Which Name Tag Fastener is Right for You?

You’ve chosen what name tag you want, designed your logo and made a list of the names you need printed on them. There’s still one crucial part of the name tag equation left: choosing a fastener. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly, as different occasions and environments call for certain fasteners. Work attire and uniforms should be taken into consideration as well.

The fastener you choose will directly impact the appearance of the name tag, so choose carefully!

Magnet Fastener
Pros: Of all our fasteners, magnetic is the most popular. A strong magnetic current secures the name tag in place, but without snagging or pinning holes in the material.
Cons: If the name tag is hit or caught on something, it could be displaced and you might lose one side of the magnetic fastener.

Pin Fastener
Pros: Tried, tested and true, the pin fastener is simple and effective. Just pin it to your pocket or shirt, and your name tag will stay put. It won’t be dislodged unless the pin is accidentally unhooked, which is unlikely.
Cons: It might poke holes in your shirt or pocket. This isn’t a problem if your uniform or attire is made of heavy duty material, but if you’re wearing something more delicate, the pin might snag it.

Swivel Bulldog Clip
Pros: This fastener easily clips onto pockets and lanyards, securing your name tag without having to pin it through a shirt or fixate the magnets to stay put.
Cons: If you’re not wearing a lanyard, a jacket or pants with pockets then you’re out of luck. You want to avoid placing the name tag in an awkward place.

Double Clutch Fastener
Pros: Two pins are better than one. Double clutch pins stabilize the name tag, preventing it from getting bent or hanging on the shirt too much. With even support on both sides, the name tag won’t flop or droop.
Cons: Like the regular pin clip fastener, double clutch fasteners can snag or create holes in the material it’s pinned on.

12 Points on Name Tag Etiquette

By Syndi Seid – a world leading etiquette trainer, celebrity speaker and founder of San Francisco based Advanced Etiquette.

Multiple styles of name tags with logos and first and last names that help show name tag etiquette.

1) Why name tags?

When preparing name tags, consider their purpose. Always show the names in spoken order: your first name followed by your surname and affiliation. To maintain proper etiquette, think twice about the need to provide any information beyond these basics.

2) Writing a name tag

Use only big, bold block letters in all caps or upper and lower case letters. Avoid script or cursive handwriting, and do not add personalized touches that could be confusing. No matter how well lit a room may be, it is always challenging to decipher cursive handwriting, particularly by those from other countries or ethnic origins.

3) Etiquette and using honorifics

Except for specialized events, do not use honorifics and titles on name tags. These include Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., PhD, MD, General Manager or President. Because name tags intend to show a person’s identity quickly, they should only indicate first and last surname and affiliation.

4) “Hello, my name is…”

I confess I do not like this particular style of name badge. Admittedly, they do serve a purpose for highly informal occasions. But they seem very elementary and out of place in a professional setting. It is best to use clean, professional looking sheets, with or without colored borders.

Adhesives Name badges for any event.

5) Squint factor

Nothing is more disappointing than attending a conference or professional meeting only to arrive at check in and discover the name tags are terribly under presented. The names are printed too small, the company affiliation is so small you can not make it out and every other detail, shy of your birth date, is loaded onto the badge.

6) Printing name tags

When generating pre-printed tags on a computer, take care when choosing an appropriate font and font size. I find that 40 point Arial type is a good starting point for first and last names and affiliations for that tags I produce. Sometimes, it takes a little extra time to employ a little trial and error to find the correct font size and balance. However, it will be well worth the effort to achieve the optimum results.

7) Etiquette of using affiliations and logos

Even though it is important to give attention to the sponsoring organization, always remember that the essential information on the name tag is the person’s name, not the organization’s. By this, I mean the bulk of the space should be devoted to presenting the person’s full name. Thus, the scale of the logo or sponsoring affiliation should be much smaller than the attendee’s name. It should never dominate the tag.

Logo names tags: engraved, full color and hot stamped.

8) Printing the first name larger than the last name

While there are no hard and fast rules governing whether to enlarge the person’s first name, I submit it is best to print both the first and last name in the same size font. With so many men and women sharing the same first name, it can be confusing to see a lot of Susans or Stevens walking around. But, again, this underscores the value of regarding one’s full name as one’s personal branding vehicle.

