Get Attached: Wearing or Attaching Laminated Name Tags

Are you having trouble keeping track of items – or people? Laminated name tags are a visually identifiable way to keep track of items or persons during travel or large events.

Types of Attachments:

Clear Plastic Loops – These jelly-like loops are quick and easy to use. To thread onto a slotted tag:

  1. Push one rounded end through the slot, then up through the opposite round end of the loop.
  2. Pull the threading end to fix the loop to the tag.
  3. Repeat the process using the tag as the threading end to attach to luggage.

Metal Clips are quickly attached to a slotted tag by simply pinching open, then releasing to grip the tag. Some clips come equipped with a small plastic strap, which threads and snaps through a tag’s slot, leaving the clip available to clip onto clothing.

Neck Lanyards – In addition to a variety of colors and strap styles, neck lanyards come with multiple attachment styles. The two most common styles are a swivel J-hook or a bulldog clip, which operates much the same as the metal clips discussed earlier. To attach a tag to a swivel hook, pinch the straight piece that presses against the lower tip of the “J,” thread it through the tag hole, then release to close.

What kind of tools can I use to punch holes or slots in my tags?

Swivel J-hook lanyards can be attached to items simply punched with a round hole punch. However, clear plastic loops and metal clip attachments work best with tags that have a slot – a rounded rectangular shaped hole. Rounded holes can be punched using a simple hand-held punch found in most office and craft supply stores, but slots require more specialized tools like the TruLam Stapler-Style Slot Punch (Item #TL-SPUNCH). There are other tools available that can punch both styles using the same machine, like the TruLam 3-in-1 Slot Punch.

Printable ID Card Varieties & Materials

The Zebra ZXP Series 1 and Series 3 printers allow you to print images and information directly onto a plastic card. These cards can be used for identification, membership, employment, hospitality, etc. Choosing the appropriate card for intended use depends on a few factors.

How frequent will the card be used?

The selected thickness and material of a printable card depends greatly on how often the card will be used. If the card will be used a few times a month or few times a year, a thin PVC card 20 Mil or less than will be sufficient. If a card is being used multiple times a week, a standard PVC card 30 Mil or thicker is appropriate. A PVC composite card can withstand being used every day.

Does the card need to be encoded with information?

Select blank PVC cards come equipped with a magnetic stripe, which creates a “smart card.” It can be used to store student identification or account information, or hold a gift card balance.

Does the card need additional security?

If unauthorized card duplication is a concern, we offer colored PVC cards and white PVC cards with specialized hologram designs.

Ready to start printing your own ID cards? Select one of our Zebra card printer starter packages and whichever blank PVC card best matches your needs. If you’re unsure as to which model or material is best for you, please contact us – we’re happy to give you a personalized recommendation.

Understanding ID Card Printing Terminology: Card Printer Ribbon Cartridge Abbreviations

What Do YMCKO and YMCKOK Mean?

Members of the print industry easily recognize the letters “CMYK” as the four basic colors of printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. The four of these colors are layered in different increments on paper to create hundreds of color output combinations.

This same method applies to ID card printing. The letters “YMCK” also stand for the same four basic printing colors: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Black. When a color cartridge is indicated as “YMCKO,” the cartridge first prints all four basic colors then adds a clear Overlay (the “O”) at the end to protect the printed image.

A cartridge marked as “YMCKOK” is also a color cartridge complete with clear Overlay, but the “K” at the end indicates this cartridge is used for dual-sided card printing. This cartridge allows you to print full color on the front side and just Black on the reverse side.

Other Abbreviations

Some Black cartridges bear different abbreviations like KdO and KrO. The “K” indicates it is a Black cartridge and the “O” at the end indicates it also comes with a a clear Overlay. The lowercase “d” stands for “dye” while the “r” stands for “resin.” The KdO cartridge is ideal for printing grayscale images with light, midtone, and shadow while the KrO is perfect for printing crisp black lines in logos and barcodes for easy reading.

