How to Print Name Tags and Badges Economically with a Thermal Label Printer?
Name tags and badges are essential for any event. They help identify people at conferences, social activities, and are also effective for visitor management and access control at trade shows or other events. So how to print name tags efficiently and economically for your conference, corporate visitors or networking event?
This guide will cover every step, from preparation to designing and creating professional, attractive name badges and tags.
Preparation for Name Tag Printing
Before starting the printing process, make sure you're well-prepared. This stage includes:
1. Choose the Right Name Tag Printer
Name tags and badges come in many types, such as plastic cards, full-color paper badges, or name tag stickers.
Using badge cards can be costly and inefficient. You need to invest in an expensive PVC card printer, and the consumables are also pricey. Its printing speed is not fast, making it impractical for on-site printing in large-scale events.
Thermal label printers are becoming increasingly popular among companies and event organizers for creating custom name badges with barcode or QR codes.
These name tag printers offer a compelling combination of speed, ease of use, and affordability. Moreover, they can be easily integrated with tablets and other mobile devices to facilitate on-site badge printing, particularly at large-scale exhibitions and shows.
IDPRT, a trusted China label barcode printer manufacturer, offers portable, compact name tag printers with both wired and wireless connectivity, enabling flexible connections to computers, and tablets, smartphones for mobile printing. Our badge label printers are ideal for various applications and print volumes, including:
● Visitor pass and badge printing in factories, companies, and schools
● Conference badge printing at the entrance or in the office
● On-site badge printing for trade shows and events
● Social networking name tag printing at fixed locations or on the go
Contact us today to learn more about our name tag printing solutions.
2. Determine the Type of Name Tags
Thermal label printers can print various texts, graphics, logos, and barcodes onto thermal paper and labels. Although they are limited to monochrome printing, they can still be used to create various kinds of name tags and badges.
The simplest form is a plain, black-and-white non-adhesive name badge.
It's easy to use iDPRT SP320 3-inch thermal label printer to print on these blank fanfold thermal paper featuring integrated lanyard slots. Once printed, the paper is folded in half to create a double-sided badge, which can be instantly attached to a lanyard. This design makes them ideal for small meetings, volunteer events, and informal gatherings.
To add a more professional touch, you can prepare a quantity of pre-printed color badge paper using an office printer. Incorporate the event's name, logo, and slogan into the design, leaving a blank area for name tag stickers with participants' information.
3. Identify Name Tag Size
When selecting a name tag size, consider the information that needs to be displayed. Ensure the size is large enough for the text to be easily read from a distance.
4. Prepare Name Tag Accessories
Get badge holders to keep paper badges in good condition and provide lanyards or fasteners for attendees to wear easily.
Designing Your Name Tags
Effective name tag printing begins with the design. Here are a few key tips to make your name tags both functional and visually appealing:
1. Font Size and Style
Make sure the text is legible from a reasonable distance. Use a simple font that is easy to read, and ensure the attendee's name is larger than other details such as their company or role.
2. Include Relevant Information
Apart from the name, you can include other details like company name, and job title. And visitor badges should contain the visit date and specific areas of access.
3. Branding
If you're organizing a corporate event, use your brand colors or logo on the name tag to create a cohesive look. For casual events, themed name tags can make them more memorable.
4. Barcode or QR Codes
For applications requiring strict access control, incorporating barcodes or QR codes into name tags provides a secure and efficient way to verify attendee identity and permissions. These codes can be scanned quickly, allowing for easy entry and tracking.
IDPRT's free label design software makes creating custom name tags a breeze.
Our badge label printers and software work seamlessly together, allowing you to design and print professional-looking visitor passes and event badges with ease.
Enjoy a wide range of templates, symbols, and graphics, all accessible from your computer or mobile device. Plus, our cloud storage feature lets you save your custom label templates for future use.
Printing Name Tags
Once you've connected your thermal label printer to a power source, loaded it with the correct consumables, and designed your tags, you're ready to print.
Always perform a test print to ensure alignment and quality are correct. This helps avoid waste and ensures a smooth printing process.
For adhesive labels, simply peel and stick them onto pre-printed badges, then insert them into plastic holders.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning a small meeting or a large-scale conference, using name tag printing effectively can significantly enhance the experience for everyone involved. Invest in the right name tag printer and follow best practices, and you'll see how efficient and impactful well-made name badges can be.
