Today we continue our discussion on the components that make for a unique and fully functional ID Card or Badge that incorporates all the features needed to serve as an important feature of workplace security. The next five are as follows:

6. Durability

ID cards are made of durable PVC and can last up to five years. These long-wearing materials have been proven to last long after paper ID cards are in the recycle bin. They are also more difficult to copy since an ID printer is required to print a PVC card. If additional durability is required, composite cards that are a blend of PVC allow for additional flexibility. These cards are great for fire and police departments.

7. Encoding

Printer and card functionality allow encoded information about the user to be included on the card through the use of barcodes, magnetic stripes, RFID tags and smart chips. These features allow an organization to sync their identification with building access or time and attendance programs. Combined with the right hardware they can approve or deny access to, doors, systems and other important areas of a company.

8. Signatures & Fingerprints

If a photo isn’t enough to visually identify an employee, include a copy of the authorized employee’s fingerprint or signature printed on the ID card. These features can be added in a digital format and printed right on a card.

9. Enhanced Security

Enhanced security is a desired quality of employee ID cards for some organizations. Various enhanced security features can be added to ID cards with the proper equipment and software. One of the easiest is a either a custom or generic holographic overlay. A wide range od printers can apply an overlay to a card that makes it virtually impossible to copy. Another advanced feature would be a holo-mark. These are small foil hologram that can be ordered on blank cards or applied by hand.

10. Personal Information

An ID card has a limited amount of space, so the personal information displayed needs to be purposeful. As employees will display their ID cards every day, the cards can be an effective vehicle for communicating job-related certifications and other important information but it all must be done in the confines of the card size.

Not all of these components will be required for your organization and the ID Card you are creating, but it is important to consider them prior to printing. It would be a costly mistake to have to go back and reprint all the cards already issued to include a feature that was not included the first time. Please contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services for more information about card design features.

Over time ID Badges and Cards have become an increasingly important part of facility and workplace safety, and it’s nearly impossible to walk into an office without one. Organizations require all personnel to display an ID to easily identify who does and does not belong in the location.

Creating the right card is imperative to achieving security goals. By considering the first five of these ten ID card components, organizations can easily create the ID card that meets their needs.

1. Organization Logo

Not only does including your logo add a level of visual security to your card it can act as a walking billboard for your company. A corporate logo is a highly recognizable image by employees and security personnel. By incorporating your logo into the ID card design, it will be more difficult for fraudulent cards to be created.

2. Design

Take your time when designing your card so as to include all the security and identification features required. When done right an effective ID card design is both attractive and functional. Employees will be proud to display their association with the organization.

3. Single and Dual-Sided

The amount of information you decide to include in your card design will help determine if the design should be single or dual sided. Obviously, information that needs to be readily available and visible should go on the front of the design. While a dual sided card can allow for the inclusion of a mission statement or important phone numbers.

4. Orientation

ID Cards can be printed and displayed either horizontally or vertically, impacting how they are worn by employees. It is important to consider the different scenarios where ID Cards will be used when considering orientation. Also, do not forget to make an allowance for a slot punch if required in the design.

5. Employee Pictures

Almost all ID Cards include a picture of the employee on the front of the card. This feature makes the card unique to the individual employee and it should be easily visible. See our previous blogs on how to take a great ID Card Photo with the HD Image Cam Pro.

In part 2 of this article we will look at the next five important components to consider when designing an ID Card. They include, encoding, durability, signatures, personal information and other enhanced features. As always, contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services to learn more.