Every business, organization, educational system, and governmental entity needs one thing for their ID badges or cards: a way to hold it. Most expect cardholders to display their IDs either for security reasons (e.g., so security personnel can tell at a glance who belongs). Others use holders that make it easy for cardholders to access their cards for swiping or coming within proximity of a card reader.
As there are many types of ID badge holders available, how do you choose the right one for your cardholders' needs? Let's go over a few deciding factors.
What do you need ID badges or cards for?
If security is your top motivating factor for ID badges or cards, you need a holder that offers instant visual proof for who belongs and who doesn't. While most badge holders are clear, you can choose different colored badge holders for different levels of security or cardholder category. For example, schools and hospitals can visually differentiate between staff like teachers and nurses and others like students and volunteers with different colored badge holders. Other organizations might choose clear badge holders so security personnel can easily see photographs and other identifying information to verify the cardholders' presence.
On the other hand, maybe you need ID badges for access control. You may need cards easily accessible to swipe through a reader or cards prominently displayed to activate a proximity card reader. These cards are more likely to need badge reels or lanyards instead of badge holders.
Another consideration could be some wear and tear on your company ID badges and cards. A vinyl or hard plastic badge holder helps protect and preserve your ID cards and badges from scratches and other abrasions that shorten their lifespan.
What types of badge holders are available?
You can choose from several types of badge holders. Each meets different needs.
- ID badge holders with pins. These are the classic badge holders’ people most often think of. They pin onto the cardholders' clothing like a shirt or jacket for quick and easy display. You might find these badge holders at conferences or shows where an ID introduces the person wearing it or segregates them into different categories or sections. They're less likely to be used today because of the potential for damage to clothing.
- ID badge holders with clips. Another common badge holder uses metal alligator clips to attach ID cards and badges to cardholders' clothing, much like the pin badge holders above. These are more commonly used because they're less likely to damage the cardholders' clothing. Clips are common on several types of badge holders like the vinyl or hard plastic holders that clip directly to clothing. You'll also find clips on lanyards and badge reels that attach to clothing but have an intermediary piece between the clip and the card.
- ID badge holders with slots. Instead of having a clip or a pin on the back of the badge holder, these holders are either vinyl or hard plastic and have a slot at the top. Whether you need horizontal or vertical holders, the slot lets you connect your badge holder to a variety of options like lanyards and badge reels. Depending on how your cardholders will use their IDs, you have a great selection of straps, lanyards, badge reels, and more from which your cardholders can choose.
What other characteristics do badge holders offer?
Badge holders offer more functionality, more card protection, and ways to stay eco-friendly. Here are a few tips.
- Earth-friendly badge holders. If your corporate mission includes reducing your carbon footprint, choose an earth-friendly badge holder. These contain no toxic chemicals, and some are biodegradable which are great if you need badge holders that are good for both your employees and the environment.
- Safety badge holders. If your employees and others spend time outdoors in low-light conditions, choose reflective badge holders. This helps individuals be seen when outdoors in poor lighting. Some badge holders’ glow in the dark as well. Another option would be anti-static badge holders for situations where static electricity is a problem. One example would be cards with magnetic stripes.
- Shield badge holders. For highly secure organizations like governmental entities, you may need to shield your employees' ID cards and badges from scammers. The best way to protect your sensitive information and more is by using shield protectors for smart cards and other badges. These keep cards safe from unauthorized individuals or readers.
- Rigid plastic holders. If you want to reduce wear and tear on frequently used cards, consider getting rigid plastic holders. You can choose from both horizontal and vertical holders that make it easy for employees and others to slide their cards out of the holder. But when in the rigid plastic holder, it protects your ID cards and badges with substantial support to keep you from frequently reissuing damaged cards.
Final thoughts
Whatever badge holder you decide is best for your organization's needs, consider getting customized options with your company's name and logo. An ID badge or card holder offers more than simply holding cards; it protects your cards and badges from daily wear and tear or harsh environments and can even help you distinguish between employees and visitors or students and staff.
Call one of the Idesco ID Experts today at (212) 889-2530 to go over our huge supply of ID badge and card holders. We'll help you find the right accessories for your organization's specific needs at the lowest price—guaranteed.