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So, you’re going to start wearing an ID badge – either you just landed a new job that requires them, or your existing job made the choice (the correct choice, obviously!) to begin implementing them. Either way, you’re going to be tied to this little card, and the photo it contains, for some time so you might as well make the most of it, which is why here at Avon Security Products we’ve put together a few of the Do’s and Don’ts of your work ID badge. 

Do: Ask For A Proper Photo Set Up

The number one complaint levied at the ID badge is, “my photo doesn’t look very good”, and that’s totally fair – it’s tough enough seeing a bad photo of yourself posted on Facebook, let alone having to wear that photo in public. If possible, as that the room is properly lit, preferably by three-point lighting, if no natural light is available. If there’s an unused room at work that gets a good amount of sunlight, that’s always a great option, and even better if you can do it during the “golden hour”, right after sunrise or right before sunset, as that’s when the quality of light is best.

Don’t: Try And Look Like Someone You’re Not

ID cards are, first and foremost about identification. After all, it’s right there in the name. To that end, it wouldn’t do you any favours to try something completely new with your hair or makeup on the day of the photo, nor would you want to make a face you normally wouldn’t make. Essentially, you want to avoid conversations down the line where someone squints at your photo and goes, “I don’t know if that’s you”.

Do: Keep Your Card On You At All Times

ID cards are for your security, and the security of those around you, so making sure that your card is on you at all times is important. If you want to have a little fun with this measure, try ordering a custom ID badge reel or lanyard, which can either add character or advertise your business. 

Don’t: Keep It Loose In Your Pocket

As mentioned, if you are keeping your card on you at all times, make certain that it’s affixed to you somehow, either by a lanyard, badge reel or a magnetic badge holder. The last thing you want is to lose your card, and allowing it to travel loose in your pocket or purse is just courting that scenario.

Do: Be Proud Of Your ID Badge

Go ahead and be proud that you’re part of a professional team, that your employer cares about your safety, and that you now have a wonderful, well-lit photo of yourself on your person at all hours of the workday. ID badges should generate a sense of belonging and security…

Don’t: Be So Proud That You Post It On Social Media

However, there is a trend on social media called “badge bragging”, where people – often those who’ve just landed a new job – take to social media to post a picture of their ID badge. It’s often done to express pride in their new job, but unfortunately it offers up information on that card that could be useful to criminals, and since you can’t be sure exactly who is viewing your social media accounts, it’s best not to post your ID badge online.

If your business is looking to add security and style to its procedures, contact us to learn more about the many ID card systems and printers we offer. ID badges are so much more than the cards they’re printed on – they’re a safety measure, a photo opportunity and a sense of belonging.

Modern colleges and universities are becoming increasingly streamlined – that is, they are grouping the accompanying experiences into a more cohesive package – and ID cards are to thank. Colleges these days don’t rely solely on tuition to make their money, instead capitalizing on all of the surrounding needs and wants of students, including transportation, food, leisure and health. It’s not uncommon for a college or university to have what is called mandatory non-tuition fees, services that students pay towards that aren’t strictly curricular in nature.

This makes the entire college experience better. Having everything contained and convenient allows students to focus on their studies, and bridges that potentially uneasy transition from parents’ home to the big wide world. That means they can hit the campus cafeteria when they’re hungry, hit the campus gym when they think they’ve eaten too much, go to the campus library to study and even take buses from a central campus bus stop. That should be too many balls for college administration to juggle, but with ID card systems, like the ones we offer at Avon Security Products the entire process is streamlined.

 The cards often store basic information about a student, including their name, age, and the period of validity for their card (i.e. how long they are enrolled for), along with a physical photo of the student on the outside. This data, working in conjunction, allows campuses to personalize cards with a precise level of accuracy, making theft and misuse of the cards incredibly difficult. After all, when a single card has access to all of these paid services, students want to know that it is protected.

Student ID cards also have the potential to be “topped up”, to have money added to them for non-basic goods and services like snacks or non-cafeteria food. In this way, they can function like a campus-wide credit card, further streamlining services and saving students from having to juggle a number of different cards. When they want to want to go to the gym, they bring the same card as they would need to grab a snack afterwards.

Because the card is controlled centrally by the university, in the event that it goes missing, the student doesn’t have to spend countless hours on the phone with different institutions asking for a new card – no jumping through bureaucratic hoops at the bank, or calling up the transit commission to order a new bus pass. It’s simply dealt with at the school. This is another reason ID cards continue to gain popularity at colleges, and why, increasingly, institutions are looking to us at Avon Security Products for state of the art ID card printers and systems: it makes everything much more streamlined and manageable. 

