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Conventions require all moving parts to run smoothly to be in fully functioning order. Without deliberate attention to the smallest detail, the framework of the event can become sorely out of sync. Attendees and those behind the scenes rely on an organized structure to benefit their ultimate goals. One-of-a-kind experiences are difficult to produce but are possible at the cost of a little extra time and effort. Consistency and uniformity create an environment that breeds productivity.

Why Name Badge Holders?

Awkward pauses can be avoided when convention participants can clearly see the name of whoever they are talking to or listening to. Name badge holders play a vital role in opening the lines of communication. Clarity is important when business associates wish to make connections, gather contact information or socialize with their peers. Ensuring names are clearly legible and badges are not given to wear and tear, the simplicity of a badge holder is an intricate piece of a well-planned convention puzzle. Badge holders typically consist of easy slip-in pouches with attachable neck pieces, straps, pins or magnetic pieces to hold identification in place. Transparent holders display names, and other pertinent information while providing a protective film cover. Convention schedules printed on the opposite side of the badge are easy to access with a simple flick of the wrist, saving money and stopping needless paper waste. Convention planners appreciate name badge holders for their multi-purpose qualities and affordable price; versatility and cost-efficiency are qualities synonymous with success in any business format.

Customization of Name Badge Holders

The type of convention, the venue and the industry’s overall agenda are all things to consider when finding the right style of badge holder to suit your needs. To bring a unified feel to a gathering, company logos or text can be added to colorful lanyards attaching easily to streamline modish badge holders. This provides another element of personalization to convention participators. Varying color holders are obtainable as well from colored borders to full color choices; size variations, horizontal or vertical name holders, and numerous other options are available to create that special experience without costing an exorbitant amount. Additionally, of options that you can choose to add custom finishes to any function include:

Vinyl Badge Holders Clear: This option comes with simple slip on cover, zip closures, clip-on, or with flap. It also is available in vertical or horizontal styles.

Rigid Plastic Badge Holders: Hard plastic stops the ID card surface from scratches, ideal for lanyards or clips and also comes with the option for vertical or horizontal orientation.

Vinyl Badge Holders Color: Available with color specific tops, in full-color, color frame badge holder, construction grade reflective arm-band holder and various other styles.

Magnetic Badge Holders: This style is great for ID and name tags, and also is available in horizontal and vertical types. Magnetic holders add sleek and up-scale appeal to any event
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Customization is key in making any event a unique and memorable experience. Name badge holders give you the unique opportunity to inspire professionalism and encourage organization. They will add functionality to any important function. To find out about how customized badge holders can add something more to whatever event is on your agenda, contact us at Avon Security Products to start your journey towards applicable efficiency!

An important security practice throughout business organizations that has become standardized is security badges. From employees, maintenance workers, visitors, vendors and volunteers, the card services as a form of security not only for the building, but also for the employees. These security badges are designed to identify, validate and put in place the proper security measures and features that govern how an organization monitors, controls, restricts and protects their resources. At a minimum, the security badge will have an individuals’ photo and identification number. However, a variety of data can be added to an ID card. The information can vary, depending on the type of business, access controls or function of the card. Businesses should create security badges in a way so that they are easy to classify and identify, however, difficult to duplicate. Below, we’ll identify the various types of information businesses can add when designing their security badges.

Defining Company Credentials

Before a business decides what data should be added to their security badges, it’s important to understand what the cards will be used for, and how that data will relate to the functions of their business. The data that will be collected will act as credentials, which is particular knowledge provided by a person. This knowledge will allow a person entry into either a physical location or a computerized information system. A credential could be a unique pin number, a biometric feature and even a security badge. Credentials can also be a combination of these elements.

Security Badge Design

Regardless of the type of organization, the identification card should be designed as an extension of your brand. Additionally, badges should be designed based on the type of access controls given to an individual user. For example, pharmaceutical labs, military units, government facilities or law enforcement are organizations that have varying levels of security clearance. Through the use of color codes placed on the badges, is one method that can identify the cards level of access.

