected new customers over the card's lifespan.
Design changes — if you are likely to rebrand or change your scheme in 12 months, do not over-order. Cards that become obsolete before you use them are a waste.
Minimum order quantities — most card printers have a minimum (often 100-500 cards). Factor this into your thinking.
Lead time — once you run out, you need to wait for a reprint. If cards are customer-facing, running out causes problems.
Quantity pricing — typical breaks
Card printing cost per unit typically drops significantly at these approximate thresholds: 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000. The jump from 250 to 500 cards often halves the unit cost.
Get quotes at multiple quantities. The price difference between 500 and 750 cards might be surprisingly small, making the higher quantity much better value per card.
Practical recommendations by business size
Single-site salon, cafe, or small retailer: start with 250-500 cards. Reorder when you get to the last 50.
Multi-site or growing business: 1,000-2,500 to benefit from unit cost reduction and avoid constant reorders.
Large membership organisation or franchise: 5,000+ for maximum unit cost efficiency. Consider variable data printing for numbered or personalised cards.
Variable data — a complicating factor
If every card needs a unique number, name, or barcode (variable data printing), you need to know your exact quantity before print. You cannot just reorder 100 more — each batch needs its own sequential data file.
If your cards are generic (same design, no unique data), reordering is straightforward whenever you need more.
Ready to get a quote?
When in doubt, get a quote for the next quantity break up. The price difference is often small, and having a stock buffer is always cheaper than a rush reorder.
View our loyalty card printing options or contact us to discuss quantities.