Finally, an ID card also offers safety. Campuses can be easy targets for criminal activity – they keep fairly open borders and generally pride themselves on inclusiveness. This is good, but in order to keep everyone safe, it’s beneficial to know who belongs on campus and who doesn’t, and having students present ID cards is a quick and effective way of obtaining that information. Also, ID card entrance is key to curbing theft, especially on residences, which sees an flux of people that would otherwise be too great to keep track of.

College can be difficult enough to navigate, without juggling eight separate accounts, each with their own unique methods of payment and each with a different card. A student’s wallet alone would be enough to weigh them down! Because of the sophisticated data technology native to every single ID card, campus life can remain free of unnecessary complication. If you want to streamline your business, drop us a line here at R&P Prints – we’re more than happy to help!

A PVC ID Card is a wonderful thing – durable, adaptable and customizable, capable of keeping your business safe and secure in a cost-effective way, and doubling as a mode of reinforcing your company brand. Those businesses that use ID card printers, like the ones we at Avon Security Products offer, benefit from a simple, streamlined way of managing restrictions and access in the workplace, as well as a way to track the attendance of their employees. In short, there’s a whole lot that can be done with a simple ID card. But in order to get the most out of your ID cards, we recommend considering these security features: 

Holographic Overlay

Holographic varnish ribbons create an embedded hologram pattern on your cards, which, because of their uniqueness and rare technology, makes them virtually impervious to counterfeiting. It’s also very difficult to tamper with a holographic ID card; whereas with regular ID cards, a person might reasonably be able to cut out a picture or information from a real employee card, this is nearly impossible when there’s a holographic overlay. You can even customize the holographic image, which means that, in the unlikely event that someone who tries to replicate your card has access to holographic technology, they still won’t be able to replicate the card, because only you have the unique master image.

Magnetic Stripes

This technology dates back to 1969, when an enterprising IBM engineer got the idea from his wife to iron a magnetic strip onto a card for added security – the rest was history. That this feature is still widely used today is a testament to its quality and workability. This article, from How Stuff Works, does a serviceable job explaining how magstripes work. Essentially, when you make a magnetic stripe, you’re orienting the direction of a lot of small magnetic particles, giving it a unique ID that, when passed through a reader, is identified and accepted. To learn more about how to get magnetic stripe cards, or for more information about PVC cards check out our website. 

Smart Chips

Smart Chips are like the magnetic stripe’s cool younger cousin. They use cryptographic algorithms to store, use and distribute digital certificates and information. If that sounds complicated, it’s because it is! What you need to know is that chip-imbedded cards are very secure, and if your cards have sensitive information that absolutely needs protecting, this is the option for your. They also visually indicate protection, as chips are synonymous with security, so it’s less likely that the card will be stolen or tampered with.

Radio Frequency Identification

Who would think that there at the end of your badge reels would be a legitimate circuit picking up radio waves and sending radio wave pulses of its own? But that’s exactly what radio frequency identification cards (RFIDs for short) do, allowing you to manage access, track people and goods, collect contactless payments, as well as many other things. This is a versatile feature that’s used in a number of industries, from supermarkets, hospitals and airports.

ID cards, all by themselves, are wonderful tools and allow businesses of all sorts to stay secure with ease. Adding any of these features bolsters the effectiveness, capabilities and security of ID cards. If you want more information on all the available ID card features, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your business deserves to be on the forefront of security, and by choosing any of these fine features, each unique and each effective in its own way, you absolutely will be.

There are numerous benefits to self expiring visitor badges, some of which are far more obvious than others. Security is always a concern, but it can also be both time consuming and costly. Self expiring visitor badges are a solution that can help you keep your business, organization, or facility secure without running the risks associated with many of the other types of security measures.

The following are the top five reasons why self expiring badges are likely the right solution for your security needs.

If you have ever had to deal with common types of visitor badges you know just how much time is typically associated with them. It is far too easy to simply walk out of the facility with one of these generic badges as well. It can end up costing your company a considerable sum as visitors forget to leave their badges.

Self expiring visitor badges make it so that visitors will be able to come and go as they need to without you having to remember to take the badge at the end of the visit. As long as there is a log available for signing in, they won’t need to spend a lot of time with the front desk taking care of paperwork. This makes it so your staff can focus on other tasks.

Set Expiration Periods

One of the neatest aspects of these badges is the fact that you can set a different time limit based on your needs. If you have a visitor coming in for a short demonstration, the badge can have a four-hour limit. If auditors are visiting for several days, the badge can be set to expire after a week. Since the badge tracks the time, you can feel safe that the people coming and going from the facility are better assigned to their tasks in the system. It is also a far more secure method of managing visitors that leaving it with front staffing or security guards since they may be away when visitors arrive or return.

