Custom Gift Certificates & Gift Voucher Cards: Design, Numbering, QR Codes and Printing Guide

A good printed gift certificate should make the value, issuing business and redemption process easy to understand. Keep essential conditions visible, use numbering or QR codes when the business needs tracking and avoid adding expiry dates, fees or restrictions until the applicable rules and the business’s real program have been confirmed.

Gift certificates can turn a service, product or customer experience into something another person can purchase and give as a present.

Restaurants may sell dining certificates. Salons and spas may offer service vouchers. Photographers, fitness studios, retailers, repair companies, entertainment businesses and professional service providers can also use gift certificates when customers want to purchase value for someone else.

These printed pieces may be called gift certificates, gift voucher cards, gift vouchers, gift cards, service vouchers, experience vouchers or prepaid certificates depending on the business and how the program works.

The terminology matters because not every printed certificate is legally or operationally identical. Some represent a dollar value that can be applied toward several products or services. Others cover one specific service. Some are manually redeemed at a front desk, while others connect to an online account or point-of-sale system.

The printing should therefore begin only after the business has defined how the gift program actually works.

A beautiful card cannot fix an unclear redemption process. Before designing anything, determine what customers are purchasing, how the certificate will be tracked, whether partial redemption is allowed, how staff verify validity and what terms need to appear on the card.

Pryntco does not currently list Gift Certificates or Gift Voucher Cards as dedicated online products with fixed specifications. Compact designs can potentially be produced through Pryntco’s existing business-card formats, including writable Uncoated Business Cards, while larger or specialized certificates can be discussed as custom printing projects.

1. What Is a Gift Certificate?

A gift certificate is a prepaid document or card that entitles the holder to redeem value, goods or services from the issuing business according to the applicable terms.

A printed certificate may include:

• Business name
• Certificate value
• Recipient name
• Purchaser name
• Certificate number
• Issue date
• QR code
• Redemption instructions
• Applicable conditions

The specific information should reflect how the business actually administers the program.

2. What Is a Gift Voucher?

A gift voucher generally performs a similar role: it represents prepaid value or access to a particular product or service.

Businesses may use the word voucher when the piece is connected to:

• Specific service
• Package
• Experience
• Promotion
• Prepaid amount

The design should explain what the customer can redeem rather than relying only on the word “voucher.”

3. Gift Certificate vs Gift Card: What Is the Difference?

The terms are often used interchangeably by customers, but the physical and operational products can be different.

A traditional printed gift certificate may be:

• Paper or cardstock
• Manually numbered
• Handwritten
• Redeemed by staff

A stored-value gift card may instead be connected electronically to a point-of-sale or account system.

A printed card should not claim to contain electronically stored value unless the business actually operates such a system.

4. What Businesses Can Use Printed Gift Certificates?

Gift certificates can work for businesses where customers regularly purchase products or experiences for other people.

Examples include:

• Restaurants
• Salons
• Spas
• Barbers
• Massage businesses
• Fitness studios
• Personal trainers
• Photographers
• Retail shops
• Pet services
• Automotive detailing businesses
• Entertainment businesses
• Home-service companies

The design and redemption process should reflect the industry rather than using the same generic template for every business.

5. Should a Gift Certificate Show a Dollar Value?

It should when the certificate represents a specific monetary value.

For example, the card may contain a field labelled:

VALUE ____________________

or a preprinted amount when the business sells certificates in fixed denominations.

If the voucher instead covers a specific service, a service description may be more appropriate than a dollar amount.

6. Fixed Value vs Custom Value Gift Certificates: Which Is Better?

Both approaches can work.

The business should choose the method that staff can administer consistently.

7. Should Gift Certificates Have an Expiry Date?

Do not automatically add an expiry date.

In Ontario, current consumer guidance says most retail gift cards, gift certificates and vouchers generally cannot expire. There are exceptions, including certain cards for one specific service and cards issued for charitable purposes.

Because the rules depend on the nature of the certificate, businesses should verify the applicable requirements before printing an expiry date.

