Hey there! If you‘re reading this, you‘re probably planning an exciting raffle event and want to make sure you have the right ticket paper. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
My name is Lillie, and I‘ve helped organize raffles and fundraisers for over 10 years. I‘ve picked up a few tricks of the trade when it comes to selecting raffle ticket paper, and I‘m excited to share everything I‘ve learned with you today. By the end, you‘ll be a raffle ticket paper expert!
What Is Raffle Ticket Paper?
Raffle ticket paper is specialty paper designed specifically for printing tickets. It‘s thicker and more durable than regular copy paper, making it perfect for tickets that will be handled frequently. The extra thickness gives tickets a professional, high-quality feel.
Raffle ticket paper comes in a few main varieties:
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Glossy Finish – Provides vibrant, pop-out colors and resists smudging. The glossy coating tends to highlight printing rather than absorbing ink. Great for making ticket details stand out!
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Matte Finish – More muted look, but still offers crisp printing. Matte resists glares and fingerprints.
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Uncoated – Without a glossy or matte coating, uncoated ticket paper absorbs ink readily but is less durable.
Most raffle ticket paper falls in the 24-32 lb range. The smooth coating allows for clean, sharp printing with minimal feathering or bleeding.
Many brands use recycled paper to provide an eco-friendly option!
Types of Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets can be categorized into three main types:
Single-Use
- For one-time entry or redemption
- Often discarded after the drawing
- Like movie or airline tickets
Multi-Use
- Allow repeated entry/admission for a period of time
- Such as theme park passes or subway cards
Season Passes
- Provide entry to recurring events like sports games
- Used by devoted fans over a season of events
- More durable construction needed
Consider the expected usage when selecting paper weight and durability.
Benefits of Quality Ticket Paper
Upgrading from plain paper to specialty raffle ticket paper provides some great benefits:
Durability
- Thicker paper with a coated finish better withstands frequent handling, moisture, and tearing
Security
- Specialty coating makes raffle tickets harder to counterfeit or alter fraudulently
Clarity
- Coated paper allows for vibrant, professional printing and crisp QR codes
Perception
- Quality ticket stock makes your event seem more legitimate and well-organized
Other features like watermarks, holograms and perfs further improve security!
Designing Eye-Catching Raffle Tickets
A well-designed raffle ticket attracts interest and provides key details. Include elements like:
Colors and Graphics
- Consider your event colors and add graphics, logos, or icons to tie into your theme
Wording
- Include event name, date, pricing, and other pertinent info
Numbering
- Unique serial numbers help prevent duplication and fraud
Format
- Use lines, boxes, and columns to logically section off data
Many office stores sell pre-perforated raffle ticket paper to simplify separating tickets before an event.
You can also find easy raffle ticket templates within Microsoft Word to customize.
Printing Considerations
When it‘s time to print your tickets, keep these tips in mind:
Print Method
- Laser and inkjet printers yield the best quality results for raffle tickets
- Avoid using dot matrix printers for tickets
Print Settings
- Use the highest quality print mode for solid ink coverage and readability
- Consider enhancing menus like "Best Photo" or "Presentation"
Paper Weight
- Heavier paper allows better ink saturation without bleed-through
- At least 28 lb paper is recommended, up to 32 lb
Security Measures
- Numbering tickets and adding watermarks can further prevent fraud
Printing raffle tickets professionally ensures excellent quality, but DIY printing works for small events. Do some test prints to decide which method best fits your needs and budget.
Recommended Ticket Paper Weights
Here are some recommended paper weights based on expected raffle ticket usage:
| Number of Tickets | Paper Weight | Printing Method |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 | 28-32 lb | DIY |
| 500 – 1,000 | 28 lb glossy | Professional |
| 1,000 – 5,000 | 16 lb gloss UV coated | Professional |
| Over 5,000 | 10-14 lb gloss UV coated | Commercial |
Using the proper paper means your tickets will retain vivid color, maintain integrity through handling, and resist duplication attempts.
Still have raffle ticket paper questions? Let me know! I‘m always happy to help a fellow event organizer.
