reusable name badges - Influencing Identity

Impressions of a Name Tag; Miss Manners

Miss Manners answered a question that runs rampant among workers who wear a name tag as part of a uniform. While this question is not always comfortable to ask, we are here to answer it. Name tags are a great tool for personal identification. People have been using them for many, many years in many, many circumstances. Retailers, restaurants, hotels and other consumer service providers continue to use them.

Miss Manners Judith Martin Name Tag Advice

The question posed: “Is it presumptuous to start a personal conversation with a person who is wearing a name tag?”

Miss Manners gave the following answer:

Miss Manners: A name tag does not invite personal questions. A server’s name tag is not an invitation for friendship.

By Judith Martin, “Miss Manners” (Advice Columns, August 11, 2015)

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

Sometimes I see patrons in a store or restaurant peer at the service employee’s name tag and say something like, “Hello there . . . Tiffany . . . how are you today?” It always comes out with this forced conviviality, as if to say, “Look, everyone! I’m a good, egalitarian person treating the lowly server as a person. Isn’t that great of me?”

I think it actually says, “You have such a menial job that you’re forced to wear a stupid name tag, so I know your name and feel free to use it even though I don’t know you — but you don’t know my name because I’m a higher-class person and get to dress the way I want.”

I think name tags are just so you know whom to refer to if needed, as in, “I think Tiffany is our server. Could you ask her to bring the check?” Am I right to see this as presumptuous behavior?

GENTLE READER:

The presumption in the greeting you mention is not in using Tiffany’s name, but in asking the waitress how she is “doing,” a question about her mood or life that is not relevant to the business at hand.

Miss Manners has no objection to using a form of address that has been supplied by the addressee, even if, in this case, it may technically have been Tiffany’s boss who chose the form. She does wish the form supplied was more formal, as she agrees with you that first names in this context are an invitation to mistreatment.

a server wearing a professional name tag

So, in not so many words, remember what Miss Manners teaches about the etiquette of respecting someone’s personal boundaries. While it is nice to know your server’s name at a restaurant, be kind. Treat all those in service positions in the same manner in which you want to be treated. Name tags are a convenient way of remembering someone’s name. They are an identifier and as such, we should treat them with respect.

No matter your profession, we have a name tag that is suitable for your needs.

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Personal Identification Product Examples

Ever wish you could try on a name tag before you buy it?

Examples are available if you ask!

Most stores will let you try on a shirt or a pair of pants to make sure that the fit, color, size and shape are what you’re looking for. When you shop for towels, pots/pans and many other items, you can hold them and look at those too. But, how often do you get to try examples of name tags and other personal identification products?

name tag inc offers product examples to curious customers

Picture this: your boss opens a box of name badges that you ordered for a trade show or meeting. Your company’s logo isn’t the expected quality, nor is the name badge. Now, you probably won’t be fired and may not even get in trouble for it; it wasn’t your fault anyway. But, with Name Tag, Inc., you never have to be in the position of disappointing anyone when ordering any personal identification products. You never have to run the risk of hearing, “These don’t support the quality of our brand.”

personalized identification examples pack

We take out all the risk of buying personal identification products. Experience the high quality of our products by requesting samples of the products you choose. Example requests are for generic products showing the capabilities of our machines and processes. Your complimentary product package will arrive within three to four business days. While we do not offer the actual product without an order, we are more than happy to send something similar in nature so that you will be able to make the correct purchase when it comes time. Get peace of mind and just ask for a product example!

Just a couple of quick sample terms:

Products will not include any personalized information (your name, your logo, etc).
Color and material chips may be selected as part of the example packet.
These products do not count as a design proof. If you would like to purchase duplicates of the item sent to you then you must relay the specific design information to your customer service agent.
Any products sent may vary from those shown on the order form.

Name Tag Etiquette: Part 2

Event badges are the best way to identify yourself, especially when networking is a primary focus. Follow these guidelines and you will always be safe from sabotaging your success. So, what is the best way to print an event name badge?

Printing Event Badges

Event Badge holder with printed insert and handwritten name

Providing pre-printed event badges is one of the most effective investments you can make to the success of an event, especially a networking event. Yet many people waste this opportunity to help guests meet and greet at an optimum level. Here are a few tips to ensure your event name badges look great and are the most productive.

Keep the Printing Simple

All your event badges need is a first and last name with your affiliation or company underneath. Think twice about the need to provide any more information beyond these basics.

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 that it’s best to print both the first and last name in the same size font. You will obviously see the person’s first name. However, if the last name is too small to be easily read, an opportunity to connect is lost since a person’s identity comes from knowing both a person’s first and last name.

No Honorifics and Titles for Event Badges

Do not place honorifics such as Ph.D. or Dr. or titles such as President or Sales Manager on event badges. You can learn this information as you converse. Only at special events will honorifics or titles be helpful, such as a doctor’s convention where the doctor’s specialties are important or a company conference where titles let others know what that person’s responsibilities are.

