Let's get started!
We are excited to get started on designing your unique badge shell for your event
Let's review the basics, and then we can get to the fun part - design time!
Below you will find all of Expo Pass's suggestions when designing your badge to ensure you get the best print possible!
Our badges are priced in full-color shells, and are made of high-quality paper.
Expo Pass uses 9.5 pt. stock, which is much heavier/thicker and holds up very well even without a holder.
Expo Pass badges are printed on direct-thermal paper without the need for messy inks!
The reaction of heat being applied to the paper allows for black text and other black images such as a QR code to be visible on the paper.
In an effort to manage your expectations, please note:
All final badge shell design artwork is due to your Expo Pass Success Manager 35 DAYS PRIOR to your event date.
This is to ensure we have enough time to approve, order, and test your badges, so they are top notch!
If for some reason that timeframe becomes compressed, we cannot guarantee that your badges will be available for your event and/or we will be forced to assess an additional expedited fee.
Badge Selection Basics
Before we begin this process, we need to make sure you have made all the necessary decisions in regards Badge Selection.
**If you are unsure, please refer to our Onsite Badge Selection Guide article before moving forward with the badge design
Badge Size: 4x6" or 4x3"
Artwork: Single or Double-Sided
Notches: None, 1 or 2
Quantity: How many badges to order
There is a minimum to each badge shell order placed. Please reach out to your Success Manager for more info.
If you want to make your VIP or EXHIBITOR badge shells to look unique, even if it's only 40, you must still order the minimum.
More badge shell designs, means more equipment. Each badge shell type must have it's own printer.
Badge Shell Design Requirements
When designing your badge shell, you can have design on the front and/ or back (usually in color). We have the ability to support either a 4x6" or 4x3" single or double-sided badge shell design.
Attendee data can only be printed on the FRONT of the badge.
Requirements when designing and submitting your Badge Shell Design to your Success Manager:
FILE FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS:
The badge shell design must be in a PDF Print Ready File
Format to the size of the badge (4x6" or 4x3"), not full page (8.5x11")
The front of the badge design must be on page 1 and the back of the design (if applicable) on page 2. The front and back cannot be on the same page in the PDF.
Include Crop and bleed marks
If the badge design is full bleed (goes all the way to the edge of the badge), it must extend 1/8" past the edge of the badge (4.125" x 6.125" OR 4.125" x 3.125") to ensure a true full bleed and no white space when printed.
See sample 4x6" formatted file HERE and screenshots below.
See sample 4x3" formatted file HERE and screenshots below.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:
Design the shell in high quality resolution (300 DPI minimum). If the resolution of the images is too low, the print will come out blurry or pixelated.
Please use 4 Color Shell CMYK ONLY - If you use RGB color when designing your badge, the Image coloring on the screen may be slightly different than the CMYK color for print.
Leave enough white space to ensure all attendee data and the QR code can be printed without looking crowded. We use thermal printers that cannot print on color (like a receipt).
4" x 6" BADGE SHELL DESIGN SAMPLE
See sample 4x6" formatted file HERE and screenshots below.
PAGE 1 (front of badge shell design)
PAGE 2 (back of badge shell design)
4 x 6" BADGE SHELL IMPRINT SAMPLE
Attendee data can only be printed on the front side of the badge in white space. Expo Pass uses thermal printers and cannot print on color.
4" x 3" BADGE SHELL DESIGN SAMPLE
See sample 4x3" formatted file HERE and screenshots below.
PAGE 1 (front of badge shell design)
PAGE 2 (back of badge shell design)
4" x 3" BADGE SHELL IMPRINT SAMPLE
Attendee data can only be printed on the front side of the badge in white space. Expo Pass uses thermal printers and cannot print on color.
Black & White Badge Designs
For these badges, it's imperative to remember that the Direct Thermal Printers use heat to alter the badge, creating a black micro-dot.
This process works great for printing words and basic images, but is not meant to create black background.
Here is a sample of what works well in black & white and what doesn't.
Black and white can only be printed on the front side of the badge in white space via the thermal printers.
Since Expo Pass uses thermal printers and cannot print on color.
Again, we can't stress enough how important it is to start this design phase as soon as possible.
If you have questions on this process or need more information, please reach out to your Success Manager.
Next step: Let's get designing!! Click here to see how to access our Badge Manager and Design your badge in Expo Pass.
