Plastic Cards for Barbers
A barber’s first card is usually a loyalty card: every eighth cut free, with eight boxes and a punch kept at the counter. The back can double as an appointment card, with write-on panels for the next booking. Gift cards, a business card for each barber, referral cards and Google review cards cover the rest.
This page covers which cards a barbershop needs, how many cuts to put between free ones, punching or stamping, a card for each barber, and what a first order looks like.
The short versionEight boxes and every eighth cut free, punched at the counter. Use the back for the next appointment. Keep barbers’ names off loyalty and gift cards, which outlast staff changes, and put them on a business card each instead, all from one design.
Which plastic cards does a barbershop need?
Each card below is 86 x 54mm, the size of a bank card, and printed in full colour on both sides. The print is sealed inside the card, so it can’t scratch or wear off in a back pocket.
| Card | What it’s for | Worth adding |
|---|---|---|
| Loyalty card | Bringing regulars back for the free cut | Eight boxes, the rules printed on the card |
| Appointment card | The next booking, written at the counter | Write-on panels on the back of the loyalty card |
| Business card | Clients who want the same barber next time | Each barber’s name, from one design |
| Gift card | Haircuts as presents for birthdays, Father’s Day and Christmas | A named cut or a money value, a number on every card |
| Referral card | Clients sending their friends | A different code on every card |
| Google review card | More reviews from happy clients | A QR code to your review form |
How many cuts to a free one?
Every eighth cut free is a sensible starting point. The free cut costs you an eighth of the eight cuts it took to earn, and the card is easy to explain while someone’s in the chair.
| A client who comes in | With eight boxes | With six boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Every three weeks | 21 weeks | 15 weeks |
| Every four weeks | 28 weeks | 20 weeks |
| Every six weeks | 42 weeks | 30 weeks |
Counted from the first visit: seven gaps to the eighth cut, five to the sixth.
- Keep the first reward within reach. If most of your clients come every six weeks or so, six boxes gets them to a free cut before the card is forgotten.
- Say what earns a punch. “One punch per haircut” settles whether a beard trim or a child’s cut counts before anyone asks.
- Print the rules on the card. “Not valid with other offers” and “Lost cards can’t be replaced” save an awkward conversation.
- Hand it over at the first cut, already punched once, so the card starts with progress made.
For other kinds of scheme, such as a points card or a tiered card for your regulars, see loyalty card ideas. Our salon loyalty card examples show how hair businesses have designed theirs.
Punch or stamp?
A punch suits a barber’s counter better than an ink pad. It needs no ink and leaves nothing to smudge, and a punch in the shape of a star, a pole or your initial is hard to fake. A plastic card is 0.76mm thick, so use a sturdy punch rather than a paper one.
If you’d rather stamp, use a quick-drying ink made for non-porous surfaces. An ordinary water-based ink pad smudges on gloss PVC. Our guide to writing and stamping on plastic cards compares the options.
Making the back an appointment card
A loyalty card is already in the client’s wallet, so the back is the natural place for the next booking. One card does both jobs.
- The panels take an ordinary ballpoint pen. Nothing can be printed on a panel, so labels such as “Date” and “Time” go above or beside it.
- Put them on white. On a coloured background the panel picks up the colour behind it instead of staying a crisp white.
- Leave room to write. A panel can be any size and go anywhere on the card, as long as it stops at least 4mm from the edge.
- Thinking of a marker instead? A Premium Matt finish (£20 +vat per order) takes a permanent marker better than High Gloss, but the ink still sits on top and can rub off. For the appointment, a panel is better.
Halden Barbers is made up, 07700 900213 is a number reserved for drama, and the QR codes are illustrations that won’t scan.
A business card for each barber
When a client wants the same barber next time, a business card with that barber’s name on it, handed over at the end of the cut, tells them who to ask for. Keep one design for the shop and send us a spreadsheet of names: we print each barber’s name on their own cards.
Plastic business cards are printed in full colour on both sides, so the back can carry your price list link, opening hours or a booking QR code. See plastic business cards and what to put on a business card.
Gift cards for a barbershop
Sell either a named cut, such as “A haircut and beard trim”, or a money value. A named cut is the simpler present; a money value lets the recipient choose.
Our gift card printing guide covers the set-ups, terms to copy and keeping track. A card carrier or wallet makes it look like a present.
Referral cards and review cards
Referral cards
We print a different code on every card. Give each regular a few and note which numbers they hold; when a new client hands one over, you know who to thank. Put the important terms, such as a closing date, on the card. See referral cards.
Google review cards
A QR code that opens your Google review form in one step, Ask for a review and nothing more: UK law and Google’s policy both prohibit rewarding clients for one. See Google review cards.
What to order
A typical first order for a barbershop:
- Loyalty cards with eight boxes on the front and appointment panels on the back
- Business cards in one design, with each barber’s name on their own cards
- Gift cards with write-on panels and a number on every card
- Optional: referral or review cards for the counter
The prices below are for full colour cards, which covers loyalty, business, gift and referral cards. Write-on panels, numbering and names are priced on your quote.
| Quantity | Price | Per card |
|---|---|---|
| 25 cards | £75.00 +vat | £3.00 |
| 50 cards | £79.00 +vat | £1.58 |
| 100 cards | £85.00 +vat | 85p |
| 200 cards | £99.00 +vat | 49.5p |
| 250 cards | £109.00 +vat | 43.6p |
| 500 cards | £175.00 +vat | 35p |
| 1,000 cards | £245.00 +vat | 24.5p |
Full colour on both sides, High Gloss, 86 x 54mm and 760 microns thick. Prices include free delivery within Great Britain and one design printed from your print-ready artwork, with a free photorealistic proof. Prices exclude VAT and optional extras.
Not sure? Just askEmail us a line about your shop and the cards you have in mind, and we’ll suggest a set-up with a quote, usually within about 10 minutes, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Our design service can lay out the cards for £29 +vat.
Questions & Answers
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What’s a good loyalty scheme for a barbershop?
Every eighth cut free, on a card with eight boxes. It’s simple to explain at the chair, and the free cut costs you an eighth of the eight cuts it took to earn it.
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Should we stamp or punch barber loyalty cards?
A punch suits a barber’s counter better than an ink pad: it needs no ink, and a shaped punch is hard to fake. If you’d rather stamp, use a quick-drying ink made for non-porous surfaces, because ordinary ink smudges on gloss PVC.
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Can the loyalty card be an appointment card too?
Yes. Put the boxes on the front and write-on panels for the next appointment on the back. The panels take an ordinary ballpoint pen.
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Can each barber have their own business card?
Yes. Keep one design and send us a spreadsheet of names, and we print each barber’s name on their own cards. Ask us for a price for your list.
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Should our barbers’ names go on gift cards?
No. Staff move on, and a gift card that promises a cut with someone who has left is an awkward conversation. Put names on business cards instead.
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Can we give clients a discount for a Google review?
No. UK law and Google’s own policy both prohibit rewarding customers for reviews. A review card should ask for honest feedback and nothing more.
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What is the minimum order?
25 cards. The price per card falls as the quantity rises.
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Can you design the cards for us?
Yes. Our design service lays out your cards from your logo and wording for £29 +vat, and you approve a free photorealistic proof before anything is printed.
Ready to order?
Tell us which cards your shop needs, loyalty, appointment, gift or business cards, and we’ll quote for them together.
Your free photorealistic proof shows every box, panel and name in place before anything is printed.