ID Badges Key Terms

Use ID badges key terms to select the best form of employee verification

By Tara McClendon, Freelance Writer/Editor Tara McClendon
ID badges can help you protect your company and your employees. They can also allow your employees to work together more closely by establishing a quick and easy way to address one another by name. The type of ID badge system that works best for your company will depend on the needs of your organization. If you want to allow employees to access certain parts of your building, you may benefit from electron chips. If you just want to provide basic name tags, you may want to offer employees ID badges with two-dimensional logos.

 

ID card system

An ID card system refers to the equipment and supplies needed to make your own ID badges. In most cases, purchasing a system will give you all the supplies you need to start identifying employees.
Try: ID Superstore provides product specifications for ID card printers.

Lanyards

A lanyard is a neck cord or ribbon that attaches to an ID badge. Employees can wear lanyards around their necks, wrap them around their wrists, or drop them into their purses or pockets to keep their ID badge nearby at all times without having to attach the badge to their clothing.
Try: 1888Lanyard.com defines what a lanyard is and offers examples for how you can use them.

Badge reels

Badge reels are another way employees can attach their name badges. The badge reel slides onto clothing and has a retractable string that attaches to the ID badge to allow easy use of the identification.
Try: View examples of different styles of badge reels at Name Badge Productions.

Two-dimensional logo

Two-dimensional logos are images that make it appear as though the image is three-dimensional. Through shadows, tones and other techniques an artist can make the image appear to be three-dimensional. Some companies use a two-dimensional logo in order to make it harder to duplicate or fake an employee ID.
Try: Enchanted Creek Studios provides an example of a two-dimensional drawing and explains some of the things used to create the desired affect.

Micro text

Another security feature that many ID cards offer is micro text. Usually micro text comes preprinted, but you can also use a thermal printer to add it to ID badges. The text is small enough that the human eye cannot detect it, but special equipment will verify its presence.
Try: Alpha Card provides an in-depth explanation of micro text and its use with ID badges.

Electronic chips

An electronic chip allows an ID badge to interact with an electric component. The chip may allow an employee access to the building; it may act as a time clock, logging the arrival and departure of an employee; or it may provide an electronic signature. Electronic chip ID badges can work on contact, by swiping, or remotely within a limited distance.
Try: TechInsights offers an overview of electronic chips in ID cards and shows the use for this technology on a global level.


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