A graphic designer should never invent an expiry date simply because a template contains one.

8. Can a Service Gift Certificate Expire?

Ontario guidance identifies certain gift cards covering one specific service as an exception to the general no-expiry rule.

That does not mean every service business should automatically add an expiry date.

The business should first determine:

• What exactly is being sold
• Whether the certificate qualifies for an exception
• What conditions apply
• How the terms need to be disclosed

Have the responsible business approve the wording before printing.

9. Should Gift Certificates Charge Activation or Service Fees?

Businesses should not invent these fees during the design process.

Ontario consumer guidance restricts many additional fees on retail gift cards, with certain limited exceptions depending on the product.

The printed certificate should communicate only fees that are lawful, applicable and part of the real program.

If the business is uncertain, confirm the applicable requirements before printing the terms.

10. Should Terms and Conditions Be Printed on a Gift Certificate?

Important restrictions and conditions should be communicated clearly.

The amount of detail depends on the program.

Possible topics include:

• Where the certificate can be redeemed
• Whether it covers one specific service
• How partial redemption is handled
• Whether it can be replaced
• Any applicable restrictions

A small card should not hide important conditions in unreadable fine print.

11. Should the Recipient’s Name Be Included?

It can be.

A writable field might say:

TO ____________________

Adding a recipient name makes the certificate feel more personal and can work particularly well for:

• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Holiday gifts
• Corporate gifts

Whether the named recipient is the only person permitted to use the certificate is a separate policy question that the business should define.

12. Should the Purchaser’s Name Be Included?

A FROM field can make the card feel more like a gift.

For example:

FROM ____________________

This information may be handwritten by staff or the purchaser.

Do not confuse this decorative gift field with whatever internal information the business uses to track the actual transaction.

13. Should Gift Certificates Include a Personal Message?

They can when enough space is available.

A field such as:

MESSAGE ______________________________

can add a personal touch.

If the card is small, prioritize:

• Value
• Certificate number
• Redemption information

before adding a large message area.

14. Should a Gift Certificate Have a Serial Number?

Yes, when the business needs a simple way to identify and track issued certificates.

A number can help staff:

• Verify validity
• Record issuance
• Track redemption
• Investigate duplicates
• Match the card to a transaction record

The numbering system needs to be managed outside the graphic design itself.

15. How Should Gift Certificate Numbers Be Formatted?

Use a format that is easy for staff to read and enter.

Examples might use:

• Sequential numbers
• Letters plus numbers
• Location prefixes
• Year-based prefixes

A fictional example could look like:

GC-2026-00481

Avoid extremely long random strings if staff must type the code manually.

16. Can Gift Certificates Use Variable Numbering?

Potentially.

Variable-data printing can allow each card to receive a unique:

• Serial number
• Redemption code
• Barcode
• QR code

The data system should be organized before printing.

Ask Pryntco about the project requirements when every printed piece needs unique information.

17. Should Gift Certificates Have a QR Code?

A QR code can be useful when it connects the card to a real digital function.

Possible destinations include:

• Booking page
• Balance information
• Redemption instructions
• Store locations
• Service menu
• Terms and conditions

The physical certificate should still contain enough information to identify its purpose without requiring a scan.

18. Should the QR Code Be Unique for Every Certificate?

Only when the business has a system capable of managing unique QR destinations or redemption codes.

A generic QR code may simply link every certificate to:

• Booking page
• Terms page
• Locations page

A unique QR code can support individual tracking, but that creates a more complex production and data workflow.

19. Where Should the QR Code Go?

Place it away from writable fields and decorative patterns.

A dedicated back section can work well.

For example:

READY TO REDEEM?

SCAN FOR BOOKING & DETAILS

Keep strong contrast and sufficient clear space around the code.

20. How Should Gift Certificate QR Codes Be Tested?

Test the code from a physical proof at final size.

Before production:

• Scan with multiple phones.
• Confirm the intended page opens.
• Check the mobile experience.
• Confirm the code remains clear after printing.
• Verify the destination will remain active.

