Introduction
A key card sleeve is the slim, open-ended wrap that a hotel key card slides into — protecting the card and carrying basic branding or information. It’s the simplest card-carrying form, and the cheapest to produce at scale.
This guide is the wholesale angle: standard sizes, the materials available (PVC, PP, paper, Tyvek), and the bulk-pricing factors that matter when ordering for a hotel or card program. For the custom-printing side, see our custom hotel key card sleeves guide.
What a Key Card Sleeve Is
The sleeve is the simplest card holder — an open-ended wrap.
| Trait | Key card sleeve |
|---|---|
| Structure | Open-ended wrap |
| Card | Slides in/out |
| Branding | Front print |
| Cost | Lowest per unit |
Compared to other forms:
| Form | Structure |
|---|---|
| Sleeve | Open wrap |
| Folder | Fold-over wallet |
| Holder (rigid) | Hard shell |
Standard Sizes
Key card sleeves are sized to the CR80 card.
| Measurement | CR80 detail |
|---|---|
| Card width | 85.6 mm |
| Card height | 54 mm |
| Sleeve | Slightly larger |
The sleeve is sized for a snug slide-in fit:
| Item | Size |
|---|---|
| Key card (CR80) | 85.6 × 54 mm |
| Sleeve (fits) | ~88 × 57 mm |
Materials
Key card sleeves come in four main materials, each with a different cost and use.
| Material | Trait | Use |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | Clear, durable | Standard |
| PP | Clear, eco-friendlier | Eco option |
| Paper | Cheap, printable | Bulk, disposable |
| Tyvek | Tear-resistant | Durable, premium |
The material drives both cost and durability:
| Material | Relative cost | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Lowest | Low |
| PP | Low-mid | Good |
| PVC | Mid | High |
| Tyvek | Higher | Very high |
Wholesale Bulk Pricing Factors
Bulk pricing depends on a few levers.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Volume | Lower unit at scale |
| Material | Paper cheapest, Tyvek pricier |
| Printing | Full-color adds |
| Custom size | Non-standard adds |
The economy of scale is significant for sleeves:
| Order size | Unit trend |
|---|---|
| Hundreds | Higher unit |
| Thousands | Lower unit |
| Tens of thousands | Lowest unit |
Printing Options
Sleeve printing ranges from blank to fully branded.
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blank | Cheapest |
| One-color logo | Economical |
| Full-color | Branded |
| Foil | Premium |
For bulk, a simple one-color logo keeps cost down while adding branding:
| Goal | Choice |
|---|---|
| Lowest cost | Blank or one-color |
| Brand presence | Full-color |
| Premium | Foil |
Use Cases
Key card sleeves serve high-volume card programs.
| Use case | Sleeve role |
|---|---|
| Hotel check-in | Protect + brand |
| Gym membership | Member card |
| Event access | Credential |
| Loyalty | Card carrier |
The sleeve is the budget-friendly choice for high-volume programs:
| Factor | Why sleeve |
|---|---|
| Low cost | Cheapest form |
| Volume | Scales well |
| Simple | Minimal design |
Choosing a Key Card Sleeve
A quick decision guide:
| If you need… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Cheapest, bulk | Paper, blank |
| Durable, clear | PVC or PP |
| Tear-resistant | Tyvek |
| Branded | Printed paper or PVC |
Match material to durability needs and volume to hit the best unit price.
Conclusion
Key card sleeves are the simplest, lowest-cost card carrier — open-ended wraps sized to the CR80 card, available in PVC, PP, paper, and Tyvek. Paper is cheapest for bulk, PVC and PP offer durability and clarity, and Tyvek adds tear resistance. Order in volume to drive down unit cost. For the custom-printing side, see our custom hotel key card sleeves guide.
Need key card sleeves in bulk? Request a quote.