Visual Security

Once you set the expiration period, the badge will look like a typical badge. As soon as the badge reaches the expiration time, red lines appear on both sides of the badge. This is an obvious visual clue that a badge is expired. If someone is walking around with an expired badge, it is very easy to see that person does not belong in the facility.

Easy, Affordable Tracking

Since technology is managing the duration of a visitor’s stay, the entire process is streamlined. While the initial costs may seem a bit high, it is because self expiring badges require very little work to maintain or manage. They require no special training and visitors are automatically tracked. This is a huge cost savings for staffing (in addition to freeing up your employees for other tasks that cannot be automated like a badge). You can also easily review your visitors from the logbooks associated with the badges.

Different Types

All facilities and organizations are different, so the approach that is right for a school is not likely to work for a pharmaceutical company. Self expiring visitor badges offer a number of ways to fill and track visitor information.

• Manual badges display the visitor’s handwritten information.
• Printed badges are relatively common and display the same information printed on a common inkjet or laser printer.
• Thermal prints are done with a thermal printer, but contain similar details as the other badges.

Ultimately, the preference is in how the visitors’ details will be displayed. Thermal prints have a bit of additional security. Looking to learn more? Contact us at Avon Security Products! 

ID Cards are utilized by many business and organizations, across a number of different industries, helping restrict access, track information, in addition to a score of other capabilities. The only problem is – and it’s not so much a problem as it is a fact of life – because they’re attached to people, sometimes they get lost or damaged. But there are accessories we offer that can help you mitigate that issue, and if you’re looking to buy an ID card printer for your business, you might consider looking into different badge accessories as well. Here’s a short guide to the different accessories we at Avon Security Products offer.

Badge accessories fall into two rough categories: the ones that keep your badge connected, and the ones that keep your badge protected (there’s a rhyme in there somewhere!). First up, we have the accessories that keep your badge connected to you; this also can be broken down into two categories: lanyards and badge reels. Lanyards are the ones you wear around your neck, and have the added advantage of being highly visible, which is good if you want to put your business’ branding on the lanyard; at Avon Security Products, we’re Canada’s leading source for custom lanyards and can help you get exactly what you want. With your company’s branding emblazoned on the lanyard (and the card), wearers become a sort of mobile form of advertising.

Then there are the other “connector accessories”, badge reels. Badge reels more contained than a lanyard, which is ideal if you work around machinery that a lanyard might caught in – badge reels are certainly the safer option. They’re also easier to access, which is ideal if you tap or slide your card for entrance at work – a simple pull of the card from the spool is much easier than bending down to try and use the card around your neck. Finally, it’s less likely you’ll lose a card that’s affixed to a badge reel, as it’s clipped on your pocket or a belt buckle, as opposed to a lanyard, which freely swings. 

So, those are the accessories that connect your badge. As for the badge protector, there’s really one great option: the badge holder. These holders, usually made of plastic or vinyl, act as a guard against scratches, scuffs and the general wear-and-tear that a card might otherwise be exposed to. They look professional, and help you protect your investment. If you wear a nice suit to work, or you’re just the kind of person who doesn’t want to harm your clothing at all by attaching a clip, consider the magnetic badge holder, which forms around your pants- or shirt pocket, attaching itself with a magnet.

What most people think about when they consider implementing an ID card system is the printer – and justifiably so. The printers we offer, like our Polaroid, Magicard and Zebra ID card printers are awesome machines, mixing cutting-edge technology with ease and practicality. But implementing ID cards at your organization means also understanding the accessory options available. These are a few of the most popular accessories (we didn’t even touch on bead chains and luggage tags!) and should get you started off on the right foot. Try ordering a few different things – badge reels and lanyards, for example – to give your staff the option. Different people like to wear their badges different ways and far be it from us to deny them that! In the end, what matters is that your business is safe and secure, and your investment has been protected.

If you’re involved in any capacity with taking ID photos of your colleagues at work, chances are you’ve had people who were… well, a little disappointed. After all, this isn’t just any picture. This is a picture that you’ll carry around with you for quite a while, one that you’ll wear out in front of your workmates and perhaps even in public. It’s bad enough having an unflattering passport photo, and you only show that every once and a while! You owe it to your colleagues to put a little time and effort into your photo setup, that way they can wear their photo proudly.

First up, you’ll want a stable photo, adjusted to just the right angle for both consistency and framing. The best (read: only) way to do this well is by setting up a tripod; Avon Security Products has years of experience learning how to create the best ID card, which is why we offer both a miniature tripod, for use on a desk or stool, and the Optex Pro OPT155 tripod, which is durable and widely adjustable. The former is great if your business is portable, and you move locations a lot, as the mini tripod can be easily packed, carried and reset as needed. The latter is your all-around amazing tripod, with precise height adjustments and three-way pan capability, so you can track down the perfect angle for each colleague without sacrificing consistency.

