Tag: materials

What is the first thing that someone sees when meeting an official, a clerk, or any other professional who sells a product or a service? Apart from their uniform, it is of course the name badges. Also called a name tag, it is that thing on the chest that tells the customers and clients who they are talking to and who is serving them. At first glance, it may not seem that important. This however cannot be further from the truth.

First of all, name badges do not only serve to tell who the person is. On top of that, they almost always include their position. You can instantly tell if it is the manager, the cleaning lady, the waiter, or whoever else. They serve multiple purposes, one of which is aesthetic too. All in all, every serious business needs a high-quality name badge provider. This is where the main topic of this article comes to light. What makes one better than the other, except the design of the course? The answer: material. Read on to learn about different materials used in the custom name badge industry so that you know which one is best for your company.

Most Common Materials

There are actually not that many different materials that are commonly used for name tags. Three of them are by far the most used, which is why we are focusing on them. They include plastics, metals, and wood. Between them, they are different enough to offer various features and styles, both aesthetic and functional.

They are not used at the same types of events or by the same industries. While the selection choice is entirely up to the company, there are some unwritten rules that most organizations follow. Naturally, a company can have a few different sets of badges they pick depending on the situation. This is a good approach you can go with as well.

When learning about the different materials used in custom name badges, it’s essential to understand the significance of name tags in restaurants and hotels and how they contribute to a positive customer experience – find out more in this informative article.

Plastic

Versatile, cheap, and capable of all sorts of engravings, plastic name badges are quite popular across multiple industries. They are easy to wear and come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are usually quite thin unless otherwise specified. What is more, plastic is light which means the wearer barely notices them. Plastic can be worn inside and outside and it handles the elements and the weather well.

As mentioned, they are the most economical option out of the three as plastic is generally cheap to mass produce. One disadvantage is that they wear and tear easily and are not very durable. Also, this material is not environmentally friendly. Another downside is the fact that they do not look or feel high-end. Many think they are too informal.

Metal

Metal name badges look and feel professional. They are formal and can instantly make the wearer look more capable, like the exact person for the job at hand. The best thing about them is their durability. Metal name tags are the most durable and can survive a lot of wear and tear. They are great outdoors too and a single badge can last for years without any issues. For extra protection, they are usually covered with a layer of heavy-duty epoxy or some other protective coating.

Metal is somewhat more noticeable to wear than both plastic and wood as it can be heavier. However, most of them are made of aluminum which is very light without sacrificing durability or aesthetics. Metal is easy to engrave and any logo, name, and job position look good when written on such a badge. While many think that the engraving must be the same color as the metal plate, the engraving can actually be done in full color.

When exploring the different materials used in custom name badges, don’t forget to consider partnering with top customer support outsourcing companies to enhance your business growth – find the best options in this article.

Wood

There is no denying that wooden name badges are by far the most stylish. It is largely the same with anything wooden, from furniture to homes. Wood is timeless, it instantly makes us think of nature, and it feels nice. Also, it is as environmentally friendly as it gets. With name tags, wooden varieties are easy to wear and they go well with virtually any uniform or outfit. The natural color of wood enhances every single look and it is virtually impossible to look bad. They are the staple of professionalism and formality and more and more high-end places use them.

When it comes to the negative sides of wood as a material for name tags, there are a few. First of all, it is the most expensive material. It takes great skill and patience and a lot of time to engrave it in a way that looks nice. Before that stage, it is a whole project for the supplier to carve them out and turn them into wearable name badges. Wood is also quite difficult to maintain and care for. It does not handle the elements well, especially water. This eliminates the possibility of wearing it outdoors and limits the wearers to indoor events and situations.

Final Thoughts

It can be a rough decision to pick between what kind of material you need for your employees’ name tags. However, it becomes easier if you take into account certain factors like the budget, ease of wear, versatility, and how/when they will be worn. The difference are clear between the three and each of them is good for specific purposes. For a budget variety and a nice combination of other features, plastic is there. Metal is the most versatile and durable with a comfortable price somewhere in the middle. The best-looking and stylish but expensive and difficult to maintain are wooden tags.

Whichever you choose, know that name tags are the staple of doing business. The customers/clients that come through the door have to know immediately who is greeting them. Efficiency and optimality start and end with customer service and care, and what better way to welcome people than to let them know who you are, what it is you do, and who you do it for?