One of the best steps you can take to beef up security actually happens to be one of the simplest and most affordable, too - implementing employee photo ID badges. They help quickly verify identities, prevent unauthorized access, and reinforce company branding.

That’s why we’ve created this quick guide to walk you through how to make employee ID badges. From choosing materials and sizes to actually designing the badges, printing them, and using them, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

When you partner with the professionals here at CustomLanyard.net, creating your custom ID cards couldn’t be easier. You are in complete control of the process every step of the way and you’ll get high-quality employee ID badges at an unbeatable price. Get started today! 

Why Make Your Own Employee ID Badges?

First things first, why use photo ID employee badges in the workplace? It goes beyond security enhancement. Here’s why learning how to make employee ID badges is a great investment.

Enhancing Security

Keeping unauthorized individuals out of your workplace is essential given the sensitive documents and/or equipment you have. Having a security checkpoint where employees must show their badge can prevent this.

You can even integrate advanced security features such as RFID chips, magnetic stripes, or holograms, which make it difficult for intruders to forge or alter IDs. 

Professional Image

A well-designed badge featuring your company’s logo, colors, and other branding elements reinforces a consistent corporate identity as well.

Employees wearing these badges present a unified and professional appearance, which can leave a positive impression on clients, visitors, and stakeholders. Consistent branding also helps in marketing your company culture and values both internally and externally.

Employee Morale

Personalized badges with the employee’s name, role, and photograph help foster a sense of belonging and recognition. 

It makes them feel valued and part of the team, knowing they are easily identifiable and their contributions are acknowledged. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity as employees take pride in wearing their badges and representing the company.

DIY vs Professional Badge Customization

There’s no question you need employee photo ID badges. It’s just a matter of figuring out whether you’re going to make them yourself or hire a professional. We’ll help you weigh your options below.

The Appeal of DIY

So, can you customize ID card badges all by yourself? Sure! You’ll just need to invest in the raw materials and the best PVC ID card printer. 

This approach can be great for operations looking to produce a ton of badges and worried about budgetary concerns. With a decent printer, some design software, and blank cards, you might be able to produce badges quickly and at a lower cost per unit.

You’ll also have flexibility to make changes on the fly and print new badges as needed without waiting for an external service. The ability to customize every little detail is appealing.

However, there’s a reason the vast majority of businesses end up choosing to outsource their employee badge production process. DIY is time consuming and often doesn’t deliver the cost savings you may expect. This is why professional customization is preferred. 

Why Professional Customization is the Way to Go

Above all else you need to prioritize quality in designing your badges - and you cannot beat the premium materials and experience an expert has. This will result in a more professional final product that is able to withstand wear and tear.

The main reason you may be interested in these badges in the first place is security. Partnering with a professional is the best way to actually incorporate features such as holograms, RFID chips, and tamper-evident designs. This isn’t something you can do yourself without really sophistyicated equipment. 

But above all else, you’ll save money and time by leaving it to the professionals - it’s hard to argue with that. This allows you to keep people focused on their core tasks rather than worrying about how to print on ID cards.

So, don’t waste your time or resources on DIY - invest in a proven process right here at CustomLanyard.net. 

What Makes CustomLanyard.net the #1 Choice?

Our company brings more than a decade of experience in creating personalized lanyards, custom wristbands, and of course, custom PVC cards. We’ve earned the trust of more than a million customers, ranging from small businesses to industry leaders such as Yelp, Netflix, Google, Facebook, and more.

What keeps our customers coming back for more is our consistent quality, exceptional service, and affordable prices. It really doesn’t get any better than this! You will love how quick and easy it is to learn how to make employee ID badges with our service, too.

So, how much do ID cards cost? You can pay as little as $0.37 each when you buy in bulk! But if you’re just looking for a low quantity to start, no worries. We don’t have minimum order thresholds to meet.

You can even complete your order by including a custom badge holder, or better yet, pick our custom ID card lanyard that features everything you need to beef up security and identification in the workplace. This way you don’t have to stress about how to put an ID card on a lanyard after the fact.

Now that you know who makes custom ID cards that can help you get started, it’s time to get to work. Learn how to make employee photo ID badges below!

How to Make Employee ID Badges With CustomLanyard.net

Like we said, creating professional, high-quality employee ID badges is quick and easy when you partner with CustomLanyard.net. 

You gain access to all the different sizes and design features you could need and it takes just a few clicks. First things first - pick your ID cards materials.

Select Materials

From PET vs PVC ID card, laminated ID cards vs not laminated, there are a wide variety of choices at your disposal. This decision will influence the appearance, longevity, and cost of your badges, so don’t take it lightly. We eliminate much of the guessing work by offering our cards in PVC. 

So, what is PVC ID card so good for? It’s a strong yet flexible material that stands up to daily wear and tear, ensuring your badges last longer. You can choose glossy, matte, frosted, holographic, or transparent cards.

