Protecting your workplace, event, or school from unauthorized entry is of the utmost importance. Across all these different settings it’s essential to provide seamless entry for the right people, while quickly identifying and preventing access for the wrong people.

Distributing security badges is one of the best ways you can facilitate this. It will save you more resources in the long run while creating a better experience for the end user. But, making security badges comes with its own set of challenges.

What size do you need?

How should you design the card?

Are there any additional security features you need to incorporate? 

Who makes custom ID cards that you can trust to bring them to life?

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. This guide on how to make a security badge will walk you through all the elements of bringing your ID cards to life in a quick, affordable manner.

You can take the first step here at CustomLanyard.net, the industry’s favorite choice for custom ID cards online. With more than a million satisfied customers and counting you can rest assured you’re partnering with the pros. 

It’s easy to make your own security badge in a few clicks - get started today!

Why Security Badges Are So Important for Different Settings

Let’s take a step back and discuss why this is an essential investment in peace of mind for any operation stressing about unauthorized entry. So, what is a PVC ID card going to do to help?

Workplace Security

Security badges serve as the first line of defense in controlling access to various areas within an organization. You can require employees to display a badge so that only authorized personnel are allowed to enter specific zones, such as data centers, research labs, or executive offices. 

Learning how to make employee ID badges lowers the risk of unauthorized access, theft, or data breaches, all of which are real concerns in finance, healthcare, and technology specifically.

Beyond access control, security badges also help with the quick identification of employees, visitors, and contractors within the premises. In the event of an emergency, badges can also help first responders identify key personnel and ensure that everyone is accounted for.

Educational Institutions

Schools rely on these types of security badges as well for similar purposes. With thousands of kids or young adults, it’s essential to have an efficient way of controlling who can access campus facilities - be it the food court, library, fitness center, or even the school itself!

This isn’t just about safeguarding campus resources, though - it’s about protecting the faculty and students from security threats, which is more important in this day and age than ever before.

You can even invest in specialized visitor badges so that these guests are easily identifiable, allowing school security to monitor their movements and ensure they’re escorted as needed.  

Event Management

Learning how to make event badges is one of the most common use cases for making security badges. Conferences, concerts, and trade shows attract hundreds if not thousands of attendees, making it difficult to monitor who is on-site without a robust security system in place.

Security badges help event organizers manage access to different areas, such as VIP sections, backstage zones, or restricted areas meant for staff only. The badges can clearly distinguish between general admission, VIPs, speakers, and staff.

Those who are running the event can take things a step further by incorporating RFID chips or barcodes, allowing for real-time tracking of attendees’ movements within the venue. You can in turn use this information to analyze crowd flow and improve future events.

What to Consider When Making Security Badges

No matter why you’re making security badges, this is an excellent decision that will streamline your operation while protecting your peace of mind. 

But there are so many moving pieces that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, whether you’re trying to make your own security badge or find a reliable partner to bring your vision to life. Let’s help you set out on the right foot with all the most important details.

Design and Customization

Your card’s design should include essential information such as the individual’s name, photo, job title, role, and/or department. For event badges specifically, additional details like access levels (e.g., VIP, Staff) and event branding should be clearly displayed. 

You might be wondering, can you customize an ID card with your own unique design? You certainly can! In fact, we make it as quick and easy as possible with our custom PVC cards here at CustomLanyard.net. 

This allows you to incorporate your logo, color scheme, and fonts to not only enhance the professional look of the badge but also build a consistent brand image. 

You should consider using color coding to differentiate between various access levels or departments within the organization. This will allow security personnel to quickly identify who belongs where.

Think about the ID card dimensions as well as the PVC ID card thickness. You want the badge to be big enough to easily glance at key details but not so big that it’s inconvenient to carry around or doesn’t fit into the standard types of badge holders. 

For what it’s worth, a thicker security badge will look and feel more professional - it’s more durable as well. You’ll pay more, but it’s a good investment!

Security Features

You may be wondering, how do ID cards work from a security perspective? You can integrate advanced features like RFID chips, magnetic stripes, or QR codes. These access control methods enable or restrict entry to specific areas based on the individual's clearance level.

Holograms, UV printing, and microtext are other effective security measures that can prevent counterfeiting. These features are difficult to replicate, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized duplication of badges. 

Meanwhile, tamper-evident elements like seals or overlays can further secure the badge by indicating if someone has attempted to alter it. Think about your security needs when making security badges and design your card accordingly 

Material and Durability

There are many different ID card materials you have at your disposal, from a PET vs PVC ID card to laminated ID cards vs not laminated. You should prioritize durability in making this decision.

We suggest PVC for the vast majority of use cases for its durability and flexibility. It can withstand daily wear and tear, making it ideal for long-term use in various environments. 

On the other hand, simple laminated badges offer added protection against scratches, moisture, and UV exposure, keeping the badges in good condition over time.

