How Do I Choose the Right Badge Accessory?
Lanyard, badge reel, or badge clip – which accessory is best for your application? Answer the following questions to help determine which badge accessory to purchase.
Is safety an issue?
Safety should be your number one concern when choosing an ID accessory – especially for businesses with dangerous machinery or schools with young children. For example industrial environments are not well-suited for a lanyard which hangs from the neck; badge reels may be the best option. For those wanting a lanyard, yet concerned about safety, break-away lanyards are available. If the lanyard is grabbed by someone or caught on something, the break-away opens so the person wearing the lanyard won’t be injured. With these build-in safety features, break-away lanyards are a good choice for K-12 schools.
Does the badge need to be close at hand?
If card holders need to have easy access to their card, such as a proximity card for building access, a retractable badge reel may be the best option. It’s easy to pull the ID card away to scan a door reader. This avoids the need to remove a lanyard from around your neck or remove a badge clip to reach the door reader. Wristband holders may be another option, but depending on your application, the badge can get in the way.
Does the badge need to be highly visible?
If you need the badge to be out in the open at all times, a lanyard or a badge clip are your best options. Badge reels are typically worn at the hip and aren’t as visible. To display your ID cards and also to prevent the need for punching a slot in them, consider using badge holders. Badge holders are available in a wide variety of styles and will help protect your cards.
Do I want the accessory customized?
Both lanyards and badge reels can be easily customized. Lanyards, however, offer a larger area for customization. For example, a visitor lanyard could include both the company name and the word “visitor” for added visibility and security. A badge reel, on the other hand, has a smaller customization area and is typically customized with a company logo.