What it does
A card holder stands a price card, a credit line or a certificate upright next to the piece it belongs to. It is the least glamorous thing on a counter and the one that is most often mismatched to everything else.
Metal on a card holder, specifically
A folded metal holder is almost invisible behind a card, which is right when the card is doing the talking. It gives no grip, so the slot width has to match the stock closely.
Getting the proportion right
Card size decides the slot, and the slot has to grip a card without creasing it. A holder cut for a thick board card will drop a thin printed one, so tell us the card stock as well as the dimensions.
How metal display is made
Metal display is formed and plated or powder-coated rather than covered. The finish is decided at the plating stage and cannot be adjusted afterwards, so the sample matters more here than on any wrapped material.
Where it is used
Every counter and window that shows a price, a credit or a certificate — which in practice is most of them.
Metal under case lighting
A polished metal display throws hard reflections and will bounce a spot straight back at the customer. Brushed and matt finishes are the usual specification in a lit case; polish belongs in a window where the light is controlled.
The mistake to avoid
Buying holders separately from the rest of the display is the usual mistake. They end up in a different colour and a different material, and they are the item the customer's eye lands on next to the piece.
Why metal
Metal display — brass, gold finish, black or silver — gives the thinnest possible support. A metal stand almost disappears, which is the point: the piece appears to float.
Wipe with a dry cloth. A brushed finish hides handling better than a polished one.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Height and footprint | Card size decides the slot, and the slot has to grip a card without creasing it. |
| Metal colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Metal on this form | A folded metal holder is almost invisible behind a card, which is right when the card is doing the talking. |
Frequently asked questions
Can card holders be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the metal is matched to a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, and confirmed on a sample.
What sizes do card holders come in?
They are made to your dimensions. Card size decides the slot, and the slot has to grip a card without creasing it. A holder cut for a thick board card will drop a thin printed one, so tell us the card stock as well as the dimensions.
Is metal a good choice for a card holder?
A folded metal holder is almost invisible behind a card, which is right when the card is doing the talking. It gives no grip, so the slot width has to match the stock closely.
What goes wrong most often with card holders?
Buying holders separately from the rest of the display is the usual mistake. They end up in a different colour and a different material, and they are the item the customer's eye lands on next to the piece.
Can card holders be made to match our boxes?
Yes — the same metal and the same colour across boxes and display, ordered in one run.
Specify your card holders
Tell us your case or window height, what the card holders have to show, and your brand colour. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.