badge holders

Back to School Name Tag Edition

From new clothes to pens and paper, back to school needs are everywhere!

It’s that time of year again when parents are sending their kids back to school. Kids need all sorts of supplies to start the school year off right and prepared. We’re here to help the teachers and other educators get their supplies ready for back to school needs.

Choose from an abundance of identification products to meet most any need you might face in the classroom. Here are some great suggestions for a few types of personal identification needs that we carry.

Reusable Name Badges

With as many choices as we have for these name badges, we’re sure to have what you’re looking for! Use adhesive name badges for the new students as name tags on their desks to make them feel welcome. Customize a Mighty Badge for each of the hall monitors. Or use a name badge as your hall pass. With magnetic fasteners, it will be easy to just have the student attach the badge to their shirt and you’ll never lose another hall pass!

Name Plates

Replace your outdated name plate from last year. Choose from desk top or wall versions and match it your style. Name plates are also a great way to label all of your back to school supplies in your organized closet. And if you really want to step up your game, try giving one to students as a unique and classy reward for a job well done.

Does your school require that you wear photo ID or a security card to enter the building? Need something to make sure that you don’t lose this? Try a badge holder. By using badge holders that ID or security card can be easily accessible with a fastener or hang it around your neck with a lanyard. (We sell those too!)

Another great way to use these badge holders is to make a dry erase workbook. Customize the inserts with more lesson plans or homework materials. Use a dry erase marker to write on the badge holder and simply wipe with a cloth when done. Use and reuse these badge holder workbooks again and again.

Whatever your choice, budget and need, we definitely have the solution. And don’t feel limited by these suggestions. There are tons more things that you can do with each of these name tags or name badges.

Customer Donations: The Cheesecake Factory

By now, you should know that donations are a large part of what makes us, well, us!

Coller Industries might just be your go-to specialist for all personal identification needs, but did you know that we care about all of our customers? Well, it’s true, we do! And part of that caring means that we give back. Not only to our local community, but to all of our customers. We do this by giving donations of our goods to those in need. And we are happy to announce that we’ve done it again!

This month’s donation went to The Cheesecake Factory Oscar and Evelyn Overton Charitable Foundation. Now that’s a mouthful! But look at what they have to say for themselves.

The Cheesecake Factory has inherited a tradition of excellence from our founders, Oscar and Evelyn Overton. (Their values have) shaped our culture and continue to define (the company’s) character today. It is with these values in mind that we proudly established The Cheesecake Factory Charitable Foundation in 2001.

The foundation exists to fulfill its mission through enhancing surrounding communities’ well-being. This non-profit organization was created not only as a means to raise funds for worthy causes, but also as a way to unite our caring and conscientious staff members in charitable causes.

Monica Schneider, Foundation Intern at The Cheesecake Factory, said, “We greatly appreciate Coller Industries’ generosity (in supporting our foundation and efforts).”

The foundation was given badge holders and inserts as well as black flat lanyards.

Schneider went on to explain how the badge holders and lanyards would benefit the foundation. “The 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament and Auction brings together The Cheesecake Factory vendors, associates and corporate staff members to raise much needed funds. Money raised expands Foundation programs and provides a substantial donation to the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.”

“As a result of the 2015 Tournament, the Foundation donated $205,000 to City of Hope,” exclaimed Schneider.

We are grateful for organizations such as The Cheesecake Factory Charitable Foundation. All of our donations are sincerely something that helps us stand out from our competition.

A Complete Guide to Badge Reels

Retractable badge reels are easy to use and show proper identification.

What are badge reels?
Badge reels are a personal identification accessory that allows someone to keep their name tag on them at all times. Typically, badge reels are made from a durable plastic and contain a retractable cord making them perfect for “functional” name tags, name badges and badge holders. They come with either a bull dog clip or a belt clip. They can also be ordered with a lanyard to wear it around your neck. They also give the option of customizing the fabric with logos and text as well as the reel casing. A customized lanyard with a badge reel will help make any brand stand out from the competition.

How does a retractable badge reel work?
The retractable cord is simply pulled away from the casing and then released to have it slide back in. This feature is perfect when needing to keep a name badge or other item easily accessible.

Who typically uses these retractable badge reels?
They are commonly used in office complexes and other organizations. Students are also frequently seen wearing badge reels. You can find them everywhere. Not only are they great for photo identification and name tags, but they can also hold keys and smaller items such as mini tools.

