Personal Identification

Personal identification refers to tags, badges, and signage that identify a person or a person’s property. These products can be anything from name badges and desk plates to luggage tags and tumbler accessories. Keep your eyes peeled, and chances are you’ll spot at least one personal identification product in your day-to-day life!

There are a wide range of industries and vertical markets that require personal identification products and a wide variety of technologies available to create the products needed. From hotels, retail shops, theme parks, airports, cruise ships, and casinos to restaurants and higher education there’s a need to identify personnel and there’s an industry serving that need. Why not join in?

Learn how to make standard name tag badges with sublimation, engraving, or UV printing. Discover materials, findings, and tips for creating custom name badges.

The most common form of personal identification product is a name badge. In fact, chances are your name is your favorite word, so it’s no surprise there’s an entire industry built around identifying names. Personal identification tags are commonly found in the hospitality market but are also needed in industries like medicine, law enforcement and retail. Despite each name badge having the purpose of identification in each application, each market has unique needs for materials, findings, colors, and patterns for custom name tags.

For example, law enforcement uniforms may require name tag badges personalized identification with pin backs or a special type of finding while hospitality name badges may need to match a specific brand standard color.

How to Make Custom Name Tags

As we’ve discovered, name badges are a staple of personal identification products, found in diverse industries such as hospitality, law enforcement, retail, and more. While their purpose—helping people identify others by name—remains constant, the methods to create them vary depending on specific use cases, environments, and customer preferences. Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to create standard name tag badges and explore the technologies available for customization.

Step One: Choose the Right Findings

“Finding” is the term used to describe how the name badge attaches to a garment or the backing of the name tag, like a magnet, pin, or lanyard clip. When choosing a finding, you will want to consider what the badge is attaching to, what the name badge wearer will be doing, and if the setting is permanent or temporary. Here are a few examples:

• Pin backs: Commonly used for law enforcement and medical staff where magnets may interfere with equipment.

• Magnetic backs: Magnetic name tags are ideal for industries like hospitality and retail where uniforms are a priority, as they don’t damage fabric.

• Clips and lanyards: Frequently used in temporary settings like conferences and events.

Step Two: Select a Material

Choosing a material for your name badge is an important step! When selecting your name badge material, consider the importance of durability, your design, and your preferred customization method. Materials can either be cut to size or purchased pre-cut depending on your fabrication capabilities and resource availability. Common name badge materials include:

• Plastic: (for lightweight, versatile options)

• Metal: (for a sleek, professional look)

• Wood: (for eco-conscious brands or unique designs)

Step Three: Choose a Customization Method

There are several options available for creating personal identification products, each with their own merits and drawbacks. Some common methods include sublimation, engraving, and UV/LED printing.

Sublimation is a low-cost option for creating vibrant, full color name badges and name tags. However, there are some limitations to the materials you can use as sublimation requires a polyester coated blank. JPPlus has pre-cut sublimation name tags that are made from FRP, aluminum, and MDF.

• Best for: Adding vibrant, fade-resistant colors to name badges.

• Advantages: Cost-effective for bulk production and can reproduce detailed designs.

• Tip: Combine sublimation with engraving for a professional, multi-dimensional finish.

Engraving is ideal for creating durable identification products with a professional look. It also opens the door to a wide range of substrates including wood, acrylic, and metals!

• Best for: Permanent and precise text or logo markings.

• Advantages: Engraved name badges are Ideal for industries like law enforcement where durability is essential. Plus, there are also pre-cut engraving name badges available!

• Tip: Laser engraving can add fine details without damaging the badge material.

UV-LED printing is growing in popularity for good reason! This technology allows fabricators to quickly and precisely print full color images and text directly onto the name badge substrate.

• UV printing badges is best for: High-resolution, full-color designs.

• Advantages: This technology allows for quick production and customization, making it perfect for hospitality name badges requiring brand-specific colors.

When looking for where to buy blank name tag badges, look for a source with multiple material options, prompt delivery, high stock levels, and easily accessible service. This will help ensure your customers are pleased with their name badges and you can easily recreate the product when the inevitable personnel changes occur!

Beyond the Name Badge

Spaces that serve the public like offices, hotels, and medical facilities require more than name badges from the personal identification product category. The personal identification products category includes a wide range of products to keep customers and patients informed while creating a positive brand image. These products include desk and wall plates, parking passes/tags, ID cards and lanyards all of which can be customized using sublimation, engraving, and UV/LED printing to maintain a cohesive look.

Desk and Wall Plates

Desk and wall plates can help identify rooms, showcase titles, and identify important spaces like reception! Name plates are often made of acrylic and engraved for durability and legibility but can also be sublimated or UV printed for color. Adding a frame or holder helps add a touch of elegance and professionalism to any space.

ID Cards

Another common form of personal identification are ID cards. These can be anything from photo badges to access cards and are a key element to security and brand identity. Print receptive cards are commonly used to create these important identifiers.

Parking Passes and Tags

Branded passes and tags are also an in-demand product. Whether for employees or visitors, there’s a need to identify cars and the tags can be customized with brand logos, names, and colors using laser engraving, UV/LED printing, or sublimation!

Personal Item Identifiation

Personal identification isn’t just for businesses! There’s a large market for customizing individual items like luggage and bag tags, decorative nameplates, and even trendy personalized name decals for the viral 40oz tumblers.

So, why invest in personal identification products?

As we’ve uncovered, personal identification products are everywhere! They’re essential for identifying personnel, key spaces, and even personal items and most industries have a need you can fill with your customization business whether you use laser engraving, sublimation, or UV/LED printing! By adding personal identification products to your business, you add a huge opportunity for growth and repeat business!