In 20 years of producing events, we’ve seen a lot of place cards pass through our doors. Place cards can be a simple way of adding an unexpected level of detail to a tablescape design. Our favorite part about place cards is that they are typically the sole element on the table that personalizes that space for the guest. It’s a subconscious reminder to the guest that this is their place for the rest of the evening: these old or new friends are your people for the next hour or two.

As with everything we do at Craven + Co., we think even the tiniest detail, like a place card, plays a part in the bigger memories made when people come together. On that note, this is a list of our favorite place card designs that we’ve created and some that were dreamed up by someone else:

1 . DIP DYED WITH CALLIGRAPHY

Dip dyeing is an unexpected technique to thread a color through each place setting. The hand-done aspect means each card comes out with subtly unique lines + tones. Besides producing a gorgeous result, dip dyeing is one of our favorite touches to produce in-house simply because it’s flat-out fun.

2. AGATE

Agate slices bring gorgeous natural texture to the table with its unique banding in striking colors + patterns. One of our favorite calligraphers, Averi with an Eye, has such an organic hand-style that’s a perfect match for the stones.

event designer: craven + co. // photographer: robert evans

3. DARK CARDSTOCK + GOLD COPPERPLATE CALLIGRAPHY

We love the high contrast look of light ink on dark paper - but typical printers aren’t capable of producing this look. Using a dark, thick cardstock is a subtle signal to guests that the host has gone beyond “typical” and utilized specialty printing or hand-written techniques - a cue to each guest that their presence is special, too.

4. FROSTED ACRYLIC DRINK MARKER

Our team was thoroughly surprised + delighted when we came across this truly creative idea: an acrylic circle etched with the guest’s name + notched to slide onto the rim of a glass as a drink marker. What a lovely token to slip into pockets at the end of the evening as a cheery + useful reminder of the night.

5. MARBLE HEXAGON

These geometric beauties with gold calligraphy pulled in details from the flatware + match boxes at each place setting. Their petite size + shape fit in the palm of the hand to create an unexpected + delightful tactile experience for the guests.

6. RUBBER STAMP

We’re often working with our local stamp shop to create custom stamps to personalize anything from favor bags to envelope flaps. For this college graduation celebration, we produced a rubber stamp with each guest’s name. Our hope was for guests to take these functional “place cards” home + as they use the stamps, get a flash remembrance of a wonderful evening with great company.

7. CARD ATTACHED TO MENU

Further customize event menus by integrating the place card. Attach with a geometric paper clip or metal grommet + incorporate unconventional calligraphy; we’d be happy to sit with either of these industrial modern combos.

♡TC

Our Top 7 Place Card Designs