Event tickets

Printed tickets - what they are for

A ticket is a small print, but it usually has a very specific job. It can grant entry to an event, confirm a reservation, give the right to a discount or take part in a draw.

Custom graphics let you match the look of the ticket to the character of the event, the organiser's brand and the way participants are handled. After an event a ticket does not always end up in the bin. At concerts, exhibitions or more important events it often simply stays as a keepsake.

You can use tickets as, among other things:

• admission tickets, entry passes and season tickets,
• tickets for concerts, performances and shows,
• entry cards for fetes, picnics, conferences and training courses,
• parking tickets,
• tickets for museums and exhibitions,
• control tickets for event staff,
• discount and promotional coupons, gift slips and vouchers,
• competition tickets,
• invitations to an event designed in the form of a ticket.

Such prints are used by theatres, museums, schools, cultural centres, bands, event organisers and clubs. They are also ordered by restaurants, hotels, event companies, associations, foundations, sports venues and companies running promotional campaigns of various kinds.

Available formats

In the calculator you can choose one of three standard formats:

• 140×50 mm - a small, handy format for entry passes, coupons, gift slips, competition tickets, control tickets and simple designs carrying the key information.
• 170×50 mm - gives more room horizontally. It works well when the ticket has to carry the event name, date, time, price, logo, ticket number and a QR code.
• 165×70 mm - a larger surface for fuller designs. It suits event tickets, invitations styled as tickets, vouchers, coupons with graphics, sponsor logos or a larger QR code.
• Another format - if you need a different size, write to us. We will prepare an individual quote.

When choosing a format it is worth counting how much information has to go on the ticket and how you want to arrange it. The size of the QR code also matters, and whether the ticket is to be a simple confirmation of entry or also an attractive keepsake connected with the event.

Paper

It is best to match the paper to the way the ticket will be used, the character of the event and the look you want.

Four basic variants are available:

• Offset 90 gsm - light and economical. Good for simple tickets, coupons, gift slips, competition tickets and other single-use prints, particularly on larger runs. Offset paper takes a rubber stamp comfortably.
• Offset 190 gsm - noticeably thicker and stiffer, so the ticket bends less. It suits entry passes, vouchers, coupons, parking and organisational tickets. It is also suitable for stamping and filling in by hand.
• Coated 170 gsm - reproduces colours, photographs and graphics well. It suits concert, event and promotional tickets and invitations with a colourful background or a photograph.
• Coated 250 gsm - stiff and more presentable. It works for vouchers, invitations, gift coupons and commemorative tickets that should feel more solid. Coated 250 gsm can additionally be finished with film.
• Another paper - if you are interested in thicker board, ecological paper or one of the Prestige papers, write to us. We will prepare a quote for the right variant.

Printing

We can print tickets on one side or both.

• Single-sided printing - all the basic information is on one side. You can put the event name, date, time, venue, price, ticket type, logo, number, QR code and graphics there.
• Double-sided printing - the second side gives extra surface. It can carry terms and conditions, a map, the organiser's details, sponsor logos, an additional QR code, the rules for using a coupon or content in a second language.

Whichever variant you choose, legibility matters most. The date, time, venue, ticket type, number and code should be visible at a glance. Type that is too small, weak contrast or too many elements can later make quick checking at the entrance harder.

Film finishing

Tickets printed on coated 250 gsm can additionally be laminated. Film changes the look of the surface and at the same time protects the print.

The options are:

• No film - a solution for simple, practical tickets, coupons, gift slips, competition tickets and larger runs.
• Gloss film - strengthens colour and contrast. It suits concert, event and promotional tickets with stronger graphics.
• Matt film - limits reflections and gives a calmer surface. It works for vouchers, invitations, company entry passes, conferences and banquets.

Lamination can be applied on one side or both.

Just remember that film is harder to write on with an ordinary pen and to stamp. If staff are to fill in tickets by hand or stamp them, it is better to consider the variant without film, or offset paper, which is far more convenient in that respect.

Gluing into pads

Gluing into pads is useful when tickets will be handed out one at a time by staff.

Instead of a stack of loose prints you receive a pad from which copies can be torn off conveniently. The tickets stay in order, nothing scatters, and handing out successive copies is faster.

This option works well for:

• control, parking and cloakroom tickets,
• competition tickets, promotional coupons, vouchers and gift slips,
• tickets sold at a till and entry passes handed out by hand,
• material used by event staff, reception or a promotional stand.

When designing a ticket meant for gluing, leave enough free space at the edge of the pad. Important lettering, numbers, logos and QR codes should not sit right by the glued edge.

What to put on a ticket

You can include, among other things:

• the event name and the organiser,
• a logo,
• the date and time,
• the venue and address,
• the price,
• the ticket category, for example standard, concession or VIP,
• the ticket number,
• a QR code or a barcode,
• terms and conditions,
• a map,
• the sector, row and seat,
• contact details,
• social media addresses,
• sponsor logos,
• the event slogan,
• the rules for using a coupon,
• an expiry date.

If you use a QR code or a barcode, pay attention to its size, quality and contrast. The code should scan quickly during checking, including in poorer light and with a crowd at the entrance.

It is worth matching the design to the type of event. At a concert stronger graphics and a clear code may dominate; at a conference a more orderly layout with a logo and the ticket type; and on a voucher or coupon, above all clear rules of use and an expiry date.

How to prepare the file and check the artwork

It is best to prepare the artwork as a PDF in line with the printer's specification. We also accept good quality JPG and PNG files.

Photographs and graphics should be at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale, and the artwork is best prepared in CMYK.

If the graphics run to the edge of the ticket, add suitable bleed. Keep texts, logos, numbers and codes away from the trim line.

With tickets glued into pads, remember a safe margin at the glued edge as well.

File checking and graphic design

When placing an order you can decide how we should treat the artwork you send.

• No checking - an option for agencies, designers and people confident that the file is prepared correctly. The material goes straight into production. Do not choose this option if the artwork was made in an office program, in Canva or with an AI generator and has not since been prepared professionally for print.
• Checking by a graphic designer - we check the technical preparation of the artwork: the format, bleed, safe distances from the edge, the quality of graphics and codes, CMYK colour, the way the file is saved and the elements that matter on a small format and with gluing into pads. A sensible choice for artwork made in Canva, an online generator, an office program or with AI tools. The check does not cover the content, though. Dates, times, prices, numbers, terms, codes and contact details remain the customer's responsibility.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no finished file, we can prepare one from the material you send. We need a logo, texts, the event name, date, time, venue, prices, codes, terms and any guidance on the look. We will match the design to the chosen format, paper, type of printing, film and any gluing into pads.

With files from Canva and similar tools, a technical check is particularly useful because of bleed. Even if it is switched on, it is worth checking whether the graphics really do run beyond the trim line. If the bleed area stays empty, a white strip can appear at the edge after cutting.

Before sending the order, read the whole ticket once more. Check the date, time, venue, price, ticket type, numbers, terms, QR code and contact details.

On our site you will also find further information about preparing files and mistakes worth avoiding.