Promotional Lanyards and Badges 1/8/2008
Promotional Badges can be any shape or size
The combination of Personalised lanyards and Badges has grown tremendously over recent years. From a sportsman succeeding at the Olympics to a delegate attending a conference or exhibition they are now a familiar sight.
They are in the main manufactured in “tubular” or “flat” form. Tubular have a 10 or 15mm width for overprinting and flat 20 or 25mm. Both are manufactured in soft fine textured polyester a material ideal for screen-printing. An Eco-Friendly option is also available using plant fibre corn resin – a material which is both biodegradable and sustainable.
The name or identity “wallets”, suspended from the lanyards, are most often in flexible or rigid plastic. They are attached using a variety of metal fasteners. The “dog-clip” version would be familiar, as would the “crocodile clip”. There are a number of others. Safety breaks are now normally fitted, as proof against accidental tightening around the neck.
Other attachments available are for use with mobile phones, whistles, plastic water bottles, and metal and plastic retractable reels.
Badges are a widely used item within the Promotional Gift Market – ideal for any event ranging form corporate promotion to fund-raising campaigns. They come in various guises dependant on the reason for their purchase.
The classic “hard” enamel Badges, also known as a pin badge or lapel stud, although relatively inexpensive, has a high-perceived value. Traditionally manufactured in Birmingham, almost all are now made in the Far East. Lead times can be as short as two weeks in these days when artwork is sent by email and the cost of air freight is not onerous on such a small and lightweight item.
Various other metals and finishes are available including gold, silver, nickel and chrome plate, bronze and “antiqued” silver and gold.
A range of less expensive of materials is used in their production these days. Hard enamel – ie traditional enamel – has a hard – wearing finish, being highly polished with epola. Choisonne enamels are also used. “Soft” enamel is a lower-priced option now widely used. The original die-stamping process does not differ from the original but the colour-fill is ink-based. This type has an option of being protective epoxy-domed to allow for extended use. Less expensive still are base metal Badges screen-printed and plastic domed. They offer the possibility of four-colur process printing.
With the production of a specifically designed Stamping Die, bespoke shaped badges can be produced. These are commonly used for product launches and charity events.
At the lowest end of the price scale is the widely used Button Badge. Available in sizes from 25 to 100mm diameter, the printing method used is traditional litho. This allows the full versatility of the printing process to be used – from single colour to four colour process.
Part of this product group is the “Name” or “Identity Badge”. These are usually screen-printed with a corporate message and then personalised with an individual employee’s name. There a number of different styles – from the clear acetate badge which would have a typed name to metal badges where the name of the wearer would be engraved.
One of the most popular versions is the two-piece “window” badge where the badge is printed and the individual’s details are typed and inserted so that they effectively appear under the printing. Badges of this sort, in plastic or metal, allow for a turnover in staff as a simple piece of typing is all that is required for new employees.
So from the collectable Hard Enamel to the lowly Button Badge this product range continues to be firmly fixed and widely used in the Corporate Advertising Market.
For A wide Range of lanyards & Badges Visit Steel City Marketing
