ID Badges are used anywhere these days. They are used in the hospital as medical cards that provide discounts and benefits. ID badges are a standard operating procedure in schools, companies and libraries. ID badges help to ensure security and maintain organization. Of course, these badges are also used for personal use. You could use them as souvenir for a birthday celebration, you could make use of badges for small, private groups and clubs, for a small production like the school play, or just for fun.

1. Materials

There are many available kinds of paper to choose from in making your custom badges. The shape of the ID would depend on your preference if it would be vertical or horizontal. The materials of the badge would depend on the design and how authentic you want the badge to look, if you are attempting to replicate a specific look.

- Laminated badge

- Dimension is 2 1/8 x 3 ?

- Sticker badge

- Can be purchased on bookstores

- Premium quality specialty paper

- satin cloth

- and card board

- Transparent plastic cards

2. Design

The design of your custom badges would depend on what the badge is for. If it the badge is going to be used in a formal occasion or organization, present the design with a sophisticated style. The color is your choice.

Ask yourself or the members of your organization what information is to be placed on the custom badges. The position of the information is also important because this would serve as identification of the person bearing it. The choices of the card could contain an organization or company logo and name, student or employee number, signature of the bearer for verification purposes, contact numbers, expiry date of the card, and control numbers. It is up to you where you would place the information. Make sure that you provide a space for the picture and signature if you require this information.

3. Scanning

It is important for you to obtain all the data you need in completing your custom badge for you to scan it into your computer. All the images should be formatted in jpg for best pixel imagery. The standard size of picture on the identification badge is 1x1 or nothing smaller than a mail stamp.

If you plan the custom badges to contain the signatures of the bearer, make sure to collect them on a piece of paper at least standard letter size. After obtaining the signatures, scan it into your computer and save it as a file type that retains the detail of the signature, such as a .jpg or better.

4. Preparation

Open software that allows you to edit your images (eg. Adobe Photoshop). You could adjust the shade of the picture if it does not match your design.

- Set up the dimensions of the canvas to those desired

- Unlock the background layer and fill it with white or your desired background image

- Cut the picture from the file and paste it in a new layer above the background

- Resize as necessary, and position where desired

- Create text areas for all of the text required, using a desired font

- Print on high quality paper

5. Laminating

After printing the card, make sure to dry it for 20 minutes. If it the ink has dried, it is now safe to laminate it with a plastic cover. Make sure to measure the card and the cover before starting lamination. The lamination will require at least an inch of space.