Printable Place Cards & Escort Cards
Place cards and escort cards are not the same thing, and mixing them up causes a queue at the door. An escort card tells a guest which table they are on and sits on a table near the entrance. A place card tells them which seat is theirs and sits on the plate. Large weddings often use both.
All templates are editable in Canva, and most print several to a sheet so a hundred and fifty cards takes a handful of sheets.
Card types
- Tented place cards — fold in half and stand on the plate
- Flat place cards — lie on the plate or tuck into a napkin
- Escort cards — name plus table number, laid out alphabetically at the entrance
- Place cards with meal indicators — a small symbol or colour telling servers who ordered what
Meal indicators
If you are serving plated meals with a choice, your caterer will ask for these. A small icon in the corner of the place card is the standard method and is far less error-prone than a list handed to the head server.
Place card questions
What size should place cards be?
3.5x2 inches flat, or 3.5x4 folded down to 3.5x2 for a tented card. Escort cards are the same size.
Should I use first names or full names?
Full names on escort cards, since guests are scanning for a surname. First names are fine on place cards once they are already at the table.
What paper should I use?
250 to 300 gsm minimum for tented cards. Lighter stock will not stand up.
How do I get a clean fold?
Score the fold line first with the back of a butter knife against a ruler, then fold. Cardstock cracks if you fold it cold.
When should I print them?
Three to five days before, once final numbers are confirmed. Being able to reprint a single card the night before is the main advantage of a template.
Can I use these for a non-wedding event?
Yes. The same templates work for dinner parties, christenings, corporate dinners and Christmas tables.