Our Products - Influencing Identity

Why You Should KISS Your Name Tags

From conference to convention and every event in between, when it comes to your name tags, you should always KISS them. In other words, keep it short and simple. Simplicity is necessary to make your name tags work for you. And, avoid unnecessary complexity.

Professional tools such as name tags are essential in marketing and communication. They provide not only personal identity but corporate branding as well. Employees who wear name tags offer a sense of customer service and responsibility for that business. And, name tags are often the hardest working element to a person’s uniform in meetings, at conventions or during any event.

Here’s how you can and should KISS your name tags.

The KISS Principle

KISS keep it short and simple in designing name tags

KISS, an acronym for “keep it simple, stupid” or “keep it stupid simple,” is a design principle noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated. The phrase has been associated with aircraft engineer Kelly Johnson. The term “KISS principle” was in popular use by 1970. Variations on the phrase include: “Keep it simple, silly,” “keep it short and simple,” “keep it simple and straightforward,” “keep it small and simple” or “keep it stupid simple.”

Whether you’re adding names and titles or logos and names, you should always remember the KISS Principle. Make sure your text is concise and to the point. Avoid longer titles unless necessary, and use an appropriate logo for your brand.

Remember that you should use the KISS Principle on your name tags as it is the most important thing you can do for them.

Yes, you should remember your branding by adding a logo to all of the name tags in your office. Or when creating name tags for a conference, add different company logos to each company’s name tags. Everyone will appreciate their branded name tags, and it also helps with continued recognition for each business.

For a name tag to be the most effective, there are guidelines to consider. The first rule is to keep yours simple. Some people treat them like business cards or resumes, but personal identification should be straightforward and concise. Name tags should only include the bare minimum information necessary to identify the person wearing it. In commercial and retail settings, that means the person’s first name, unless there is more than one employee with the same first name. With such cases, adding a last name helps with identification.

So, for branding to work on your name tags, you need only to include what is necessary. Whether you are gathering information for a convention or making new name tags for your office, only include the bare minimum.

According to Scott Ginsberg, the Name Tag Guy:

“How many times has someone rudely squinted at your chest desperately trying to make out those tiny letters? This is self defeating, embarrassing and actually works to decrease your approachability. Not to mention it makes the other person feel ridiculous! So, much like a retail price tag, your name tag must be readable from ten feet away — both the font and the name tag itself.
“According to a name tag survey done by David Alder of Biz Bash, 50% of a group of meeting planners claimed that ‘illegible font size of name tags was a major problem.’ And, consider the 75 million baby boomers that have reached, or will reach their bifocal days, this is a top priority. The recommended font size is 24 point – hopefully bigger if possible. Also, be certain to avoid cursive, script or other fancy letters.”

So, always remember to KISS (keep it short and simple) your name tags, and they will do the work for you. No matter what situation you are in, these KISSed tags are sure to get the job done.

Small Business Holiday Identification

Every time you pick up a coffee at your local café, grab lunch at the mom-and-pop shop or buy a new bag from a local store, you’re making an impact in your community. In fact, for every dollar spent at a small business in the US, approximately 67 cents stays in the local community.

Since its inception in 2010, the Shop Small Movement has grown rapidly. Many small, community retailers and other businesses participate in the sales involved on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to promote buying locally. And, with more than half of every dollar spent staying in the community where you are making your purchase, the small business owner is becoming more and more significant.

So, how does a small business owner keep up to date with that tradition? Here are three of our products that will aid any small (or large) business during their holiday endeavors.

Custom Graphic Signs

using graphic signs for a small business is a great way to keep your customers informed

Keeping consistent with a brand should be important to any small business owner. And, with these custom graphic signs, adding logos and text is simple. Post your hours of operation on the front door and feature your business logo next to them. Or, let your customers know which door they need to be entering through.

Another great way to use custom signage throughout your business is by labeling your departments. From shoes and cosmetics to fishing gear and outdoor wear, these signs will make sure that all of your customers know where to go to find just what they are looking for.

And, adding a holiday message to a sign anywhere in your business is sure to bring everyone a smile. Whether it’s a simple holiday movie quote or something a bit more involved with a graphic, keep your imagination going with these versatile tools.

Digitally Printed Plastic Name Tags

use a digitally printed name tag for a small business calling card

From using hashtags on social media promotions to advertising in your store or office, every small business owner understands the importance of getting their company name out there. And, name tags are here to do just that. By adding your logo and an employee’s name to every name tag, your customers get to know your brand even better.

Even we use name tags for reasons other than employee or volunteer identification. They are, after all, identification tools! Our ribbon shelves are labeled with small name tags featuring ribbon colors and sizes. It’s just one more way to stay efficient and get the job done well just for you. So, take a page from our book and use your name tags for labeling.

Another page from our book is to use a printed name tag like a business or calling card. While we created our calling card as a sample to give to our customers, a small business owner might consider using name tags as a calling card that will leave an impression.