To learn more about ID card printing equipment and supplies, visit our complete selection on www.laminationdepot.com.

Upgrade Your School or Office Security with Expiring Visitor Badges!

Identifying authorized visitors is vital to both student and staff safety. Security and staff members can easily identify authorized visitors with expiring, color-changing visitor TIMEbadges.

Lamination Depot now offers a variety of manually-issued, time-elapsed visitor ID badges. Choose a one-step adhesive-backed badge that is activated by removing the release liner and pressing the front and back sides together, or create a secure, highly customized badge by combining your choice of FRONTpart and BACKpart.

We even offer a badge specifically designed for schools which consists of an adhesive-backed badge (that says “School Visitor,” “Student,” “Substitute,” or “Volunteer”) and a time-elapsed cover that lasts either 4 hours (half-day) or 8 hours (one-day) – more customization translates to higher security!

Some TIMEbadges have a “clip-on” option. Though clips are sold separately, we do have a few options to choose from – the most popular being our metal clips with clear PVC straps.

If you are looking for ways to increase security on your school campus or within your offices, we have solutions for you. Feel free to ask us which badge combination is right for you within the comment section!

Adding a Slot to Laminating Pouches, ID Badges, and More

Our basic stapler-style slot puncher is a highly-versatile office tool. Its rubber-like base not only prevents the slot punch from moving along a desk or table top while in use, but it can also be easily opened or removed to empty waste. The slot punch comes with an adjustable metal guide that guarantees the same punch placement every time for larger projects. Since it’s so small and light, it is extremely portable, making it excellent for on-demand punching!

Use this handy tool for punching laminating pouches for ID badges, credentials, VIP/backstage passes and more! Once any one of these items have a punched slot, a lanyard, badge clip, or clear plastic loop can be attached to make it complete.

Both the slot punch‘s open punch throat and removable metal guide allow it to be used for quick, handheld applications. For example, you can punch slots in the center of the top edge of a gift bag, then tie it with a satin ribbon as an alternative to handles; or punch two slots on each side, then tie on your own handles for a unique, highly-customized look!

If you use this slot puncher another way, we’d love to hear your creative ideas, too! Please leave us a comment and share your ideas with us.

Lanyards & Name Badges – Get Attached!

Where do you turn when the classic “Hello, My Name Is” label isn’t strong enough to withstand an event on its own, or when a name tag pinned to a person’s shirt or coat is likely to come off or get lost? An excellent solution is to attach a name badge to a lanyard!

Lanyards and ID Supplies from Lamination Depot

Lanyards can be as simple as plain, round, shoestring-style cords with swivel hook attachments or as elaborate as custom-printed ribbons with specialized clips. Lanyards are worn around an attendee’s neck, allowing the attached badge to hang freely without damaging garments.

For the badge itself, here are some options:

Thermal Laminating Pouches – If you’re planning to make hundreds of tags, thermal laminating pouches are not only the most affordable way to produce your name badges, but they are also the fastest. Laminating pouches are available with pre-punched slots or can be punched before or after lamination using a simple, stapler-style slot puncher. For added durability, you can also add a brass grommet using a hand-held eyelet punching tool.

Self-Laminating (Cold) Pouches – If you’re making a small number of name tags for an event, consider self-laminating pouches. These pouches are also referred to as “cold laminating pouches” because they do not require a thermal pouch laminator to activate. The interior of each pouch has one side coated in adhesive (protected by a release liner prior to use) and one side that is plain clear plastic. Self-laminating pouches can also be punched. We only recommend these pouches for small events because this type of badge takes longer to assemble than those made from thermal laminating pouches and have limited size and thickness varieties available.

Plastic Badge Holders – If tags need to be interchanged for an event, then plastic badge holders are an excellent option. Plastic badge holders come with one open end at the top, allowing paper tags, identification cards, or business cards to slide in and out freely.

Rigid Plastic Badge Holders – This type of badge holder is designed to provide added protection to an already laminated name badge. They can either hang vertically or horizontally and are available in multiple colors. Rigid plastic badge holders can be used multiple times, so they are ideal for use at monthly meetings or sporting events.

