---
title: "What Is a Tent Card? Tent Cards, Table Talkers, Place Cards"
description: "What a tent card is, and how it differs from table talkers, table tents, place cards, name tents and shelf talkers. Plain definitions and when each is used."
url: https://tent-cards.ca/guides/table-tents-vs-table-talkers/
last_updated: 2026-10-24
---

# What is a tent card? Tent cards, table talkers and place cards

A tent card is a card folded into an upright A shape so it stands on a table and shows a message on both sides. The other names mostly describe the same card in a different job.

## Terms

- **Tent card**: A card folded into a self-standing A-frame with a printed face on each side. Also called a table tent.
- **Table tent**: Same as a tent card. The usual name in restaurants and bars.
- **Table talker**: A marketing name for a promotional table card, often used by brands and franchises. Usually a tent card, sometimes a card in a holder or a card with an easel back.
- **Name tent**: A tent card that shows a person's name at a meeting or class. See [name tents](https://tent-cards.ca/uses/name-tents/).
- **Place card**: A small folded card with one guest's name, set at a seat at a wedding or dinner. Smaller than a tent card and different for every guest.
- **Shelf talker**: A small card on a store shelf that points out a product. A tent card can do this job on a display table.
- **Score**: A crease pressed into the card so it folds cleanly without cracking.
- **Slit**: A small cut in each base flap. The slits lock together so the tent stands.
- **Bleed**: Extra artwork past the trim line, trimmed off after printing, so colour runs to the edge.

## Which one do you need?

If the same message goes on many tables, you need tent cards: one design printed in bulk. If every seat needs a different name, you need place cards or name tents with names added by hand. See [all uses](https://tent-cards.ca/uses/) for what businesses put on their cards.

## Related

- [What tent cards are used for](https://tent-cards.ca/uses/)
- [Tent card sizes: inches, cm and mm](https://tent-cards.ca/guides/tent-card-size/)
- [Printed tent cards vs acrylic table holders](https://tent-cards.ca/guides/tent-card-vs-acrylic-holder/)

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