I.D. Holders, Lanyards and Badge Reels Equal Security, Convenience

In recent years, many businesses, schools and offices have adopted a requirement that employees, students and visitors carry I.D. cards at all times while on the premises. With concern high following a well-publicized series of incidents, these organizations have chosen to make safety a top priority. With this increased security emphasis has come a new need for ID holders to keep I.D. badges visible for display.

I.D. holders are a simple product, a means to hold a company- or school-issued I.D. badge. Depending on where they will be used, I.D. holders can be worn attached to lanyards, badge reels, or directly to clothing with a pin-back. Whether they pin to a jacket or shirt lapel, clip onto a lanyard or snap onto a badge reel, I.D. holders are an uncomplicated product that serve an important goal.

Pin-back I.D. holders pin directly to garments, producing a secure attachment. But many people dislike this style, because the pin can damage clothing. For that reason, some people prefer a basic I.D. holder that clips to a shirt or jacket pocket. While it won’t damage clothing, the clip-on style can be easier to lose.

Badge reels and lanyards are the two most popular ways to carry I.D. holders. These are the most convenient ways to wear an I.D. badge at work or school for most people. A basic I.D. holder attached to a badge reel or lanyard keeps the necessary identification card easily accessible. Badge reels also are a solution for safely wearing I.D. holders in work environments in which lanyards might not be safe to wear. They also reduce the likelihood that an I.D. badge will be lost.

Lanyards are a very popular method of keeping I.D. badges at a readily visible level. The employee wears the lanyard around their neck with the I.D. holder clipped onto the lanyard. Most people find lanyards comfortable to wear, but badge reels are an excellent alternative for those who don’t.

I.D. holder lanyards give organizations and sometimes even the wearers themselves an opportunity to customize their lanyards. With many colors and multiple styles available, lanyards offer a fashionable touch. They can be custom printed with a message or company logo if desired. The available styles can be adapted to fit just about any type of I.D. holder.

In some work environments however, such as around operating machinery, lanyards can pose a safety hazard. In those situations, badge reels are an excellent alternative way to carry an I.D. holder.

Badge reels, just like lanyards, attach to the I.D. holder. The holder is clipped to the end of a retractable cord that’s part of the reel. The badge reel clips to a pocket or belt loop, keeping the I.D. holder close, but safely out of the way. This style is excellent for use with key cards because the I.D. holder in inconspicuous, but can easily be extended to the length of the badge reel’s cord to swipe the card through a key card reader.

Custom I.D. holders also are available, such as those designed to hold law enforcement badges. Waterproof I.D. holder designs also are available for those who work on the water.