9) Etiquette for using reusable name badge at various events

While arriving with your very own custom designed name tag assures you that you will present your name and affiliation to your absolute liking, it may not be in your best interest. Consider this: event planners usually create name tags specific to a particular occasion to identify, at a glance, those who legitimately belong at the event and those who do not. Unfortunately, wearing a custom name tag you created may inadvertently convey the impression of being a party crasher!

10) Company ID badges

Many companies require staff to wear name badges for instant identification purposes. In this case, wearing such badges on the left shoulder is customary.

11) Placing name tags straight and in plain view

Never allow your name tag to be worn crooked, sideways or even upside down. It sends a negative message to others, usually implying a lack of respect for the occasion or a lack of care or interest in your personal appearance.

Never wear a badge upside down. Though it may sound silly, believe it or not, I know someone who deliberately wears his name badge upside down. He claims it is the best way to meet women. Why? Because he says women will go out of their way to approach him to help him correct what they perceive as his oversight. My friend claims men are far less likely to mention it or bother helping. Needless to say, I do not recommend this practice to anyone.

In my book, this tactic sends the signal that here is a person who cares little about the image he conveys. Who would want to convey the impression that they purposefully missed something as simple as adequately wearing a name badge? What else might be missing? In other words, while it is possible that one person may take this for humor, another person may take it as incompetence. Why risk creating this kind of confusion?

12) Last but not least, etiquette on where to wear a name tag.

A man in a suit putting on a name tag.

Always wear your name tag on your upper right shoulder when networking at professional functions or social events. Here’s why. Place the badge as high up on your right shoulder as possible. This will give other people the best and easiest view of both the tag and your face. As you extend your right hand for a handshake, your eye and arm are already drawn to the right side of the person you are greeting. Because the uppermost part of your chest is the flattest area on your shoulder, this helps your tag to lie flat and be more secure.

These points are especially relevant to women, as most women feel awkward drawing attention to an area of our chests we would prefer not to. Placing it in an easy to read and visible place keeps the focus where it should be.

Perfect your name tag etiquette with any reusable badge or name tag.
Designing your name tags

Adding credentials of any form to name tags is easy when you shop at www.nametag.com.

Keys to a Successful Spring Event

By Michael Green

Are you getting ready for a spring event? Use these four keys to a successful spring event to make sure you and your staff get your feet in all the right doors.

four keys to a successful spring event such as a convention

Key #1: Communication at your spring event

Did you do your research on your target audience?

Having 500 people attend your event is great, but it matters less if your speakers talk about selling backpacking equipment to computer nerds. Present the correct information to the right people, and you will yield much greater results. Did you get the best speakers possible for your event?

A lot of times, you can get really great speakers just by showing you have a decent attendance rate. The better the speakers, the better the event.

Do not hand out brochures at the event itself. Your promotional items are the only long term marketing materials you should expect people to hold on to after the event. These items are things like lanyards, mugs, water bottles, anything permanent and reusable that people can get some use out of and that displays your company logo and information so you stay in mind.

Key #2: Identification

Is a name badge available for every person who walks through the door?

This is crucial. People need to be easily identified—you, your staff, guests, speakers, everyone. This can help you build and maintain your brand, among other things.

Take it a step further for VIPs. Consider badge ribbons for your speakers, board members and important guests to help them stand out and feel appreciated. This helps in the long run, as the more effective speakers will want to simultaneously come back and help your cause and their own. Give as many options as your budget allows. Magnetic fasteners are great; just be aware that some people have pacemakers. Have another option available for them (pin, clip, etc.).

Key #3: Staying Organized

Do not try to wing it.

Do your guests know the event schedule? Have one prepared and available well before the event date.

Numbers matter. Get an accurate headcount and pass this information on to your caterer and purchasing agents. Too much or too little of anything can get you into a whole heap of trouble.

Assign seating. At least organized by guest category. You will want all of your speakers sitting up front, probably in chronological order and so forth.

Spell it out. Are your staff and volunteers trained and prepared to do their assigned tasks? Having job descriptions for anyone involved helps move things along without taking up your time for constant reminders and explanations.

Key #4: Remember who has you covered for your spring event

From (hopefully) helpful tips to all your promotional and identification product needs, Coller Industries Incorporated has you covered.

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Badge holder with a colored insert designed for a spring event with a badge ribbon attached at the bottom.

Name Tag Best Practices

By Scott Ginsberg

Because a person’s name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten; because self-disclosure is the single most effective way to build rapport and connect with people you just met; and because initiating the conversation is half the battle – your name tag is your best friend.