Pryntco’s Artwork Preparation Guide recommends testing QR codes and other functional elements before production.

21. Should Gift Certificates Have a Barcode?

They can when the business’s point-of-sale or redemption system supports one.

Before adding a barcode, confirm:

• Required barcode type
• Required dimensions
• Data format
• Scanner compatibility

Do not add a decorative barcode simply to make a certificate look official.

A barcode should serve an actual operational purpose.

22. Can Gift Certificates Be Handwritten?

Yes. Many small businesses use a professionally printed card with several writable fields.

Staff may add:

• Value
• Recipient
• Purchaser
• Certificate number
• Issue date

If handwriting is part of the workflow, choose a card surface that works with the pens or stamps staff actually use.

23. What Paper Is Best for Writable Gift Certificates?

An uncoated surface is a practical choice when staff need to write values, names or certificate numbers by hand.

Pryntco’s current Uncoated Business Cards are available in 14pt and 16pt and are specifically designed with a writable matte surface suitable for pens, pencils and stamps.

This makes them one possible format for compact gift voucher cards.

24. Can Glossy Gift Certificates Work?

Yes, when the card does not require handwriting or the writable elements are handled another way.

A coated finish can work well for:

• Full-colour photography
• Bold brand graphics
• Preprinted values
• Preprinted redemption codes

If anything needs to be written manually, test the actual pen on the finished surface first.

25. What Size Should a Gift Certificate Be?

The size should follow the amount of information and how the card will be presented.

Possible directions include:

• Business-card-size voucher
• Postcard-style gift certificate
• Larger presentation certificate
• Folded gift card

A compact card is convenient to carry, while a larger certificate can feel more substantial when given as a gift.

26. Can Business Cards Be Used as Gift Voucher Cards?

Yes, when the information is concise.

A business-card-style voucher can contain:

• Logo
• Gift value
• Certificate number
• Short redemption instruction
• QR code

Pryntco’s Standard Business Cards provide several potential finishes for this type of compact printed piece.

27. When Should You Use a Larger Gift Certificate?

A larger format can provide room for:

• Recipient name
• Purchaser name
• Personal message
• Service description
• Redemption instructions
• QR code
• Brand photography

It can also create a more gift-like presentation when handed over inside an envelope.

28. Should Gift Certificates Be One-Sided or Double-Sided?

Two-sided printing can help separate presentation from administration.

A practical layout might use:

• Front: gift message, value and branding
• Back: certificate number, redemption information, QR code and conditions

This keeps the front attractive without hiding necessary details.

29. What Should Go on the Front of a Gift Certificate?

The front should feel like a gift.

Possible elements include:

• GIFT CERTIFICATE
• Business logo
• Value or service
• TO field
• FROM field
• Simple branded artwork

The certificate value or service should not be difficult to find.

30. What Should Go on the Back?

The back can handle operational information.

Possible elements include:

• Certificate number
• Redemption instructions
• Website
• Phone number
• QR code
• Applicable restrictions and conditions

Keep required information clear and readable instead of reducing it to extremely small fine print.

31. Should Gift Certificates Include the Issue Date?

An issue date can help the business track when a certificate was sold.

A field can read:

ISSUED ____________________

The date should not be confused with an expiry date.

Even when the certificate does not expire, the issue date may still be useful for internal records and customer service.

32. Should Gift Certificates Be Signed or Stamped?

They can be when the business uses a manual verification process.

A field may include:

• Authorized signature
• Business stamp
• Employee initials

However, a signature alone is not a complete tracking system.

Serial numbers or transaction records can provide stronger administrative control.

33. How Can Businesses Reduce Duplicate Gift Certificates?

No printed design can completely prevent misuse, but a consistent tracking system can make verification easier.

Possible controls include:

• Unique certificate numbers
• Database or spreadsheet record
• Unique QR code
• Point-of-sale record
• Authorized stamp

Do not rely on complicated decorative security graphics unless the business has an actual reason and process for using them.

