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.
Velvet on a card holder, specifically
A velvet-faced slot grips a thin printed card that a hard slot would drop. It also matches a velvet tray exactly when both are made in the same run, which is the whole reason to order holders with the rest of the set.
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 velvet is applied to a display form
Velvet is glued over the form and the pile has to run the same way on every face, or one side of the same block reads darker than the other. On a curved form it is cut in panels rather than stretched, because pile flattens where it is pulled.
Where it is used
Every counter and window that shows a price, a credit or a certificate — which in practice is most of them.
Velvet under case lighting
Pile absorbs light instead of bouncing it, so a velvet display sinks into the background and the piece on it becomes the brightest thing in the case. It also means the display itself photographs dark, which suits a shop and not a catalogue shot.
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 velvet
Velvet-covered display reads as traditional and formal. The pile absorbs light rather than reflecting it, so the piece on top is the brightest thing in the case.
The pile shows handling and dust. Velvet display belongs behind glass, brushed regularly; on an open counter it ages faster than suede.
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. |
| Velvet colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Velvet on this form | A velvet-faced slot grips a thin printed card that a hard slot would drop. |
Frequently asked questions
Can card holders be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the velvet 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 velvet a good choice for a card holder?
A velvet-faced slot grips a thin printed card that a hard slot would drop. It also matches a velvet tray exactly when both are made in the same run, which is the whole reason to order holders with the rest of the set.
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 velvet 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.