Security Badge Data

Front-End Display

Data can be displayed on the front-end and backend. On the front-end, the standard today is the personal photo. Cards with a personal photo displayed on the front-end include the drivers’ license, state license and even company badge. Additionally, the front-end of security badges typically include the users first and last name, an identification number, and the company logo. Overall, an ID card should not be cluttered however, should have enough information to be authenticated.

Back-End Display Additional data can be stored onto a cards magnetic strip or computer chip. With these two storage mediums, a vast array of data can be collected, tracked and retrieved at any time by simply accessing that stored data. Additional data that can be added to security badges include:
Biometrics: A finger print can be added to a badge which enhances the overall security of the card.
Signature: The card holder’s signature is another biometric type of measure that can be quickly authenticated by matching the card signature to what’s been written.
Expiration Date: Badges should have an expiration date, especially if the user is a visitor or vendor that comes only for a limited time in an organization.
Title: An individuals’ title or position within the organization is an important element to add. This can be effective for large companies with various departments.

Security badges make it convenient for organizations to monitor entry into their buildings. Businesses need to analyze what data they want to collect based on the type of organization they are running in order to define what details they wish to add to their security badges. To learn more about security badges and where to get the supplies necessary to make your own, contact us at Avon Security Products today!

Here at Avon Security Products, we’re proud to offer our customers the best products on the market, which is why we’re especially excited to show off our most recent item on the shelves, the 2016 Javelin DNA Photo ID Card System! This new ID card system features all of the best in modern printing technology, and would make for a fantastic addition in all card printing environments. From hospitals to public transit, private gyms and more, the Javelin DNA ID Card System beats the competition every time!

Javelin DNA ID Card System Benefits

The 2016 Javelin DNA ID Card System has a long list of capabilities and benefits unique to this machine.

Printing

The printing technology included in this ID card system is state of the art. The printer can issue cards instantly, with direct to card dye sublimation and resin thermal transfer. This means that the card will be printed immediately, making for a perfectly smooth application; there will be no time delays or glitches that causes images to warp or distort. With edge to edge printing and 16.7 million colour possibilities, the card will come out perfect every time.

Machine Characteristics

Outside of the printing abilities of the Javelin DNA ID Card System, the machine itself is an incredibly modern piece of technology. The original version weighs just 3.7 kg, and the automatic variation 4.5 kg; it is also incredibly compact and space saving, measuring at 228mm height, 184 mm width, 306mm depth with an additional 60mm in depth if choosing the automatic feed version.

Options

The Javelin DNA ID Card System comes in a number of variations to meet the specific needs of your business. The ID card system comes in both single and dual sided printing options, allowing you to print the exact card you need; better yet, the system is upgradable at all times should you require different printing options. Another helpful option is that the Javelin DNA ID Card System comes in both manual and automatic feed options. The manual feed option requires a person to insert the card to be printed, whereas the automatic feed will automatically choose a card from the holding hopper and complete the printing process without human intervention.

Additional Features

The Javelin DNA ID Card System comes with a variety of add-ons that can be purchased to customize your printing experience. Include a Wi-Fi capability to avoid tangled internet and connection cables; upgrade from a single sided to dual sided printer to simply print on both sides of the card at the same time; add an additional hopper to your automatic feed to increase the card holding capacity from 100 to 200.

The Javelin DNA ID Card System is a significant advancement in the ID card printing industry, and will easily advance your current in-house card printing process. For more information on this system, take a look at the product page, or contact a member of the Avon Security Products team directly today!