If you’re looking to make several name tags, backstage/VIP passes, or credentials for a large event and would like personalized recommendations, feel free to ask us – we’re always happy to help!

Creating Custom Lanyards is Easier Than Ever!

Custom branded promotional products are an excellent way to enhance brand identity or share your promotional message with potential customers. Lanyards are among the most versatile of these custom products, since they can be used to hold everything from identification cards and trade show credentials to keys and backstage passes. In this post, we’ll explore the world of custom lanyards, and provide an overview of our new Design-A-Lanyard tool.

Custom Lanyards

The Basics

Lanyards can be made from a variety of materials, but are most commonly made with polyester, polypropylene, or cotton. The length of a neck lanyard is measured by the total strap length measured end-to-end (generally between 35” and 38”), but the actual length when worn is approximately half of that measurement. Many styles include a breakaway clasp, which is a safety feature that separates when pressure is applied to eliminate the risk of accidental strangulation. There are also a number of specialized attachments that can be affixed to the end of the lanyard, ranging from basic lanyard hooks and standard swivel hooks to swivel bulldog clips and no-twist plastic hooks.

Uses

Because of their versatility, customized lanyards are popular with everyone from school sports teams to Fortune 500 companies. They can be used to hold badges for employees that work within secure buildings, display vendor information cards at trade shows, identify participants in a sporting event (such as a marathon), make event staff easy to recognize, display students’ school ID cards, organize groups during summer camps, or to help distinguish authorized hospital visitors at a glance.

Customization

Creating custom lanyards is easy, thanks to our newly launched Design-A-Lanyard tool. This user-friendly interface allows you to select your lanyard color and style, desired attachments, print color, and font (if applicable), and enables you to upload your logo or other artwork. The result is an instant, on-screen proof paired with accurate pricing, both of which adjust automatically as revisions are made. Custom lanyards are surprisingly affordable, starting at only $0.52 per piece, with a turnaround time of less than three weeks and a minimum order of only 100 pieces.

In Review

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep employee badges handy or a promotional give-away item for an upcoming trade show, custom lanyards are a useful promotional piece that your employees and customers will actually use. Lamination Depot’s Design-A-Lanyard tool makes the process of creating a custom lanyard easier than ever, with a user-friendly, interactive interface that reflects changes as they are made, creating an instant proof and detailed quote. Try our new Design-A-Lanyard tool today.

Make a Statement with Pre-Printed Lanyards!

From conventions to classrooms, neck lanyards are one of the most convenient and popular ways to display wearable badges or identification cards. In addition to plain lanyards and custom lanyards, there are also many eye-catching pre-printed lanyards that are available. In this post, we learn more about printed lanyards and discover what benefits they can offer users.



The Basics

Lanyards are commonly made from nylon, polyester, or cotton and feature a variety of attachment options. Swivel hooks and badge clips are among the most popular attachment styles, since they can be used with pre-punched laminating pouches, badge holders, or ID cards to quickly and easily display event credentials. The breakaway attachment, which is a safety feature that allows a small clasp on the lanyard to temporarily open when the lanyard is tugged or pulled, is a common addition to lanyards (especially for use at events with children in attendence) since it reduces the risk of injury or strangulation for the wearer.

Printed lanyards come in a wide selection of styles, ranging from popular awareness lanyards to easy-to-read pre-printed messages. Awareness lanyards, which feature colored ribbon images, are available in a wide array of hues and are ideal for charity events such as fundraising walks or marathons. Patriotic lanyards have flag-inspired or camouflage coloring along with messages such as “Support Our Troops.” Patriotic lanyards are especially popular for holiday events, including Fourth of July, Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. The most versatile of all printed lanyard styles have bold, easy-to-read text to help distinguish the wearers at even the most crowded event. These solid-color lanyards are available with a number of pre-printed messages, such as “Volunteer,” “Event Staff,” “Visitor,” and “Contractor.” Because they do not have any logos or event-specific information, these lanyards are great for organizations that hold frequent conferences or events since they can be used again and again.

