Custom VIP Passes

Colour-Coding Access Levels

The simplest and most effective system is colour. Assign a strong colour to each access level, such as artist, crew, VIP, press and staff, and print each pass with a large block or band in that colour. Pair it with a clear word for the level, printed big enough to read from a few metres away.

Keep the number of levels manageable. Five or six distinct colours are easy for security staff to remember; more than that and mistakes creep in. If certain zones need finer control, add a row of icons or letters along the bottom of the pass that stewards can check, for example a letter for each area the holder may enter.

Brief your security team with a printed chart showing each pass design. Many events print a small reference card for every steward.

Avoid colours that are too similar under artificial or low light. Red and orange, or navy and black, can be confused backstage or in a dim corridor. Choose colours with strong contrast and test a printed sample under the lighting conditions you expect.

For events that run over several days, a different design or colour per day stops people reusing a single-day pass. A large printed day name or date on the front makes this check quick for stewards. Festival organisers can match the day colours on their printed festival tickets too.

Formats, Lamination and Attachments

VIP passes are usually printed on thick card and laminated on both sides, which protects them from rain, sweat and spilled drinks. Gloss lamination makes colours vivid; matt lamination reduces glare under stage lighting and allows a pen to be used on some finishes. Rigid plastic passes, similar to an ID card, are an option for longer events or staff who will wear the pass for weeks.

Most passes have a punched hole or slot at the top for a lanyard clip. Rounded corners prevent the pass catching on clothing or scratching skin. For multi-day festivals, some organisers prefer a sticky-back pass for clothing or a pass combined with a wristband so access can be checked two ways.

Lanyards printed with your event name complete the look and add another visible layer of identification, especially if the lanyard colour matches the access level.

If passes are posted to guests in advance, a matching printed envelope or card wallet makes the arrival feel like part of the VIP experience. Our custom printed DL envelopes suit passes posted with a covering letter.

Numbering, Names and Security

Sequential numbering lets you track which passes have been issued and to whom, and makes a lost pass easy to cancel on the door list. Passes can also carry a blank panel for the holder's name and role, written on with a permanent marker, or be printed with names from a list you supply.

To discourage copies, consider a holographic foil element, a metallic ink, a fine background pattern or a design that is hard to reproduce on an office printer. Combined with numbering and a well briefed door team, these features are usually enough to stop most attempts at forgery.

If passes are linked to a ticketing or access system, we can print a barcode or QR code from your data. Check the codes scan correctly on a sample before the full run.

Keep a record of which number went to which person, and mark any lost passes as void on the door list straight away. Club nights that check numbers at the door often use the same approach on printed nightclub tickets.

Design Tips for Event Passes

Put the access level and colour first, then the event name, logo and date. Sponsor logos can go along the bottom or on the back. Keep the back useful: emergency contact numbers, a site map, venue rules or a short schedule help pass holders and reduce questions to staff.

Choose a typeface that is bold and simple. Decorative fonts look good on a poster but are hard to read on a moving lanyard in low light.

Leave space for a photo if passes are issued to crew or staff for long periods. A small printed or attached photo makes passes much harder to share. For one-day events, a large readable name is usually enough.

Think about the lanyard angle too. Passes often flip around, so printing the access level on both sides avoids stewards having to turn them over. For more layout ideas across event print, browse our marketing print range.

Ordering VIP Passes

Send us your access levels, quantities per level, design or brand assets and any numbering or name data. We reply with a custom quote by email within one working day and a free design proof for each pass type. Printing takes 4–7 working days after approval, and free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses takes 2–3 working days. Minimums are low and quoted per job. If a VIP passes delivery shows misprints or damage, flag it within 10 days and we reprint or refund. Prices start from £0.25 per pass depending on size and finish.