ID Badge Accessories from eXpress badging®

Strap Clips

Strap clips are an affordable way to affix ID badges. Make sure to only ask for clear-vinyl badge clips. Avoid opaque straps, as they can become brittle and break. It’s important to understand that bulldog clips are not the same. When looking for high-quality clips designed to attach securely to clothing without causing damage, price alone is not sufficient to distinguish them from weaker ones that fall off easily. The strap clips we provided are of the highest quality on the market. Also, avoid using adhesive pins, as they can cause damage to clothing after prolonged use.

Wide Plastic Hook Lanyards with Breakaway

The wide plastic hook lanyard with a breakaway connector is the most common accessory for affixing technology-enabled ID badges. It is affordable and designed for safety and comfort. The breakaway feature ensures safe wearing, while the lace fabric design makes it lightweight and comfortable. Additionally, the wide plastic hook is designed to fit snugly in the slot-punched section of the ID badge, preventing it from rotating or flipping backward. Never order metal swivel hook lanyard attachments, as they are designed for a metal key and will quickly break through the slotted area of your photo ID card or badge holder.

A plastic badge holder is not necessary when slotting the badge. If badge durability is a requirement, consider laminating your ID badges instead of placing them in a plastic holder. You can also consider adding a badge reel to the badge lanyard to make badge presentation easier for door and clock readers.

Custom printing is available when considering using the lanyard as a marketing resource; otherwise, we recommend upgrading its quality by using high-quality components and ergonomic features that extend its life and make badge presentation easier.

Badge Reels

If this is your first time ordering badge reels, please know that low cost typically indicates low quality. The main advantage of a retractable reel is its ability to easily present the badge to a card reader. ID badges are frequently used at doors and time clocks and presented multiple times daily, so the reel must withstand this level of use.

There are several formats of badge reels: gator clip, belt clip, and carabiner. Each has merits. However, we are partial to the Carabiner reel as it perfectly connects to a lanyard’s wide plastic hook. The bulldog clip is a good choice for attaching a badge to a collar, pocket, or button-seem edge. Ensure the clip is strong enough to resist the cord pull by requesting samples. The belt clip attaches to the belt at waist level, which is not where a photo ID badge should be displayed, in our opinion. Never, when considering security guidelines!

Custom printing is available when considering using the badged reel as a marketing resource; otherwise, we recommend upgrading its quality by using high-quality components and ergonomic features that extend its life and make badge presentation easier.

Rigid and Soft Plastic Badge Holders

The primary benefit of a soft plastic holder combined with a good badge lanyard is that it prolongs the life of a non-laminated ID badge. When ordering soft plastic holders, we recommend specifying anti-transfer plastic so the badge image does not stick to the badge pouch after exposure to heat and direct sun. Another advantage of using a badge holder is that it eliminates the need to slot-punch the ID card.

A rigid plastic holder is specifically designed for technology cards. It allows them to be easily removed, presented to a card reader, and returned hassle-free. Some rigid holders are like cases that can lock the ID card in place while allowing the RFID to be read. These locking rigid holders are ideal for situations where upgrading to a new card technology is necessary, but a complete re-badging is not feasible. In this case, old and new cards are placed in the same holder.

Adhesive Magnetic Bar Sets

When choosing a name badge style, you can attach a magnetic bar to the back of an ID badge. Magnets have different strengths, so be cautious when ordering to ensure they will hold together when worn with clothing. eXpress badging offers a very strong version that will not come apart when placed on correctly.