In Review

Custom-printed lanyards are an powerful tool for promoting brand awareness or sharing a promotional message with attendees of fundraisers, conventions, large-scale meetings, or other company-sponsored events, but not every organization has the budget to create personalized lanyards. Printed lanyards offer a cost-effective alternative to custom lanyards, featuring a wide selection of pre-printed graphics and text in various themes. In addition to being more affordable than customized lanyards, pre-printed lanyards do not require a turnaround time (which can be up to 3 weeks in the case of custom lanyards). Whether you’re holding a marathon or an industry convention, you’re sure to find a lanyard style that suits your needs among the wide variety of printed lanyards available on the market today.

An Overview of Badge Attachments: Magnetic Badge Holders, ID Clips, & Badge Pins

From large-scale conventions to small, independent storefronts, from the classroom to the conference room, there are literally hundreds of applications for badge attachments. Because they have such a wide variety of uses, badge findings are offered in an almost endless amount of styles, ranging from adhesive-backed magnetic bars to swiveling metal clips. In this post, we get to know a few of the most popular varieties of badge attachments and compare their unique features.

The Basics

There are three basic badge finding varieties – ID clips, badge pins, and magnetic badge attachments. All three can be used with laminated documents, PVC identification cards, and plastic badge holders. While some applications may be best suited by magnetic badge attachments (which can affix a badge to clothing without leaving holes or marks in the fabric, making them a popular choice for professional events), other purposes may be better served using a more cost-effective finding like a pin or a clip. With so many styles available, you can easily find a variety that will strike a balance between function and budget.

ID Clips

ID clips utilize small, toothed clamps made of either plastic or metal to attach a badge to a garment. Some styles have an adhesive-backed foam mounted on the back of the clip, which allows it to be stuck to the back of the badge. Self-adhesive ID clips are ideal for use with cards or holders that do not have a pre-punched slot, but they cannot be removed and reused. Strap clips are made with a short PVC strap that has a metal clip affixed to one end of the strap. The strap itself has two small snaps, which allows the strap to be inserted into a slot in the badge or badge holder and then snapped to secure. Once snapped into place, the clip can be used to hang the badge as desired. Since the strap portion can be easily removed and attached to another badge, strap clips make a great choice for use with cards that are frequently updated.

In addition to the standard models, there are a few specialty ID clips that offer other features, such as swiveling clips and built-in pins. Though these varieties tend to cost a bit more than the basic styles, they may be worth the added investment for some applications.

Badge Pins

Badge pins are one of the most basic types of badge finding, featuring an adhesive-backed pin (the base of which can be made from either plastic or metal). While the standard styles offer very basic features, the more advanced varieties can include locking safety clasps (which prevent the pin from releasing) and breakaway ABS bases (a safety feature designed to help the pin break apart when stress is applied, which is required in many industrial settings). Like the adhesive-backed ID clips, badge pins cannot be removed and reused.

Magnetic Badge Attachments

Magnetic badge attachments are the newest type of badge finding, and have quickly gained popularity for a variety of reasons. Instead of relying on a pin or clip to hold a badge in place, magnetic badge attachments use an adhesive-backed piece of metal in conjunction with small, magnetic discs. There are a number of different styles on the market, ranging from round, single-magnet versions to bars that use two or even three magnets to keep the badge secure. Not only are magnetic badge findings strong and easy to apply, but they also prevent holes and creases in garments. They do cost more than ID clips or badge pins, but if you’re looking for a badge finding that is as professional as it is powerful, then they are definitely worth looking into.

In Review

Badge findings are great tools for any organization, because they can transform laminated cards, PVC identification cards, or badge holders into wearable badges in a matter of seconds. Since there are so many applications for badge findings, there is a wide selection of styles to help suit all types of needs. From basic and economical ID clips and badge pins to strong and professional magnetic badge attachments, it’s possible to find an option that will fit both your application and your budget.