However, improper creation and wearing of name tags can work against you (and your business) if you’re not careful.

Scott Ginsberg has been internationally recognized by CNN, CBS, The Associated Press, The Washington Post and Paul Harvey as “the world’s foremost field expert on name tags.” Below are Scott’s responses to several name tag related inquiries pulled from his Building Front Porches Ezine.

1 ) What are some tips for wearing name tags at trade shows?

Before you even pack your show, make sure your employees, salespeople and booth representatives each have THEIR OWN premade company name tags. You can get these done at any local engraving store for less than $7 a piece, probably cheaper en masse. The reason to do this is because a) trade show name tags don’t always maximize your “name tag real estate,” and b) trade show name tags rarely include your logo – which helps for brand recognition.

Now, perhaps it seems redundant to wear two name tags, right? Well, think about the Superbowl: How many commercials does Budweiser run each year? Exactly. Always more than one. So even with name tags, it’s all about the Three R’s of Networking: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition!

Next, when you get to the show, wear your own custom name tag in a visible location so that everyone who walks in and out of your booth sees is. Potential buyers need to make the instant connection between YOU and the BOOTH. Also, when you get busy, it can get hard for prospects to locate the right person. The last thing you want is uncertainty about who the actual booth employee is! So use your name tag to identify and differentiate yourself among the masses.

2 ) How do you handle poorly designed name tags that are already provided for you at events?

Tough issue. About 80% of the name tags I’ve ever seen at events are designed without consideration of font size, color, etc. I always suggest that people create and bring THEIR OWN custom made name tag to all events in the situation that the given name tag is ineffective. You can wear both if security and identification is an issue. But most chairs or hosts of meetings won’t be offended, as long as you initially take the name tag given to you as an extension of courtesy – even if you don’t wear it.

Of course, none of this would be a problem if the meeting planners would just make them right the first time!

3 ) On which side of your chest should you wear a name tag?

There isn’t a single book on networking, meeting planning or interpersonal communication that doesn’t say name tags should go on the right. “They” say you should wear your name tag on the right hand side so it is visible in the direct line with your handshake. For the most part, I agree. And so do most people. This is one of the few name tag protocols most people are familiar with.

On the other hand, the horizontal placement of your name tag should be dependent on the capacity in which you are wearing it. For example, if you work in a hotel, in retail, at a trade show or any other mobile environment where there are aisles, rows and hallways, consider the possibility of wearing your name tag on the left side of your chest so it is most visible to oncoming traffic. (If you live in a country where you walk on the right side of the path.)

Now, this is a debatable issue. But the bottom line about horizontal placement is this: it doesn’t matter which side of your chest the name tag lays, as long as it’s above your breastbone and readable from 10 feel away. Case in point:

4) Is it redundant to have your first name twice on your name tag?

Yes and no. “Doubling” the first name is very common for conventions, meetings or large groups. Usually, the first name is reprinted above the entire name in a larger font – possibly all caps – to be more visible. (In fact, most computer programs have this as a default setting on their templates.) Doubling is helpful for people who go by abbreviated, middle or different names. After all, all you really need to get their attention is their first name! On the other hand, if your name is Don, and people call you Don, it would be an ineffective use of your name tag space to write it twice. So, just write Don…but make it bigger. As big as you can!

5 ) Are some name tags better quality than others?

Absolutely. Especially when it comes casual settings and parties, handwrite name tags are usually an inelastic, last minute purchase. Most people just buy the first box they see at their local supply store. But I must warn you that there are plenty of name tags out there that are HORRIBLE. Some have faded colors, while others have paper quality consistent with that of tissue.

In fact, many companies advertise “weak adhesive to prevent clothing damage” on their packaging to protect your fabulous wardrobe. But keep in mind, this second-rate adhesive will wear off in minutes and cause your name tag to “curl” and become unreadable. So decide what’s more important: sticky stuff on your clothes or being unapproachable.

6 ) Are gold name tags a no-no?

Gold name tags are few and far between because a) it’s very difficult to read ANY text printed on them, b) they’re usually too expensive to purchase en masse, and c) street thugs might hold you up at gunpoint and rob you. People in education – mainly collegiate – wear gold name tags because it’s been their tradition for a long time. And it certainly looks very elegant. But other than that, gold is not a recommended color.

7 ) Are first and last names necessary for employee name tags?