Where are they used the most?
Retractable badge reels are most often used at companies and organizations with keyless entry systems. However, they can be used anywhere you might see personal identification. Any business, school or organization can benefit from the use of these retractable badge reels. They are handy to have at meetings and conventions as most of the styles can be custom made with text and logos. Customize a badge reel to market your brand and company anywhere.

When are these commonly seen?
With an extendable cord, these retractable reels are perfect for any occasion. Use them to hold badge holders or other photo identification during conventions, conferences and other such meetings. They are also a great tool to attach to keys or other items that need to be kept accessible. Both options (with or without a lanyard) can be fully customized to promote any brand or logo.

Why should you use a these reels?
These retractable badge reels are increasing in popularity due to their simple and effective promotional uses. They come in a variety of colors and styles. The unique feature of the retractable cord makes these ideal for offices and other companies that use photo identification which is also used as a key or time card.

Basic Lanyard Uses

While a lanyard is often required for identification, many don’t realize its effectiveness. The best thing about a lanyard is that it can have social and practical uses in everyday occasions and special events. From identification to advertising, use lanyards in multiple ways.

Lanyards are ideal for identification and safety.

Several versions of lanyards all customized for business use.

Typically, lanyards are worn in offices and conferences to provide identification. And, traditionally these work well as most lanyards are designed to compliment a name badge or name tag. If a company requires security cards or photo IDs, lanyards are a great and useful way to keep these items handy. So, as you come to a security checkpoint or somewhere else where you might need to show your ID, you won’t have to search for your card. Lanyards are a low cost option for identifying who belongs and who doesn’t. When employees are provided with custom lanyards with either a company logo or slogan, they are easily identified to provide better security.

Lanyards are also effective advertising.

Lanyards provide simplistic and efficient advertising. Usually worn around the neck, lanyards remain easily accessible. As such, they are a perfect advertising opportunity. In addition, providing employees with a custom lanyard with a business logo or slogan allows them to keep their name badge handy. Still, most of those who wear lanyards as part of their uniforms do not remove them after leaving work. This provides your company with extra and free walking advertising.

If you provide a lanyard during a convention or event, people may continually use them in their homes and life. Many people find it convenient to attach keys to lanyards for easy access and the lessened likelihood of losing them. Again, free advertising. So, the next time you think about advertising strategies, consider how effective custom lanyards are.

Four Favorite Name Tag Features

Name tags and name badges have a controversial past, but there is no reason to have a fear of name tags. Here are four name tag features to overcome that fear.

Some people believe that name tags are useful for businesses and others believe that name badges block individuality and are becoming obsolete. In either case, most people can agree on one thing, name tags and name badges can help when trying to identify people in large groups and in certain surroundings.

First, and the most obvious, providing identification. One of the most important name tag features is that they reinforce someone’s identity. When a retail employee wears a name tag with a company name or logo clearly visible on it, that name badge becomes a subtle form of advertising and it reinforces that company’s brand into the minds of any customers.

The second name tag features, and maybe a little less thought about, is security. Name badges make it easier for employees to recognize those who might not belong. As an example, if an employee is accustomed to seeing his or her fellow employees with name tags, an abnormality would be spotted easier. This is particularly true for a company that deals with sensitive information or products. Anyone that may be out of place would be immediately spotted to help maintain the company’s security.

Third, providing an immediate relationship with the viewer. While this is a more subtle use of a name badge, it is just as important as other reasons to use a name tag. Name badges worn at a school reunion help attendees to locate old friends and job memories. They are great for ice-breakers and other games that might be played at such an event. Name tags allow someone to be easily identified and give information on who that person is, such as a title or department that said person might work in. Several surveys have discovered that customers prefer interacting with employees that wear name tags.

Last, but not least, is professionalism. This is probably the second most thought of name tag feature. Business name tags subtly encourage the wearer to maintain some professionalism while being worn. Sometimes it is easy for employees to forget where they are, but by adding a name badge or name tag, this is less likely to happen. While there is nothing wrong with having a casual working environment, a name tag will ensure a certain amount of professionalism.

So, don’t be afraid of the ever elusive name tag. They are your friend and can be very useful in many situations. They should never be overlooked.