Referral Cards
Word of mouth brings in the cheapest new customers a business gets, and it is the hardest source to track. A referral card with its own code tells you which customer sent the new one, so you can thank the right person.
CP Cards prints refer a friend cards for gyms, salons, dental practices, trades, estate agents and any business that rewards introductions. Manufactured in England since 1992.
A unique code on every card
We print a different code on each card, in sequence or from a spreadsheet, as plain text, a barcode or a QR code. Give each customer a few cards and note which numbers they hold. When a new customer arrives with a card, the code tells you who sent them.
A unique QR code can point to a web address with the code built into it, so an online booking can be credited to the referrer automatically if your booking system supports it.
What the card should say
- What the friend gets, in plain words
- What your customer gets when the friend books or buys
- How to redeem it, with the code
- Any closing date and the terms, on the reverse
Pairs and combo cards
We can print cards in matching pairs: one for your customer to keep, one to pass on, both carrying the same number. A combo card does the same job in one piece, with a snap-off key fob for your customer and the full size card for the friend.
How to Order
- Tell us the quantity and how the codes should be printed
- Send your artwork and a spreadsheet of codes or web addresses, if you have one
- Approve a free digital proof, testing a QR code at actual size
- Cards printed and dispatched in 7 working days from proof approval and payment
Minimum order 25 cards. Standard turnaround 7 working days from proof approval and payment.
Referral offers and the advertising rules
A referral offer is a sales promotion, so the CAP Code applies. Its section on sales promotions expects significant conditions, such as a closing date or a minimum spend, to be made clear before people take part. Put the important terms on the card and the full terms on your website.
Why plastic referral cards get used
A paper voucher gets lost in a kitchen drawer. A plastic card the size of a bank card goes in a wallet, where it is to hand when a friend asks who does your hair or who fitted your kitchen.
Content reviewed by the CP Cards team, September 2026.
Printed for local businesses
Referral cards are printed alongside the loyalty cards and discount cards we produce for independent businesses across the UK. You approve a free photorealistic proof before we print, and we can post a printed proof card if you want to test the codes on your own system.
Referral Card FAQs
Can every referral card have a different code?
Yes. We print a unique code on every card, as text, a barcode or a QR code.
Can the QR code on each card link to a different web address?
Yes. Send the addresses in a spreadsheet and each card is printed with its own QR code.
Can the cards also work as loyalty cards?
Yes. The same card can carry a referral code and a loyalty barcode, or you can use a combo card with a snap-off key fob.
What is the minimum order?
The minimum order is 25 cards.