Creating professional ID cards

Proper ID card designs should help:

• Quickly and easily identify employees, contractors and visitors
• Enhance physical and logical security
• Increase efficiency and productivity
• Reduce vulnerability to counterfeiting
• Reflect the organization’s brand identity

Here are some best practices for creating employee ID badges.

1. Background Design– Whatever background you choose, be sure to use something that will not detract from the actual employee information. Make sure that all information is clearly visible from a distance.
2. Photo Size – The starting point is a color photograph. From a design perspective, the larger and more vivid the photo, the easier it is to authenticate the cardholder. The recommended minimum photo size is 1” x 1.25”.  It is also important to crop all photos from the shoulders up. We recommend that you utilize a solid color backdrop for photo taking, no brick walls, or patterned backgrounds!
3. Font Size – The larger the font size you utilize, the better. Due to the nature of direct-to-card printers, it is hard to reproduce very fine lines or small point font text. It is also important to utilize common block font types for easy legibility.
4. Technology – Remember to leave adequate space for any technology you need to incorporate – i.e., magnetic stripe, barcode, prox etc.
5. Slot or No – If your ID cards are going to be worn, be sure to accommodate an area for the slot punch so you do not slot through the printed information, or card technology. Standard slot punch dimension is .5625” x .125”. Bottom of slot is .3125” from top of card. Other attachments are available that do not require the card to be slotted.
6. Additional Design Options –

• Use a color bar or different graphic to easily designate different departments, access levels, etc., from a distance.
• Use different badge orientations (vertical/horizontal) to identify groups such as employee or visitor, at a glance.
• Duplicate the front of the ID card on the backside so pertinent information is always visible even if the card flips while being worn.
• Incorporate fluorescing or holographic security elements that are easy to validate – choices available for every budget.
• Retire cards that are faded.