Adding a Company or Organization Name

Event Badge holder insert has three lines: name, title and association.

Besides a person’s first and last name, the only other information to print for an event badge is a person’s company or organization name; this is a great way to begin conversations. While we should all be proud of our affiliated organizations, seeing the person’s name is more important than knowing their affiliated company. Therefore, place the company name or logo at the bottom of the tag in a font size that’s easy to read yet smaller than the person’s name.

Host and Sponsor Organizations

Give acknowledgment to the sponsors of your event through the design of the badges, but never allow that information to override the all-important role of a name badge which is to introduce the person who is wearing it.

Choose a Font

Use big, bold fonts for printing and avoid script or fancy fonts. The goal is to make the badges easy to read, so choose your font wisely. With several thousand choices on most computers, your name badges do not need to be boring when selecting a font for readability. Some popular fonts for name badges include Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, Calibri and Times.

Font Size Matters

Print the names on the badges in a font size that practically fills the tag. It is a waste of an excellent networking tool to print the information on any badges in small type. Instead, begin with a large 40-point font and adjust the size to fit the names on each line. Some names are larger or shorter, so adjust the font size accordingly.

Print a Test of the Event Badges

Before printing your badges, print a single badge and look at it from the same distance it will be viewed at the event. Then, if there is any difficulty in reading any of the information, go back and make adjustments and try it again.

Now that you have your event badges, learn how to wear them at Event Name Tag Etiquette: Part 1.

By Syndi Seid, the world’s leading etiquette trainer, celebrity speaker and founder of San Francisco based Advanced Etiquette.

5 Tips for Planning a Conference

Planning a conference or other event can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you are looking to host dozens of speakers and sponsors on top of hundreds attendees. Whether your conference is big or small, the overall attendee experience needs to be good enough for them to want to come back next time.

After you have planned the theme of your conference, there are other steps to take. You need to book your speakers and find the perfect venue. Also, remember to market the conference on every medium you can. However, there are still a few more things you can do to make sure your conference will be successful.

Spend the time planning name tags

For conferences and events, name tags are rarely one size fits all. Differentiate between attendees, sponsors, VIPs and speakers. You can do this with different colored adhesive name tags or paper inserts for badge holders on lanyards.

By making groups of people distinguishable from others, people will feel like they are part of a group. On top of that, they will more easily recognize their relationship with your event. Name tags also better their relationship with other people attending the event, making it easier to network.

Provide a variety of refreshments

Keep in mind that not every guest will have the same dietary needs. If you put extra consideration into your refreshments, your attendees will notice. Try to plan vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerant snacks and refreshments. Chances are you will have at least a handful of people who fall into those categories. So they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Make sure your venue is connected

While planning a conference remember that outlets and cell reception are absolute must haves for conferences. We live in a digital age, and your attendees will likely want to be connected to the internet. Some may need their phones for most of the event. So, make sure they have somewhere to recharge. (Make sure they know where they can recharge, too.)

Hand out grab bags

This is a great way to bring in sponsors and to give something back to your attendees. Stuff those bags full of pens, notepads, brochures, venue maps, custom lanyards and coupons for local restaurants. You can bring in sponsors by asking them to supply a grab bag goody. This action also gives sponsors the opportunity to put their name on something every guest will see.

Provide some safe relaxation space

Designate an area in your venue for attendees to just sit and relax without having to network or be bombarded by anyone. Let your attendees balance work, networking and sanity on a comfy couch and with a bottle of water. It does not have to be much space, but let your attendees know it is there.

Get some name tags for your conference today!

Badge Holders

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Conference Name Tags

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Lanyards

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The Rules of Adhesive Name Tags at Conferences

For conferences, meetings and events, adhesive name badges are a must have. Not only do you eliminate the chance of misspelling attendees’ names (they will just write them), but they are also inexpensive.

But even so, there is proper etiquette for adhesive name badges in these situations. As an event or conference host, it is your responsibility to make sure your attendees are wearing their name tags appropriately.

Dictate where you want your attendees to wear their name tag. When you hand the name tags to your attendees so they can write their names, simply say, “Please wear your name tag on the upper right side of your shirt,” or wherever you think is best. This creates uniformity at the event, and people will not have to scan an entire person’s body to find their name tag.

Writing Names on Adhesive Name Badges

Ask your attendees to write their name big (but not too big). Nothing is worse than awkward squinting or staring in order to read a name.

Use black markers. Skip bright and lighter colors, and make it simple with black ink. Make sure the tip of the marker is not too thick to ensure cleanliness. Black may seem boring, but at the end of the day it makes the name tags easy to read and professional looking.

If you see someone whose name tag has been crinkled or ripped throughout the day, replace it. Keep them fresh and clean, even if it means having to order extras.

For the sake of uniformity, it is not proper etiquette for event attendees to wear name tags they brought from home. At conferences and events, name tags often serve as an equalizer for all of the attendees, so letting someone be flashy might throw off the vibe of the entire day.

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