Budget Considerations

It’s easy to look for the cheapest option when making security badges, but remember that this is an investment in the protection of your business, its assets, employees, guests, students, etc. You shouldn’t cut corners here. 

That being said, how much do ID cards cost? It often depends on the quantity you’re purchasing and the complexity of your design. The more you buy, the less you’ll pay. You can play around with different features, sizes, and styles to find an option that fits your budget.

We’ll talk more about this later, but keep in mind that CustomLanyard.net has the cheapest ID cards on the market without compromising on quality. You can get your badge for as little as $0.37!

Should You Make Your Own Security Badge or Leave it to the Experts?

You may have come here wondering how to make PVC ID cards yourself, but hear us out. While the idea of learning how to make your own security badge can be tempting, it might not be the right approach for you.

DIY security badge creation gives you more control over the design process and can be cost-effective for small batches. However, it requires a substantial investment in equipment and materials, and the quality might not match that of professionally produced badges.

You have better things to worry about than choosing the best PVC ID card printer, sourcing raw materials, and actually learning how to print on ID cards. Leave it to the experts here at CustomLanyard.net instead!

Making Security Badges on a Budget is Quick, Easy, and Fun With CustomLanyard.net!

Our brand has more than a decade of experience creating personalized lanyards, custom wristbands, and custom security badges as well. 

We’ve earned the trust of companies like Facebook, Google, Yelp, Netflix, Nike, and more - but we bring the same commitment to small-scale operations as well. Learn more about why you can count on us below and how to make a security badge through our process.

What Makes Us the #1 Choice for Customized Security Badges?

Whether you’re making security badges for a trade show, school, business, or anything in between, you’ll find the best selection of materials, sizes, and styles here in our catalog. 

We always use the best materials and the latest printing technology to produce stunning, long-lasting products you’re proud to attach your name to. 

Despite our high-quality solutions, though, you’ll enjoy the lowest prices online. There is no minimum order quantity either - but the more you buy, the less you’ll pay.

We can rush production for you if you’re in a hurry to make your own security badge, and we have world-class customer service available every step of the way if you have questions or uncertainties. 

How to Make a Security Badge at CustomLanyard.net

Part of what keeps our customers coming back for more is the ease of learning how to make a security badge at CustomLanyard.net. It takes just a few clicks:

Sizing your cards: We have options ranging from 2.12” x 3.38” to as large as 6.5” x 4.75”. Pick from vertical or horizontal layouts, and select a thickness that resonates with your needs.

Choose your finish: Options include glossy, matte, frosted, holographic, and transparent.

Punch the holes: You can select from oval or circle holes, double holes, or no holes at all. This process makes it easy to put an ID card on a lanyard later on.

Customize the card: Now comes the fun part. You can upload your artwork if you have a professional design file or browse one of our intuitive templates. You can also design a card from scratch - there are so many directions you can take!

Finish up by adding any other members you need to create cards for. Request a proof if you’d like, add any other notes you want us to see, and select a delivery date. You can add an acrylic badge holder or clear plastic card holder to complete the purchase as well.

We’ll take it from there and get started making security badges so you can put them to use ASAP! Speaking of which, now that you know how to make a security badge, let’s touch on best practices for distribution and implementation below.

Tips on Making the Most of Your New Security Badges

Actually making security badges is just the first step. Now, you have to actually get them in the right hands and make sure they’re used properly. Here are some suggestions:

  • Distribute Efficiently: Organize a streamlined process so everyone receives the correct badge, especially during onboarding or events.
  • Educate Employees: Make sure people know how to properly use and care for their badges, and understand their importance in maintaining security.
  • Update Access Privileges: Regularly review and adjust access levels to maintain security, especially after role changes or departmental shifts.
  • Monitor Usage: Use embedded technology like RFID to track badge usage and identify any unusual activity that might indicate a security risk.
  • Replace Badges Promptly: Implement a clear policy for replacing lost or damaged badges, and deactivate old badges immediately to prevent unauthorized access.

Armed with these tips and our advice on how to make a security badge, you can rest assured you’re keeping your operations running smoothly and safely! 

Find more resources on how to make badge holders, how to laminate PVC ID card, best badge holder, and more in our blog. Otherwise, take the next step today!

Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Own Security Badge

That concludes our guide on how to make your own security badge - be it to safeguard your business or protect your students/faculty, organize your event, or anything in between. 

You can’t overlook the importance of these badges, which is why you shouldn’t settle for less than the best. Fortunately, your search ends here at CustomLanyard.net.

Whether you want a custom ID card lanyard or just a custom badge holder, we’ve got you covered with top-quality solutions at an unbeatable price. With a seamless process and world-class customer service along the way, what more could you ask for? 

Get started making security badges today at CustomLanyard.net!