Custom Text Ribbons

use custom text badge ribbons for to/from tags on small business gifts

Give your customers an interactive experience at your holiday events with unique giveaways, handouts and gift tags. Custom text ribbons are the perfect idea for event raffles as you can add any text you need on either a vertical or horizontal badge ribbon. Then, attach it anywhere you need to with either a pin or double sided tape. They also make great gift tags with a simple to/from imprinted on your ribbon color choice. Then, all you need to do is add a handwritten name.

Or, add information about any sales or promotions your business is having during the holidays. Give these to customers before your sale starts to bring back more people. And, with such a unique tool, your promotion is sure to be remembered. You can also attach the ribbons to your employee’s name tags to help promote any sale or other store events.

Use these ribbons as a great way to say hello or thank you! Custom ribbons are a great way to let people know your contact information or to send a quick holiday greeting. Your only limit to these identification tools is the size of the ribbon.

Other Ribbon Uses for a Small Business

What are some other ways you can use these three identification tools? What about the rest of our name tag products? Let us know, or better yet, show us what you did with your custom tags and signs for Small Business Saturday.

4 Important Reasons for Wearing Name Tags

wearing name tags is essential in business practices

Wearing name tags helps build a corporate identity. They also help employees and customers interact better with each other.

In any retail establishment (grocery store, boutique, department store, etc.), there are significant benefits to wearing name tags. Some of these benefits include the use of identification in marketing, providing security, identifying employees and other staff, as well as many other positive benefits. Here are some of our favorite reasons you need to utilize name badges in your retail business.

Identify Employees and Other Staff

Sometimes, especially in larger retail locations, it can be challenging to remember everyone’s name. By wearing name tags, or other identification, newer employees and other team members in the company are more apt to recognize each other. Name badges also provide accountability for all of your employees. When wearing name tags, it requires that your employees accept responsibility, one, for their actions and two, for the way they treat your customers.

Building Company and Brand Recognition

Corporate branding is a rising trend and doesn’t seem to be peaking any time soon. Add your retail store logo to your name tags, and quickly identify every employee, volunteer and other staff at your location. Inevitably when employees go to lunch, they leave their name tags on. Sometimes employees even wear them on their way home from work. When employees continually wear their name tags in public, a company’s brand is repeatedly advertised.

Conversation Starters for Customers

Name tags are an excellent way for customers to start up conversations with employees and other retail staff. They tell the customer who they are working with from the first moment they meet your employee. Identification provides an easy way for customers to distinguish your employees and other staff in your store from other customers. Then, when a customer has a question or requires assistance, they will know who to ask for help.

Wearing Name Tags Provides Better Security

photo identification badges are a perfect solution for wearing name tags and increasing security

When you require employees and other staff to wear name tags, you can quickly identify and acknowledge whether or not they belong where they are. Name tags are particularly valuable in companies and organizations that deal with high tech gadgets, expensive equipment or sensitive information.

While identification doesn’t seem to be as common as it once was, wearing name tags will always have an essential place in any retail environment. By utilizing name tags into your company’s culture, customers will be able to relate better to your employees. Name badges eliminate any barrier between the customer and employees, so try adding these to your business today!

Buy Your Name Tags Now!

5 Problems with Lanyards (and Their Solutions)

While these tools are typically useful for conferences and other events, people have been reporting some problems with lanyards. We want to raise awareness that not all lanyards are bad. So, we are offering you solutions to five common problems that have recently been reported.

solve your problems with lanyards with the large lanyard selection from Name Tag, Inc.

One of the most commonly reported problems with lanyards is safety.

Some businesses, such as hospitals or schools, worry about making staff and students wear lanyards with their identification. The reason for their problems with lanyards is the safety of having something loose around someone’s neck. In schools, this is a concern for getting a lanyard caught on a chair or desk. Or worse, having students who misuse them. The same can be said of hospitals or even courthouses.

The Solution: A Convenience Release

solve your problems with lanyards concerning safety with a convenience release

Many of our lanyards come with a break-away option called a convenience release. This feature is designed to separate if the lanyard is pulled too tightly around something, such as someone’s neck or wrist. A convenience release does add a slight cost to your lanyard, but if safety is your main concern, we highly recommend getting lanyards with a convenience release.

Another of the common problems with lanyards is matching a brand.

Colors are tricky. And, making sure that all of your marketing materials match your company brand, whether that be a logo or a specific PMS color, is essential to every business. Many times when someone orders extra marketing items, such as lanyards, they are concerned with getting exact color matches to their branding.

The Solution: Dye Sublimation

Depending on the style you select for your lanyards, we have multiple printing options. Our variety of lanyards come with either dye sublimation or silk screening. While an exact color match isn’t guaranteed, if you choose a lanyard with dye sublimation, you can provide a PMS value (Pantone Solid Coated Colors preferred) with your order. We can then get as close as possible to your requested color.

Problem number three is selecting the correct lanyard for your needs.

With so many available options, styles and fabrics, choosing the right lanyard can be complicated. And, you want to make sure that not only does the fabric work for your needs but that it is comfortable for your guests and employees. But don’t forget to match the material colors as well, so you don’t have problems with lanyards you choose for your needs.