Of course, the other thing you’ll see in an ID photo – other than your colleague’s lovely face, that is – is the background. You want something that won’t cast distracting shadows, something simple, complimentary and matte. At Avon Security Products, we offer a portable photo backdrop stand that comes in a number of different colours. Ask yourself, what colour are the printed cards going to be, and what colour are the badge reels going be? You want to choose a complimentary colour for your backdrop, or go with a simple white/off white – what you’re looking to avoid would be, for example, a purple backdrop, red card and yellow badge reel, which would look too busy. We also sell cloth backdrop cloth that you can drape behind the subject, if you’re looking for something even more portable than the stand. 

Next, you’ll turn your attention to lighting. This photographer’s guide to a DIY passport photo contains a good section on lighting. If possible, use natural light that’s been softened by a drape or curtain. What you’re looking to avoid is “hard lighting”, that kind of direct, bright light you get from overhead bulbs that casts unsightly shadows over a face.  If you have access to lighting equipment, you can use the classic three-point lighting, with a backlight, key light and fill light. 

Now, you’re ready to snap the shot and print the card. Make sure you have a good quality web camera, like our Credential Camera Pro, or Credential Camera AutoPro, with Auto Focus, both of which take superior, high-resolution photos. When you print the card, choose a printer, like the smart id card printer we offer, that prints a high amount of dots per inch (dpi); the Smart 50D, for example, boasts an impressive 300dpi with edge-to-edge printing. You’ve gone through the trouble of taking a beautiful photo – don’t that hard work get washed out by a grainy printing job.

You’d be surprised the kinds of small things that can boost morale in the workplace. Having a good-looking ID card photo can make a person more confident and happy to be a part of the team. With these simple tips and tools, you can make your ID card less of a mug shot and more of a beauty shot.

Safety in schools is incredibly important, especially in the wake of terrible tragedies, but Canadian parents understandably want to balance safety with atmosphere, meaning that perhaps having an armed guard and metal detector greeting a student each day isn’t the most inviting learning environment. Most agree, however, that something needs to be done, some precautionary measure needs to be in place to prevent violence and encourage a safer space.

ID badges fill that requirement handily, and as an added bonus they offer a school the opportunity to streamline a few of its processes and services. Whether it’s a small high school of a couple hundred, or a middle school stretching its students into the thousands, ID card systems like the ones we offer at Avon Security Products can be easy to use and implement, with some training on our part, and some simple printing on yours.

Let’s talk about the million-dollar feature first: security. Being able to identify students at a glance, as well as identify intruders, is a subtle yet effective way to enact a school security policy – it doesn’t have the militaristic undertones of a security guard, but it makes sure everyone is accounted for. No stranger, really, needs to be in the school without first reporting to the office, and the badge system ensures that someone can’t just walk off the street and cause a student harm or distress. To avoid lost or misplaced badges, encourage students to use badge holders or cases, which a student may decorate (because, let’s face it, you give a student a blank slate, like a locker or binder, and they will draw on it!).

Since the ID card system has other functions, it doesn’t seem to students like it’s purely a security measure. For instance, the ID card can be used to minimize absenteeism. With Canadian provinces rolling out tougher attendance policies in order to counteract the rise of absenteeism in schools, the debate forges on about how best to effect that change, and ID cards are becoming increasingly popular. Being able to account for the students present through their cards streamlines the attendance process, making it easier for teachers and administrators to pinpoint those Ferris Bueller types. 

Another useful function of the ID card is restricted access. Lab equipment and musical instruments, for example, are both quite expensive (and sometimes in short supply), so it’s important to restrict access to them. Theft of property is an unfortunate aspect of school life, but that doesn’t mean those students who earnestly want to practice music or learn science need to be shut out as well; an ID card allows administrators to give only certain students (or only faculty) access to those kinds of rooms.

And those are just the capabilities that benefit staff. ID cards can also be used as payment, for school lunches, field trips, etc., and as a library card. For students, having one handy card that can get them books, food and access means they don’t have to juggle cash, library cards and keys. It also brings them closer to the school, gives them a little physical of the community of which they’re a part. Some of our younger staff still have their high school IDs as keepsakes, a memento of their old stomping grounds!

If your school is looking to enforce a less transparent form of a security, or if you just want an efficient way to track attendance, control room access, dispense library books and offer school lunches, contact us anytime here at Avon Security Products and we’ll be happy to discuss options. As Canada’s #1 distributor of ID printers, we’ll make the process easy, quick and effortlessly understandable.