ⓘ This article is for Event Organizers
There are several questions that need to be answered before we start worrying about artwork and design.
What badge size do you want? | 4x3 OR 4x6
First things first, let's decide what size badge you'll need for your event. Will it be one with a 4" width x 3" length (4x3) or will it be 4" width x 6" length (4x6)?
Expo Pass recommends 4x6 badges as they provide more room for your event artwork, sponsorship opportunity on the badge design, attendee data, and a QR code.
Single-sided or Double-sided Badge Design?
Now that you know your badge size, let's decide if you will have artwork on just one side of the badge (single-sided) or if you want to use both sides of the badge (double-sided).
Several Event Organizers like to sell the backside of the badge to a Sponsor, which is a very smart way to help offset your costs. Other Event Organizers may choose to place an abbreviated agenda on the backside via a QR code, event wi-fi information, or other important event information.
We will walk through designing your badge shell artwork in the next article
Expo recommends double-sided badges, they just look nicer!
A sample 4x6", double-sided badge
How many notches? | 0, 1 or 2 Notches
Ok, so you've decided on a double-sided design AND you are going with 4x6 badges. You now have another decision to make: no notch, single-notch or double-notch?
👉 If you chose 4x3" badges, you will have 0 notches and required to use a sleeve
0 Notches (no notch): Some organizers prefer to use a sleeve and not have any notches on their badge. If you choose this, you will need to ensure to order your sleeves ahead of your event to ensure they arrive on time.
1 Notch (single notch): If Organizers have chosen to do a design on both sides of the badge, they will go with single-notch, so the badge naturally flips back and forth.
2 Notches (double notch): While most Event Organizers are happy to go with a single-notch badge, some would prefer that their badges do not flip around (especially if they didn't put anything on the backside).
Expo recommends single-notch badges, which go nicely with double-sided badge designs, and it also saves you some $ as lanyards since two clips are going to be more expensive.
Badge Sleeves @ shop.expopass.com
We've covered badge sizing, badge shell designs and notches. Your next big decision - how do you want to wear your badges? Yes, we know you will use a lanyard, but are you going to use a holder (plastic sleeve) too?
At Expo Pass we can also help you with your badge holders/sleeves! Visit us at shop.expopass.com for more information.
❗ Important: Our 4 x 3" badges require a sleeve since they do not have the option for a notch.
At Expo Pass we use 9.5 pt. stock paper, which is much heavier/thicker than most and therefore our badges hold up very well even without a sleeve for a single day event.
The latest trend is to be more eco-friendly and avoid badge sleeves where possible.
Some Event Organizers use badge sleeves because their event is a multi-day conference (usually more than 2 days), so they need to ensure their badges can withstand the day-to-day rigors (and all the extracurricular nighttime activities).
Some will even use the sleeve as a pocket of sorts and put other tickets or cards in the sleeve with the badge.
Some Event organizers who have shorter events (2 days or less), they may consider badge only with no sleeves and lanyards only.
💡 Tip: If ordering badge sleeves from other providers please make sure they are slightly wider than 4" so the badge slides into them easily.
Lanyards @ shop.expopass.com
At Expo Pass we can also help you with your badge lanyards! Visit us at shop.expopass.com for more information.
If you are using plastic badge sleeves, feel free to use whatever style clip makes you happy.
If you are going sleeveless, then you must make sure to order "Bulldog" clips. These clips are used for professionally designed event badges (like yours) that have a horizontal slot in the center top (single-notch) or one slot on each side of the badge (double-notch).
What's Next?
Congrats! We've got the badges selected - let's get to the design!