The Solution: Shop with Us!

shop with Coller Industries to solve all of your problems with lanyards

Yes, it is that easy. Our easy-to-use online ordering system is here to help you. We show every option we offer upfront, making it easy to choose from our large assortment of lanyard choices. From Blank Badge Lanyards to Ribbon Lanyards, we know you’ll find just what you’re looking for. We even have Trade Show Organizers with Lanyards to make finding the perfect badge holder just as easy!

What about meeting those deadlines?

Another one of the problems with lanyards is making sure you get them on time. The product’s delivery date is always of high importance. And many factors play into this timing, such as quantity and type. Another factor is the different production times.

The Solution: Zip-It Expedited Service

While you can order a standard lanyard with five to seven business days for production time, we also offer an expedited service called Zip-It. Some stipulations must be met when placing an order for a Zip-It product. You won’t receive a proof for approval as the order will go immediately into production once we receive it. This, of course, also depends on you sending in all the required information with the order. As long as you are comfortable with trusting our high standards for our products, Zip-It Expedited Service is the perfect option. Or, order your lanyards well in advance of your event to guarantee you will have them in time.

One of the last problems with lanyards is that they are constantly turning and twisting.

Many lanyards, when used with badge holders, have the problem of flipping these identification tools around so that they can not be seen. Photo identification or other name tags can also cause this issue. And, when you can’t see a name tag, what good was it to purchase a lanyard in the first place.

The Solution: Double Sided Printing

From the printing on the lanyard to the information in a badge holder, double sided printing is your friend. We offer several lanyard solutions that come with double sided printing. So, if a lanyard decides to twist while someone is wearing it, your branding will show no matter what! Are you having problems with the badge holder flipping? Try printing the same information on both the front and back of those inserts. This way, no matter which direction that badge decides to be, you will still be able to read it.

So, no matter your problems with lanyards, we guarantee we have a solution to your troubles. Come on over and find your answers today!

Customer Service and Name Tags

From customer service to hospitality services, are name tags a necessity?

There are two arguments, and they are simple: yes and no. When it comes right down to the nitty-gritty, most businesses use name tags. And, primarily customer service oriented ones, will tell you that they feel it is necessary to wear identification. Whether that’s an embroidered logo on a shirt or an actual name tag, branding is somehow incorporated onto their employees.

Now, the question needs to be asked about those employees. Who, and be honest here, really likes to wear a name tag? Not everyone enjoys having that immediate first name status with everyone they meet. So, the underlying question remains: should you use name tags for the best customer service possible?

using name tags in customer service and hospitality services

An Expert’s Answer: It Depends

While there are many reasons to wear name tags (see below*), there are also many that would fight against the “need.” Some of the finest in the hospitality business suggest that by using name tags, you are alienating your employees. They argue that name tags separate the employee from the consumer and presents a barrier between the two.

Tim Miller, a hotelier who was intimately involved in the creation of the new Marriott—Ian Schrager Edition brand, echoes this sentiment.
“[Edition employees] don’t wear name tags because we want it to be similar to when you’re at home and a friend stops by and stays with you for a couple of nights. We want to provide service in a less artificial way than would be implied by the dividing line of name badged employees and civilian-dressed guests.”
And there’s no question that an environment adorned with name badge employees looks more stilted, artificial, less genuine than without it. Hotelier Tim Miller again: “We didn’t want the stilted awkwardness of ‘look, I work here, I’m taking care of you because that’s what it says on my badge I do.’”

By removing name tags from uniforms, some companies feel as though they are providing a more peer-to-peer relationship to form. That name tag, and the removal of, provides a barrier that is not a necessity for all businesses.

Consider This: Name Badges Improve Customer Service

Mark Harmon, CEO of Auberge Resorts and truly a “hotelier’s hotelier” told me, “We want to develop a relationship between our staff and guests. It’s awkward for the guest to have to ask for your name or the staff member to introduce himself. I find that guests love it when they can easily remember the name of our people.”

*This is where it gets good!

name tags are the perfect accessory for someone in customer service

For the majority of businesses, name badges are a must. Especially those whose focus is the customer service and face-to-face time with their consumers. And the reasons are pretty obvious.

Starting conversations is much easier when two people (or more) feel at ease in the communication. And, this can all start with a simple introduction. By wearing a name tag, your employee automatically starts this conversation without even knowing it!

This brings us to our next point: balancing your employees and customers needs. With technology as it is, you can know your customers before they need to initiate any conversation. Do this by using loyalty or membership cards, credit cards and even event passes. So, level your playing field with name tags so that your customer knows your employee just as the employee knows them.

And don’t forget about security and accountability. Name tags help your employees stay on task by providing them with a sense of responsibility and accountability. Those respectful actions are then reflected on their treatment of your customers and provides a positive environment for everyone. From making sure everyone is where they belong for security reasons to providing the best customer experience possible, name tags are here to stay!

So, give credit where it is due and don your name tag in support of knowing your customers!