Self-expiring badges provide one additional layer of security if you frequently have visitors inside of your property for single events or short-term contracts. Music venues, theaters, convention centers and short term office spaces can benefit from the use of self-expiring badges because it restricts the access that anyone can have to the property once their event has come to an end. Concert Venues and Theaters In most cases concert venues and theaters experience high traffic for only a few hours surrounding a single event. During the time that these events are taking place, ticket holders are generally free to move in and out of the theater, going out to smoke or answer phone calls away from the noise and other audience members. However, you don’t want those people to come back the next day and still be able to access the property. Using self-expiring badges that clearly display a “void” image after 24 hours will keep people from repeatedly getting through security.

Convention Centers and Hotels

Convention centers and hotels that host conventions can also expect to see large numbers of people coming and going for two to three days at a time. However, most conventions sell single day and full weekend passes for different rates. In this case, the use of self-expiring badges can be extremely useful to differentiate customers who only paid for one day and those who paid for multiple days. Visitors who only paid for a Saturday pass will not be able to get in on Sunday because their badge would have expired on its own. This makes it easy to spot anyone trying to sneak in

Outdoor Festivals and Carnivals

There are many traveling circuses, outdoor carnivals and festivals that are hard to manage due to the sheer number of people present. Some carnivals and festivals sell unlimited passes to attractions for a single day as opposed to using tickets or punch cards, especially when there is no entry fee at the gates. Over the course of 24 hours a void image will slowly appear in the background of the badge until it is clearly visible and the pass is no longer valid.

Office Complexes and Industrial Areas

Even office complexes and industrial parks can benefit from the use of self-expiring badges. Any time you have a group of job candidates, school tours or other corporate visitors on your site, self-expiring badges will help you control their access to your warehouses, manufacturing facilities and inner offices. Once their interviews are done, or the tour has been completed, you won’t have to worry that they can come back in the future using the same badge. Self-expiring badges provide a simple solution to short-term crowd control in nearly any environment. While many of these industries deal with irregular influxes of people coming and going all at once, regular day to day office tasks are also in need of security measures that keep people from reusing badges beyond the scope of the event they were approved to attend. To get your self expiring badges, contact us at Avon Security Products today!

Employee ID badges are more important than ever before. These badges help you keep track of your employees, they offer a higher sense of security and promote professionalism. However at some point, you have to wonder if and when employee ID badges expire and what you should do when they do.

Most companies give employees some type of identification, and more often than not, it is an employee ID badge with a name, employee number and photograph. These badges offer a simple way to identify members of your staff, and they can help clients and customers determine who works for your company when they require assistance.

Expiring Badges Ensure Information is Current

There are a number of valid reasons for these IDs to expire at some point. First, issuing ID cards that expire help to ensure that the information on them is always current. A lot can happen in a year’s time, which is the typical time a badge is valid for, and ensuring that the ID expires annually helps to keep this information as current as possible. You can also easily see information about this employee at a glance, including information such as their job title or employee number.

Expiring Badges Help to Keep Staff Safe

Another reason an employee ID badge should expire is to keep your staff safe. Consider, for instance, that an employee is terminated or quits. Technically the employee could use that badge to possibly access the building, certain records, important data or worse. If these IDs expire however, the odds that a former employee could use them is much lower as it is more difficult to gain access with an expired identification.

Employee ID Badges Can Expire Early or Not At All

Just are there are a number of compelling reasons for an employee ID badge to expire annually, there are also reasons for an employer to have the ID badge expire early or not at all.

Updating Employee ID Badges Early is Good Practice

For example, if an employee changes jobs or gets a new job title they must have get an updated ID, even if it is not expired yet. Another exception to the annual update is if an employee gets a new name, such as when an employee gets married. Finally, a new employee ID badge should be given if an employee drastically changes their appearance, such as a change of hair colour, cosmetic surgery or other change. Again, making these changes ensures that the company always has information that is current on every employee.

There are many benefits to having employee ID badges for your business, and there are even more good reasons for updating this information annually. If you are an owner or manager of a company that uses employee ID badges, make sure to have them expire and update them each year. To get the best ID printer on the market, contact us at Avon Security Products today!

