Badge Reels are increasingly common as a replacement to the standard neck lanyard in many applications. Just like lanyards, badge reels hold small items such as I.D. badges (hence the name), key cards, keys, pens and other articles useful on the job.
I.D. badges and key cards are simply a fact of life in modern workplaces, schools and other organizations. The need for security requirements places a burden on employees, students and visitors to have identification readily visible at all times when on the premises. Lanyards are one common way to meet the need to keep I.D. handy and visible in an unobtrusive way. Badge reels are another excellent alternative geared toward flexibility and convenience.
In some cases, badge reels have an advantage over lanyards. Badge reels keep items close at hand, yet can be extended easily to allow use of the item attached. Once finished, the badge reel retracts, keeping the I.D. badge or other item securely clipped to the wearer’s belt or pants pocket and conveniently out of the way of performing work tasks.
Badge reels are available at several price levels, from economy to heavy duty, depending on the usage environment. Shapes can be round or square, depending on the customer’s preference. Economy reels can be made of high-impact plastic, and are available in a variety of sizes and colors, including translucent ones. For the sake of durability, heavy-duty reels are more likely to be made of metal, and can feature stronger cable for holding heavier objects.
Just like lanyards, badge reels are available with custom imprints of a logo or brief message on their plastic or metal cases. These give the badge reel a promotional presence in addition to their utilitarian function. The flat level surface of the badge reel centers allow full-color process printing. This can accurately reproduce even the most intricate corporate logo.
Conversely, badge reels also can be ordered with single-color printing. This allows printing additional information all the way out to the edges of the surface of the reel. This is not possible with full-color printing, which uses a process in which the image is first printed onto adhesive-backed vinyl which is then applied to the badge reel case.
For this reason, badge reels can make excellent trade show giveaway promotional items. Pass them out to prospective customers and you’ve given them something they can use – that just happens to have your logo and/or contact information on it. Chances are, they’ll find it useful, and think of your business when they’re ready to buy your product or service. The exposure of a simple badge reel can lead to highly profitable new customers.
Lanyards and badge reels can even be combined to make both more convenient. By attaching the reel to the end of the lanyard, the resulting combination gives the wearer extended reach compared with using either device alone. The added convenience also can carry a double promotional or marketing message – one custom printed on the lanyard and another on the badge reel.