For added durability, consider laminated PVC options, which provide an extra layer of protection against scratches and environmental damage. With that out of the way, let’s get into the next step of how to make PVC ID cards for your workplace.

Size Considerations

The standard ID cards size for employee badges is typically 3.375” x 2.125” (CR80). This is the size of a credit card and fits easily into most badge holders and lanyards. 

It’s perfect for including essential information like employee names, photos, and company logos without making the badge bulky or cumbersome.

However, if you have specific needs, we also offer custom sizes to fit unique requirements. Sizes start as small as 2.12” x 3.38” to as large as 6.5” x 4.75”.

Beyond the dimensions, you need to think about the PVC ID card thickness as well. This influences the durability and professionalism of your badges. Our standard thickness is 0.76mm, but we offer more premium options at 0.90mm and 1.00mm as well.

Choose Your Design

Now comes the fun part of how to make employee ID badges - actually designing your badges. There is plenty of room for interpretation here to align the style with your company. 

However, there is also essential information that must be included: employee's name, job title, and a photo. This is the whole point of the cards - identification.

We make it easy to design cards from scratch using our easy form where you can upload all this information and choose colors. Or, you can upload a pre-designed template to streamline things and ensure the badge comes out exactly the way you want.

Before actually placing your order you can request a digital proof as this will eliminate the stress and uncertainty from the equation. 

Add Security Features

You may be wondering, how do ID cards work from a security perspective? There are a few features you may want to consider:

  • RFID Chips: For contactless access control, allowing employees to swipe their badges at security checkpoints.
  • Magnetic Stripes: For encoding access permissions or other data.
  • Holograms and UV Printing: To prevent counterfeiting and ensure authenticity.
  • Tamper-Proof Elements: Materials and designs that show clear signs of tampering to deter unauthorized use.

Review and Approve

As we just mentioned, it’s worth taking a look at the digital proof to review every detail of your badge before final production. Check for accuracy in employee information, design elements, and ensure all security features are correctly implemented.

Order and Delivery

After approving your design, proceed to place your order. CustomLanyard.net offers competitive pricing and bulk order discounts, making it affordable to equip your entire organization. 

We provide fast turnaround times, ensuring you receive your badges promptly. Choose from various shipping options to suit your schedule, including expedited shipping for urgent needs.

Tips on Making the Most of Your Employee ID Badges

Now that you know how to make employee ID badges the only thing left to do is wait patiently for them to arrive - trust that we’re working diligently to get them to your door by the requestesd delivery date. 

In the meantime, follow these tips to help your organization make the most of them.

Distribution

Whether you distribute badges during onboarding sessions, at a dedicated desk, or via mail, ensure that each employee receives their badge promptly and understands its importance.

Training and Usage

Training employees on the correct use of their ID badges should cover the following:

  • Daily Usage: Demonstrate how to wear the badge correctly, whether it’s on a lanyard, clip, or badge reel. Emphasize the importance of wearing the badge at all times while on company premises to ensure easy identification and access control.
  • Access Protocols: Train employees on how to use their badges to access various areas within the facility. This includes swiping or tapping their badges at security checkpoints, doors, and time clocks. Explain the protocols for reporting a lost or stolen badge immediately to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Security Awareness: Educate employees about holograms or tamper-evident elements, and how to recognize if their badge has been tampered with. Encourage vigilance in protecting their badges from being misplaced or misused.

Integration with Other Systems

You may consider integrating your badges with other systems to enhance their utility and streamline operations. 

This could include linking badges to your electronic access control system to manage entry to different parts of the building. This can help restrict access to sensitive areas and maintain a secure environment.

Or, maybe you want to use ID badges in conjunction with time and attendance systems to automate clock-ins and clock-outs. This reduces errors in time tracking and simplifies payroll processes.

Another thing to consider is guest badges. This will streamline visitor check-ins and track visitor movements within the premises, further enhancing security.

However you go about using them, starting with the best badges is the essential first step. So, if you haven’t already, get started bringing yours to life as we wrap up our guide on how to make employee photo ID badges.

Wrapping Up Our Guide on How to Make Employee Photo ID Badges

Creating employee ID badges enhances security, promotes a professional image, and boosts employee morale. While DIY methods appear to offer initial cost savings and flexibility, professional customization ensures high-quality, secure, and durable badges while keeping you focused on core business activities. It’s the preferred approach.

With CustomLanyard.net, you can select materials, design features, and security options tailored to your needs, ensuring a seamless and efficient process. It takes just a few moments and you can rest assured you’re getting top notch quality at an unbeatable price.

We have more resources on the most common types of badge holders (including acrylic badge holder and clear plastic card holder), how to laminate PVC ID card, how to make badge holders, the best badge holder, and more.

Otherwise, it’s time to get started now that you know how to make your own employee ID badges. Take the first step at CustomLanyard.net today and enjoy a seamless service and a professional solution!