
An Organiser’s Guide to Event Ticket Printing & Selection
Whether you’re planning a local sports match or a large-scale music festival, one element remains essential: the printed ticket.
In an increasingly digital world, printed tickets continue to hold their ground – not just as entry passes, but as powerful tools for branding, security, and creating a memorable guest experience.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the value of event ticket printing, how ticket customisation can elevate your event’s identity, and what to consider when selecting the right ticket format and style for your audience.
Why Printed Tickets Still Matter
Email confirmations and mobile apps may be convenient, but they often lack the impact of a well-designed printed ticket. There’s something special about holding a physical ticket – it creates a sense of anticipation and occasion that digital alternatives just can’t match.
Printed tickets not only enhance the guest experience, but they also give organisers greater control at entry points, reduce reliance on technology, and serve as a lasting keepsake. Plus, let’s face it – they look far more impressive than a phone screen at the door.
Tailoring Tickets to Your Event
No two events are the same, so why use generic tickets? From high-energy sporting events to refined boat club regattas, your tickets should capture the unique character, audience, and atmosphere of your event.
Custom ticket printing gives you the freedom to tailor every detail – size, layout, visuals, security features, and more – helping you deter fraud, enhance staff and guest experiences, and reinforce a positive brand image.
Let’s take a closer look at some popular event types and how to match your ticket style to each one:
Sporting Event Tickets
Sporting events are fast-paced, high-energy, and often packed with passionate fans – so your tickets need to keep up. From local matches to national championships, sporting event tickets should combine functionality, security, and visual appeal.
What to include:
- Team-branded visuals – Use bold colours, logos, and typography that reflect the team’s identity and energise fans from the moment they receive their ticket.
- Built-in security – Incorporate features like watermarks, barcodes, holograms, or foil stamping to protect against counterfeiting and ensure only valid entries.
- Tear-off stubs – Make entry smoother and faster with easy-to-remove stubs that help with attendee verification and crowd control.
- Seating info – Clearly marked zones or seat numbers help manage large crowds and guide fans to their spots with ease.
Boat Club Events Tickets
Boat parties and club cruises are all about energy, atmosphere, and exclusivity, and your tickets should capture that spirit. Whether it’s a sunset DJ set, a themed cruise, or an all-night dance event on the water, your boat club events tickets need to be stylish, secure, and easy to manage at boarding.
Key features to consider:
- Nightlife-inspired design – Think neon colours, wave motifs, or metallic finishes that reflect the electric atmosphere of the event.
- Security features – Use barcodes or QR codes for fast dockside scanning, along with numbering or holograms to prevent duplication.
- Essential event details – Display boarding time, location, dress code, and any age restrictions to avoid confusion and ensure smooth entry.
- Wristband integration – For multi-deck access or VIP zones, pair tickets with colour-coded wristbands to streamline access control.
Boxing Event Tickets
Boxing events demand tickets that are as bold and high-impact as the matches themselves. From major title fights to local bouts, your ticket design should reflect the intensity, prestige, and energy of the night while still delivering on functionality and security.
Design tips:
- Striking visuals – Use dark colour palettes, metallic accents, and powerful fighter imagery or illustrations to create a sense of spectacle.
- Premium finishes – Add foil ticket stamping, embossing, or gloss coatings to elevate the ticket and match the high-end feel of the event.
- Clear seating info – Align ticket designs with ringside, tiered, or general admission zones labelled with custom seating stickers for improved crowd control.
- Anti-counterfeit features – Include holograms, serial numbers, or UV ink watermarks to prevent counterfeiting and protect ticket integrity.
Music Event Tickets
Music event tickets should feel like part of the show. They’re often the first physical connection a fan has with the event – so make it memorable. Whether it’s an intimate underground gig or a high-energy multi-day festival, the ticket design should reflect the vibe, style, and identity of the event.
Key features to consider:
- Genre-inspired design – Use bold colours, custom graphics, or illustrations that reflect the music style and artist branding.
- Colour-coded access levels – Distinguish VIP, general admission, backstage, or day-specific passes with intuitive colour schemes or icons.
- Durability – Explore weather-resistant stock or laminated finishes for outdoor events and festivals that span multiple days.
- Fast and secure entry – Include barcodes for quick scanning and fraud prevention, ensuring smooth entry for large crowds.
VIP Event Tickets
Not all tickets are created equal, and for VIP events, they shouldn’t be. VIP event tickets are more than just entry passes; they’re part of the luxury experience. From the moment a guest receives one, it should signal exclusivity, elegance, and attention to detail.
Think:
- Minimalist, upscale design – Opt for clean layouts, refined typography, and subtle branding that reflect a high-end experience.
- Luxury finishes – Enhance the tactile feel with foil accents, embossing, metallic inks, or velvet-touch paper for a premium impression.
- Personalised touches – Include guest names, table numbers, or custom messages to create a bespoke, memorable experience.
- Discreet details – Communicate dress codes, arrival times, or access instructions clearly, without overwhelming the design.
Picking the Right Format & Features
Custom ticket printing offers a wide range of options – and knowing what to include can help you create tickets that are not only functional but also secure, efficient, and memorable.
At a minimum, every ticket should communicate the essential event details: event name, description, location, date, time, and any variables like section or seat number. From there, you can build in features that streamline logistics, enhance the guest experience, and protect against fraud.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Size – Standard ticket sizes are practical and cost-effective, but if you’re after something more unique, custom dimensions can help your event stand out.
- Stock – The paper weight and finish you choose say a lot about your event. Heavier stocks and textured finishes can convey quality and exclusivity.
- Tear-off stubs – Most printed tickets include one or two perforated stubs, helping speed up admissions, verify valid guests, and prevent unauthorised access.
- Print type – Choose from full colour for maximum impact, black and white for simplicity, or thermal printing for small, on-demand runs.
- Security features – Protect your event with UV ink watermarks, holograms, foil stamping, tear-apparent paper, barcodes, QR codes, or sequential numbering.
- Finishing touches – Add a premium feel with gloss coatings, metallic foils, or embossing that combine style with security.
Printed tickets also work seamlessly alongside a range of other event essentials, such as a book of raffle tickets, paper wristbands, ticket wallets, and seating plan stickers – helping to streamline operations, manage access, and enhance the overall guest experience. Explore our full range of printed products for events for more ideas.
Ready to Print?
Whether you're planning a music night, a boat party, or a major sporting event, getting your event ticket printing sorted early can make all the difference. A well-designed ticket sets expectations, keeps things running smoothly on the day, and gives guests something to remember long after the event ends.
Looking for a simple way to design and order your custom tickets? Explore our ticket printing options here.

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17/06/2025