Anonymity and personal safety are two issues that must be taken into account when issuing name tags to employees. Most handbooks or employee manuals briefly mention their name tag policies, however many organizations fail to address this issue. Some people may not feel comfortable wearing both their first and last names on the job. I’ve heard accounts of nosy customers who tried to contact, even stalk, employees outside of work because they could obtain their personal information.

One solution to this problem is to print first name only name tags. This protects the anonymity of the employee, maximizes the space and looks friendly. (Besides the knowledge of your Radio Shack salesman’s last name is not crucial to the service process!) Should a situation arise where a person’s safety may be in jeopardy, it might a good idea to have an extra name tag with alternate spelling, or even a different name.

8 ) How can I avoid name-tag-related clothing damage?

Holes, wrinkles, adhesive stains – these things will happen to you. I suggest that when name tags are provided, always read the back of the name tag before applying it. Most badge manufacturers – at least, the good ones – will tell you which types of materials are susceptible to damage. Now, this doesn’t give you the right not to wear your name tag, but it may help you decide how to wear it.

In the past 10 years most name tags have shifted to fastener types like clips, lanyards, magnets, etc. These are excellent solutions, although I’d watch out for those magnetic fasteners: they will destroy silk.

9 ) How can you modify name tags to accommodate your clothes?

Whether it’s adhesive damage, fashion trouble or lack of a good location, some people refuse to wear adhesive name tags solely because of their clothes. But with a little improvisation you can still maintain your approachability.

I was giving a speech last week when a lady at my table thought of an ingenious name tag modification technique. Because the straps on her dress limited the surface area on which she could stick her name tag – and because she didn’t want to stick the adhesive on her collar bone – she tore the name tag in half. It fit perfectly on her strap without damaging the clothes or her skin!

10 ) How do organizations approach name tags?

Some organizations have employees, members, guests and other people coming in and out all the time. In order to avoid alienating some of those people, the organization must first make a decision: either EVERYBODY wears name tags, or NOBODY wears name tags.

Unfortunately, there will always be people who refuse to wear name tags. The only solution is (if you decide to implement name tags for everybody) is to make it expressly written externally (signage) or internally (handbook) so people will adhere to the rule. Nobody should be “too cool” to wear a name tag.

Another concern is the name tag text’s potential to segregate members based on position. I think it can go both ways. For example, I am a member of the National Speakers Association. We recently had our National Convention during which each member was assigned a custom name tag based on years of experience, membership, if a guest, etc. To my surprise, people were actually MORE willing to encourage team building because of these designations. I couldn’t count how many of the veteran speakers who have been in the business longer than I have been alive came up to me and said, “So Scott, this is your first convention, huh? How do you like it so far?”

On the other hand, if “isolation by way of name tagging” is a possible threat, I would suggest having the exact same type of name tag worn by all people, regardless of volunteer/member/paid employee status.

11 ) Should you KISS your name tag?

Yes.

Not literally, of course. By KISS I mean “Keep It Simple Stupid.” Recently an audience member asked me, “Why don’t put your last name, company, position, etc. on your name tag? Don’t you want people to know that information?”

Well, yes and no.

We all want people to know who we are, what we do and how we can help them. But it’s more effective if you tell them as a response to an open ended question such as, “Tell me about the work you do.”

So when you use your name tag as a conversation starter (if you have the chance to create it yourself), design it in a simple way that sets you up with an opportunity to share the value you give.

12 ) Is there really a condition called Name Tag Deficiency Syndrome?

You better believe it. Over a half of a million people suffer every year from Emblema Nomenpenia, more commonly known as Name Tag Deficiency Syndrome (NTDS). This debilitating condition has run rampant through the American business community for many decades – experts say – although only recently has it been classified.

Symptoms: You may experience localized font shrinkage, inflammation of the company logo, noticeable eye irritation due to cluttered texts, absence of upper-chest name tag placement and mild conversational uncertainty and frustration.

Possible Side Effects: Beware of sudden, sever attacks of name-forgetting, possible networking anxiety, unapproachable behavior, missed opportunities to make new friends or business contacts, feelings of annoyance due to the inability to say hello to a new member or employee whose name you can’t read because their name tag is turned backwards.

About The Author
Scott Ginsberg, aka “The Nametag Guy,” is the author of three books and a professional speaker who helps people maximize approachability, become unforgettable and make a name for themselves.