34. Should Gift Certificates Use Premium Finishes?

They can when the presentation benefits from them.

A premium certificate may use:

• Heavier card stock
• Matte finish
• Soft-touch surface
• Foil accent
• Other specialty treatment

However, the finish should not interfere with:

• Handwriting
• QR-code scanning
• Barcode scanning

Pryntco’s Business Card Finish Guide explains how different card surfaces affect colour, texture and writability.

35. How Many Gift Certificates Should a Business Print?

Estimate the quantity according to actual gift-certificate sales and how likely the design or program is to change.

Consider:

• Average monthly sales
• Holiday demand
• Number of locations
• Fixed vs custom values
• Potential policy changes
• Whether each certificate needs unique numbering

Businesses selling many gift certificates during the holiday season may need substantially more inventory than during the rest of the year.

36. How Should Gift Certificate Artwork Be Prepared?

Start with the redemption system and exact card format.

Then:

• Use vector logos whenever possible.
• Build artwork at final size.
• Extend full-bleed artwork beyond trim where required.
• Keep value, codes and important terms inside safe areas.
• Leave enough room for handwritten values and names.
• Use a writable stock when handwriting or stamping is required.
• Maintain strong QR-code and barcode contrast.
• Test functional codes at final printed size.
• Verify every condition, restriction and date before printing.
• Confirm variable numbering data carefully before production.

Pryntco’s Artwork Preparation Guide provides additional guidance for dimensions, bleed, safe areas, resolution and QR-code preparation.

37. What Are the Most Common Gift Certificate Design Mistakes?

The biggest mistake is designing the certificate before the business has finalized how the program works.

Other common problems include:

• Adding an expiry date without verifying whether it is permitted.
• Printing incorrect conditions.
• Making the value difficult to find.
• Failing to number certificates that require manual tracking.
• Using identical cards without keeping issuance records.
• Using a surface that is difficult to write on.
• Making writable fields too small.
• Printing QR codes without testing them.
• Using barcodes that are not connected to an actual system.
• Hiding important conditions in tiny text.
• Ordering a large quantity before the program terms have been finalized.

38. So, How Should You Design and Print Custom Gift Certificates?

Start by defining exactly what the customer is purchasing. Is the certificate worth a specific dollar amount? Does it cover one named service? Can it be redeemed at multiple locations? Can customers use only part of the value at one time? How will staff know whether the certificate has already been redeemed?

Answer those questions before creating the artwork.

Then choose the physical format. A compact business-card-style voucher can work for simple programs. Pryntco’s current Standard Business Cards provide several possible finishes, while the current Uncoated Business Cards are available in 14pt and 16pt when writable fields are important.

A larger gift certificate can be a better choice when the card needs recipient and purchaser names, a personal message, service details or substantial redemption instructions.

Use numbering when the business needs manual tracking. A unique certificate number can help staff record issuance and redemption, while variable QR codes or barcodes may be useful for businesses with a more advanced digital system.

Keep the customer-facing presentation simple. The front can emphasize the gift value or service, recipient and brand. The back can hold the certificate number, redemption process, QR code and applicable conditions.

Be especially careful with expiry dates, fees and restrictions. In Ontario, most retail gift cards, gift certificates and vouchers generally cannot expire, although current rules include exceptions such as certain certificates for one specific service or charitable purposes. Businesses should verify the rules applying to their program rather than copying terms from another company’s certificate.

Important restrictions and conditions should also remain clear and visible. Legal or program requirements should be supplied and approved by the business responsible for selling the certificate.

Before ordering the full quantity, complete a realistic physical test. Write the value, recipient name and certificate number. Scan the QR code. Enter the code into the business’s tracking system and walk through the redemption process exactly as staff and customers would.

Pryntco does not currently list Gift Certificates as a dedicated standardized online product, so businesses needing a larger format, unique numbering, custom stock, specialty finishing or another configuration can submit the project through Pryntco’s custom quote request.

For additional card and artwork planning, browse Pryntco’s Print Resources or contact Pryntco before finalizing the project.