Have you ever wondered, “why is my printer not printing colour correctly?”. If so, you are not alone. Trying to print something at home or in the office to colour match something that had been professionally printed is not an easy task. To people that do not have vast knowledge in the world of professional printing, this can prove to be quite an enigma as well. The reason for this problem is colour conversion.

How a Computer Screen Image is Different from a Printed One

When you look at your computer screen you are seeing the colours in RGB, however at the print store your work is printed in CYMK. The difference here is that the RGB set is considered a light emitting set, because it is seen by light emitted from your computer screen. The CYMK set is considered a light absorbing set, because it is printed on paper and the colour you see is due to subtraction of wavelength by the ink from the spectrum of your light source. This is the main reason why the colours in the image on your screen may not match the printed result.

Some other factors that can affect colour conversions are the following:

1. Images that are scanned into the computer then manipulated in an editor can pose a problem as well. The hard copy will be in CYMK, which is then converted to RGB for saving, which you then convert back to CYMK in your image editing software.

2. If you are importing your finished CYMK saved image into another software program before printing your colours may also be affected. The quality of your image at this point is reliant on the image compression algorithms of the software.

3. Then your printer driver most likely will convert the image to RGB and send it to the printer where it is printed in CYMK.

After all of those colour or file conversion steps it is easy to understand how changes in colour can easily occur going from the computer screen to a printed product.

Fixes for Disparities in Colour

First you will want to look at how your file is saved. Commonly anything that is saved for publishing on the web is going to be saved in RGB format. If this is the case go back to your original file, make a copy and change the colour scheme of the new file to CYMK for printing.

Aside from having each piece that you need printed done by a professional printing company the only solution is trial and error. Simply print your work and keep going back and changing the colours a bit until it finally comes out right. When you find that perfect colour scheme to go from digital image to print be sure to back up the file in another spot, so that you will not have to go through that again.

In conclusion, when you get right down to it, colour conversion problems can be a lot more complicated than one would think. The people that designed computers were not thinking about professional printing presses or colour combinations. If you find you have run through the steps in this blog carefully and still find yourself asking “why is my printer not printing colour correctly” contact us here at Avon Security Products. We are here to help troubleshoot and solve your toughest card printer issues.

Apple’s Mac desktops and laptops are becoming more and more common in the workplace. Back in the 1990s and early 2000s Macs did not have as many software and hardware options as their Microsoft Windows counterparts. With changes in technology and Macs making up a higher percentage of computers sold selection in both categories has increased noticeably. However, Macs are still not compatible with every software and hardware product on the market and can run into issues with specialty equipment. Because of this you have to verify that what you’re buying will work on the Mac platform. Here is a brief list of ID card printer software and hardware designed to work with Macs.

Mac Compatible ID Card Printer Hardware

DTC1250e ID Card Printer System: a single-sided printer with a compact classic printer design. Despite its small size the DTC1250e is one of the fastest printers in its class. A versatile device it can handle cards of varying thickness, rewrites for temporary/visitor badges, is easy to use, and offers advanced features such as QR codes and AES-256 data decryption. Optional features are Internet connectivity and more advanced card encoding.

Fargo HDP5000 ID Card System: available in single-sided and dual-sided models. Both models are lightweight and offer advanced features. These include layered vibrant printing, Ethernet connectivity, an easy to use interface, and both are easy to clean and maintain. Optional features offer card encoding and laminating.

Fargo DTC4500e: available as a single-sided ID card printer the DTC4500e is a high volume machines that handle a heavy workload. If your business needs to make a lot of ID cards the DTC4500e is a good choice. It’s also fast, easy to use, secure, has Internet access, and offers lamination features for higher quality cards.

Evolis Zenius ID Card System: the Zenius prints single sided ID cards and is capable of printing cards in bulk and is designed for light on demand usage. Aside from this modern and small design it’s also easy to use and maintain.

Evolis Primacy ID Card System: a dual-sided ID card printer that is speedy and reliable without taking up too much room. Its compact design makes it an easy fit in any office and it’s also energy efficient. The Evolis Primacy is also Internet ready, user friendly, and efficient with supplies cutting down on ribbon replacement costs.

Mac Compatible ID Card Printer Software

Due to overall design differences what works on Windows may not work on a Mac unless it is specifically designed to do so. Because of this you need to make sure that the software you buy is specifically noted to be made for Mac usage. When looking for ID card printer software many software choices are still Windows only. Secure ASP cardPresso ID Card is a favourite choice of Mac users looking for card printer software and it comes in several different varieties to fit your business needs. With five different versions available you can have everything from a simplistic system made to design its own ID cards all the way to a system that can import data, access online databases, connect to servers, allow LAN usage, and make use of wireless printing.

As you can see there is a wide selection of capable and well-made ID card printer hardware and high quality software available. When you need a wide selection of Mac compatible products, software, and accessories contact Avon Security Products. Canadian owned and operated Avon has been providing quality products to the public and private sectors for many years.

Are your employees frustrated with their ID cards? Not to worry, the five most common complaints about employee ID cards are easily fixed.

1. My card clip often snags my fabric, and even makes holes in my clothes.

You can easily provide employee ID card options in design and how they can be worn.

Option 1: Rather than using clasps off employees a lanyard, you can buy lanyards with soft fabric, with the employee ID cards attached to the bottom. Also, purchase white or black lanyards: They might not be fashion forward, but they won’t be unsightly either. Print the card in portrait if using a lanyard so it hangs nicer.

Option 2: Use a badge reel that is retractable. The badge reel can attach easily to a pant loop or belt.

Option 3: if you want to continue to use the clip ID, rubberize the clip, so your employees’ clothing is protected.

2. My employee ID card is always getting wrecked so I have to replace it often.

Since weather conditions vary, one card stock will work great in one climate, but lead to cracking and fraying in another. To avoid the hassle, to your and to your employee, of continually replacing ID cards, make sure your card stock is up to the job. Or, laminate your cards; this will make them more durable and easier to handle.

3. “The photo on my ID is embarrassing.

If you take the photos in-house, it’s tough to get a professional-quality photo. However, you can improve the photo on your employee ID Cards considerably with a few simple changes.

Step 1: Set up a nice prep area, with mirrors and good lighting so employees can fix their hair, or touch up their makeup, before the picture is taken.

Step 2: In the photo area, use at least two lights and take the photos using daylight flash. The addition of flash will lessen the chance of institutional – and unflattering – pictures by giving more detail to the photo and make it look less artificial.

Step 3: Set up a monitor facing the employee so he or she can see the photo immediately. This way the photographer and the employee can do the reshoot right then and there.

4. My card contains so much information that it takes me forever to get through security. No one can read it quickly!

Employee ID cards, like most things, will benefit from quality design. Take time to think about how the card functions and highlight only the critical key pieces of information. Function should determine information. If the card is used at human security checks, put the pertinent information in large, bold letters and reduce the size of other information on the card, including things like your company logo. Do a test with redesigned card. Ask some employees to wear the card and see if their experience improves.

5. Why do I have to wear an employee ID card when I don’t like it? Other employees don’t wear theirs either.

This complaint is easy to fix. Enforce your employee ID Cards policy across the board. Make no exceptions, not even for the CEO.

To get the best ID cards and other employee security products, contact us at Avon Security Products today!

When you plan to buy an ID card printer, your first task is to set out exactly what you’re looking for. There is no point to spending money on a printer that is capable of printing barcodes or adding RFID or SmartCard security options to cards if you’re only looking for a printer to handle high quality, single side printing with no encoding.

When you’re checking out specifications for good ID card printers you’ll discover options include:

Print Capacity

Knowing your print requirements before you buy a new ID card printer is very important, it’s a good idea to consider projected print needs for the years ahead too. Good printers will likely have abilities to print more than 500 cards daily, while government or university-type users will possibly need printers with abilities for very large scale print runs. Optional add-ons to consider include larger card input and output hoppers for greater speed and efficiency on large print runs.

Intuitive Interface

Choosing a printer with intuitive features that include useful LED display and screen prompts make it easy for new employees and temps to operate the machine. Ordering supplies and fitting new print ribbons are a breeze with printers that will guide the operative through the correct procedures.

Print Methods

You can opt for printers to print the card face alone or choose dual side printers. The single side printers are slightly cheaper, while dual side printers will typically provide full color printing on the face and black on the reverse. Different print methods affect the pricing of ID card printers. Standard thermal transfer printers are the most cost effective as they print direct to cards, however there will always be a border around the edge as it is impossible to print the full card using this method. The alternative is reverse printing to cards which will give full card coverage and offers slightly higher quality. If you need to print on different thickness cards, opt for a printer providing this feature.

Laminating

Some of the high volume ID card printers offer laminating abilities, or it’s possible to add single-sided or duplex laminating at a later date.

Encoding

Encoding options for printers include holograms, barcodes, magnetic stripe, smart card, RFID. Printers providing RFID capabilities are more expensive, however this technology provides many benefits including extended read range and options for reading by automated processes. Barcoding is the easiest coding option, while magnetic stripe printers need to encode cards with barcoding already applied and smart card coding gives the highest possible levels of card security. If you’re unsure whether encoding may be required in future, opt for a printer which can be upgraded at a later date.

Avon Security Products can help you find the best ID card printer to suit your business needs. All you need do is provide us with an estimate of the number of cards printed each year and indicate whether you want single or dual side printing, then take time to compare the range of available printers that meet your basic criteria. You’ll discover a wide range of special offers at Avon Security Products, alongside all the supplies you need to keep your ID card printer operating at optimal levels. Contact us today for more information.

Would you like to know how a membership card printer will better organize your business? Whether you need 10 or 10,000,000 cards, you’re a school, a golf club, coffee house or offer a digital service, membership cards can help you make a success of your business.

Showing your customers and clients how much you appreciate them by launching a new membership program will help you to Improve your customer services, promote your sales, services or products and most importantly, make your customers or clients feel exclusive.

How Do Membership Cards Work?

Each card you print off of your membership card printer has a unique number linked to a database. Every time your member visits, the card is swiped reading their unique number. This identifies the card holder whose data is updated in the database according to their card’s activity.

How Do Membership Card Printers Help You Better Organize Your Business?

By collecting data that you can view, your system is providing you with information that can help you to help your customers, according to their behaviour and needs. You can make use of that information for:

1. Specific Targeting

You already have your member’s basic information such as their name and address but when they start using their membership or loyalty card you can get a little insight into their spending habits; this can be used to market to them specifically.

2. Smart Display Marketing Alert

Through monitoring your members general behaviour and use of their card, you can make decisions on where best to display sales items or how to advertise a service. For example, if many members are buying products together like milk and bread often, it makes sense to display them together.

3. Enticing Encouragement

If a member buys some item or service quite often, you can send them a voucher for money off these favorites, increasing their loyalty further.

4. Personalizing Products through Mailing Lists

Make your customers feel even more special by using data information from their cards to tailor advertisements specifically for them. For example, if they subscribe to a gardening magazine you could send them an email about gardening products or services.

What Membership Card Printer Would Suit My Business?

>It is essential that you choose the right membership card printer for your business and great companies such as Avon Security have the expertise you need to get started. Your choice may depend on how many membership cards you need or whether they are dual sided or not. The look of the membership card you choose is vital too as are the uses you want it to have.

No longer just a marketing method limited to enterprise level companies, membership cards can help you make a success of your business. For more information on getting the best membership card printer for your business, contact us at Avon Security!